FutureTech Podcast: Recent Episodes
RICHARD JACOBS
Podcast interviews with genius-level (top .1%) practitioners, scientists, researchers, clinicians and professionals in Cancer, 3D Bio Printing, CRISPR-CAS9, Ketogenic Diets, the Microbiome, Extracellular Vesicles, and more.
Subscribe today for the latest medical, health and bioscience insights from geniuses in their field(s).
Tracy Leparulo Founder and CEO at Untraceable, is an early crypto investor and Blockchain Futurist, she founded Untraceable in 2013 to help build and grow the crypto community.
Untraceable is the first event management and marketing agency within the blockchain and cryptocurrency community in Canada. We provide a full suite of services for events including logistics, marketing, and sponsorship.
Our specialty is designing cutting-edge events by seamlessly integrating crypto ticketing, event apps, token creation, and innovative tech solutions to fit your needs.
Over the past 5 years, Untraceable has organized hundreds of events from the first Bitcoin Expo in Canada to the first Ethereum hackathon to ETHWaterloo (the world’s largest Ethereum hackathon).
Whether you’re launching a blockchain company or planning a corporate conference, the Untraceable team will work with you to create an immersive and unforgettable event.
Jamie Burke, Founder, and CEO of Outlier Ventures provides an overview of bitcoin and blockchain and the ways that companies can aggressively push their businesses forward with emerging technologies.
Burke is a pioneer in the blockchain industry. As Europe's 1st Web 3.0 blockchain venture builder, he and his team have pushed forward on utilizing blockchain as a significant key to emerging trends (AI, Mixed Reality, IoT, and Autonomous Robotics) that will play key roles in multiple industries such as Industry 4.0, eGovt, Health, Mobility, and Smart Cities.
Burke talks about his background in blockchain and cryptocurrency. He explains that he wanted to launch Outlier Ventures as a means to deal with the technology and tools that would be fundamentally changing the web and how it is structured, and subsequently society as a whole. Discovering bitcoin, he decided to immerse himself in the space, studying the technology, rooting out the problems, and identifying areas that could be improved upon.
Burke discusses the disconnect with proprietary business models building on open source technologies, meaning that even if an entity could create something truly unique, there was the problem of someone else potentially coming in and copying what you’ve created, and doing it at a lower price even.
The technology guru explains the many ways that Outlier Ventures can assist companies, as an advisor or board member, helping them find the most efficient and aggressive ways to utilize emerging technologies. As he discusses, Outlier Ventures can help them design their token economy or assist them in designing their governance model. He explains how their staff of analysts really dig into the technology and the technology layers to maximize a company’s market-forward position.
Continuing, Burke talks about how Outlier Ventures invests in projects that reinforce their previous investments, which is a markedly different approach than what is considered a traditional VC path in which investments are diversified to offset risk.
Burke is a regular speaker at various conferences around the globe, and throughout his career he has amassed a strong network of significant corporate partners, investors, and government agencies as well, working together to build better tech for the benefit of many industries.
MatterHackers is one of the largest and most trusted online resources for materials, boasting over 350 standard, exotic and exclusive styles of filament.
They distribute over 40 types of 3D Printers, with free shipping and lifetime support. From software, to supplies, to printers, they are working to enable people to turn the ideas they have into the things they use.
They provide software, MatterControl is an open source desktop 3D printing software platform, created by MatterHackers and compatible with most 3D printers.
Download for free at www.mattercontrol.com.
Ronald T. Merrill, Professor Emeritus of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington, and author of, Our Magnetic Earth: The Science of Geomagnetism, engages in a lively discussion about multiple broad concepts of science, the Earth’s magnetic field, and geomagnetism.
Podcast Points:
- What is magnetism?
- What has modern science learned from past experiments in physics?
- How do animals use magnetism to guide them?
Professor Merrill discusses magnetism, which as he states is a broad field that covers a lot of information, from physics to geology. Magnetism, simply defined, is a class of physical experiences/occurrences that are mediated by magnetic fields. The professor discusses his areas of interest within the general topic of magnetism, such as the Earth’s magnetic field, its properties, what creates it, etc.
Professor Merrill discusses the basic properties of magnetism. He explains how animals in nature sense, and use, magnetic fields. He provides examples of various animals and how they use magnetic fields, such as salmon, birds, etc. Continuing, the professor discusses the strength of magnetic fields, and how animals use tools for navigation, smell being one, and magnetic fields being another. He provides some examples of single-cell organisms and how they use magnetic fields to find their ideal environments to live and thrive.
Going deeper, Professor Merrill talks about other species, and their use of magnetic fields, from bats to mole rats. In regard to humans, some scientists believe that we may have a magnetic sense, although Professor Merrill is quite skeptical at this point.
He talks about some Cal Tech experiments that have contributed to further understanding of magnetic fields, and the possibility of whether humans have a magnetic sense. Professor Merrill states that magnetic fields can reverse periodically, and he explains varied conditions that can produce irregularity. Professor Merrill discusses the Earth’s core and he provides information on electrical currents in relation to magnetic fields.
Wrapping up, the scientific professor provides his thoughts on some historical physics as it relates to magnetism, citing the work of William Gilbert, “the father of experimental physics.”
Dr. Sivan describes some the basics and the intricacies of quantum computing. When you listen, you'll learn about
- the difference between classical computers and quantum processors,
- the weaknesses involved in the quantum system such as the paradox between necessary binary isolations and interaction, and
- how these systems may impact the future in technologies such as machine learning and AI.
Dr. Itamar Sivan is the co-founder of Quantum Machines. His background includes extensive studies in quantum technologies and quantum-control systems. He obtained a master's degree from Oxford University in quantum optics and the physics of cold atoms and his PhD was on quantum physics and quantum computing combined with an entrepreneurship angle.
This discussion explores much of his present work as well as the tension between what quantum technologies are capable of accomplishing and what limits come in the delicate nature of the quantum-control systems.
His company, Quantum Machines or QM, develops the quantum orchestration platform. In other words, they develop hardware and software systems that run complex algorithms on quantum processors.
He explains that technology can be leveraged into running algorithms into pretty much any quantum processor. He also discusses the advances and challenges as the exponential power of the quantum system is not fully utilized.
He comments that the race for technology for the quantum world involves expanding processors to be bigger and more stable. Finally, he explains what these advances may impact and how everyday life might be affected.
For more, see his company's website: https://www.quantum-machines.co/
Mechanical engineering professor Dr. Adrian Bejan explains how his new book takes on the hierarchy system of natural movement.
He explains the gist of this theory by discussing
- how from an engineering point of view, evolution is possible because movement is possible,
- why this freedom of movement makes change possible, and
- how this freedom of movement and change means hierarchy is unavoidable.
In this podcast Dr. Adrian Bejan, distinguished professor at Duke University and author of more than thirty books, discusses the ideas that propel his new book, Freedom and Evolution: Hierarchy in Nature, Society and Science.
He explains connections between different disciplines to give a fuller picture of his idea. For example, he discusses the impact of society on science such that in technology, we talk in terms of evolution toward greater economy, easier life, and greater health. He asserts that these improvements and directions are due to changes that are possible because these moving parts have the freedom to change.
He provides one example central to the approach in his new book: he tells listeners to think of evolution as a universal phenomenon and evokes an aerial view of the Mississippi river basin. He discusses the constant readjustment of the small tributaries due to force and movement. Essential however and evocative of the impact of society on science is the hierarchical nature of these relationships.
Ultimately what you see, he says, is the cohabiting of the few large with the many small: the big channel is not exploiting the many small, but rather the hierarchy works together in stasis or harmony.
For more information, find his new book , Freedom and Evolution: Hierarchy in Nature, Society and Science for sale through most booksellers including Amazon and see his page on the Duke web site: https://mems.duke.edu/faculty/adrian-bejan
Denise Ruffner, Chief Business Officer, Cambridge Quantum Computing, discusses quantum computing.
Denise Ruffner, as Chief Business Officer at Cambridge Quantum Computing, is a valuable member of the company’s executive leadership. Ruffner coordinates and oversees Cambridge Quantum Computing’s business development activities that build upon and support their active growth agenda, client development, corporate strategy, and important relationships.
Denise earned her master’s degree in Neurobiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Podcast Points:
- What is quantum computing?
- As technology develops, so do ways to hack into environments. What can be done?
- An overview of encryption
Ruffner discusses the details of her company, Cambridge Quantum Computing, and what quantum computing really is all about. She talks about the development of software for quantum computers, and the security devices they develop that can protect against quantum computers potentially breaking security environments.
She explains the power of these quantum computer juggernauts, and how they will have the power to break through standard computer encryption safety walls. So companies that hold sensitive data need to start thinking about how they can protect confidential data. Ruffner explains their projects in development that use quantum physics to create non-hackable environments.
Expanding on her discussion, Ruffner talks about the scientists and teams involved in various projects in quantum finance and more at Cambridge Quantum Computing. She provides an overview of some of the projects and products she finds extremely interesting. She discusses t|ket⟩™ which is their software package that allows you to write quantum algorithms on top of it, and ultimately enables users to move their software and run it on different devices. As she states, there is a race in the quantum computer industry, and operating software can be quite varied, thus t|ket⟩™ provides a platform to move software and run algorithms on different devices seamlessly. t|ket⟩™ translates machine independent algorithms into truly executable circuits, and thereby optimizes for physical qubit layout, all the while reducing the total number of required operations.
Continuing, Ruffner discusses quantum volume and the details of it. Wrapping up, Ruffner discusses some of the scientific problems that can be addressed with quantum computing, and the complex computational problems that still cannot be solved even with supercomputers, and how quantum computing can help.
Guillermo A. Cecchi, Research Staff Member, Computational Neuroscience at IBM, discusses his background and the current state of computational neuroscience research.
Podcast Points:
- What can we learn from neuroimaging?
- Is it possible to predict psychotic outbreaks?
- An update on new ALS research
Dr. Cecchi has an extensive background in Physics (MSc, University of La Plata, Argentina); in Physics and Biology (PhD, The Rockefeller University); as well as in Imaging in Psychiatry (Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University). In this podcast, Cecchi discusses much of his current research. Dr. Cecchi has broken ground in the use of a computational linguistics approach to assess psychiatric conditions. He provides an overview of his work in computational psychiatry and the use of neuroimaging.
Dr. Cecchi’s particular interests are in the varied aspects of theoretical biology, such as brain imaging, molecular computation, Brownian transport, spike reliability in neurons, the song production and representation in diverse songbirds, statistics of natural images as well as visual perception, and more.
The computational neuroscientist discusses their work with adolescents who have a clinical risk for psychosis. As he explains, they conducted baseline interviews then followed patients for several years, to see if it is possible to predict which patients would have dramatic psychotic outbreaks, in an attempt to better understand how to work with patients, predict upcoming problems, and provide better early treatment.
Dr. Cecchi explains how they observe speech and patterns, and interpret signs and signals. The research doctor goes on to discuss parameters they consider in their studies, and as he states, certain factors can be significant. He explains studies that have been successful in the identification of speech markers, and the factors that are involved, looking at baseline, and considering future trials.
Dr. Cecchi cites further examples of their work researching ALS, and how they use data collected from smartphones, in order to observe deterioration, motor activity, and cognitive aspects over time. As Dr. Cecchi states, the goal on some of their work is to create a model that can be brought to the FDA, in order to eventually provide better treatment.
Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson is an expert on global climate models and created one of the first.
In this podcast, he describes
- how modeling took on more complexity over the years and what its potential uses are,
- why measuring electric car payback is also about health effects, not just an emissions versus production measurement, and
- what states are approaching 100% renewable energy efforts and which technologies will get us there the fastest.
Dr. Jacobson is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. He works on understanding air pollution and climate change issues and develops large-scale clean, renewable energy solutions. Currently, he's working on a three-dimensional atmosphere, biosphere, and ocean computer model. He simulates air pollution, weather, and climate to enable renewable energy road maps for states to transfer to 100% renewal energy systems in the near future.
As a young person, he traveled to LA frequently and experienced physical effects of air pollution, inspiring him towards his present work. He's still working on a model he started in grad school that tracks the "life cycle" of air pollution. In this conversation, he talks about the process of collecting emissions data from a gridded system that integrates anthropogenic emissions. He then adds natural emissions as well and weather predictions.
He tells listeners that transportations is the biggest pollution emitter and why. He also explains that this not only causes the greenhouse effect, but also causes numerous health problems and thousands of deaths. Therefore, he reminds listeners, eliminating air pollution is a vital health issue.
Finally, he explains how his global climate models are scaled to state-wide systems to help governments reduce air pollution and climate change through suggested technologies.
For more, see his web page at Stanford. It contains links to his papers as well as a free online class he offers: https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/
You can find him on twitter as @mzjacobson
Mark Pipher is the Vice President of FacilityConneX, a company that aims to reduce energy consumption through equipment optimization and smart building ideas.
He discusses the following:
- Why it can be so difficult for large companies to identify which pieces of equipment are using the most energy
- By what percentage energy usage can be decreased through the correction of faults found in different types of equipment
- Common and easily fixable problems found in industrial units
Consider a 250,000 square-foot building that sees a three million-dollar electric bill on average, and also imagine the environmental and financial benefits that would come from cutting that cost by 10 to 20 percent. This is what FacilityConneX is doing for their clients on a continuous basis, resulting in reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and more efficient business and industrial operations overall.
Pipher discusses some examples of the types of equipment they work to optimize and the ways in which optimization can occur, such as identifying and correcting simultaneous heating and cooling in an HVAC system. Through the use of analytic techniques, FacilityConneX is able to monitor every single piece of equipment in a building that houses thousands, and identify any existing or potential problems in real time.
He discusses the three main aspects of the services they provide, some of the most common interventions used for specific problems, and the different approaches they use depending on whether they’re addressing an old building with old equipment, or new development, new equipment, or expansion of an existing facility.
Tune in for the full conversation and learn more at https://www.facilityconnex.com/.
Christopher Chapman, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy, Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago, provides an overview of his research, specifically detailing the area of gastroenterology, and his work with patients.
Podcast Points:
- What are the medical procedures designed to help lose weight?
- Can I lose weight medically, but without surgery?
- What does an endoscopic procedure entail?
Dr. Chapman has extensive training and experience in Interventional Endoscopy and Gastroenterology. He is a noted gastroenterologist and member of the Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT), where he regularly treats patients who suffer from various gastrointestinal disorders, through the use of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.
The research doctor discusses his background at Johns Hopkins University, and now at the University of Chicago, and also his current work, which he describes as about 80% clinical and 20% research. As he explains, a good deal of his work deals with endoscopic procedures designed to help people lose weight, so they can improve their health, and reduce or eliminate their obesity-related conditions. He explains how these procedures differ from bariatric surgery.
As he states, many of these procedures are done through the ‘natural orifice’ meaning they go in through the mouth while the patient is asleep. He provides an overview of the intragastric balloon procedure, which essentially inserts a balloon type device inside your stomach that allows you to feel fuller faster; endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which reduces the size of the stomach; and then aspiration therapy, which is a bariatric approach that can help to siphon ingested food out of the stomach through an implanted tube and port it to the outside of the body to then be discarded.
Dr. Chapman discusses the many ways they, as researchers and doctors, seek to innovate in the space, applying new procedures and techniques to aid their patients with a wide assortment of medical maladies. He talks about clinical trials for their balloon devices, devices that can help people lose more weight and/or make the balloon more tolerable to patients who have difficulty.
He talks about other options in clinical trials, that focus on diabetes, and also some that are endoscopy-free. Many new techniques are on the horizon that will be minimally invasive, yet still provide immense benefits to patients.
Continuing, Dr. Chapman talks about the work they are doing to try to get insurance companies to cover certain procedures, which will help those who may be underinsured or facing financial struggles, to get procedures they need for their health.
Robert Quinn, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses his research, detailing information on rare bacterial lung infections, anaerobic bacteria infection, and especially cystic fibrosis.
Podcast Points of Discussion:
- What exactly is cystic fibrosis?
- How might pure oxygen impact bad bacteria?
- What are the long term possibilities for a cystic fibrosis patient?
Quinn’s education includes: a PhD in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA, an MSc in Microbiology from the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and a BSc in Microbiology, also from the University of Guelph in Canada.
Quinn discusses cystic fibrosis, which he states is a classic genetic disease, and those who are afflicted with it have various mutations in a particular gene. As he explains cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system.
The body produces thick and sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. He goes on to discuss some of the commonalities that exist between sick people with cystic fibrosis and the healthy. He discusses the issues in detail, discussing the oral cavity and upper airways.
Quinn continues his discussion by recounting some experiments he was involved with during his time at San Diego State University. In the experiments, patients would not only breathe oxygen, but they would actually sit in a hyperbaric chamber full of oxygen.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen while inside a pressurized room or tube. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a commonly used treatment for decompression sickness, which is a hazard of scuba diving. While there were potential risks due to the pressurization, the idea was that this environment could possibly kill some unwanted bacteria, such as anaerobic organisms, or anaerobes, which are organisms that do not require oxygen for growth, and thus they may respond negatively or perhaps even die if free oxygen is presented.
Quinn goes on to discuss cross contamination concerns between cystic fibrosis patients due to the fact that they have highly resistant bacteria. He explains broad-spectrum antibiotic use and talks about the pros and cons of various treatments.
In this podcast, Dr Claudia Gray, PhD, Paediatrician and Allergologist, Kids Allergy Paediatric & Allergy Centre—South Africa, talks in detail about allergy issues and research, discussing many common child allergies, child skin allergy treatment, and what’s coming in the future for allergy testing and treatment.
Podcast Points of Discussion:
- How do allergy tests work?
- Why do certain allergies improve over time, but some actually worsen?
- Do allergy shots work as an effective treatment?
Dr Gray has an extensive history and background in her field, as a paediatrician with a subspecialist accreditation in allergology, and as a noted researcher. She received her medical degree from the University of Cape Town, then continued studies in London, specializing in paediatrics, paediatric clinical pharmacology, and paediatric allergy. Additionally, she holds a PhD related to the specific study of eczema and food allergy.
Dr Gray talks about her background, why she decided to specialize in paediatrics and allergies, and some of the current research in the field. Allergologists have a wide range of studies that includes eczema, asthma, environmental allergies, drug allergies, food allergies, gut allergies, and insect venom allergies. Dr Gray provides detailed information on why some allergies improve over time, but others worsen.
The research doctor and professor explains how allergy shots work, and why they are successful with some patients. She discusses the various mechanisms through which allergies can improve over time, discussing the artificial processes (such as allergy shots) that are designed to trick the body into producing protective antibodies. She explains how they work with their patients, discussing medicines, and specific allergies—such as peanut allergies, detailing how early oral exposure can help to build up a tolerance. She describes how desensitization for bee allergies, and other allergies, can sometimes work and explains why exposure is only becoming accepted as a method of treatment lately, in some circles.
Dr Gray discusses eczema management, and the importance of discussing issues and information with your doctor, as opposed to trusting what you might find on the internet.
As a respected speaker and noted authority, Dr Gray has contributed to more than 70 publications in her fields of expertise and she is a regular speaker at many international and local conferences.
Dr. Daniel Griffin, physician, and associate research scientist/instructor (clinical medicine) Columbia University, provides an overview of infectious disease research and treatment, and his career in clinical medicine.
Podcast Points:
- Treatment and research for infectious diseases
- An overview of parasitic diseases found in the United States and around the world
- The current state of the HIV epidemic
Dr. Griffin discusses his important work and research in infectious diseases, including HIV, tropical medicine, and especially parasitic diseases. Dr. Griffin has a long history in the field of medical and clinical research and he has a particular interest in HIV, stem cells, and malignancies. As a medical doctor he provides care for patients with infectious diseases, in addition to his role as an educator, teaching medical students, residents and fellows in NYC.
Dr. Griffin discusses New York City as the center of the developing world, and as he explains, people come in from all over the world, for tourism, but also for treatment and ongoing medical care. The research doctor talks about his experiences and cites examples of patients he sees regularly through the year, who come to NYC for their healthcare treatment.
Dr. Griffin discusses tropical diseases, and he speaks about the many cases of malaria, Zika, and more, and the ill patients that find their way to his office seeking treatment. Dr. Griffin talks about public health issues, how they are handled, detailing specific diseases such as TB and others.
He discusses the types of therapies that are effective and how some nations handle disease management better than others seemingly. The research physician continues his discussion, providing information about the impact of HIV in the United States versus abroad. And he explains how many parasitic diseases exist right here in the United States, and how they can be recognized and subsequently treated.
Researcher and author Dr. Richard J. Johnson has looked into the role fructose plays in many modern disease epidemics. He discusses this by describing.
- what fructose can do to help some animals survive harsh conditions,
- how those assets turn into dangers in our modern world of plenty, and
- what alternatives we might use to ease the cravings and replace fructose in our daily diet.
Dr. Richard J. Johnson is a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado. He researches how fructose causes diseases like hypertension, kidney disease, and obesity and diabetes. He's written two books about this epidemic—The Fat Switch and The Sugar Fix—and has written numerous papers on fructose as well.
Dr. Johnson discusses the role fructose plays in the excessive obesity and diabetes rates in our society. He talks about how hard to avoid, from an ingredient in table sugar to the ubiquitous high fructose corn syrup, an easy addition for manufactures looking for something cheap and appealing to put in processed foods. He also explains why it is so dangerous by first explaining it evolutionary role.
Dr. Johnson discusses how it can be helpful to animal systems in dire survival mode. He uses an analogy to explain its function, commenting that it's akin to an alarm system for our body: it sends a signal to our system that we're in trouble .In order to protect ourselves, we become insulin resistant to guard our brain and increase inflammation to protect our physiology. Of course these measures completely undermine our health in times of plenty and increase risks for obesity and diabetes.
He finishes the discussion with suggestions for ways to ween ourselves, from more effective ways to eat fruits to what alternatives to fructose are best.
For more, find his papers in pub med, his books and, see his lab web site at https://physiology.case.edu/person/richard-j-johnson/
Alejandro Reyes, Associate Professor, Microbiologist and MSc in Biological Sciences, the University of the Andes, discusses microbes and the importance of gut health.
Podcast Points:
- How do viruses affect the gut?
- What is a phage?
- How does the microbiome impact our health?
Reyes holds a PhD in Computational and Systems Biology at Washington University in San Luis, MO, United States. Reyes discusses his background and work, and his more than ten years of research studying the microbiome.
Reyes’s work is focused on Applied Computational Biology, in the development of many tools that can be used for the analysis of data that is derived from current technologies of optical studies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, etc. for the characterization and classification of microbial communities and their interactions with the environment.
He is interested in applications that can be applied to human health outcomes. He discusses viruses and the microbiome in detail, touching on the many viruses that may not make you sick, but stay with you nonetheless, over time.
The microbiologist discusses what he specifically studies, regarding the microbiome, detailing information on phages. Bacteriophages, commonly referred to as simply, phages, are the most plentiful organisms within the biosphere. They are an ever-present feature of prokaryotic existence. A bacteriophage, specifically speaking, is a virus that infects a bacterium.
Viruses, as we know often infect bacteria, are perhaps the most diverse components of the biosphere, genetically speaking. And the characterizing of phage diversity within the human gut is creating a buzz in the science community in regard to how we view ourselves as supra-organisms. Reyes discusses phage therapy in detail, and he talks about how phages are triggered, providing information on bacteria and how they sacrifice themselves.
Reyes continues his discussion by providing information on his thoughts regarding cell attachment. Additionally, he discusses phage population, and some other studies they conducted, and he states there is so much that they still must learn about viruses, genes, and phages.
Dr. Carolyn Kurle describes how a biogeochemical tool can explain the foraging patters and locations of animals to improve ecosystem management strategies.
She explains:
- How stable isotope analysis looks at ratios of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes in animal tissues to understand where that animal is foraging.
- Why this knowledge can be passed to wildlife managers to increase animal conservation success.
- Why understanding animal foraging is even more important now because of the effects of climate change.
Associate professor in the ecology and behavior and evolution sections at UC San Diego, Dr. Carolyn Kurle works with animal foraging data to improve wildlife management efforts. In this conversation she explains in particular how stable isotope analysis presents ratios of light to heavy nitrogen and carbon isotopes that tell researchers where an animal has eaten and what they have eaten.
She elucidates this complex system by first explaining trophic interactions ecology—a level system from producers up to herbivores, then omnivores, and finally to top predator carnivores. The heavier isotope accumulates at each level and the resulting ratio of heavy to light gives specific-enough information to make foraging inferences.
Wildlife managers can create ecosystem management strategies by using this data to understand, for example, how essential the white bark pine needle tree is to grizzly bears. Therefore as this tree is facing disease and pest infestation with reduced numbers, managers know to plan for more effective and specific grizzly bear management.
Dr. Kurtle discusses many other examples, including those that show how troubling biomagnification issues for California Condors might be better managed by understanding which populations depend on marine life with high toxic levels.
For more, see her website at http://biology.ucsd.edu/research/faculty/ckurle
Rupert Sheldrake, PhD, biologist, and author, known for his hypothesis of morphic resonance, discusses morphogenetic fields, morphic resonance, evolutionary biology, and much more.
Podcast Points:
- What is morphic resonance?
- Does the brain store memory?
- A discussion on developing structures and collective memory
During his tenure at Cambridge University, Dr. Sheldrake worked in developmental biology as a Fellow of Clare College. Dr. Sheldrake discusses his background and his lifelong love of biology, starting out as a young boy—cultivated through his connections to animals and interest in plants. He discusses his thoughts on science throughout his studies at Cambridge and Harvard.
He talks about form development, and the many questions of science, detailing some of his research in cells and cell death. He provides a detailed analysis of his thoughts on morphogenetic fields. A morphogenetic field, simply defined, is a group of cells that are able to respond to separate, local biochemical signals that lead to the development of precise morphological structures, or organs.
Continuing, Dr. Sheldrake talks about plant and animal development, and modules that are organized by morphogenetic fields. Expanding his discussion, he explains how fields work, discussing electromagnetic fields and gravitational fields. As he explains, fields are spread out, in and around, a developing plant or animal, and they contain a formal structure, which is what molds or shapes the developing structures.
He cites examples that substantiate his theories, regarding fields and the wholly integrative nature of those fields. He discusses his theories on morphic resonance, and how individual organisms can draw on collective memories of the form of their ancestors.
Going further, Dr. Sheldrake explains his other thoughts on form and other hypotheses regarding memory, and the brain’s memory storage abilities, detailing morphic resonance and how the evidence, he states, points to the fact that the brain actually tunes in to memory, but that memory is not actually ‘stored.’
Many suffers of thyroid issues that are only offered one medicinal choice, but Dr. Shames says there are several natural supplements that provide meaningful holistic wellness. In this conversation, you'll hear:
- His personal experience through his wife's struggles with treatment and how that opened his eyes to a vacuum in the medical community for thyroid care.
- The degree to which these thyroid conditions are an epidemic and what environmental conditions may be causing them.
- What connections between thyroid conditions and mental health exist and how treating our hormone glands with holistic health measures can achieve balance.
Author Dr. Richard Shames has been in private practice for 25 years but shifted his focus after witnessing his wife's search for relief from symptoms due to irregular thyroid measures. The Synthroid prescription the endocrinologists she first saw did not ease her symptoms, but after being connected with a university research group, she found relief from holistic health treatment. They wrote the book Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled? to educate readers about better options to treat and balance our three hormone-producing glands: the thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive glands.
He discusses why the diabetes epidemic may have overshadowed thyroid treatment's need for fuller attention. Because the medical system is less apt to look at hormone balance from a broader perspective, often the standard T3 medicine lacks the holistic wellness available from natural thyroid medicine.
Furthermore, he explains how the thyroid, adrenal glands, and reproductive glands make for a hormone system that needs to be balanced in concert with each other. For example, women are often prescribed estrogen, which actually increases thyroid-binding agents in your bloodstream. By treating patients through a holistic wellness lens, these three hormonal-producing systems can work more effectively together.
For more information such as recommended doctors, see the Top Docs list at http://www.thyroid-info.com/index.htm. He also recommends seeking out a nutritional practitioner in addition to supplemental information. Dr. Shames also has a website at http://thyroidpower.com/
From shampoo to carpeting to baby bottles, chemicals are prevalent in our everyday items. Author Rick Smith discusses accompanying concerns such as:
- The depth of this issue, calling it the second great pollution problem facing humanity.
- Why the health effects of pollution from such chemicals are prevalent and should be taken seriously.
- Alternatives for many everyday products that are available.
Co-author of Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things and director of Canada's Broadbent Institute, environmentalist Rick Smith describes the research he and co-author Bruce Lourie underwent to see common results of living in close quarters with chemicals. The prevalence of chemicals such as BPA in eating containers raised alarms and he wondered about the health effects of pollution on our bodies from such chemicals.
He tells how he and his co-author experimented on themselves over 10 years with their own blood and urine samples. They would establish a baseline first, and then, for example, cook with plastic and retest themselves to see if there was an increase in chemical levels. In most cases, the answer was yes.
Mr. Smith details various other household products to be aware of, from shampoo to cosmetics to paint. He explains the danger and prevalence of phthalates and discusses how it can work as a hormonal disruptor in our body. Finally, he offers good news about the results of consumer pressure and tells the listener about safe alternatives for many of these products.
Former IBM Chief Scientist, Dr. Alex Liu, discusses the services provided by RMDS Lab, a community-based ecosystem provider in the artificial intelligence (AI) and big data sector. You will learn:
- Why AI and data-related projects rarely succeed when handled only by a few data scientists and/or one method or approach
- How the RMDS platform works and what benefits it provides to data scientists and businesses alike
- Common misconceptions regarding data sets, data analysis, and the usefulness of data, and how RMDS Lab can help
For the past 10 years or so, RMDS Lab has been building a data science and AI community using an ecosystem approach, guided by the belief that little can be accomplished in the field of big data and AI without utilizing multiple approaches, multiple methods, considering many algorithms, and combining the minds of more than just a handful of data scientists. Ultimately, the goal is to make data science-driven projects more adaptable and accessible and thereby increase the benefit they can serve to individuals, communities, organizations, and companies.
RMDS Lab invites clients and partners to enter the RMDS platform where they can build profiles and explore projects in the field while counting on an RMDS AI algorithm that will select the right data sets, algorithms, coworkers, and data scientists for a particular project-related goal. In essence, the platform intelligently scans all available tools and resources and selects the ones best suited to a particular problem in the AI and data science field.
According to Dr. Liu, this ecosystem-based approach is absolutely necessary when dealing with so many possible approaches, and such massive amounts of data—much of which is dirty or fake. In light of this reality, the RMDS platform also provides tools for cleaning and organizing data.
Tune in for the full conversation and check out grmds.org/ to learn more or sign on to the platform.
At Turn Biotechnologies, the team is attempting the seemingly impossible: the reversal of ageing.
On today’s podcast, you’ll learn the following:
- What role epigenetic drift plays in the process of ageing at the cellular level, and what can trigger it
- How the team at Turn Bio is reprogramming the epigenetic signature of age, and the promising results that have already been shown in mouse models
- How the process of extracting, rejuvenating, and returning cells to tissue works
- How the work being done could eventually address the effects of ageing and/or prevent age-related diseases
“It is possible to reverse the epigenetic landscape of the cells and bring it back in time so that a cell, which by the process of aging becomes dysfunctional with time, can actually be reprogrammed or reversed in a way that it becomes more youthful, and more functional, and this could have repercussions on the cell itself, but also broadly speaking, systemically in the individual,” says Vittorio Sebastiano, explaining the premise of Turn Bio, a company for which he serves as both co-founder and scientific advisory board chairman.
Sebastiano expounds on a number of interesting subjects, including what causes genes to express certain types of cells and what types of environmental stimuli may disrupt this programming, leading to the creation of dysfunctional cell types (i.e. what he calls the process of ageing), various methods of epigenetic regulation, the hallmarks of cellular ageing, the important distinction between ageing and senescence, and what he sees in terms of both short-term and long-term goals with this work.
Denis Noble, CBE, PhD, FRS, the celebrated and outspoken British biologist, physiologist, and prolific author, discusses his incredible, noteworthy career in biology, exciting concepts in genetics, and the level of causation in biology.
Podcast Points:
- What is the current state of evolutionary theory?
- What do we know about cells and how they work?
- Issues regarding the genome and how diseases might originate
British biologist, Noble has long been a major voice in modern biology. Dr. Noble was the Burdon Sanderson Chair of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Oxford for more than two decades. He was later named Professor Emeritus. Additionally, Dr. Noble was appointed the Co-Director of Computational Physiology.
Dr. Noble is one of the earliest researchers in systems biology and he played an integral role in the development of the first mathematical model of the human heart. His thoughts on evolutionary theory have been part of a growing movement, a sort of revolution in evolutionary biology.
Dr. Noble discusses his background and talks about what got him interested in his areas of research and study. As a self-described ‘card carrying reductionist scientist,’ Dr. Noble was interested in the concept of a privileged level of causation. And as he states, it was really always about, and is about, simply molecules. He recounts some early experiments he engaged in, attempts to reproduce the rhythm of the heart, with differential equations representing the molecular event.
Which molecules are involved? This was an important question for the research. After much experimentation and study, he came to the conclusion that the cell itself is partially causing what happens. Rhythm only occurs by something that is constrained by the cell membrane. He explains the complex details of how the process works and how differential equations will not lead to answers unless the appropriate information is added into the mix.
The research scientist discusses how DNA is produced, and how cells have mechanisms for controlling errors. Cells, in short, have great control over what happens within systems. Dr. Noble goes on to discuss other important experiments, in the nervous system and other systems such as the immune system. Continuing, the PhD expert talks about the genome.
He discusses the origin of diseases and the fact that we know very little about biology above the level of the genome, in contrast to what we know about molecular biology in general. But remarkably, we still don’t know exactly how cells work.
One-third of our population faces some type of sleep disorder. Dr. Dholakia strives to increase awareness.
In this podcast, he explains:
- The differences between disorders such as narcolepsy, insomnia, idiopathic hypersomnia, obstructive apnea, and more, and how sleep apnea treatments might improve.
- Connections researchers are making between Parkinson’s disease and sleep disorders, as well as other health concerns.
- The mechanics of how our body functions during REM sleep and how some disorders affect this with potentially dangerous outcomes.
Board-certified neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Swapan Akhilesh works as a physician at the Atlanta VA Medical Center and is the medical director of the Atlanta VA sleep laboratory as a neurologist for sleep disorders.
He focuses on the whole spectrum of sleep disorders from snoring to sleep apnea to insomnia. He discusses that while obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia are the most common disorders, there are numerous other disorders worthy of study because their effects can be dangerous.
Because of the overlap of neurology and sleep, Dr. Dholakia is able to bring the science of each together for better understanding. As a neurologist for sleep disorders, he is able to explain neurological complications that lead to these disorders.
For example, the inability of some brains to decompartmentalize waking versus sleeping states causes narcolepsy. Because these lines are blurred for the brain, sleeping intrudes into wakeful times.
He also explains many of the mysteries in sleep disorders such as idiopathic hypersomnia: they don't understand why these patients are constantly sleepy and are undergoing research to try and understand this better.
Finally, Dr. Dholakia explains possible improvements into more common issues like sleep apnea treatments, but also warns of the commonness of sleep disorders that can affect our health. Therefore, he's working to educate and encourage the public to seek treatment.
He advises veterans who want to learn more to seek out the VA's specialized sleep centers. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Alliance of Healthy Sleep are also good resources.
Dimitra Skondra, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Director, J. Terry Ernest Ocular Imaging Center at The University of Chicago Medicine, discusses the microbiota, diseases of the eye, macular degeneration, and eye health.
Podcast Points:
- Is there a connection between the microbiome and eye health?
- Does diet play a role in macular degeneration?
- What do we now understand about the gut microbiome that we didn’t in past years?
Dr. Dimitra Skondra is a sought-after and respected, board-certified retina specialist, and she primarily focuses on medical and surgical treatments of vitreoretinal diseases.
Dr. Skondra talks about why she was particularly interested in studying the eye. As she states, it’s a fascinating organ and greatly affects the quality of life. Dr. Skondra provides a thorough overview of the microbiome and eye-specific issues.
She explains issues about the sterility of the eye, discussing what is sterile and what is not. Many microbes exist on the surface of the eye, and Dr. Skondra provides an overview on the various diseases and conditions that impact the surface of the eye.
Continuing, Dr. Skondra talks about genetic mutations and genetic risks for macular degeneration. As she explains, lifestyle and diet can increase risk factors. She cites examples from her work as a postdoc, and details some of the information she gathered that indicated high fat diets, especially when combined with genetic predisposition, could accelerate degeneration.
As she states, the microbiota affects disease, but her focus is on how can she and other researchers use that information to help patients? She talks about the promotion of a healthy gut microbiome, and the connections between the gut and the retina.
Her research seeks to understand all these connections and how altering the gut microbiome affects various conditions or risks.
Dr. Aggarwal, ND, Naturopathic doctor, Bowen therapist, and psychotherapist talks about the mind-body connection and his corresponding work with patients all over the world. He describes:
- The three physical pillars of bodily health and how each functions.
- Why the liver is the most important of these three and what symptoms indicate liver problems.
- Why relieving emotional trauma through EMDR can substantially affect bodily healing.
Ameet Aggarwal, ND, is originally from Kenya, but spent time in Canada obtaining his Naturopathic Medicine degree. He has clients all over the world and has recently returned to Kenya to engage in mobile homeopathy work for poor communities. His book, Heal Your Body, Cure Your Mind, was written to help fund this outreach project. In addition, Dr. Aggarwal works in private practice and runs health retreats.
He describes how he uses a combination of the psychotherapy treatment called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), as well as family constellations and gestalt to engage emotional healing as well as physical protocols. His goal is to bring clients a place of emotional release that will free the body from damaging the results of emotional pain. He discusses the kinds of clients he's had, from suffers of sexual abuse to those who've encountered terrorist attacks.
He then emphasizes health for what he describes the three pillars of the body: the gut, the adrenal system, and the liver. He describes naturopathy benefits that stem from his supplements, vitamins, herbs, and other forms of homeopathy. Finally, he explains the huge factor liver toxicity plays in disease, how problems in the gut lead to inflammation, and why the adrenal system gets wiped out from constantly making cortisol to handle these stressors. By treating each of these bodily systems, he offers clients the best in naturopathy benefits.
For more about contacting him, his services, and his book, see his website: https://health.drameet.com/.
Lesley Cheng Sim, PhD, Research Officer, Biochemistry, at La Trobe University, discusses extracellular vesicles (EVs) and her work as a Molecular Biologist.
Lesley received her PhD from Monash University in 2008; she is a postdoctoral researcher. Before attaining her PhD, Lesley earned a Bachelor of Medical Science from La Trobe University. She has extensive training as a Cell and Molecular Biologist, specifically in the area of neuronal death and survival.
Podcast Points:
- What are extracellular vesicles?
- Can exosomes be utilized to deliver therapeutics?
- New paths to understanding Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Lesley talks about her background and the field of extracellular vesicles. As she states, her lab is one of the early labs to do research in the field. She talks about cellular issues and neuronal death. And she provides information on the methods they use to isolate exosomes from the blood.
The research PhD discusses the three primary areas of research in their lab—the role of exosomes in the pathology of degenerative diseases, the isolation of exosomes from the blood to be used as diagnostic tools, and the exploitation of exosomes to be used as a vehicle for the delivery of therapeutics.
She goes on to discuss the degenerative diseases they focus a great deal of their research upon, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. She talks about early diagnosis options, and how they use exosomes to find disease indicators.
Continuing, the PhD EV expert talks in detail about the detection of RNA changes, their experimentation in the lab, and how this information can provide valuable insight, illuminating important disease indicators and markers.
Lesley's innovative research is clearing a path for new and important knowledge of degenerative diseases and various health conditions, to be harvested and implemented as we move forward into personalized medicine.
In this podcast, Eugene B. Chang, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, discusses his team’s research studying the microbiome and microbes.
Podcast Points:
How does the microbiome impact health?
What is the mission of microbes?
How do probiotics work, and are they effective?
Chang’s lab is interested in the important connection between intestinal microbiota and their human host, and what happens when there is conflict. Chang was an important voice in the Human Microbiome Project, a US National Institutes of Health (NIH) research initiative created to increase understanding of the microbial flora that play a pivotal role in human health and disease progression.
Chang discusses the uniqueness of a person’s microbiome. But he states that we all actually share some types of microbes. Chang explains core microbiomes, and their important functions. He provides examples of how the microbiome works, and the role of microbes. Continuing, Chang discusses stability issues regarding the microbiome, and their need for resiliency. He talks about the many factors that are involved, outlining and detailing how select microbial communities function, in regard to networks and stability. And he explains that the interplay between dietary and environmental issues can certainly affect the stability of the microbiome. He talks about diversity within the microbiome, and how it may not be as important as many have proposed.
Chang talks about immune disorders and he provides an overview of what microbial communities can do to maintain stability. He continues, discussing probiotics, and why they may not stay around as long as we’d like because nonresident microbes often have trouble breaking into very established microbial communities.
Dr. Carolina Soekmadji studies different types of extracellular vesicles, specifically trying to understand their connection to prostate cancer. In this discussion, she describes
- how different types of extracellular vesicles seem to react differently to the same substance,
- why the CD9 vesicle's proliferation under different androgen conditions is important, and
- what this means in how doctors can individualize prostate cancer treatment.
Dr. Carolina Soekmadji works as a senior research officer at the University of California, Irvine. She studied for her Master's in Japan and completed her PhD work in Australia, where she studied the exocytosis and endocytosis of synoptic vesicles.
She discusses the typical therapy for prostate cancer where doctors decrease the androgen presence, also called ADT. While this usually has a desired effect, there's always a group of patients that don't seem to show an effective response. While cancer cells initially die in this group, the cancer cells return and start growing again. Dr. Soekmadji has located a specific vesicle that appears to grow under both conditions: androgen presence or absence. She thinks that this vesicle may make the difference between these two populations and their response.
Dr. Soekmadji covers general causes for prostate cancer as well. She continues to study the activity of extracellular vesicles, and how and why this particular vesicle responds as it does and why this happens in some patients but not others.
Dr. Carolina Soekmadji offers a general course on extracellular vesicles and health issues through Coursera and the University of California that's open to the general public.
For more about her work and contact information, see https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/people/dr-carolina-soekmadji/
The team at Invivo takes a unique approach to the study of the microbiome that not only emphasizes the connection between internal microbial populations and the wider ecological community, but also focuses on two types of microbiomes where little commercial work has been done.
Tune in to learn:
- How the widely varying data sets in the field of microbiome research requires clinicians to be well-read, well-versed, and well-supported to tease out the pertinent information and use it to the benefit of patients on an individual basis
- Which microbiome factors and markers are being looked at most closely by the team at Invivo
- How vaginal microbiomes could affect or be related to female infertility, miscarriage, and preterm birth
About a decade ago, Invivo was just a small startup company, but it’s since become well-regarded in the world of microbiome research, particularly for the work being done to better inform patients through their clinicians about the ways in which microbes affect individual health statuses.
The goal is to move further from the idea that there’s a "pill for every ill" and instead help people to understand their internal ecosystem, how it’s interacting with their immune response and contributing to the development of disease, and how they might manipulate it in order to improve their health.
In addition to looking at gastrointestinal microbiomes and trying to determine how to wield the data being derived in a way that will produce a clinical benefit for patients, the team at Invivo is also looking at the vaginal and oral microbiome.
Bacchus shares the techniques they’re using to obtain data, the types of markers they’ve found to be most important in the vaginal microbiome, the importance of making sense of the data and educating clinicians to do the same for their patients, and how critical it is to understand that microbes cannot be understood when looked at as separate from the host’s immune response.
Learn more at invivohealthcare.com.
Stephen Greiman, PhD, is an assistant professor at Georgia Southern University where he studies diverse groups of parasitic organisms. He discusses the following:
· How a pork or beef tapeworm could find its way into the brain, spinal cord, organ, or a body cavity of a human being
· What the difference is between the parasite’s role in an intermediate host and a final or definitive host
· What types of treatments are available to humans who have been invaded by a parasite
Dr. Greiman focuses on the study of tapeworms and flukes, which have complex life cycles and use at least one intermediate host before reaching the final or definitive host. He explains the difference between parasitic function in intermediate versus definitive hosts, and the pathologies that can be caused by parasites in both types of hosts.
He gives an example of how parasites change the behavior of intermediate hosts as a way of making them more susceptible to predation, such as parasitic flukes which cause a snail’s tentacles to pulsate and change colors, making them look more like maggots. In other cases, a fluke may cause a snail to crawl on vegetation and thereby become more visible by predators.
Dr. Greiman also talks about how the consumption of undercooked beef or pork can cause a human to become an incidental intermediate host for tapeworm larvae which can cause all kinds of diseases and pathologies, such as seizures.
Currently, there is a lot of interest in host microbiome and parasite microbiome interactions, and this research is being aided by genomic sequencing and transcriptomics.
For more information about the Dr. Greiman’s research, visit http://www.stephengreiman.com/.
Dr. Rechavi's lab studies C elegans nematodes to explore the heritability of memories-- how reactions to encounter could be passed down through multiple generations.
In this podcast, you'll hear him explain:
- New revelations about heritable capabilities for response behaviors.
- Why researchers believe a small RNA molecule is the foundation for this heritable behavior and how they've tested heritability of responses to starvation, temperature stress, bacteria pathogenic stress, and more.
- Where this small RNA message must travels to make it into the gametes' coding and how they've traced the inheritance of such traits for three to five generations.
University of Tel Aviv professor Oded Rechavi details his research with C elegans worms to discover more regarding epigenetic inheritance in humans. He clarifies that generally we think of memories as encodings that stay in our brain rather than being passed along.
It had been thought that parental responses to some environmental stresses such as starvation wouldn't mark their offspring's reaction. But studies show this notion was incorrect and these responses do travel and make their mark in the germ line, being passed down for at least three more generations.
He discusses whey they believe small RNAs are responsible for this heritable process. He also explains generally the different types of small RNAs and how this involves a particular type with this specialized behavior.
What they don't understand but are attempting to further research is the process by which the environment changes the small RNAs. These studies may change the way we understand epigenetic inheritance in humans.
For more, including links to papers they've written, see his lab's web site at http://www.odedrechavilab.com/#about .
As Head of Molecular Proteomics at the Baker Institute and Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, David Greening brings a significant amount of insight to the podcast today, discussing the following:
- How proteomics can lead to a better understanding of the role of proteins in disease and health statuses, key regulators in biology, and what components might be found in extracellular vesicles (EVs)
- Whether EVs appear to be active or passive, and whether there might be some level of EV agency involved
- The promising field of imaging using fluorescently tagged proteins, vesicles, and RNA
Greening’s molecular proteomics group focuses mainly on two areas: the study of extracellular vesicles, the components they contain, and the role they serve in cell communication and signaling, and proteomics, which is a field of study that looks at thousands of proteins in the body at a particular time, seeks to identify where they are located, and how they are expressed in states of health and disease.
Greening expounds on the many ways in which proteomics can advance our understanding of key regulators in biological processes, diseases such as cancer, what types of proteins are packaged in different EVs released by different cell types, and which components are secreted all at once from particular cells. He also discusses one of the main challenges in the field of proteomics, which is how to identify and analyze low expressed vesicle components.
When it comes to EVs and proteomics, Greenings in a wealth of knowledge. Tune in for all the details.
For more, visit https://www.baker.edu.au/research/laboratories/molecular-proteomics.
Andreas Baur, of the College of Science & Technology at Fairmont State University, talks in detail about his interesting research studying extracellular vesicles (EVs).
Podcast Points:
- What is the role of extracellular vesicles in the progression of neurodegenerative disease and cancer?
- What is a protease?
- Looking at enzymatic activity. What can be learned?
Dr. Baur earned his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Regensburg before settling into his current duties, and lab work, at Fairmont State. Dr. Baur talks about his research, past and present. Some of his current work in the lab focuses on systematic analyzation of vesicles in patients (in plasma). And as a medical doctor, Baur has the kind of access to patients that is necessary for this work.
Dr. Baur discusses his past work studying HIV and proteins, considering in vitro studies and the pivotal role of vesicles. He discusses his curiosity, and the questions about why certain proteases were found within, why are certain vesicles in plasma, and why are there even more in HIV, that drove him to dig deeper into his research to find the answers.
The research investigator and medical doctor talks about various types of cancers, discussing relapse factors, select patterns, and the continuing role of vesicles. Dr. Baur explains how they use purified vesicles for two types of important diagnostic tests—measuring enzymatic activity as well as looking at proteases, and also in the analyzation of factors found in these vesicles.
Wrapping up, Dr. Baur discusses the coronavirus, transmission, and disease conditions. He talks in-depth about neurodegenerative diseases, other types of diseases, and the various connections, pertaining to vesicles.
In this podcast, Dr. Mehdi Soleymani-Goloujeh, Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, in Iran, discusses regenerative medicine, types of extracellular vesicles and the current state of extracellular vesicles research.
Podcast Points:
- What are exosomes?
- What are the most important roles of extracellular vesicles within the body?
- An overview of insulin-producing cells
Dr. Soleymani-Goloujeh discusses exosomes. Exosomes are membrane bound extracellular vesicles (EVs), produced in the endosomal compartment of nearly all eukaryotic cells.
EVs, unlike cells, cannot replicate. Dr. Soleymani-Goloujeh talks about the roles that extracellular vesicles can play in the body, and he expounds upon issues regarding insulin and discusses how the pancreas utilizes EVs.
Dr. Soleymani-Goloujeh’s work covers multiple areas. His work has included research in the area of diabetes, cell penetrating peptides, extracellular vesicles and stem cells, cell therapy, nanotechnology and tissue engineering. Dr. Soleymani-Goloujeh provides an overview of the process of insulin delivery and the delivery of drugs throughout the body. He continues by discussing EV engineering and the various factors that are involved to facilitate efficient delivery.
Dr. Soleymani-Goloujeh talks in detail about multiple technologies that pertain to type 1 diabetes, discussing the important roles of exosomes, as well as signaling, and the power of nature.
For 23 years, Cali Estes, PhD has been working with all types of people struggling from all kinds of addictions—from heroin or cocaine or alcohol, to food or shopping or pornography.
She discusses the following:
- What type of signs to look for in yourself or others in order to determine whether there is likely a problem with addiction
- What is meant when someone is said to have an “addictive personality”
- Why traditional methods of treatment and recovery often fail or don’t work for people
Dr. Estes works with a wide range of individuals, from the ordinary person to the NFL athlete to some of the most popular celebrities, all of whom struggle in one way or another with some type of addiction. It is her belief that addiction cannot be resolved simply by getting a person to remove the addictive substance or behavior from their life, but by digging deeply until the root cause of addictive behaviors is uncovered; only then can an addiction truly be addressed.
She discusses why many conventional approaches to recovery don’t work for a lot of people, and what’s wrong about the fundamental assumptions such programs rely upon.
Dr. Estes’ approach is a combination of several methods, including talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, life coaching, addiction coaching, motivational interviewing, and techniques that address brain damage from years’ worth of substance use.
She discusses how she helps people with her Sober On-Demand program, and proprietary uses of a machine which repairs damaged receptors in the brain. Dr. Estes truly takes a holistic approach to each and every client, addressing their personal and unique needs and goals.
In her opinion, the goal isn’t just to be sober or free from addiction: the goal is to be happy while sober, and happy while free from addiction.
For more information, visit https://caliestes.com/ and https://theaddictionscoach.com/.
Amy Berger, MS, CNS, NTP, the outspoken founder of Tuit Nutrition (tuitnutrition.com), discusses nutrition in detail, its power for prevention, weight loss, and so much more. Berger is a certified nutrition specialist as well as nutritional therapy practitioner. Her successful book, The Alzheimer’s Antidote: Using a Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease, Memory Loss, and Cognitive Decline, is considered a must-read for anyone who wants to truly understand the secrets of nutrition and its impact on the body.
Berger became interested in the subject when she looked deeply at her family’s disease history. As someone who was an overweight child herself, Berger understands the frustration of struggling to lose weight even though you’re eating low-fat healthy foods and exercising, and her passion and understanding motivated her to dig deeper to find better solutions. As Berger states, reducing sugar and carbohydrate intake can dramatically impact health.
Berger states that you can enjoy your food and live healthy without starving yourself or going without tasty foods. Berger provides much detailed information on health and nutrition-related issues such as metabolism and weight loss, thyroid function, insulin-related information, etc.
Berger talks about her research into nutritional intervention that can improve brain health. She states that a good, nutritious diet can improve cognition, behavior, memory, and other brain and bodily functions. She talks about getting energy from ketones, and the power they hold to improve health. Berger outlines some important information on insulin issues. She discusses how normal blood sugar can still have high levels of insulin that can cause gout, hypertension, or other medical issues.
The nutrition expert talks about hyperthyroidism and how it relates to depression, difficulty losing weight, hair loss, feeling cold, constipation and other issues.
She discusses ketosis further and talks about how it works for the body. Her discussion covers fat consumption, variability, and steps everyone can take to get the maximum benefit from ketosis. Additionally, she delves into the various myths that exist regarding how the body processes food. And she underscores the importance of diet and how it affects the body with regard to so many medical conditions or issues from obesity, to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and so much more.
“What is the basis of this thing we call the cell, and why don’t geneticists want to know the physical nature of the cellular phenotype?” This is just one question asked by Keith Baverstock, a physical chemist by training who’s currently most preoccupied by the investigation of the effects ionizing radiation on DNA and the causes of genomic instability. Throughout his career, he’s worked with the World Health Organization and authored scientific articles, one of which is titled Genes without Prominence: A Reappraisal of the Foundations of Biology. He joins the podcast today to offer his insights on a number of topics, including the link between irradiation and damage to DNA, epigenetics, a 1976 experiment which demonstrated an increased risk of intrauterine death in mice after radiation to the father, what he believes to be the causes of cancer versus other diseases, and evidence in support of the idea that environmental factors cause disease, and why in this regard, large-scale genomic sequencing is rendered largely fruitless. Tune in for the full conversation, and learn more about Baverstock’s work by visiting kbaverstock.org.
Quantgene uses both deep genomics and AI to spot cancer at is beginning stages. This podcast investigates:
- How a new blood test is able to identify cancer through DNA detection rather than protein markers.
- What exactly is a "liquid biopsy" and how is it different from the tumor biopsy process we're more accustomed to.
- Why the test is able to succeed despite tumor heterogeneity.
Quantgene founder and CEO Jo Bhakdi explains his company's primary goal: to improve and achieve the earliest possible detection of multiple cancer varieties. The company engages a human genome sequence software-driven technology to achieve this aim. But they also use chemistry, machine learning, and laboratory processes to fine tune the process with extreme precision. The company can sequence cancer DNA one molecule at a time. Compared to more conventional blood testing such as protein marker detection, this process both escalates the timing and precision exponentially
Quantgene has a system refined by multiple means, including specialized straight tubing that cleans and purifies the blood. This elimination of blood "noise" means they can identify somatic DNA mutations before DNA-destroying enzymes interfere. Therefore, this human genome sequence effort is more exact and faster than next-generation sequencing.
The bioinformatics is a key element of this process and unique in human genome sequence work. Quantgene has created the world’s largest data set of tumor DNA. They can use this data to refine detection by identifying the smallest number of locations needed to still accurately identify any tumor variation. This means they can obtain a "systemic reflection of the tumor" and identify it exactly in mutational terms. This data aggregate has created a paradigm shift in oncology.
Future plans include the 2020 launch of a product called Serenity, an annual blood test that can help physicians detect cancer early. The resulting data will add to a growing conglomeration that will help long-term understanding of these cancers.
For more information on the company, see https://www.quantgene.com/
For more on the 2020 test release of Serenity, see https://www.quantgene.com/early-cancer-detection
At the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Professor Stephen Boppart has been working on a new, noninvasive, portable technology that uses a cell’s ability to autofluoresce in order to create detailed images of diseased and healthy tissues—essentially allowing for an “optical” biopsy or cancer diagnosis while overcoming the many drawbacks of traditional methods.
He details the following:
- In what ways this technology differs from traditional approaches to diagnosis and what types of information about breast cancer anatomy and cellular activity are lost in standard procedures of histology but attainable using this new technology
- How a tumor excised from breast tissue can be imaged in real-time while in the operating room, and what advantages this confers for patients
- How this imaging can identify extracellular vesicles that have been produced by cancerous as opposed to normal tissue
This technology can be brought directly into the operating room to deliver real-time diagnosis and evaluation of a tumor’s aggressiveness. It also has a number of applications in research and may allow for questions about the function of biological systems and the development of cancer to finally be answered.
Dr. Boppart dives into a detailed discussion of the science behind this technology, and exactly how the laser they’ve created interacts with tissues in a way that causes them to emit their own wavelengths, which are then collected and built up to create 3D images of tissues. He also discusses how this technology may reveal new information about the tumor microbiome—information that goes beyond structure to metabolic function and level of cellular activity.
To learn more, visit https://biophotonics.illinois.edu/.
Dr. Poon's exploration of the disassembly of cells during turnover has shown that the mechanism of cell death has a regulated rather than random component. He explains why this is important by describing:
- The evidence of this regulation, including the release of vesicles.
- What these vesicles contain and why that's important.
- What these findings may offer disease-fighting drug developments.
Dr. Ivan Poon of La Trobe University is a Senior Research Fellow in biochemistry and genetics. He works in extracellular vesicles and cell death. In this podcast, he describes why it is so important to understand this molecular process and some of their newest findings. A cell invests a great deal of energy into manufacturing and releasing these apoptotic bodies while they are in the process of dying. Dr. Poon is trying to understand why.
The basics of the mechanism of cell death is not new, but the understanding of the depth of regulation in the process is. Perhaps significant as well, different cell types release these vesicles in different ways. T-cells and monocytes emit apoptotic bodies in alternate sizes and through different mechanisms. These vesicles contain DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids among other molecules and therefore must have some significance.
Dr. Poon prioritizes discovering the molecular mechanism of the dying cell and what regulates the process. He hopes these discoveries will lead to drugs that can inhibit or accelerate cell deaths according to what may help curb the disease's progress.
For more, see Dr. Poon's page on the La Trobe University web site: https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/display/ipoon
Scientists have come to a better comprehension of the vital nature of fungi in our gut due to recent technological advancements. Dr. Iliev explains what this means for our digestive system anatomy and discusses:
- Why the alteration of fungal microbiota, or mycobiota, populations with bowel inflammation matters.
- Why interactions between fungi and bacteria in our digestive system anatomy connects to bowel disease.
- How a single cell mutation might be a major factor in Crohn's Disease.
Dr. Iliyan Iliev is Assistant Professor of Immunology in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Iliev is a mucosal immunologist and focuses on the interrelation between mycobiota and bowel disease. They've discovered that the fungi's ability, or lack of, to balance with gut bacteria may be an important component in the source for these diseases. Better understanding this interaction as well as the importance of primer functions of various cells may lead to treatments.
In fact, research into primers lead the way to the fungi discovery. A fungal message was detected while investigating different primer types. Later the ability to do deep gene sequencing enabled scientists to return to this signal and locate a diverse population of gut fungi as a crucial part of our digestive system anatomy.
Dr. Iliev's lab works to understand this diversity, cataloging the different types of fungi and associating them with types of disease. This gut fungi emphasis could provide treatment for such inflammatory bowel diseases.
See the Ilieve Lab page at Weill Cornell Medicine for more information: https://ilievlab.weill.cornell.edu/
In this podcast, Dr. Isabelle Mansuy details her important research on how trauma passes down through generations. She discusses:
- The fundamental nature of epigenetics in cellular production.
- Why exposure to distress at an early life stage effects the biggest epigenetic impact.
- To what degree these epigenetic changes and behaviors will be transmitted down generational lines.
Dr. Isabelle Mansuy runs the Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics at the University of Zurich. Her lab studies the extent to which trauma is carried across generations with mice populations. They have found that stress-induced trauma on mice at an early life stage causes profound effects on their germ cells. This early time in particular leaves these germ cells with less protection than later stages. Furthermore, these changes to the epigenetics of the germ cells continues to impact the mice through several generations.
As a result of her work, the lab has manufactured a model that maps these effects and follows epigenetic inheritance, collecting data on which neurological changes remain and for how many generations.
Dr. Mansuy describes how epigenetic inheritance affects almost every bodily process, from endocrine production to bone formation. In other words, the trauma-induced epigenetic changes have a pervasive effect. Her lab is attempting to research the mysteries involved in this process, such as the means through which the signals are passed from the nervous system to the germ cell.
Finally, she points out that epigenetic inheritance studies have been slowed down by the concept that DNA sequencing would hold all the answers. These new findings show that epigenetics holds far more importance than was thought and changes our view of heredity.
For more, see her lab website: https://www.hifo.uzh.ch/en/research/mansuy.html
Additionally, her papers are located on Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
In this informative podcast, Paul Turner & Robert McBride, the co-founders of Felix Biotechnology (felixbt.com), provide an overview of antibiotic resistance and what Felix Biotechnology is doing to combat it.
In this podcast they’ll discuss:
- How targeted biotherapeutics may solve the antibiotic resistance problem
- The antibiotic resistance problem—should we be worried?
- The many and varied regulatory hurdles biotech companies combat as they seek to bring products to the marketplace
Felix is a groundbreaking biotech company that is developing important biotherapeutics to target critical microbial challenges in an effort to improve human health and medical options. Turner & McBride talk about the ever-changing biomedical field, detailing the dire and widespread problem—traditional antibiotic failure.
Antibiotic resistance is an expanding problem globally, and Felix is working hard to find ways to curb this problem before it gets out of hand. They explain some of the older technologies that they are currently updating. One major goal they are devoting time and resources to is the development of specific viruses that can attack and kill bacteria, to give the medical community better options in combating the growing antibiotic resistance crisis.
The biotechnology experts talks in depth about antibiotic sensitivity, and they provide information on some of the more troubling bacterial pathogens. Continuing, they provide further information on bacteriophages or phages as they are also known, which are abundant organisms in the biosphere, a very common feature of prokaryotic existence, and the key to their ongoing work.
The entrepreneurs discuss some of the difficult regulatory hurdles they have faced thus far. And they talk about the importance of gathering critical clinical trials data, and how that will be beneficial to getting their phages developed and released into the medical industry.
Wrapping up, the research executives discuss the cocktail approach in treatment and therapy, why development biotechnology companies fail, and how they seek to position Felix for success in the market.
How might the burgeoning field of biomarker and microbiome research lead to longer, healthier lives lived by our pets? Kay O’Donnell, Vice President of WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, joins the podcast with an answer. Tune in to learn the following:
- How the recent identification of a biomarker in cats could extend their lives and allow for preventative measures against the number one disease that kills cats over the age of five
- The importance of routine health checks and microbiome testing for pets
- How and why microbiomes differ between humans and non-human animals
By employing an AI algorithm to large amounts of data from years’ worth of medical records (to include analyses of blood, urine, and fecal samples over time), the team at WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute has developed a predictive diagnostic test that is based on the identification of certain biomarkers which identify cats who are at high risk of developing the number one killer of cats under the age of five: chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since early detection of this disease has been difficult, diagnosis generally isn’t made until 40-70% of kidney function has already been lost.
This approach to medicine not only emphasizes the importance of proactivity and early intervention, but mirrors what’s happening in human healthcare. According to O’Donnell, it holds great promise for the early detection of other common diseases in pets, which would allow for early intervention and treatment before diseases progress. In the end, this means longer, healthier lives for our pets.
Learn more at https://www.waltham.com/.
At UC San Diego Health, Associate Project Scientist, Herve Tiriac, is developing 3D organoids using adult pancreatic tissues.
On today’s podcast, he shares the following:
- What portion of the pancreas is modeled in studying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
- What happens when different cell types are cultured together
- How models can be created using only the tissue from fine needle biopsies
- What types of variation are present in pancreatic tumors
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is not only extremely lethal, but under-researched. For this reason, in addition to other professional and personal motivators, Herve Tiriac, PhD, aims to develop a better understanding of this type of cancer by using patient-derived tumor organoids.
With the goal of directing research findings toward the development of precision medicine technology, he is hopeful about the possibility of creating significant improvements in the treatment of this form of pancreatic cancer.
In addition to discussing the emergence of organoid-based research, the process being carried out in his lab, and the problem of fungi and/or yeast overgrowth in tumor organoids, Tiriac discusses the directions his research will take in the coming years, which include addressing the clinical challenge of treatment resistance and recurrence of disease, creating improved methods for tumor organoid development, and understanding how to generate models for other cell types that come from these tumors.
Press play for all the details.
In this podcast, Dr. Abby Johnson, Postdoc Associate at the Knights Lab, University of Minnesota, talks about nutrition, gut bacteria, and a healthy gut diet. Dr. Johnson earned a Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota.
Podcast Points of Discussion:
- What can we do to change our microbiome?
- The connection between diet and the microbiome
- What impacts bacteria in the gut?
Dr. Johnson’s focus has been primarily on the relationships that exist between diet and the microbiome in general. Dr. Johnson’s interest was piqued when studying in Chicago. While there she engaged in learning about various gut issues and factors, such as fats in the gut, bowel disorders, and other diet/gut issues. Dr. Johnson explains how what we eat can change the bacteria in the gut.
The research doctor discusses the kinds of foods people eat, and the microbes that are within foods. Can we change the stability of the microbiome? Dr. Johnson’s research asks this question and more. Continuing, she talks about diet, discussing macro and micronutrients, and the composition of the foods we eat regularly. What are they composed of? She explains this and more as she provides information on phytochemicals and fiber compositions in foods.
Furthering her discussion, she talks about some of their studies and the data they gathered from logging the diet and nutritional intake of their diverse study participants. Dr. Johnson explains nutritional status in hospital patients and the interesting effects on the microbiome.
Dr. Johnson states that the same food in different participants had various effects in some of their studies and that responses to foods were varied from person to person, providing proof that a specific individual’s microbiome may respond differently to foods. She discusses shifts in eating patterns, and how shifts could affect your gut microbiome.
When a DNA sequence remains the same but is used differently and results in phenotypic changes, it can be said that epigenetics is at play.
Professor Upasna Sharma at the University of California, Santa Cruz discusses her focus on the study of epigenetic inheritance by touching on the following topics:
- How RNA differs from DNA and how the complexity of the former could lend itself to a better understanding of intergenerational inheritance
- What impact stress, environmental toxins, and diet might play in sperm small RNA
- The three primary ways in which gene regulation can take place
- Whether or not it’s possible to identify all epigenetic marks in an organism (i.e. conduct an epigenetic sequencing)
Dr. Sharma is focused on answering some broad questions, including how epigenetic information is generated (specifically how sperm small RNAs are created and which enzymes play a role in their creation), how environmental factors can change the levels of RNA present, and what the functional consequence is of the abundant small RNA payload of sperm, as this might explain how epigenetic information is passed by small RNA to the next generation.
She expounds on the findings they’ve already made, which involve having identified when, where, and why tRNA fragments are made and how the female reproductive tract might lead to additional alteration of sperm.
She explains useful and interesting directions her research might take in the near future, and the technological limitations that must be acknowledged.
Tune in for all the details.
Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD, professor, chairman, Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provides an overview on exosomes cancer, cancer stages, and his continuing research of extracellular vesicles.
Podcast Points of Discussion:
- What are extracellular vesicles?
- What do we know about extracellular vesicles and their ability to change neighboring cells?
- Do exosomes affect cancers?
Dr. Kalluri holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Kansas Medical Center. He holds an MD degree from Brown University Medical School. And Dr. Kalluri was a Postdoc Fellow and Research Associate at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.
Dr. Kalluri is keenly interested in the study of immunology and mechanisms associated with tissue injury and repair using advanced organ fibrosis. In this podcast, Dr. Kalluri discusses his work as a professor and researcher, detailing his study of exosomes as it relates to cancer specifically.
He discusses the important question: why do cells generate extracellular vesicles (EVs)? He stresses the critical nature of this question and area of study noting that these EVs seem to have the ability to alter cells around them, which could be a factor in cancer progression.
Dr. Kalluri talks about the differences in exosomes in regard to not only disease but pregnancy as well. Continuing, the researcher outlines the topic of accelerated growth and he discusses the many experiments that are taking place currently with exosomes, highlighting issues regarding metastasis, translational research, and the incredible potential to use exosomes for drug delivery systems.
Most parasites are successfully because they can go into stealth mode, hiding from their host's immune system. Understanding this is key to developing better anti-parasitic medications like filariasis treatment. Dr. Geary explains this by discussing:
- What about a parasite's structure and habits makes them hard to kill.
- Why about malaria's evolution has made it unique among human-parasitic development.
- Why Dr. Geary is especially focused on molecules that parasites release in their host like micro RNAs.
Dr. Timothy Geary serves as Chair in Parasite Biotechnology at McGill University and also has an appointment at Queen's University in Belfast. He began his career in pharmacology and gradually advanced to a specialized focus into anti-parasitic medication. He develops initiatives like filariasis treatment through research into the host-parasite interface, trying to understand how the parasite hides from the host.
Dr. Geary describes the complex and lively survival systems parasites have developed as their life stages move from arthropod to vertebrate host. He also explains the various roles of evolution in how humans react to parasites, such as the differences between defensive abilities in different human locales and populations.
As he explains such nuances, he also describes basic parasite ecology and life style—what a "definitive" host is, for example. He explains the variance among different types, from the single-celled protozoan to the multicellular helminths.
He finishes by articulating the main focus of his research: the implications of parasitic "stealth mode" and how to combat this hiding skill to develop superior anti-parasitic medication and treatment.
Learn more about contacting Dr. Geary and find a list of his publications at https://www.mcgill.ca/parasitology/faculty/geary
Dr. Akbar is interested in how our body’s over-response can cause protective inflammation in heart disease and strokes that does more harm in our metabolic systems. His extracellular vesicles research may hold the key to these signals. He describes:
- Exactly how immunological responses to heart attacks cause inflammation that is ultimately harmful.
- Why atherosclerosis plaque buildup leads to an immune response that causes a cascade that leads to even more fat cell buildup.
- Why extracellular vesicles research into exact signals sent through the spleen may hold the key to adjusting these signals therapeutically.
Dr. Naveed Akbar focuses on extracellular vesicles research and metabolic disease. Atherosclerosis, a long-term condition that often leads to heart attacks and strokes through ruptures, exemplifies how our immune system and metabolic system have a helpful and harmful relationship. The connection between diabetics and worse manifestations of atherosclerosis holds an important clue to the signals that may be in play.
Atherosclerosis is a gradual condition that takes years to take hold and exists in a wide population. But what’s unclear is why diabetic patients have thicker and fattier plaques. Dr. Akbar believes this is because they have an immunological disease as well.
This led to a stronger focus on immune system response to these conditions. Ultimately the various over-responses of the immune system increases the plaque layers and inflammation. Dr. Akbar discusses how his research attempts to engage or disengage these responses in appropriate ways.
He especially is focused on extracellular vesicles research post metabolic disease. He’s found that immune cells travel to the heart and increase harmful inflammation. But by researching what signals cause this and how these signals can be manipulated, there’s hope for therapeutic responses.
For more information, see his page on the Oxford University site: https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/people/naveed-akbar
At the Marine Biological Laboratory, Senior Scientist Joseph Vallino is researching how microbes impact the chemistry of the ocean.
He joins the podcast to discuss his work in the field of biogeochemistry, which includes questions like the following:
- What dictates the distribution of microbes and what types of metabolic activities they carry out in ocean water
- How the dissipation of energy gradients in nonliving systems works, and how this idea can be applied to biological systems to better understand how living organisms organize
- How the theory of maximum entropy production relates to marine biology and microbial function
There are thousands of different species of bacteria and phytoplankton in just one liter of ocean water, and billions of individual microbes. Since they all carry out different metabolic processes at different times and in different locations, it can be difficult to develop a holistic understanding of the complex chemistry that’s occurring in the ocean.
In order to navigate this difficulty, Vallino is using the laws of thermodynamics and applying the function of nonliving systems to the function of biological systems. He explains his unique approach to this problem, shares the insight he’s learned so far, and touches on a range of other interesting topics, including areas of active research in the field such as energy utilization science and microbial energy research.
Learn more at https://www.mbl.edu/ecosystems/vallino/.
This discussion targets essential elements of childhood emotional development according to journalist Katherine Lewis' findings. Using her book as a springboard, she explains:
- How a careful research process that included expert discussions, scholarly work, and observational studies lead to key ideas.
- How children's behavior has changed over the last few decades.
- What are the specific conversations we can have and actions we can take with children to offer emotional skill development?
Journalist Katherine Lewis started to write about children's behavior then and now after observing her own journey with her children. She had been reporting on business and policy as a journalist but began covering these parenting issues more and more often. Because these articles became popular, she knew she'd hit a nerve and pursued the subject more thoroughly. After this next level of work, she published The Good News about Bad Behavior.
In her book, she entails the lack of emotional self-regulation and impulse control many children face compared to the past and this difference between children's behavior then and now. Because today's youth struggle more with emotional management, we find higher instances of anxiety, addiction, and suicide. She offers explanations but also solutions.
She establishes the importance of letting a child work through a meltdown unimpeded, for example, so they can negotiate those extreme emotions. Then in a calmer time, parents and child can work on problem-solving together. .Finally, she establishes essential principals to maintain for children to help in the journey forward.
For more information, see her web site at https://www.katherinerlewis.com/
Inerjys is a private equity fund that aims to invest in and commercialize innovative companies in the clean energy and environmental health sector.
Founder and managing partner, Stephan Ouaknine, explains the following:
- What types of major and microtrends are emerging in clean energy and sustainability
- Why it is essential for products to be commercialized in order to successfully have an impact on climate change
- What kinds of exciting new technologies are being pursued and how they would slow climate change by encouraging the cooling of Earth
Too many companies create great technologies that never have an actual impact in the market or the sector they’re meant to improve. Why is this? Ouaknine explains that it’s because of the need to commercialize, which requires early adopters to take a big cash risk before a product has even proven itself in the market.
This has become a significant impediment to the success of technologies designed as climate change solutions. The team at Inerjys realizes this, which is why they not only fund companies that are developing promising technologies, but also ensure that those technologies become commercialized.
Ouaknine joins the podcast to discuss the details of a number of exciting new technologies being pursued, such as hydropower turbines under the surface of the ocean, agricultural technologies that can replace desert with greenery using 60% less water, carbon capture and conversion, and vertical farming.
Press play for the full conversation and learn more at https://www.inerjys.com/.
Intestinal microbiomes are a common subject in the medical community, but a recent discovery has found a reason to focus on eye microbiome and disease. They’ve proven the presence of beneficial ocular bacteria. Dr. St. Leger explains:
- Why it is only under the eyelid that home for bacteria is suitable.
- How tears keep most bacteria away yet coexist with beneficial bacteria.
- Near-term research that might lead to drugs that use bacteria for eye microbiome and disease treatment.
Anthony St. Leger is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He began this ocular study after working on a diseased eye of a mouse in which they found beneficial bacteria, a type that seemed to function like our gut microbiome: these bacteria seemed to moderate the vulnerability to infectious disease and work toward the host’s immunity. Dr. St. Leger’s lab then began to fully research these resident bacteria and their potential to inhibit viral infections among other actions.
Dr. St. Leger discusses the entire eye landscape, explaining why the bacteria is only under the eyelid. Blinking, tear composition, and lubrication are all part of how the eye functions in relation to this microbiome. While the initial findings and studies were on mice, they were able to confirm similar conditions for human eyes and therefore extend the findings. The one bacterium they’ve identified, genus Corynebacterium, is now being used in colonization studies to further understand this complicated connection between eye microbiome and disease.
In addition, the lab is examining the role of nerves and eye disease. The cornea is the most innervated or densely packed tissue in the body and when it experiences disease, the nerves retract, creating problems for the eye. The lab hopes to better understand the role of these nerves in disease development in hopes of better prevention therapy.
For more information and links to Dr. St. Leger’s papers, see his lab’s web page at http://ophthalmology.pitt.edu/people/anthony-st-leger-phd
Scott Bonner is a PhD student at Oxford University whose research is centered on extracellular vesicles (EVs). On today’s episode, he explores the following:
- How research on vesicle heterogeneity might elucidate how differences between vesicle phenotypes result in different and potentially therapeutic functionality
- How many EVs one cell can produce, and why it is challenging but becoming increasingly feasible to examine singular vesicle phenotypes
- What role EVs play in cell communication and what other types of cell-to-cell communication exist
There is a diverse array of possibilities that surround the use of extracellular vesicles, including the potential to affect and provide therapy for everything from broken bones to cancer, and the ability to safely deliver drugs to specific sites with higher efficacy than a drug alone can achieve.
Scott Bonner discusses how his experience as a research assistant for Evox Therapeutics (which has since become the leading name in exosomal and EV-based therapeutics) led him to dive deeper into the study of EVs as a PhD student at Oxford.
He expounds on a number of interesting topics, including EV biogenesis, the three main classifications of EVs (microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, and exosomes), the possible forms of EV uptake by different cells, the most common methods of EV purification, and how his research aims to develop an in-depth characterization of the genome and all proteins of EVs in order to determine whether certain subgroups of EVs might fulfill specific, important therapeutic functions.
Interested in learning more? Tune in and feel free to email him at scott.bonner@wolfson.ox.ac.uk.
Scientists are using advanced technologies to better understand bacterial disease in humans. Dr. Sanchez, in particular,m approaches this from a chemist's perspective.
She explains to listeners:
- How exactly a biofilm behaves in the context of human disease.
- Why eradicating the biofilm doesn't solve the problem.
- Why even cheese rind biofilms tell an interesting story about biofilm ecology.
Dr. Laura Sanchez is an Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy with a courtesy appointment in Chemistry at The University of Illinois at Chicago. The Sanchez Lab studies how pathogens, cells, and microbes interact from a chemical perspective. Understanding this may help researchers better intercept pathogens early on and lead to disease detection such as ovarian cancer diagnosis at a stage when treatment yields more successful results.
The lab uses specialized mass spectrometry technology to interpret biofilm activity such that they gain a better understanding of its various stages and how to take advantage of any vulnerability. The interdisciplinary nature of this means they have contributors from many top-tier research facilities.
As they study how to better inhibit pathogens from potentially dangerous areas such as hospital settings and medical equipment, they've discovered a key behavior: they've found that trying to eradicate a biofilm simply turns up the virulent factor in the pathogen. When they studied diseased moths, they found that dispersing the biofilm only increased the virulence, killing the moths more quickly.
They can use the technology to study more than bacterial disease in humans: Cheese rinds actually present a fascinating ecology, from the types of biofilms the same types of cheeses grow to a connection between what grows in the ocean and what salt brines do for cheese.
For more, see Dr. Sanchez's lab page at https://www.sanchezlab.science/
From a business perspective, the Christian market is one of the most underserved markets in the natural health space. Eric Zielinski (commonly called Dr. Z) is a doctor of chiropractic, public health researcher, best-selling author, and producer of the Hope for Breast Cancer documentary, and he joins the podcast to discuss a number of interesting topics, such as the following:
- How and why essential oils, energy healing practices, yoga, CBD, chiropractic therapy, aromatherapy treatment, and even massage therapy can cause concern for many Christians
- How the lack of emphasis on physical health among Christians is leading to sickness and impeding the ability to fulfill people’s missions for God
- What Dr. Z sees as a double standard regarding religiously-driven avoidance and acceptance of certain substances
Biblical health is about healthy living without violating Christian beliefs, and if you ask Dr. Z, he’ll tell you it’s being severely overlooked and undervalued by many Christians. He argues that this is in large part due to the many concerns and lack of awareness surrounding certain practices and substances becoming increasingly popular in the natural health sector, such as aromatherapy, CBD, essential oils, yoga, and energy healing.
One of the biggest problems he sees in this regard is a detrimental double standard: “This is the double standard: I don’t see a lot of folks…Mormons, or Jews or Christians or Muslims concerned about opioids or concerned about chemotherapy or highly addictive, potentially damage-causing pharmaceutical drugs, so I’m trying to put things into perspective for people. Why are you so concerned about a plant…an essential oil, when you’re going to take a pharmaceutical without a second thought?” he says.
He goes on to explain that the key is in educating people and raising awareness about a variety of practices and substances used in health and wellness, and modern medicine.
Press play for more.
By tuning in, you will discover:
- How oral microbes in mice have been shown to produce different phenotypes
- Whether or not there are “predators” of viruses
- What mechanisms bacteria use to identify and protect against viruses
- What significance restriction-modification enzymes play in the body
- How bacteriophages might function as antibiotic alternatives
There are trillions of viruses in and on the human body, many of which live by killing bacteria, or by integrating themselves into the DNA of bacteria whereby they survive for as long as the bacteria survive. These viruses are called bacteriophages, and they lay at the center of Dr. David Pride’s research at UC San Diego, where he serves as Associate Director of Microbiology and Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine.
He joins the podcast today to discuss the goal of his current research, which is to better understand bacteriophages in an attempt to determine how to manipulate them in ways that will improve human health. He also discusses a number of other interesting topics concerning microbiome-related research, how retroviruses work, the debate over whether or not viruses are living things, CRISPR-Cas systems that serve as adaptive immune systems for bacteria, and so much more.
UC Presidential Chair, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and Distinguished Professor of Material Science & Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Paul Weiss, believes that the collaborative approach of nanoscience and nanotechnology has the potential to positively impact a number of other areas of research and development.
This is certainly true for the field of microbiome research, wherein the work that the Paul Weiss Lab accomplished with the development of the BRAIN Initiative translated to the group’s ability to contribute to the National Microbiome Initiative.
Dr. Weiss and his team led the technological roadmap for this initiative by reaching out to scientists and engineers from around the world and bringing them together to focus on understanding how different species in the human microbiome (as well as ocean and soil microbiomes) interact with each other.
Dr. Weiss’ group has been working on a number of other projects as well, including the development of a functional, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory periodontal membrane that encourages bone regrowth and controls the rate of degradation. Press play for all the details of these topics and more, including:
- What the BRAIN Initiative accomplished in the field of neural circuit research
- How Dr. Weiss’ group is trying to address single gene mutation diseases like sickle cell and apply the same approach to cancer immunotherapy
- In what ways the work being done by Dr. Weiss’ lab might enter the clinical world and improve patient lives
Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy is a professor of gastroenterology and the director of the Baylor Global Innovation Center in Houston, TX, where she focuses on two broad areas of research: understanding and preventing gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, and addressing leading healthcare challenges worldwide.
Among many topics, Dr. Anandasabapathy discusses the rise of esophageal cancers, the relationship between GI cancers, acid reflux, and the Western diet (as well as weight gain and obesity), the importance of endoscopy in the early detection of stomach cancer, and what her team is doing to increase access to portable, battery-operated endoscopic tools for early detection and treatment in under-resourced areas of the world.
Tune in for all the details, and you will learn:
- What the difference is between Barrett’s esophagus and acid reflux disease
- The different ways of delivering cancer treatments through a scope
- How to identify the early signs of esophageal and stomach cancer
- How the use of innovative healthcare apps can improve awareness, education, and treatment of GI diseases worldwide
- Risks associated with taking proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux on a long-term basis
In this interesting podcast, Ben Atkinson, podcaster and nutritionist (the Functional Health podcast
(FunctionalHealthInfo.com), discusses holistic wellness and holistic health.
Ben’s podcast is a great resource, providing valuable information for clinicians, trainees, and the public, on health events, training, and more—essentially what’s happening all over the country in the health and wellness movement.
Ben shares his story, and how he first got excited about the power of nutrition. Ben recounts his memories of being an overweight child who discovered body building at the age of 16. He had mentors who shared knowledge on high protein diets that were low in carbs and fat. After experimenting with his diet, Ben saw swift results and he began to fully appreciate the power of nutrition. He saw that nutrition was the key element to not only how one feels or how they look, but that it was also the key to illness prevention and health.
Ben discusses modalities and the various separations within the medical field, which could certainly stand to be more synchronized in order to deliver the best options for good health. He explains how genes contribute to health outcomes, and he provides further info on the different people/cultures around the globe and their diets. Going further, Ben discusses allergens, and how to eradicate or diminish them, and he provides tips on the ways we can fine tune our bodies, touching on topics of DNA testing, markers, and general health information.
Podcast Highlights:
- DNA testing: what can it tell us?
- The role of nutrition in the body
- How genetics may provide valuable insight
In this podcast, Dr. Robin Smith, Lecturer in Physics, Sheffield Hallam University—UK, discusses nuclear physics research topics, experiments in nuclear physics, and the forces that govern all matter in the universe.
Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the University of Birmingham. He is a lecturer in physics and focuses his work in the areas of nuclear data and structure, nuclear astrophysics, radiation detection, and atomic nuclei, amongst others.
Dr. Smith discusses nuclear physics—his area of specialty, and what got him motivated to make this area of study his major work focus. As it turned out, smashing nuclei was of great interest to him, and after many senior-level experiments, he was hooked. Dr. Smith talks in-depth about why he chose to study the atomic nucleus in detail. He provides information on the essential building blocks of life—atoms, and discusses what we know and have known from a historical perspective. Dr. Smith explains the atom’s structure and he discusses the density of the atomic nucleus.
Dr. Smith provides additional info on the four fundamental forces that govern matter in the universe—the electromagnetic force, the weak force, the strong force, and of course gravity. Dr. Smith explains how the forces work, discussing gravity in detail and its effects as well as the binding structures that play a role. He talks about quantum mechanics, and how it came from the Schrödinger equation, a differential equation that describes the wave function, or state function, etc., of a quantum-mechanical system.
Continuing, Dr. Smith provides an analysis of certain characteristics of the stars in our galaxy, heavy elements, and forces that exist as well. He talks in detail on the subjects of carbon and excited states within nuclei and discusses many of the theories that exist in regard to molecules and molecular physics. Going further, he explains his research in colliding and the concept of decay behavior, specifically regarding carbon-12, which is the most common natural carbon isotope. Regarding colliding, he explains how changes occur dependent upon what projectile is being fired at carbon-12. And wrapping up, Dr. Smith discusses the interesting theories of Sir Fred Hoyle, the English astronomer who formulated the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis.
In this podcast:
- An overview of quantum mechanics
- A discussion of the atomic nucleus and its function
- An explanation of the various forces that exist in the galaxy
Plant-medicine expert Donnie Yance has developed a system for cancer treatments. In this podcast, he explains :
- Why the conditions in which a plant grows can make it cultivate more effective compounds to help our own healthcare.
- How plant medicine and modern cancer treatments can actually work together for a patient's benefit towards multiple issues, including fighting drug resistance and shoring up a patient's nutritional needs.
- How this research and these practiced techniques also helped Yance create tips to live longer for patients.
Founder, President, Chairman, and Lead Clinician at the Mederi Center, Donnie Yance explored music and the monastic life in his early days, but after discovering plant medicine, spent decades educating himself about all plants had to offer, even founding the Natura brand for better botanicals.
He founded the Mederi Center as well, which helps cancer patients develop better quality of life and healthcare in concert with their doctors and traditional medicine. Yance emphasizes the importance of an ordered approach. The center first focuses on the basic patient needs for a healthier bases through plant medicine to reinforce their healing capability; second, they test the patient's micro environment to understand if it is welcoming the cancer or if the cancer is manipulating it for the disease's benefit. They change the patient's micro environment based on this to be less favorable to the cancer. Lastly, they test the cancer itself to understand its components to gather the most effective medicines, plant and modern, that can best harm the disease while keeping the patient healthy.
The Mederi Center focuses on general health issues as well that engage quality of life and promote tips to live longer with better healthcare.
For more, see the Mederi Center web site at https://medericenter.org/as well as a video featuring a Mederi Center patient called "That's Not Your Story" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVu354ujnc.
Donnie Yance also has a website and a blog at https://www.donnieyance.com/
In this thorough and informative podcast, P. Shannon Pendergrast, PhD, Chief Science Officer at Ymir Genomics (ymirgenomics.com), provides an overview of biomarker identification techniques and his company’s work.
Dr. Pendergrast earned a PhD from the Rutgers University Waksman Institute of Microbiology in Molecular Genetics then went on to pursue post-doctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. As a scientist, executive, and entrepreneur, Dr. Pendergrast seeks to utilize all his experience to help in the fight against disease.
Dr. Pendergrast discusses their company, Ymir Genomics, and its long range mission and goals. Ymir Genomics delivers advanced tools that can support the discovery of biomarkers from biofluids. Dr. Pendergrast discusses their work and important discoveries, including the rapid method for isolating extracellular vesicles, extracellular RNA, and/or extracellular protein, straight from urine samples. The researcher provides extensive information on extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are membrane-derived vesicles that can be released through various cell types, such as hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes, and of course immune cells, in normal, and pathological, conditions.
The science CSO explains how they study and compare proteins via the use of mass spectrometry. And Dr. Pendergrast discusses their work studying liver-specific vesicles, stability issues, exosomes, and so much more, highlighting how they can work with structures, proteins, and RNA.
In this podcast:
- What can we learn from biomarkers?
- What are extracellular vesicles?
- The importance of proper biomarker identification techniques
Dr. Annila, biophysics professor, searches through the intricacies of the time and space relationship in this discussion. He explains:
- What Darwin's theory of natural selection has to do with physics equations.
- Why aspects of human existence are less about the origin of life and more about quanta (photons).
- How and why evolution is quantifiable and what we can then infer about living versus nonliving elements.
When he began his professorship of biophysics, Dr. Annila of the University of Helsinki thought about the prevalence of change and motion in evolution and how those are the basis of physics. This made him wonder why there was no equation for evolution. Thus began an exploration of the time and space relationship and his applying physics laws to the theory of evolution.
He begins by explaining aspects of human existence like this: when our bodies give off heat, this act takes place over time. Furthermore, this heat is composed of photons. So as we lose energy, we also experience time; in fact, energy moves through time. Furthermore, this means we can speaks of this in terms of a mathematical formula. Light (or photons) has a wavelength, which divided by the speed of light produces time. Time has become a concrete quantity rather than an abstract.
He goes on to show how this means our distinctions of life versus nonlife are false—there really is no "origin of life" question, because the question is irrelevant. By altering how we approach aspects of human existence, he hopes to alter our understanding of evolutionary change.
For more, see his university home page: https://www.mv.helsinki.fi/home/aannila/arto/index
In this interesting podcast, Anita Öst, Medical Faculty at Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden, details her thoughts on, and the current research in,
epigenetic inheritance within humans.
Anita’s work is focused on epigenetics and the creation of innovative treatments for obesity and obesity-related diseases, etc. Anita provides a wealth of information on epigenetics, which is the study of various changes in organisms that are caused by modifications of gene expression. She talks in detail about the precise area of her study within the field of epigenetics—how offspring inherit information and thereby change their phenotype based on the parents’ environment, stress, etc.
Anita provides answers as to why starvation or stress causes changes, and she recounts stories and information on experiments with fruit flies that delivered new and important information on current theories related to epigenetic inheritance. She goes on to explain how weight affects flies in their experimentation, and how they, the researchers, can study fat by measuring a fly’s triglycerides. She discusses weight gain in their test subjects and how it affects offspring overall.
The Linköping University scientist recounts experiments that they performed with humans related to sugar intake and overall diet, and she provides information on how it affected sperm motility.
In this podcast:
- What is sperm motility?
- What can the study of epigenetics tell us?
- How can environment impact offspring?
In this podcast, Michael D. West, PhD, the CEO and founder of AgeX Therapeutics, Inc., discusses aging, the cellular aging mechanism, and the future of therapeutics.
Dr. West holds a PhD from Baylor College of Medicine where he studied aging at the cellular level. His life’s work has been in developmental biology as it pertains to age-related degenerative disease.
Dr. West talks about the mission of AgeX Therapeutics. Today, aging is an international priority, and Dr. West explains how post-WWII population increases have elevated chronic degenerative disease study to the forefront of medical research. AgeX Therapeutics seeks to develop new therapies to work against the negative effects of chronic degenerative disease.
Dr. West discusses current research on diseases such as Alzheimer’s and diabetes, etc. As they study the basic clockwork elements that lead to aging in the brain, skin, lungs, etc., Dr. West explains that they can apply this newly discovered information to the unique needs in modern medicine.
Dr. West provides detailed information on telomerase, which is an enzyme that adds nucleotides to telomeres. Dr. West provides an overview on how telomerase can essentially ‘reset’ the clock—rewinding the clock of cellular aging. Continuing, Dr. West expounds upon what science has learned from recent cloning experiments. And he states that evidence suggests that by placing an aged cell back into an egg cell, the aging process can actually be set in reverse. And after much extensive experimentation in this area, scientific researchers know this to be accurate.
Dr. West goes on to detail how the aging process is the same all through the body, which is a great thing because having an understandable common mechanism will make the possibility for discovery of treatment options more attainable. Continuing, Dr. West explains how certain changes seem to be systemic in animal experimentation and what that means for future research.
The idea that there’s something in the gut which affects physical and emotional well-being stretches back to the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians, but not until very recently has this idea entered the scientific realm in a serious way. A growing body of research suggests a mind-gut connection that’s stronger and more involved than previously thought.
On today’s episode, Dr. Emeran Mayer, gastroenterologist and professor of physiology at UCLA Microbiome Center, discusses brain-gut interactions, and how the microbiome affects our emotions and physical health.
Press play to discover:
- How certain microbes might stimulate serotonin production, and how some of that serotonin is released onto vagal nerve endings which go to the brain
- What causes us to feel “full” or reach satiety after a meal, and how microbes may influence this mechanism
- Possible future applications of microbiome research in medicine and diagnostics
- How Dr. Mayer’s current research seeks to bridge the gap between the findings in mouse studies and human studies on the microbiome, digestive diseases, and gut-brain interactions
Learn more at https://emeranmayer.com/.
This podcast gives Dr. Jose Colon an opportunity to discuss what he knows best: sleep medicine. He describes:
- The diverse forms of sleep challenges facing us.
- How the new technology of home-sleep study machines work and whether they come close to sleep facility studies.
- Why sleep issues are so important, from the ability to address sleep health benefits like relief from ADHD to our own general wellness.
Triple board-certified author Dr. Jose Colon discusses his academic discovery of sleep medicine and uses his daily exposure to sleep science to answer issues many of us face. He details various sleep disorders treatment from C-Pap machines to oral devices. He explains when they are or are not interchangeable or even if they can be used together.
Dr. Colon works in sleep medicine for adults and children, integrating a holistic approach that combines medicine-free techniques, including meditation and mindfulness, alongside science-based treatments. When he found himself repeating the same ideas, he decided a book would be helpful and wrote Sleep Diet: A Novel Approach to Insomnia for adults and The Magic Ice Cream Palace for kids. In the podcast, he describes issues he frequently treats like obstructive sleep apnea and also less common but equally detrimental disorders like narcolepsy that affect our sleep health benefits.
He offers his expert opinion on common sleep disorders treatments and details his own practice with an oral appliance he's used for years for his own sleep issues. Finally, Dr. Colon talks about the near-future in ways to access sleep health benefits such as making C-Pap machines more usable as well as a pacemaker-like implant to treat sleep apnea.
For any next steps, he recommends reaching out to your primary care physician but also suggests searching for a locally accredited sleep center.
“This concept that the [vitamin] D goes low and the microbiome fails, is the basic underlying cause for everybody’s failure; when everybody fails with the same mechanism, that doesn’t mean that we all manifest the same disease,” says Dr. Stasha Gominak. She goes on to explain how and why, despite the underlying cause being the same, one person might develop depression, while another person might develop Alzheimer’s.
She expounds on where some vitamins might come from and what impact they have on the function of the gut microbiome, what amounts of vitamin D and vitamin B are necessary in order to provide the necessary benefits and restore the microbiome to a functional state, why she considers the microbiome to be an organ, and the crucial connection between vitamins and sleep.
For details on all this and more, tune in. You will discover:
- Why it takes months or years’ worth of perfect sleep in addition to vitamins for the immune system to repair itself from disease
- Why Dr. Gominak believes that whole-genome sequencing of the bacteria in our gut is a waste of time
- Why Dr. Gominak believes probiotics are a complete waste of time
- How vitamin D affects the thyroid
For more information about Dr. Gominak’s work, visithttps://drgominak.com/.
Clinical research studies dictate medicines we take and practices we follow. Dr. Woitowich explains:
- The history and reasoning behind the practices of male-only subjects and how the resulting medical practices missed essential information.
- What actions and legislation the National Health Institute and medical community has taken to revamp these practices.
- Why issues of sex and gender are crucial in medical research.
Dr. Nicole Catherine Woitowich, Associate Director of Women's Health Institute Research at Northwestern University, works to raise awareness of this issue and towards health equity across the board. To do so she addresses the misconception of hormone fluctuations that kept women out of past subject groups damaged test results. Rather, she notes, it is important to understand how hormones may change how medicines react to different people.
Her efforts address the missed knowledge of how many medicines truly function for different sexes and genders. Ambien, for example is one such medicine that works differently in the different sexes and therefore has added side effects for women.
She also suggests solutions for some of these restrictions. One such measure encourages pregnant women who already need to take various medicines to self-report symptoms or effects. This exemplifies the need for flexible thinking to create a more inclusive line of understanding medicines for all bodies and the importance of reaching out to a wider community.
Dr. Woitowich also recounts recent efforts by the National Health Institute to legislate and improve the system and raise awareness for considering sex and gender in health care and research. She emphasizes that this must include gender nonconforming , transgender, and nonbinary patients as well.
For more, see the Women's Health Institute page at https://www.womenshealth.northwestern.edu/
Dr. Wotowich can be found on Twitter @NikiWoitowich and her email address is nicole.woitowich@northwestern.edu
Superbugs are emerging as a major health issue, but OpGen has developed technology to identify and catalog antibiotic-resistant microbes. In this podcast, you'll learn:
- Why identifying bacteria in a matter of hours instead of days through effective pathogen detection will make a tremendous difference in treatment.
- Why DNA testing is more specific and accurate in handling antibiotic-resistant microbes.
- What illnesses and medicines this genomics testing targets, such as urinary tract infection antibiotics.
Emergency room diagnostics for issues such as urosepsis will make huge leaps with a technology that gives specific pathogen detection information within a matter of hours. This means crucial information at hand for an effective decision on urinary tract infection antibiotics. Mr. Jones explains how this faster and more accurate technology will therefore save lives.
The overuse of antibiotics and resulting resistance often puts doctors in a bind, caught between over or under prescribing "just in case" a patient has a certain type of infection. Unfortunately this means patients often take something too weak or too strong for what they need. OpGen's genomics and informatics attempts to stop this cycle, handing over pertinent and timely information through effective pathogen detection.
Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia face a similar cycle and OpGen is working on the same genomic and informatics technology to tackle this medical diagnosis process. Mr. Jones expects their technology will be available for use by medical professionals by the end of 2020.
For more, see their website at opgen.com and follow them on twitter: @OpGen.
After time on the job with an Indian generic drug company, Dinesh Thankur found they were falsifying data and making subpar drugs. Here, he tells what happened next and explains:
- Why there is nothing to prevent these companies from making such spurious drugs.
- Why the Pharmacy Benefit Manager role in the United States is key to this dangerous pattern.
- What are examples of actions citizens might engage in to make seemingly minor yet majorly significant changes.
Mr. Thakur was hired by an Indian generic drug company because of his expertise in the pharmaceutical and business field. However, as his work progressed, he found out that this company was manufacturing data in addition to subpar generic drug products.
He made clear his objections, left, and worked with the US FDA over eight years to stop this company. In this discussion, he describes his next steps to help the prosecution and elaborates on the dangerous void in pharmaceutical quality assurance for the oversea production of generic drugs.
Journalist Katherine Eban's discussion of his story in her acclaimed book Bottle of Lies brought his battle into public view. Mr. Thakur continues to shine public light on the grave problems with pharmaceutical quality assurance, specifically overseas generic drug manufacturing. He describes the lack of oversight and inability to practice solid inspections.
He lists contributing factors like Medicaid's inability to negotiate prices and how that leads to this spurious drug production. Mr. Thakur also offers actionable measures we can practice to bring about change, small actions that actually have the power to engender larger and more significant results.
For more about Dinesh Thakur and his contact information, see https://dineshthakur.com/.
Peter Jay Hotez, Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, discusses vaccinations, the anti-science movement, and other critical issues regarding modern medicine. Additionally, the discussion covers global health issues, vaccination for hookworm infection, and other important information on vaccines.
As a vaccine scientist, pediatrician, and parent, Hotez discusses his great concern over the rising anti-science and anti-vaccine movements that are sweeping the nation. He discusses the chatter in the anti-science community that has tried to make the case that vaccines cause autism. He explains how this false narrative has pushed its way through and gained steam.
As a parent of a child who has autism and disabilities, he states that he has become a voice in this dialogue, due to his certainty that his child did not in any way develop autism due to any vaccines. He explains how the anti-vaccine community has pushed this false narrative, and how they have no facts to back their assertions. With hundreds of anti-vaccine websites, and media exposure, Hotez states that this movement is beginning to impact public health negatively.
Hotez recounts some of the cases he has handled as a pediatrician, discussing some of the diseases that have diminished over time due to successful vaccines. From anti-vaccine movements to genetically-modified organism movements to climate denial, and more, the war being waged against real, proven science is growing at an alarming rate. And Hotez states that the ‘new normal’ is dangerous, as anti-science takes hold in the wider public discourse.
Continuing, Hotez discusses his recommendations to patients and the public about how to get correct information on science and vaccines. He states that pharmacists and pediatricians/doctors should be the trusted sources for vaccine and medical information. And he states that people should be very cautious when they source information from the internet. Wrapping up, he discusses some of the most important vaccinations that people should be getting, and other information about protecting your health.
In this podcast:
- What vaccines are the most critical?
- How did the anti-vaccine movement gain momentum?
- What can you do to ensure you are getting accurate information regarding vaccines?
Oftentimes, one of the first recommendations you’ll receive after telling someone that you have problems with sleep is to see a doctor. However, that might not be what Jonathan Parker would tell you. As a dentist with over 36 years’ worth of experience and head of the Sleep Performance Institute, Dr. Parker joins the podcast to discuss approaches to sleep problems that don’t involve medications or devices or surgery.
He runs his own snoring and sleep apnea clinic, but he also runs the Sleep Performance Institute which provides people who don’t have sleep apnea with the ability to determine the causes of their sleep issues and a step-by-step guide for resolving them.
Tune in for all the details, including:
- How the Sleep Performance Institute assessment tool, app, and algorithm gets to the root of the sleep issue and improves sleep and athletic performance
- Success stories of athletes who have benefited from the Sleep Performance Institute app
- How many people are heavily influenced by their chronotype
Visit https://www.sleepperformanceinstitute.com/ for more info.
With a background in physics and medicine, and as Chair of Biomechanics at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Veronika Kralj-Iglic, PhD says that her foremost interest is in understanding the function of extracellular vesicles (EVs). “It is a thing that is on the border of the living and inorganic matter…and most of the questions are still unanswered,” she says.
It is this, coupled with what she sees as great promise for the future of medicine, that compels her to study EVs. However, she is more than aware of the challenges which stand stubbornly in the way.
Tune in to learn about what they are and so much more, including:
- The details of two clinical trials involving EVs that Dr. Kralj-Iglic is currently working on
- How cells have the ability to use parts of their cell membrane to create vesicles that help catalyze their actions
- How the behavior of EVs is similar to artificial and biological membranes
There are between 30 and 40 million people in the U.S. suffering from sleep apnea, and nearly 100 million people who snore, but less than 10 percent of people are actually being treated. Why is that, and what are the consequences of untreated snoring and sleep apnea?
In today’s episode, a well-known expert in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, discusses how some of the most serious diseases and medical events are related to sleep apnea, including stroke, heart attack, and even cancer. He also explains why so many people don’t get treated, which has a lot to do with compliance. He expounds on the process that a person has to go through in order to receive a diagnosis of and treatment for sleep apnea, and the misconception that the CPAP machine is the only solution.
As the founder of Sleep Certified, Dr. Greenberg is working to bridge the gap in knowledge between the dentists and physicians who are actually aware of the important connection between diseases and sleep health, and the majority of dentists and physicians who simply didn’t receive enough education on sleep medicine while in school. He also explains how Sleep Certified is trying to make diagnosis and treatment more accessible to people nationwide by consolidating the time-consuming, multi-step process into as few steps as possible, as well as providing people with options other than the CPAP machine.
Tune in for the details on all this and more, including:
- What type of treatment options are available aside from the CPAP machine (including an oral appliance by Sleep Certified called Zyppah)
- What physiological and anatomical factors are at play during snoring and sleep apnea
- What you could expect by seeing a dentist who has been certified at Level 9 of the Sleep Certified training program
Learn more at https://sleepcertified.com/.
There is a growing body of evidence linking many diseases in the human body to the behavior and composition of the microbiome, and in the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology at Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital in India, assistant professor Priya Nimish Deo is focused on the role of the oral microbiome in the etiology of oral cancer and precancer, as well as diseases affecting other areas of the body.
With the emergence of new technology such as next generation sequencing and 16S rRNA sequencing, microorganisms which cannot be cultured in the lab can now be identified.
Deo is collecting data and reviewing the current literature on the microbes in the mouth in preparation for researching the connections between them and diseases in the body, and she shares what she’s learned so far.
On today’s podcast, you will discover:
- Why certain microorganisms cannot be cultured
- How proteomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics differ from one another and are contributing to the identification and understanding of the oral microbiome
- What happens to the oral microbiome after taking antibiotics
In 2007, two papers announced exciting news: extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold RNA and not just garbage from the cell as had been thought. In this podcast, Dr. Ter-Ovanesyan talks about:
- The importance of locating RNA outside of cellular borders.
- The interesting challenges EVs present to synthetic biology research and extracellular vesicles research such as disagreements over isolating procedures.
- The substantial solutions for illnesses Dr. Ter-Ovanesyan believes exosomes (another term for EVs) could offer, such as understanding and preventing dementia.
Dr. Dmitry Ter-Ovanesyan is a post-doc at Harvard with the Wyss Institute in extracellular vesicles research. As an undergraduate student, he was captivated when the RNA discovery was published by what he thought these exosomes might mean and what they might be capable of in the medical world.
EVs have been known to exist for 40 years, but these 2007 studies revealed that they contain RNA through electron microscopy. A significant finding due to extracellular RNA existence, the scientific community paid attention.
Dr. Ter-Ovanesyan discusses why RNA traveling between cells is so important. He also explains the various roadblocks researchers face in using these exosomes: it is very difficult to both effectively isolate and distinguish them because unlike a virus, there's no distinguishing protein they present.
However, they hold tremendous promise for the medical field, such as possibly supplying RNA-level clues about the heart or brain without invasive procedures. They also might offer RNA drug potential through synthetic biology research.
For more information, see his contact information on the Wyss Institute page (https://wyss.harvard.edu/team/research-scientists-engineers/dima-ter-ovanesyan/_ and Harvard's Church Lab page (https://genetics.med.harvard.edu/lab/church/dter-ovanesyan). His publications are listed on PubMed as well.
At the Michael G. Surette Laboratory, gastroenterology specialist Michael G. Surette, PhD is focused on the ways in which the human microbiome behaves in early life health, how it changes with age, and what role it plays in chronic disease, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and IBS.
Dr. Surette joins the podcast today to discuss a number of compelling topics, including the following:
- How the interaction between microbes changes depending on physical, functional, and/or taxonomic closeness
- Why it is difficult to define dysbiosis, and why it may never be possible
- How environmental stimuli impacts the microbiome
- Under what conditions the microbiome and the immune system are intertwined, and why this can complicate the process of overcoming chronic diseases like Crohn’s and colitis
For more information, visit http://www.surettelab.ca/lab/.
The word biopsy is usually associated with the idea of a surgical procedure intended to remove a piece of tissue suspected of being diseased or malignant, and in fact, that’s usually what it is. A research team at Queensland University of Technology in Australia is changing this with the development of liquid biopsies—a non-invasive method that analyzes blood and saliva for the early detection of cancer, cancer staging, and prediction of how a patient will respond to treatment.
In addition to being more cost-effective and less invasive for the patient, this approach also eliminates the possibility of a false negative, or the retrieval of a sample of tissue that contains no cancer cells, despite it having been taken from a cancerous tumor.
Chamindie Punyadeera joins the podcast today to discuss the ins and outs of the research and development she’s contributing to, and explains how and why the liquid biopsy approach will pave the way for better, and more personalized medicine in the near future.
Tune in for all the details, and discover:
- Why the heterogeneity of tumors makes tissue-based biopsies less accurate than liquid biopsies
- What cell-free DNA is, where it’s found, and how it can provide valuable information for cancer patients
- How biomarkers in saliva may be used to differentiate between patients at high risk of heart failure (such as those suffering from type 2 diabetes or obesity)
Gastroenterology specialist Dr. Paul Moayyedi discusses the Imagine Network, a cross-discipline group in Canada that is studying Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) from multiple angles. When you listen, you'll hear him explain
- The reason he uses evidence-based medicine to formulate his research into bowel diseases and the connection between the bowel microbiome and health.
- The nature of the Imagine Network process and why it is a foundational approach to studying multi-faceted gut diseases.
- The current difficulties in treating Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and why fecal transplants are offering some immediate solutions.
Dr. Moayyedi, Professor, Division of Gastroenterology at the Department of Medicine with MacMaster University, is lead researcher for the Imagine Network. This cohort gathers multiple disciplines, including psychiatrists and gastroenterology specialists, in order to research IBS and IBD symptoms and patients "live," while the disease progresses.
These researchers examine mental health, diet, and inflammation in addition and in relation to what's going on in the bowel. Results from these studies are myriad, from Findings solutions to Crohn's disease symptoms to alternative diagnosis for gastric cancer.
Our bowels are very complicated and have the greatest concentration of bacteria on the planet. The majority of our current tests only suggest a small picture of what's going on. While one process may test for gastric cancer, it offers no other window into further issues. The Imagine Network is changing how these diseases are studies by examining the patient in multiple disciplines.
Dr. Moayyedi discusses how fecal transplants (actually the introduction of fecally-contaminated water), has shown promise in treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In fact, Imagine Network was the first group to initiate randomized trials of this method and results point to relief for a quarter of the study's patients.
Dr. Moayyedi believes more results hold promise for comprehending the nature of these diesases.
To get in contact or find out more, see www.imaginespor.com.
When you listen to this discussion with Dr. McCall, you will hear about:
- The use of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to ascertain and pinpoint disease microbes' location in internal organs.
- How effective rehabilitation for the host lies in this metabolomics testing rather than in destroying pathogens.
- How the creation of compounds centered on these locations can battle the effects of these pathogens.
Laura-Isobel McCall, Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma, specializes in chemical cartography of host-microbe interactions.
The McCall Lab, run by Dr. McCall, uses the application of analytical chemistry as chemical cartography by locating pathogens in the internal organs of mice.
Dr. McCall notes that understanding location leads to understanding function, and the McCall Lab discerns how pathogens, the microbiome, and the host interact. This helps them assimilate drugs with the ability to modulate the host's metabolism. By means of metabolomics testing and chemical cartography, the McCall Lab is developing compounds to offset the effects of parasites. Dr. McCall has made a concerted effort to center their work on neglected deadly diseases such as trypanosoma cruzi, a tropical parasite that can be found in the United States.
Dr. McCall describes how chemical cartography with 3D mapping and metabolomics testing helps them comprehend the workings of particular pathogens. In addition, these studies reveal how key timing can be in halting the detrimental result of the parasitic attacks. In addition, the lab is manufacturing compounds that provide nutrients for the host based on the cartography findings, enabling the host to survive the effects of the parasite. They've found this is more effective than drugs designed to kill the parasite.
The lab hopes to apply this work to additional pathogens and diseases that are location-driven while continuing to cultivate and strengthen the effects of the compounds.
For more information, see the McCall Lab page at http://mccall-lab.oucreate.com/ and find them on twitter as @LabMccall.
This podcast explores "building biology." Jabour makes sense of:
- How physical health and electrical systems in our homes are intertwined, including types of light bulbs to how we connect to the internet.
- Why EMF pollution (electromotive forces) and electromagnetic radiation dangers make a difference in how well we sleep and in our ability to feel relaxed.
- How we can solve some of these issues with everything from special paints to hard-wiring and returning to Ethernet cables.
Diana Jabour, Environmental and Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist and owner of Jabour Environmental, wants her clients to take charge of their electronic surroundings. Her mother inspired her with progressive life choices base on research. Jabour modeled her life's work on her mother's lessons and continues combining research with common sense.
After building their own home, Jabour observed her family suffering various symptoms. She began investigating causes and learned about the Building Biology Institute in Santa Fe, which she then attended. She already had a solid understanding of harm from wireless systems, but her connection to the institute added depth to her knowledge of EMF pollution and electromagnetic radiation dangers.
She tells listeners about the four categories building biologists focus on: air quality, water quality, lighting quality, and electromagnetic fields.
But Jabour asserts that it is possible to mitigate these dangers and she describes the process, from ways we can move our sleep area electric fields close to zero to asserting that "anything that says 'smart' is stupid." She offers detailed ways to relieve our homes from EMF pollution and electromagnetic radiation dangers.
Finally, she details her process for her clients and describes typical problems and solutions.
For more about these issues, see her company's web site at https://www.jabourenvironmental.com/.
Dr. Abramson details his successful findings:
• He describes how the jaw, ears, face, and head experience pain for interrelated reasons and how his TMJ treatments manage those reasons.
• Why myofascial massage therapy and an innovative splint allows the jaw to relax into its natural position that relieves pressure.
• Why Dr. Abramson's distinctive invention, the Oasys appliance, is exceptional because of its capacity to ensure nasal breathing and thereby provide effective sleep apnea treatment.
Dr. Mark Abramson is sleep apnea and TMJ specialist in Northern California. When he experienced a car accident as a young teenager, he solidified his desire to meet the healing needs of the body as a whole. Over forty years later, he has honed a treatment platform that connects multiple components of mindfulness in healing.
In this podcast, he discusses the interrelated paths two main centers of growth, the mouth and jaw, tip the balance in various directions that cause pain. Variables such as whether we are mouth breathers, to what extent and how our tongue grows, and if we've had orthodontics can cause various levels of TMJ pain or how we may experience sleep apnea.
Dr. Abramson details the ways the medical system makes these discoveries difficult—the elimination trend leads to patients taking numerous tests before seeking dentistry and TMJ treatments or sleep apnea treatment. Primary and referred pain can make determine the cause confusing, and patients may not know which direction to turn.
When these patients finally see Dr. Abramson, he's able to use his understanding of jaw, neck, and head growth and muscular interaction to offer treatments such as TMJ splints and sleep apnea appliances as well as hands-on manipulation.
For more information, see Dr. Abramson's office web site: https://www.drtmjsleepapnea.com/
For information on practitioners that use his Oasys system, see: http://oasyssleep.com/
The body’s response to a foreign element is powerful and effective—just consider how it feels to get even a tiny splinter; within hours the skin around it becomes red and painful, and if it’s not eventually removed, your body will enclose it with tissue so that it can’t invade your body any further. In almost every situation, this response is invaluable and life-saving, but that’s not so when it comes to biochemical sensors capable of analyzing real-time data.
Due to the body’s protective response, biochemical sensors that are currently on the market don’t last longer than a few days or weeks, meaning they must be replaced often. This not only drives up the amount of work you have to do but also means you have to pay a lot more for your personal biochemical data.
Profusa is a company that has developed a product that’s changing all of this, giving individuals an affordable, convenient, and painless way to obtain biochemical data that can be used for diagnostic purposes by a physician. How does it work? CEO of Profusa, Ben Hwang, joins the podcast to explain the details of how the Profusa sensor was developed, how it functions in the body, and why it’s been so successful thus far.
By pressing play, you will learn about all of this and more, including:
- How the Profusa sensor overcomes the body’s foreign body response, which allows it to remain in the body for years
- What biochemical the Profusa sensor is currently able to detect, and which biochemicals it will be able to detect in the near future
- How the Profusa technology can be developed further
Visit https://profusa.com/ for more info.
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms that release toxins, and they’re also the building blocks of life itself. Under healthy conditions, the environment in which cyanobacteria live serves as a system of checks and balances wherein cyanobacteria do not overpopulate. When this system of checks and balances is disturbed, such as by human intervention, changes in temperature, or any number of other factors which influence the rate at which cyanobacteria grow, the toxins they produce end up dominating the whole ecological sphere in which they exist, and continuously change the chemical and biological conditions in the water.
This overpopulation is happening globally in nearly every place you can find water, whether in the sea, lakes, or reservoirs for irrigation, and it’s having devastating consequences for environmental and human health. BlueGreen Technologies Ltd has developed the first-ever solution to dealing with large-scale algal blooms and restoring the health and use of bodies of water around the world. Eyal Harel is the CEO and co-founder of this company, and he joins the podcast to explain how their products work, and why they show so much more promise than any solution which has come before it.
By tuning in, you will learn:
- How BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd has manipulated previously-used algaecides in a way that allows them to float on water and release over time
- By what standards water is deemed safe for drinking, and why they are problematic
- How BlueGreen Technologies Ltd products are performing so far, and what the company is working to accomplish in the near future
Learn more by visiting http://bgtechs.com/about/.
In this podcast, Janet Bennett, sleep expert and author, delivers a wealth of information on sleep issues, covering techniques and treatments available through her sleep program (ijustwanttosleep.com).
Bennett is a Speech Pathologist dedicated to helping people end suffering and rediscover what it feels like to actually sleep well. As Bennett explains, snoring indicates mouth breathing is occurring, and that can prevent the body from heading into REM sleep.
Bennett discusses the sleep apnea and snoring connection, and outlines why it is important to learn about the potential signs. She explains that many individuals believe wholeheartedly that they cannot breathe well through their nose, and thereby resort to mouth breathing. But the fact is—they can, and just need to train themselves how to nose breath.
Bennett discusses how her program can train people to position the tip of their tongue at a specific spot on the palette, which can assist with good air flow.
The entrepreneur discusses CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, and details information about changes in the devices over the years. Bennett discusses mouth breathing, and various tongue exercises that we can utilize to retrain our tongues to hold themselves at the roof of the mouth, for more natural breathing via the nose.
Bennett continues, talking about snoring causes and effects, as well as snoring treatment. She provides further information on her program and discusses the results people experience.
In this podcast:
- The dangers of sleep disorders
- What’s so bad about mouth breathing?
- Can you improve your airway flow?
For over three decades now, Ted Schroeder has worked in and around the pharmaceutical industry in the sales, marketing, and development of antibiotics. As the CEO of Nabriva Therapeutics, he has unique insights on the current development of two antibiotics which may be effective in treating community-acquired pneumonia in adults and serious urinary tract infections that do not respond to many other types of drugs.
On today’s podcast, you will learn:
- What community-acquired pneumonia is and why it can be hard to treat
- What makes gram-negative bacterial infections more challenging to treat than gram-positive bacterial infections
- How strong the clinical-based evidence is for the effectiveness of these antibiotics
- What’s to come in the near future for Nabriva Therapeutics, pharmacology, and anti-infective agents
Interested in learning more? Press play and visit https://www.nabriva.com/
Ronald C. McGlennen, M.D., Medical Director of Access Genetics, discusses his thoughts on oral disease, the microbiome and bacteria.
Dr. McGlennen is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. He is recognized by the American Board of Medical Genetics with a Specialty in Clinical Molecular Genetics, and has published more than 70 significant scientific articles and book chapters in his areas of expertise.
Dr. McGlennen provides an overview of his thoughts on various issues of health, including the oral microbiome and periodontal disease. As Dr. McGlennen states, the microbiome must be recognized as an organ in our bodies due to its pivotal and important role central to our health. As certain changes in the gut flora can provide important answers to intestinal health, the oral microbiome provides answers to oral health. The doctor discusses the kinds of bad bacteria we encounter, much of which comes from the environments we exist within—from intimate contact, and foods, as well as surfaces, etc.
Dr. McGlennen talks about our internal body functioning. He explains how factors such as a lack of exercise, or aging, etc., can push our bodies into a state of dysbiosis, essentially a microbial imbalance on or inside our bodies—e.g. impaired microbiota. Dr. McGlennen explains how the microbiome can be impacted, as he provides an overview of periodontal disease and its major causes. And Dr. McGlennen discusses pathogens, some obvious disease markers, and other indicators of disease.
Continuing, Dr. McGlennen provides further information on gum disease and plaque build up, as well as bad bacteria in the mouth and mouth bacteria treatment. Further, he discusses the eleven bacteria that make up their ‘quantitative DNA analysis’ and how they use this critical information to gain knowledge about one’s cumulative bacterial load, in order to understand the best way to provide treatment and therapy.
In this podcast:
- What can we learn from a quantitative DNA analysis about our health?
- How to know if you are suffering from a microbial imbalance
- How do bacteria get into the body?
In this podcast, noted author and philosopher, Wynand De Beer, discusses philosophy and metaphysics.
De Beer is the author of From Logos to Bios: Evolutionary Theory in Light of Plato, Aristotle, and Neoplatonism. In today’s interesting podcast, De Beer discusses philosophical, socio-political, and metaphysical issues. As De Beer explains, much of the existing mindset regarding these issues and more, has been lost because of rationalism and secular humanism.
De Beer explains his positions and discusses the important works of others who have preceded him, such as Albert Camus, the French Algerian philosopher and author.
De Beer discusses his latest book, discussing in detail the various chapters—good vs evil; man and woman; consciousness, including the three manifestations of consciousness; and more. Expanding on his thoughts, De Beer provides an analysis of the concept of gender as it relates to current and historical interpretations as well.
De Beer states that the traditional concept of man and woman (male and female) must exist as complete opposites in order to derive the reality in which we live. De Beer continues, providing an account on the views of feminism, the militant forms of feminism, and male chauvinism… all of which must be rejected as they present a completely imbalanced view. There is no subordination or domination, De Beer states.
De Beer goes on to explain that the views and functions of gender and sexuality, etc. are continually and increasingly taken to the extreme, often as a form of rebellion.
De Beer discusses other areas of his book, including a detailed discussion on modern liberalism, and views regarding the immortality of the soul—including early Greek mythology from significant voices such as Plato. Wrapping up, the philosopher and author discusses his next book currently titled, Origins, and the topics he will examine in that upcoming work.
In this podcast:
- A mental overview on metaphysics
- What is the importance of gender?
- What is liberalism?
Far too many see snoring as a harmless, albeit annoying thing that affects mostly men, and mostly those who are overweight. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Erin Elliott is a dentist who has become well-regarded as asleep, snoring, and sleep apnea expert, and who integrates an understanding of the relationship between dental signs and symptoms with an understanding of sleep health.
She joins the podcast today to discuss the causes and effects of snoring and the many options for snoring treatments based upon the specific cause. In addition to causing a variety of health problems, snoring and sleep apnea can lead to relationship problems between couples who can no longer sleep in the same bed.
On today’s episode, you will learn:
- How and why snoring can lead to tooth decay and poor gum health
- Why losing weight could significantly improve snoring for one person, and not make a difference for another
- Surgical, therapeutic, and lifestyle changes which could help reduce snoring
Learn more by tuning in and emailing your questions to erinelliottdds@gmail.com.
In this podcast, Richard Gallo, MD, PhD, human immunology and skin biology expert, discusses antimicrobial peptides, skin microbiome acne, and all things microbiome.
Gallo received his PhD from Harvard and has been working in the sciences ever since. Gallo explains his path and what led him to his current focus in dermatology and immunology. Gallo was intrigued deeply by the question: how does a host protect itself? Gallo delivers a thorough analyzation of ‘resistance’ and how it can differ, discussing how plants and humans can be impacted by a microbe. But what do microbes do to benefit us, or do they? Gallo provides interesting information on the details of microbes, speaking specifically of those microbes that the skin will allow to exist. Gallo’s research is concerned with these important issues.
Gallo explains how microbes can be trapped within our skin’s pores, and interestingly, when they do become trapped they are in fact nurtured, literally monitored and kept in check by our immune system so they won’t evolve into an infection. Gallo delivers an overview of the variations in the microbial community and he explains what various genes do at the bacterial level.
Continuing, Gallo provides analysis on the kinds of inflammation that exist and how the microbiome is involved. The immunology and biological sciences expert discusses his thoughts on future medical approaches to combat disease, and how the skin, microbes, and cells are all critical in our overall knowledge path to understanding how to best treat disease.
In this podcast:
- Just how important is the microbiome?
- Does our skin react to microbes?
- What happens to bacteria when they reach our skin’s surface?
When you listen in, you’ll learn about advances like these:
- How Phoenix replaced reactors with particle accelerators, producing neutrons that reduce nuclear materials by a thousand with an inherent “off-switch.”
- How technology Phoenix creates is essential to industrial air and space mechanical production as well as medical diagnosis, specifically radioisotopes in medicine like the molybdenum 99 production.
- Why Shine Medical continues to explore producing isotopes that possess therapeutic attributes for diseases like cancer.
- What other products Phoenix is making such as an electronic machine that should replace Californium 252.
In this podcast, Even Sengbusch, PhD, MBA, and president of Phoenix, discusses the collaboration of Shine Medical and Phoenix. These companies are making headway in neutron production without nuclear reactors and without the accompanying risks and limitations. Dr. Sengbusch describes each company and their respective focus (Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of Shine Medical was unable to join the podcast as planned because of travel issues). Shine Medical grew as an off shoot of Phoenix in 2010 to work on radioisotopes in medicine. Phoenix manufactures neutron generators and Shine uses this isotope technology specifically for medical imaging systems.
Phoenix is collaborating with Shine to manufacture molybdenum 99 production. This isotope has been foundational in medical imaging, but has only two producers across the globe. Phoenix is on its way to becoming a third producer through a completely different non-reactor method that is safer and more efficient. As it decays, molybdenum 99 releases detectable gamma rays, acting as markers for imaging specific organs. The isotope will also adhere to cancer cells, making their detection possible.
For more information, see https://phoenixwi.com/ and https://shinemed.com/.
When you listen in, you’ll learn about
- The capacity for genome editing in plants to manufacture soybean oil types that could replace environmentally-risky oils like palm oil and coco butter.
- Dr. Voytas’ fabrication of a wheat with increased dietary fiber.
- The possibilities of creating crops resistant to insects and pathogens.
- Attempts with other grains that could reduce global food insecurity.
Dr. Daniel Voytas, McKnight Presidential Endowed Professor, Director of the Center for Precision Plant Genomics at the University of Minnesota, and founder of Clayxt, discusses the cutting-edge in genome editing in plants.
As director of the Center for Precision Plant Genomics, he leads a team that continues this focus with gene editing, substitution, and mutation methods. The center strives to improve plants' ability to withstand challenges like drought conditions and insect consumption. Rather than typical food crops, the center uses fast-growing plants fit for experimentation like tobacco.
His company, Calyxt, which he started ten years ago, is instead able to focus on common food crops. The company uses the technology developed at the center to perform genome editing in plants to improve crop health. For example, Calyxt targeted the soybean plant and disabled the gene that transforms the oil in the soybean seeds from monounsaturated fat to polyunsaturated. Calyxt released this soybean seed with monounsaturated fat as their first gene-edited manufactured item. Its altered state produces an oil that can be used in deep frying much longer for less waste.
For more information on how to contact Dr. Voytas, see https://cbs.umn.edu/contacts/daniel-voytas-phd.
In this podcast, Mark A. Cruz, D.D.S, provides an overview on dentistry, snoring causes and effect, snoring treatment, and the many airway issues we as humans contend with.
Dr. Cruz is an experienced dentist who focuses on his patients’ general health, in addition to the yearly dental problems we visit our dentists to repair or treat. Dr. Cruz earned his degree from the outstanding dental program at the UCLA School of Dentistry.
Dr. Cruz talks about nasal breathing, and he explains oral breathing, the exchanging of gas, and the processes a body may go through. He discusses nasal breathing in great detail and expounds upon the inflammatory response our bodies exhibit when nasal breathing is diminished. Continuing, the airway expert discusses the concept of teaching kids about breathing and proper nose blowing techniques, etc. Dr. Cruz states that while mucus does have a very serious and practical purpose in our bodies, we never want mucus to obstruct our nasal breathing such that we are forced to regularly breathe through the mouth.
Dr. Cruz discusses the results of current and past research on breathing. Breathing rates have increased over the past decades and this increase could be a major link to a troubling increase in many inflammatory diseases. Dr. Cruz goes on to discuss exercises, including an overview of facial exercises which may decrease sagging, and other outward effects of aging. Dr. Cruz provides a wealth of knowledge on snoring and breathing issues in general, and he explains that, fortunately, health practitioners are beginning to give more attention to airway issues across the board.
In this podcast:
The effects of snoring
Is it possible to improve our difficult airway issues?
Diminished nasal breathing: problems and treatments
Marc Bekoff, PhD is an animal behaviorist, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society who has enjoyed a long career studying and teaching animal behavior, as well as working for animal rights organizations.
Contrary to what many people believe, even the species that appear to be simplistic are surprisingly complex and intricate, with individual personalities contributing to group behavior and formation. According to Dr. Bekoff, a lot can be learned simply from closely watching members of a species.
On today’s episode, he talks about what he has learned by studying and spending time with coyotes in Grand Teton National Park, Adélie penguins in Antarctica, chimpanzees, and domestic dogs.
By tuning in, you will discover:
- How common myths surrounding dogs are perpetuated in society
- Observations that demonstrate fair behavior within a species, whether in terms of playing, eating, or grooming (and how “cheaters” in the system tend to do in the long run)
- How non-human animal behavior is similar to human animal behavior
For more information, visit marcbekoff.com.
About 100 million Americans snore on a regular basis, and over one half of those people have sleep apnea, which is characterized by the cessation of breathing multiple times within a single hour of sleep. But what really causes snoring and how far-ranging are the effects?
On today’s episode, dentist and sleep and snoring expert, Dr. Jay Khorsandi, explores this question and says that there are two primary factors involved: weight and age.
He explains that as people fall asleep, the muscles in the airway relax and gravity kicks in, which causes the tongue to fall further back into the throat, thereby restricting or altogether preventing breathing. As people age, the muscles become increasingly weak and therefore increasingly susceptible to collapse, which causes airway obstruction.
Dr. Khorsandi also discusses how weight gain only worsens the problem.
So, what’s the solution? In his work with patients, Dr. Khorsandi begins by acquiring as much data as possible during the course of a three-night at-home sleep study. This allows him to develop a deep understanding of a person’s source and extent of breathing issues and create an individualized plan for addressing them.
On today’s episode, you will learn:
- Why people tend to dream more when they breathe better during sleep
- How a laser can be used to treat snoring and breathing problems in a non-invasive, quick, and effective way
- How snoring progresses through stages to ultimately become sleep apnea
- Why certain types of treatment for snoring work better for some than others
In this podcast, Dr. Theodore Belfor, dental expert, provides an overview on airway issues, snoring causes and effect, and the future of treatment. Dr. Belfor earned his degree from the New York University School of Medicine, and he specializes in General Dentistry.
Dr. Belfor talks about the many and various airway issues, from the common stuffy nose to airway issues of a more serious nature. Dr. Belfor discusses chronic rhinosinusitis, an extremely common problem that nags many Americans yearly. Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined by the observation of at minimum two of four symptoms, from facial pain and/or pressure, to hyposmia/anosmia, and/or nasal drainage or nasal obstruction, for at least—12 weeks in a row.
Dr. Belfor explains how the cilia hairs in our noses, along with abundant mucus, can trap the bacteria within. When our sinus systems are working as they should, these bacteria can be neutralized; however, when chronic rhinosinusitis takes place, there is a sort of broken link in the body’s chain of defense. When this occurs, our bodies go into a typical series of defenses that can include swelling and inflammation.
Dr. Belfor provides an analysis of the purpose of nitric oxide, and he discusses how polyp growth occurs. Dr. Belfor talks in detail about misalignment, airway and snoring issues, and more, including information on breathing systems. He expounds upon the various possibilities for care and treatment, and discusses how it is possible to ‘turn the genes on’ to get the body to respond, and improve its overall functioning. He discusses ‘toning the airway’ and some of the problems created because of snoring and sleep apnea.
In this podcast:
How to manage airway breathing issues
What causes polyps?
The important issues regarding nasal obstruction and breathing
In this podcast, Dr. Eleftherios Mylonakis, the Charles C.J. Carpenter Professor of Infectious Disease at The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, discusses microbial pathogenesis, host responses, and more. Dr. Mylonakis is an infectious disease specialist who earned his medical degree from University of Athens. He has been practicing medicine for more than two decades.
Dr. Mylonakis discusses infectious diseases and the current research in drug discovery. He talks in detail about the important work being done in regard to resistant bacteria, specifically Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a group of Gram-positive bacteria that are genetically distinct from other strains of Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA has been resistant to many antibiotics, which makes it a particularly difficult strain.
The Brown University doctor provides an overview of MRSA, discussing where it lives, and the pathways it takes to infiltrate body systems. Dr. Mylonakis states that human skin works as a successful barrier from the bacteria entering our bloodstream, for the most part, but as he says a cut on the skin or trauma from an accident, etc. can facilitate the bacteria’s infiltration into the bloodstream. Dr. Mylonakis explains how to identify virulence factors, and he provides useful and interesting information about the current research on the microbiome, talking in detail about how disruption can possibly lead to colonization. Continuing, the doctor talks about current diagnostics, and the extensive time doctors must sometimes wait for lab cultures before they can effectively understand what is going on. As many labs wait as long as up to 5 days before providing results, this can create problems with effectively treating toxicity and infection.
In this podcast:
What are virulence factors
Why are some strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics
An overview of microbial pathogenesis
In this important podcast, Greg Lowry, the Walter J. Blenko, Sr. Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, discusses the importance of nanotechnology, environmental science nano impact factor, and how nanotechnology may be the key to plant sustainability.
Lowry is the esteemed deputy director of the NSF/EPA Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT). He worked toward his B.S. in chemical engineering at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis), and he also earned a degree (M.S.) in civil and environmental engineering from University of Wisconsin in Madison. Lowry also holds a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford.
Lowry’s interest lies in the sciences, specifically geochemistry, nanochemistry, and environmental nanotechnology. Lowry talks about his team’s goal to make agriculture more sustainable. Lowry explains how current agriculture practices are extremely inefficient, and as global population is on the rise, sustainability—making plants more efficient and resilient to climate change, etc.—will be critically important. Lowry discusses some of the work they’ve done on specific types of plants, such as the wheat, corn, and tomato plants. Lowry explains how they engineer nano materials to deliver nutrients to plants in a more efficient way, which benefits plant growth, especially when the plants may
be facing problematic climate or soil conditions.
Lowry provides a detailed overview of how they designed and produced coatings for nano particles that can allow them to penetrate the plant and thereby successfully provide nutrients while avoiding any negative effects to the plant’s health.
In this podcast:
Nanoparticles: why so important?
How will increasing populations force a change in how we grow food?
The importance of plant sustainability
Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom more often than you used to? Poor breathing during sleep might be one of the last things most people would attribute this to, but on today’s episode, ear, nose, and throat doctor Steven Park explains how the two are directly related. He explains the physiology behind the causes and effects of snoring, the physiologic response to the temporary cessation of breathing during sleep, and how these issues can lead to all kinds of health problems, from headaches and weight gain, to more frequent urination at night. He also explains exactly what’s going on in the body when snoring occurs, and why every person on earth is susceptible to developing breathing problems. He discusses some of the options for obstructive sleep apnea treatment, and a few ways to mitigate the severity of snoring. On today’s podcast, you will learn:
- Why there’s a tradeoff between the ability to speak and the ability to breathe properly
- What the difference is between upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and obstructive sleep apnea
- How sleep apnea can cause hiatal hernias
Interested in learning more? Press play and check out Dr. Park’s book, Sleep Interrupted: A Physician Reveals the #1 Reason Why So Many Of Us Are Sick and Tired.
About one third of the adult American population is obese, and diabetes is growing at an epidemic rate in both adults and juveniles. Driven by personal experience with type 2 diabetes and the belief that there is a severe lack of understanding and knowledge about the body and physiological processes at work in diabetes and obesity, Rob Taub has become a type 2 diabetes advocate and one of four ambassadors for Know Diabetes By Heart, a joint venture between the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.
The goal is to increase awareness and education surrounding this all-too-common and gravely detrimental disease. He joins the podcast today to share all of the insights he’s learned.
By tuning in, you will discover:
- The degree to which genetics contribute to the development of diabetes
- What Taub has personally found to be the best treatment for type 2 diabetes treatment
- Why diabetes is on the rise despite an increase in the availability of pharmaceuticals to treat it
For more information, check out knowdiabetesbyheart.org.
Over the past few years, organoid research and development has expanded tremendously; perhaps one of the best experts on the topic is Robert Vries, PhD, who contributed to the first-time published organoid technology in 2009.
As the CEO of Hubrecht Organoid Technology (HUB), a non-profit in the Netherlands, Dr. Vries offers an in-depth look at organoids, including how they are made, how they function, what they can offer in terms of diagnostic capability and drug discovery and development, and what the future holds for organoid technology in general.
Tune in to learn the details of all this and more, including:
- Why mimicking a cancer tumor is virtually impossible without the use of adult stem cells
- How organoid technology could change the gold standard in drug development and research in toxicology
- How induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differ from adult stem cells
Interested in learning more? Visit https://hub4organoids.eu/.
In an effort to both improve current artificial intelligence (AI) models and our understanding of the brain, Associate Professor in the Computer Science and Operations Research Department at the University of Montreal, Irina Rish, PhD is studying a number of topics, including applications of machine learning, statistical machine learning, neuroimaging, and the detection of patterns in the brain that point to mental states or disorders.
On today’s episode, she gives us a fascinating peek into her realm of work. By tuning in, you’ll learn:
- Some of the main differences between the human brain and artificial neural networks
- The challenges presented in the development of truly broad AI
- Under what conditions neurogenesis occurred in a study using rat models
For more information about Dr. Rish’s work, check out https://mila.quebec/en/person/irina-rish/.
Eduard Willms, Postdoctoral Scientist, La Trobe University, Australia, discusses the types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), the role of extracellular vesicles, and the research that could provide new avenues for efficient drug and therapeutic delivery.
Willms earned his BSc in Pharmacy and DPhil in Physiology, and has been actively researching EV heterogeneity in his quest to better understand the intricate roles of different types of EVs released by cells, and the ways EVs can be utilized. Willms discusses his early study of exosomes, which are membrane bound extracellular vesicles produced in the endosomal compartment of most eukaryotic cells.
The research scientist explains cellular communication, considering thoughts on hormones and neurotransmitters, etc., and he provides an overview of his fascination with extracellular vesicle heterogeneity. Much of his research poses the question: what kind of vesicle is able to gain entry into a cell and deliver messages? Willms explains how the systems work, and how can EVs be utilized to deliver drugs or therapeutics into cells. And as Willms states, it’s important to grasp which kinds of vesicles may be successful in the delivery of these important messages, to ultimately—deliver therapeutics.
The successful research scientist goes into detail about cellular environments and discusses stability issues in regard to EVs. Willms explains biodistribution in lab studies and the possible lifespan of EVs, discussing the importance of understanding how long they can perform duties. And Willms talks further about what they have witnessed in certain
populations of vesicles, and all the many possibilities, with a discussion of organelles and
structures.
In this podcast:
How are extracellular vesicles important?
Can EVs be used to deliver therapeutics successfully?
How and why cells communicate?
“The premise of Lantern is to use the most current advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and genomics to help rescue and develop cancer drugs faster and cheaper and with lower risk so we can get them to patients in a more personalized manner,” says Panna Sharma, CEO of Lantern Pharma.
Sharma was drawn to the premise of Lantern primarily because it just makes sense, given the tremendous amount of molecular and genomic data now available on hundreds of different types of cancers. The technology being employed by Lantern Pharma has the ability to identify which drugs have worked for some people in the past, why they worked, and how to predict which patients may benefit from them in the future.
As a result, the Lantern Pharma technology is rescuing certain cancer drugs which have the potential to work extremely well for some patients, despite not making it to the market for being deemed not effective enough. They’re also using this technology to drive the development of new drugs. On today’s episode, you will discover:
- How many cancer drugs are already built in to the Lantern Pharma model
- How many gene expression profiles there are within a given tumor
- The importance of understanding a tumor’s response to a given drug
Interested in learning more? Tune in and visit https://www.lanternpharma.com/.
For many of us, the idea of addiction recovery and behavior change therapy might invoke images of a psychologist or counselor leading a one-on-one or group session, but these images probably wouldn’t involve the use of psychedelic drug therapy.
On today’s episode, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins and author of 47 articles on psychedelic drugs, Matthew Johnson, PhD, discusses how psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin pills can help people who face addiction, depression, and emotional or psychological disorders.
“It’s not just a drug effect; it’s something about the nature of this experience, the qualitative nature of the experience that’s predictive of long-term beneficial outcomes…even though it’s prompted by a medication…in many ways it’s more like a learning experience. It has more in common with what we know about…psychotherapy than it does with psychiatric medications,” says Dr. Johnson.
On today's episode, you will learn:
- How Dr. Johnson characterizes the commonality between people who benefit from the use of psychedelics (and it’s not about religion or spirituality)
- How psychedelic drug use with psilocybin could help those who suffer addiction to cocaine, alcohol, or tobacco, as well as cancer-related depression, anorexia, and PTSD
- When psilocybin pills could become an FDA-approved option for clinical treatment of a variety of disorders
Press play for all the details.
In this podcast, Dr. Christian Regenbrecht, the CEO of CELLphenomics, talks about 3D cell culture technologies, preclinical efficacy studies, and the changing healthcare landscape.
Regenbrecht was a student of biology and philosophy at the University of Bonn, pushed forward toward his postdoc with noted scientist, Hans Lehrach, at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genomics in Berlin, and by a young age was already fully immersed in the biotechnology field. From working on improved patient-derived in vitro models to 3D cell culture technologies, preclinical efficacy studies, and more, Regenbrecht was stimulated by the challenges within the scientific arena.
Regenbrecht provides an overview of the many innovations that are currently taking place at CELLphenomics. CELLphenomics offers researchers the ability to test compounds with a comprehensive screening approach. Regenbrecht explains the intricacies of cell culture. Patient-derived cell cultures, specifically, are novel multicellular systems freshly isolated from primary organs via mechanical as well as enzymatic dissociation. Within this system, cells grown on a proprietary matrix can grow as 3D organoids—composed of cell clusters preserving the composition of the original tissue.
Regenbrecht talks in detail about cell types in tumors, with information on colon tumors. Continuing, he explains the process by which some tumors could metastasize. Regenbrecht discusses the processes to isolate exosomes that are secreted into the cell culture. And as Regenbrecht explains, studying this information, researchers might be able to predict where the next site of metastasization could occur. The mission at CELLphenomics, as an in vitro service provider is to offer quality cell culture models at a fair price, and assist the biotech and pharma industries in the creation of innovative testings for new anti-cancer drugs.
In this podcast:
How some tumors metastasize
What are exosomes?
How the biotech industry is changing modern medicine
Are you always tired in the morning, despite how much you slept? Do you go to bed with a sore neck, only to wake up with more soreness? Chronic poor sleep can wreak havoc on our bodies without us even knowing it. There are a number of sleeping problem solutions on the market, but the solution might be a bit simpler than we imagine. After years of frustration in trying to find a pillow that was comfortable and would retain its integrity over time, Richard Jacobs wondered why people couldn’t just have a pillow designed using their individual measurements.
Soon after, he founded The Good Night’s Sleep Project, which is providing the world’s first-ever custom-tailored pillow backed by AI computer vision. How does it work? All you have to do is download the app and send in a photo or two of yourself, from which 14 measurements will be extracted and used in the creation of your truly customized pillow. It’s that simple. On today’s podcast, you will learn:
- What happens during snoring and sleep apnea, and how your pillow could be contributing to it
- How the wear on a mattress over time can alter the shape of your pillow and lead to neck and shoulder pain
- Feedback from users of the custom-tailored pillow and where to get yours
Check out https://www.goodnightssleepproject.com/ for more info.
Chemotherapy is often one of the first methods of treatment following the diagnosis of cancer, but there’s never any guarantee that it will work. In fact, what works extremely well for one person might not change anything for another—even if the two people had the same type of cancer and received exactly the same treatment protocol. This is true even for targeted therapy, which aims to target specific aspects of cancer, such as the genes or proteins involved in its growth.
Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Director of Cell Biology at the Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Principle Investigator at Muthuswamy Lab, Senthil K. Muthuswamy, Ph.D. joins the podcast today to discuss a new option for the treatment of cancer—one that overcomes these challenges by personalizing the search for an effective drug. How so?
In Dr. Muthuswamy’s lab, tissue from breast and pancreatic tumors is being cultured in the lab to form organoids of the tumors from which they came. In other words, Dr. Muthuswamy’s team is essentially re-growing patient tumors in the lab so that a series of drugs can be tested on them for effectiveness. In this way, the patient avoids receiving unnecessary drugs that would only cause harm or negative side effects and can begin taking a drug with more confidence in its ability to treat their specific tumor.
On today's podcast, you will discover:
- Some of the reasons two people with a certain type of cancer respond differently to the same treatment
- Various types of research being done with the use of organoids, including research on human toxicology and the molecular biology of cancer
- What the next five years will bring for Dr. Muthuswamy’s lab and organoid technology in general
Visit https://www.muthuswamylab.org/ for more information.
In this podcast, David Freedman, Co-founder of NanoView Biosciences, provides an overview of extracellular vesicles and the development of new therapeutics.
Freedman has been an entrepreneur for over a decade and is the former CTO of eHomes, as well as former President of a successful computer services company. He completed a Ph.D. and Postdoc in Electrical Engineering at the prestigious Boston University. Freedman’s company, NanoView Biosciences, is a true leader in the biosciences, and they provide groundbreaking solutions to detect and characterize extracellular vesicles. Freedman discusses extracellular vesicles in detail, explaining that extracellular vesicles are essentially the “Twitter of cells,” in that they act as minuscule messengers that allow cells to transmit biological information from one to another.
Freedman talks about the history of cell and exosome discovery. Exosomes are membrane-bound extracellular vesicles produced in the endosomal compartment of eukaryotic cells. Freedman continues, discussing NanoView Biosciences’ platform that allows researchers to look at not just the outside, but also the inside, of the exosome. And Freedman explains how they study samples, touching on the issues of nanoparticle size and count, and of course, biological activity. He discusses liquid biopsies and new therapeutics, noninvasive diagnostics, and other new therapeutic developments.
In this podcast:
- Extracellular vesicles: what are they and what do they do?
- What can we learn from cells?
- How is bioscience changing diagnostics?
About 15 years ago, the USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory was established with the aim of sending the first student designed and built rocket to space. This means sending a rocket beyond what’s internationally recognized as the Kάrmάn line: the line where Earth’s atmosphere meets outer space, about 100 km or 330,000 feet from the surface of Earth. It wasn’t until last year that this was achieved by the team at the USC Rocket Propulsion Lab, and on today’s podcast, media lead Michael O’Neill and avionics lead Laura Potterat share everything they’ve experienced and learned as a part of the team. On today's episode, you'll learn:
- How the work being done at USC Rocket Propulsion Lab could lead to a cheaper and simpler way of obtaining atmospheric data
- How space rockets are designed and function
- The challenge and importance of mitigating a high thrust profile at low altitudes, and increasing thrust profile at high altitudes
Visit uscrpl.com to learn more.
Do your gums bleed from time to time? If so, you’re not alone: 80 percent of people have gum disease despite their best efforts to maintain good oral health. Many of us don’t think this is a big deal, especially since it’s so common, but after listening to today’s episode, you may change your mind. Dr. James Hyland, DDS, President and CEO of OraVital, explains why traditional flossing and brushing aren’t doing nearly enough to prevent gum disease, and how gum disease can lead to fatal systemic illnesses. He also discusses the science behind bad breath, and why it should be seen as much more than a source of social embarrassment.
- How bleeding gums can lead to the formation of plaque in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer’s and other potentially fatal diseases
- Why brushing and flossing in the traditional way cannot prevent or eliminate infection in the mouth or periodontal disease
- What Dr. Hyland recommends as the most effective treatment for gum disease (it’s surprisingly simple)
Learn more by tuning in and visiting www.oravital.com.
In this podcast, Audrey Gaskins, an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the prestigious Emory University, discusses the causes of abnormal sperm morphology, normal sperm motility, and semen quality in men.
Gaskins has devoted much of her intensive research time to studying the connections between dietary, environmental, and various lifestyle factors with regard to fertility and fecundity in both the sexes.
Gaskins is a prolific publisher, and has published on multiple topics, including the benefits of folic acid, exceeding levels far above the recommendations as it pertains to the possible prevention of anovulation and incident pregnancy loss, etc. Gaskins’ current NIH grant work is primarily research to study the significant interactions between air pollution, diet,
and fertility in women.
Gaskins discusses semen quality in men, and she explains that male semen quality is on the decline around the world. She explains the types of factors that may play a role in the decline of sperm count, and she gives special attention to lifestyle and environmental exposures, etcetera, in her detailed analysis. Gaskins provides a thorough overview of fertility in detail, discussing DNA fragmentation and genetics, and she provides information on how they select semen samples for their studies.
In this podcast:
The possible environmental factors impacting semen quality
Why semen quality is decreasing around the world
How age may play a role in semen quality
“The thing to really unlock, the greatest change is to create a political leadership that recognizes these avenues of solution and acts on them; we don’t have that yet,” says Mary Ellen Harte, PhD, as she explains what needs to be done in order to create an immediate impact on the current rate and magnitude of climate change. Okay, so what are those avenues of solution, and why isn't more being done by the political leadership? These are just a couple of the many compelling and critically important questions Dr. Harte answers and discusses on today’s episode.
She argues that in addition to preserving and rebuilding forests, we must elect political leaders who choose clean energy technology over the influence of the fossil fuel industry, and who demonstrate that they understand and value the importance of environmental economics. But just as important, she says, is a third solution which not many people seem to want to talk about: the reduction of unplanned pregnancies through free family planning services.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn more, including:
- Why the issue of climate change is so politicized in the U.S. and whether or not this is a global trend or unique to the U.S.
- How a lack of and need for basic resources often promotes warfare
- The degree to which technology can (or cannot) address the current level of climate change that’s occurring
To further educate yourself on these matters, check out The Daily Climate and visit http://www.cooltheearth.us/ for a free online copy of Cool the Earth.
In this podcast, Jonathan Hull, Business Development Head at Thryve Inside (thryveinside.com), discusses probiotics weight loss, microbiome testing, the importance of gut health, and the latest evolution in microbiome products.
Hull talks about the early origins of Thryve, and explains how they grew from solely a microbiome testing company into a manufacturer of individualized probiotics designed for improving overall gut health. Hull describes the kinds of probiotics they offer, and how their offerings are based on testing results. As more people are discovering that GI health is an important key to overall health, new products are making their way to the marketplace, but it’s important to know which ones are right for you. Hull continues his discussion on gut health by discussing many various gastrointestinal conditions and gut distress.
Hull expounds upon the latest evolution in microbiome products, and he explains how academic and business/industrial leaders alike are interested in expanding research of microbiome issues. Hull explains how the microbiome is incredibly influential with overall body health. Wrapping up, he discusses consumer-based genetic testing, and the ever- growing interest in microbiome issues.
In this podcast:
Which microbiome products could be right for you?
Genetic testing and microbiome testing—what can they tell you?
The expanding interest in gut health
Inside your mouth is a whole community of microbes which are hard at work restoring the natural pH in your mouth after it drops to around three (which is quite acidic) every time you eat or drink something. This is why you produce more saliva when you eat: the saliva and the microbes within it coat the teeth and essentially restore the mineral that’s been lost by exposure to an acidic environment. However, as the pH in your mouth decreases or becomes more acidic, the composition of your oral microbiome changes to include microbes that not only thrive in, but perpetuate that acidic environment.
Ultimately, what this means is that the less saliva you produce, the worse it is for your teeth, and the more exposed you are to caries (i.e. cavities or tooth decay) and the risk factors of them. Given that about 70% of Americans are on at least one prescription medication, and that a side effect of almost every prescription medication is dry mouth or decreased production of saliva, the problem of maintaining a healthy mouth is not just about brushing and flossing each day.
On today’s podcast, Dr. Kim Kutsch, owner of CariFree, returns to the show for a second time to discuss everything he has learned over the course of his career as a dentist, and how he applies it all in his approach to patient care. By tuning in, you will learn:
- What the CariFree toothpaste, rinse, and gel are composed of and why they are so effective at preventing cavities
- How the healthy oral microbiome functions in the mouth, and what can cause it to change in ways that are damaging to systemic health
- What role genetics play in dentistry
Visit carifree.com to learn more.
In this podcast, Dale R. Pfost, PhD, Director and Cofounder of Microbiome Therapeutics, talks in-depth about microbiome therapeutics, microbes, gut health, prediabetes treatment, and so much more.
Dr. Pfost has over a quarter century of expertise in the biotechnology industry. He was the Chief Executive of six biotechnology companies, and is the founding CEO of MicroBiome Therapeutics. Dr. Pfost earned a BS from UC Santa Barbara and a PhD in physics from the prestigious Brown University.
Dr. Pfost talks about the mission of Microbiome Therapeutics. As the field of the microbiome encompasses a vast array of human health issues, it’s clear that this area of research is here to stay. Dr. Pfost states that the microbiome arena is perhaps the broadest paradigm shift in biotechnology, bar none.
Dr. Pfost discusses cells, probiotics, and the varied processes that occur in the lower gut. He talks about caloric intake and provides detailed information regarding the repopulation that takes place within the gut. He explains how prebiotics, etc. help microbes produce important, healthy short chain fatty acids. And he discusses gut hormones, and the connection between the gut and our brains. Dr. Pfost explains the importance of decreasing the production of the bad things in the gut—such as hydrogen, gas, methane, and sulfide.
The biotech expert discusses intermittent fasting, and explains how during a fast we are not only fasting ourselves, but the microbes as well. He discusses various diets, including the keto diet and other nutritional aspects of select diets, and how they might affect microbes.
In this podcast:
How microbes produce important short chain fatty acids
The benefits of prebiotics, and probiotic foods
The gut to brain connection
Imagine waking up on the sterile landscape of the moon. What would you need in order to make life possible and enjoyable? According to Gretchen Cara Daily, Director of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University, this is the kind of question you’d need to answer in order to begin understanding the value—both intrinsic and monetary---of nature. If it weren’t for wasps, we probably wouldn’t have wine; if it weren’t for the bees in tropical rainforests, we probably wouldn’t have coffee; if it weren’t for birds and bats, our crops would be destroyed; if it weren’t for forests and wetlands, we wouldn’t have safe drinking water. Not only is it crucial for people to start appreciating these connections, but it’s crucial that these connections are quantified and factored into the decision-making practices concerning the management of natural resources, the allocation of funds, and the creation of new policies.
On today’s podcast, Dr. Daily discusses all of this and more, including the global initiative called the Natural Capital Project, which is aimed at illuminating these connections, demonstrating the importance of environmental science, making the causes of environmental problems better understood, and emphasizing a path toward harmony between nature and humanity.
On today’s podcast, you will learn:
· What efforts are being made to mitigate the deleterious effects of city-dwelling that's void of natural green spaces
· What types of changes are occurring in China, where some of the most devastating impacts of environmental degradation are occurring
· How satellite images can indicate the economic status of a geographic region
Learn more by visiting https://naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu/.
In this podcast, Fedor Galkin, the Project Manager at Insilico Medicine, Inc., talks in detail about his studies in aging/longevity, human genotypes, and the microbiome.
Galkin attended Moscow State University and earned a degree in Bioengineering & Bioinformatics. Galkin’s work focuses on microbiome aging clocks based in deep learning. It is important to note that the microbiome can be utilized to predict the age of people, accurately, within but a few years.
Galkin provides information on some of the earliest microbiome aging clocks, and the technology that supports them. Some technologies can make important assessments based on blood biochemistry and gene expression levels; however, Galkin states there’s never been a clock that actually predicts age accurately, based on gut microbes. Galkin explains how they select and look at the various microbes in their study and research. And he talks about the correlations and organization within the microbes, and how with age, things will often fluctuate.
Galkin talks about how certain conditions, such as diabetes can make the gut microbes appear to be those of a much older person. And the bioengineering expert discusses nutrients, and supplements, etc. and how they can impact biological systems. Galkin explains their work on the species level and his expectations to research more on the functional and genetic level as well, regarding the human microbiome.
In this podcast:
How the microbiome can predict age
The various areas within the study of microbes
How blood chemistry and gene expression are involved
In this podcast, Gregory Kuehn, President and COO of Prescient Metabiomics, talks about his company’s innovative work in colorectal cancer treatment, as well as their development of a stool test for cancer.
Kuehn earned his MBA from the University of Colorado, and a BS from the College of William and Mary in molecular biology as well as computer science. Kuehn discusses Prescient Metabiomics’ work researching how the microbiome can be used to predict or associate with various diseases.
Kuehn explains their mission at Metabiomics, a pioneer in the development of human microbiome and advanced metagenomic technology. Prescient Metabiomics’ innovative and important research has lead to the development of a non-invasive stool test for the early detection of colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Their developments are based on intensive examination of the human gut microbiome. Kuehn provides an overview of their work in inflammatory bowel disease that eventually moved them to research methods to possibly prevent colon cancer.
Kuehn discusses the microbiome in detail, explaining the complex relationships that the microbiome has with the human body overall. He explains biomarkers, discusses toxins, and gives his thoughts on the functional relationship between the gut microbiome and human health in general.
In this podcast:
Cancer development, and early predictors
How the microbiome can help provide insight into possible future diseases
Cancer detection / stool tests
“My yoga practice was wonderful and I really enjoyed it, but slacklining really took it to a whole other level, because my yoga mat…all the sudden became one inch wide,” says Dustin Lindblad, who was featured in The Wall Street Journal earlier this year as a woman “walking on air.” So, what exactly does she do and teach? Lindblad slacklines, but not in the way you might think: she performs yoga poses, including kneeling, laying down, backbending, planking, and even squatting while on webbing that's only one inch wide. She can even balance her entire body on a single shoulder, while on the line. It seems impossible, but on today’s episode, Lindblad gives us a peek into her world and explains how she came to be known as the woman walking on air. She also discusses a bit about what it’s like to teach students who wish to accomplish the same. On today’s episode, you will learn:
- Why there is a (necessary) meditative aspect to yoga slacklining
- How slacklining can provide a multitude of benefits
- How to get started as a complete beginner
“Globally, there are 750 million people who live below the World Bank poverty figure of $1.90 a day, and basically every one of them has at least one neglected tropical disease…now we know there are about 5.3 million Americans living in that same level of poverty, and they have neglected tropical diseases, so they’re not only the diseases of the poorest countries,” says Dr. Peter Jay Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. There seems to be a vaccine or drug for most diseases that affect this great a number of people, or at least a worthy effort being put forth in the search for one. So, why is that not the case for the global health issue of neglected tropical diseases? As a disease of the poorest of the poor, the pharmaceutical industry has little interest in spending the resources on research and development for a treatment or curative solution. Consequently, the burden has fallen largely on the nonprofit sector. Dr. Hotez explains the current state of progress toward implementing widespread vaccination for some of the most common neglected tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, and hookworm infection. On today's episode, you will learn:
- Where some of the most common neglected tropical diseases originate, how they are contracted, and what they do to the body
- Why there are so many challenges to the development of vaccines in the nonprofit sector, and the importance of innovation in overcoming them
- How much progress has been made toward developing vaccines for neglected tropical diseases
- How the immune-masking properties of parasites prevent people from building immunity against them
Tune in for all of the details, visit https://www.bcm.edu/education/schools/national-school-of-tropical-medicine/, and learn more by reading Dr. Hotez’s book, Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases: The Neglected Tropical Diseases and Their Impact on Global Health and Development.
In recent years, understanding the role of the human microbiome in health and disease states and how it changes over time has become an area of increasing interest in biomedical research. Dr. Jonathan Clayton, better known as “The Monkey Doc,” has conducted research using non-human primates as a model system for studying the effects of immigration and lifestyle disruption on the human gut microbiome. Specifically, he looked at how the microbiome of wild non-human primates differs from the microbiome of captive primates, and found that once in captivity, the gut microbiome of non-human primates changes relatively rapidly, resulting in a microbiome that’s surprisingly similar to the human gut microbiome. But just how rapidly does this change occur? What does it mean in terms of health? These are just a couple of the questions which remain as potential directions for future research.
On today’s episode, Dr. Clayton discusses a number of fascinating topics, including the focus of his current research, which is on trying to elucidate the impact of diet on the microbiome, and the relationship between the gut microbiome and stress.
Press play to learn about the details of all this and more, including:
- How to define dysbiosis and diversity in terms of microbiota
- What types of challenges are inherent in these areas of research
- Which direction Dr. Clayton’s future research is headed
“The gut microbiome…is known as the second brain. It is the most important organ that drives many of the chronic illnesses that we have been seeing, especially in the developed world in the last few decades,” says Guru Banavar, Chief Technology Officer at Viome. Why is this the case? According to Banavar, we’ve essentially destroyed our own gut microbiomes with the widespread use of antimicrobial liquids, sprays, and antibiotics since around the time of the Industrial Revolution. In order to re-establish balance, he says, we must restore the right kind of activity in the microbiome. With the aim of chronic disease prevention, the team at Viome is conducting microbiome research using stool samples from about 100,000 current customers. Banavar joins the podcast to discuss what they’ve learned so far, and what you can learn about your own microbiome. On today’s episode, you will discover:
- How Viome can tell you which types of foods can turn on or off inflammatory pathways in your gut microbiome
- What differs between the microbiomes of people who have a high versus low glycemic index, or normal GI phenotype versus irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- What we might learn from longitudinal studies of the microbiome currently being conducted by the team at Viome
With an average survival rate of less than 10 percent within five years of diagnosis, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most deadly and aggressive. But in the Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention at the University of Texas, Dr. Florencia McAllister’s research may lead to insights which could forever change this grim prognosis and pave the way for an effective pancreatic cancer treatment. Her work centers around developing a better understanding of how the microbiome of pancreatic tumors interacts with the rest of the body—and the immune system in particular. What is it that allows a pancreatic tumor to remain unseen by the immune system, and what might the bacteria in pancreatic tumors have to do with it? Does the presence of certain species of bacteria in pancreatic tumors indicate a better prognosis than others? In this episode, Dr. McAllister explains the details of how this research is being done, what they’ve discovered, where the future of her work is headed, and so much more. Tune in to discover:
- How tumor microbiomes differ between long and short-term survivors of pancreatic cancer
- How the microbiome of pancreatic tumors differs from the microbiome of the rest of the pancreas
- What conditions create a high risk of pancreatic cancer development
Never before have we had such easy access to information about our DNA, including our predisposition to diseases, whether we are likely to pass on a disease to our children, and the nature of our ancestral lineage. This information can be obtained through a process that lies entirely outside the doctor’s office—one that involves just sending out a sample of DNA to a company like 23andMe or Ancestry. It sounds great, but there’s at least one glaring problem: very few privacy protections exist in private industry, and they certainly aren’t as robust as HIPPA in the world of medicine and healthcare. This begs the question of how private our genomic data really is, who has access to it once we send it off in the mail, and what we can do to protect it from going where we might not want it to. These concerns become all the more serious when we remember that our genomic data not only contains information about ourselves, but about those who are genetically related to us.
On today’s episode, Kristen V. Brown, reporter with Bloomberg News, discusses the tradeoff between privacy and the ability to obtain valuable information from our DNA, and how many companies falsely lead us to believe that we’re in control of who does and does not see our data, and when it should or should not be deleted. In today’s podcast, you will discover:
- Why, according to federal law, DNA samples which have undergone health-related genomic data analysis are prohibited from being destroyed or deleted
- What level of control you actually DO have over your own genomic information
- Where your information is likely to go once you send it to a private company like 23andMe or Ancestry
Robin Bannister, Ph.D. had spent his professional life trying to understand the true nature of thousands of pharmaceuticals, including old ones which might be repurposed for the treatment of a number of diseases. When his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and it became metastatic in 2010, he knew he had to do something. There was no time to waste in trying to locate a drug which might extend her life, and he knew he didn’t have time to develop a new one. This was when he founded Care Oncology Clinic.
Using what he’d learned about the great potential of repurposed drugs, he dove further into his work, narrowing down the list of 5,000 or so drugs that currently exist to a short, manageable list of drugs that are well-tolerated and associated with few side effects. In doing so, he identified drugs that make it difficult for cancer cells to survive in hostile environments and limit their defensive powers by limiting their energy source. In today’s podcast, you will discover:
- What an efflux pump is and how exactly it’s used by cancer cells
- How the Care Oncology protocol utilizes an understanding of the Warburg effect to its advantage in treating patients
- Why the standard of care is not perfect, but often has a part to play in the treatment of cancer
Learn more by visiting the Care Oncology USA website at https://careoncology.com/.
Imagine being triggered in a negatively emotional and physiological way by certain sounds in the environment—sounds considered ordinary or only slightly annoying to most people. Consider also what it would be like to experience long-term high-frequency ringing or buzzing in your ears, something that seems to worsen by simply noticing it. These experiences are called misophonia and tinnitus, respectively, and if she didn’t suffer from both, Dr. Jennifer Conlin likely wouldn’t be where she is today: following her passion as a doctor of audiology and working for Love to Hear Again Audiology in Texas.
On today’s episode, she discusses the role of an audiologist, speech-language pathology specialties, some of the most and least common conditions she treats, how musicians present a unique challenge in terms of treatment for auditory conditions (she would know because she’s also a musician!), and so much more. Tune in to discover:
· In what ways different brands of hearing aids differ from each other
· How artificial intelligence is being implemented in hearing aids, to include language translations and fall detection
· How a person’s hearing can impact their mental state, including the development of dementia, social withdrawal, depression, and chronic fatigue
About a decade ago, most scientific communities believed that extracellular vesicles (EVs)—the small particles that are created by every cell in our body—were not much more than nonfunctional waste. However, recent research is uncovering a lot of information about these particles, much of which could allow us to predict the likelihood of a cancer metastasizing in the human body, and potentially even use them as a treatment for myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and lung ischemia with effusion injuries.
This is just part of what Dr. Joy Wolfram, Director of The Nanomedicine and Extracellular Vesicles Lab at the Mayo Clinic in Florida is researching. In addition, she is focused on synthesizing nanoparticles capable of carrying cancer drug and anti-inflammatory compounds directly to the site of diseased tissues in the body. Interested in learning more? By tuning in, you’ll discover:
- The challenges and benefits of synthesizing nanoparticles in the development of nanomedicine
- How an analysis of the sugars on the surface of EVs might predict whether a cancer is likely to metastasize in a patient
- How EVs could contribute to regenerative medicine
Aside from being an inconvenience, or a disappointing restriction that affects daily life, living with a food allergy can be akin to living with a life-threatening condition. It’s not surprising then, to find that the mothers of children that have a food allergy experience significantly higher blood pressure than mothers of children that don’t have a food allergy. To top it off, 40% of children in primary school have been bullied about their food allergy, further compounding the stress for everyone involved. On today’s episode, Dr. Richard Wasserman discusses oral immunotherapy (OIT) as a treatment for food allergy. In essence, OIT is a process that entails feeding an allergen to a person who is allergic, and gradually increasing the amount of allergen over the course of months in order to promote desensitization. On today’s episode, you will discover:
- Under what circumstances food allergy testing is of no value or misleading, and why it shouldn’t be done unless there is a history of an immediate allergic reaction
- Why the gradual increase in amount of allergen works to treat food allergies and extremely rarely causes an allergic reaction
- What exactly is going on when an allergic response occurs
Dr. Richard Wasserman has a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed a pediatric residency and fellowship training in bone marrow transplant recovery and immunology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For more information on food allergies, visit foodallergy.org.
In one way or another throughout his entire career, Dr. Vincent A. Fischetti, head of the Fischetti Lab at Rockefeller University, has studied bacteria and viruses that kill them. These viruses are called bacteriophages or simply “phages,” and over the last 20 years or so, understanding the mechanism by which they kill bacteria has become increasingly important in light of the worsening problem of antibiotic resistance—the ability of bacteria to resist being killed by antibiotics.
In order to kill a bacterial cell, bacteriophage first infect it, then replicate within it over the course of 20 minutes to an hour, and then produce lysin, an enzyme which essentially drills a hole in the wall of the bacterial cell, allowing for the release of the phage progeny and causing the death of the bacterial cell. In Dr. Fischetti’s lab, they’ve isolated, purified, and produced this enzyme (lysin) in recombinant bacteria; when added to the outside of a bacterial cell, the enzyme operates in the same way as it does when inside the cell: by drilling a hole in the wall of the bacterial cell, causing it to explode and die instantly.
The use of phage lysins as a treatment for bacterial diseases in humans is the first alternative to antibiotics that has ever passed phase 2 clinical trials, and is showing great promise for working around the dangerous problem of antibiotic resistance that threatens lives everywhere. In today’s podcast, you will discover:
- How significantly the use of antibiotics in farm animals (to fatten them up, treat them as food products, etc.) has contributed to antibiotic resistance
- What bacteria do in order to avoid or resist being killed by a given antibiotic
- Where antibiotics come from and how they are used by the organisms that create them
In this podcast, Richard Andrews, SM, MS, President/CEO, and Mark Sampson, Chief Scientific Officer, of Azitra, a clinical-stage medical dermatology company that is breaking new ground in skin disease research, discuss their company’s mission.
Andrews is a seasoned executive, a sought-after leader in development, operations, and finance. Dr. Sampson is an experienced preclinical strategist and clinical development researcher.
The disease researcher and sought-after executive discuss their mission at Azitra, explaining how they address skin diseases. As they explain, Azitra combines multiple technologies that are designed to repair disease issues, and then use the microbiome to deliver those, which can provide therapeutic benefits. The skin research and development duo talk about cancer-associated rashes, and other kinds of skin problems.
The dermatology experts discuss the diversity within a healthy microbiome. And amazingly, there are up to a million varied bacteria per each square centimeter of our skin. They explain how this network can be disrupted, which can lead to problems—dysbiosis, which is a microbial imbalance on or inside the body, impaired microbiota for example.
Andrews and Sampson explain the company’s mission: to reset the balance of the skin microbiome to help guard against dangerous bacteria and pathogens.
In this podcast:
How the microbiome can affect the skin
Diseases of the skin
The millions of bacteria on our skin
In this podcast, Oscar Sierra, L.Ac, Board Certified Acupuncture Practitioner (NCCAOM), Dipl. O.M., discusses acupuncture, medicinal plants for cancer treatment, and more. Sierra holds a BS in Nutrition from the University of Georgia and he has many years of experience studying Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
Sierra talks about the differences between conventional medicine and traditional medicine. Sierra points out that he practices traditional medicine, and the methods and practices of traditional medicine are supported by thousands of years of history. Sierra is only interested in what is safe and effective for his patients; he is not concerned with whether it is conventional or traditional. Sierra discusses ancillary compounds and vitamins, such as vitamin C, and he talks in detail about chemo drugs based on phytochemicals, and how they are useful in treatment.
Sierra explains the approach they take at his facility in Atlanta. And he underscores the importance of maintaining the ‘basic three,’ which are as follows: sufficient and balanced activity (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual), downtime and sleep, and diet. As he explains, he is a strong advocate for healing herbs, but they cannot be the only solution because the ‘basic three’ must be attended to and maintained.
And Sierra talks about the many cancer patients, and other disease sufferers who have decided to approach healing from a natural perspective, many of whom have seen improvements.
In this podcast:
Which medicinal plants are most commonly used for cancer treatment?
The common practices in modern acupuncture
What is important to build a solid foundation for good health?
Howard Hindin, DDS, of The Hindin Center (hindincenter.com), discusses airway preservation and other myofunctional dentistry issues that affect people.
Dr. Hindin is a graduate of the prestigious New York University College of Dentistry. He is trained in all areas of general dentistry, including surgery and endodontia. Additionally, Dr. Hindin assists people with cosmetic dentistry issues, and many types of oral and dental problems, including temporo mandibular joint disorders, and cranio facial pain.
Dr. Hindin discusses the typical treatments for patients, but he stresses that treatment must be personalized. He discusses airway issues and identifies some of the cardinal signs of airway problems, such as mouth-breathing. He provides valuable information on how nasal breathing can be restored. Dr. Hindin explains invasive and non-invasive treatments. And he discusses oral appliances which can be tried first, to see if improvement in nasal breathing can be achieved.
The Hindin Center dental expert talks about bad habits, and how light can be a factor in delayed production of melatonin, which makes sleep more difficult. Dr. Hindin recounts some experiments with rats that demonstrated how food affects body systems. Continuing, Dr. Hindin provides an overview of human processes and what would be considered an ideal example of functioning for the day, discussing eating, sleeping, bowel movements, and more. Dr. Hindin talks about hidden airway problems that many people are not aware they may have at all. And Dr. Hindin talks about reflux, cardiovascular issues, and other potential signs of airway sleep problems.
In this podcast you’ll learn…
Some of the signs of airway sleep problems
The importance of melatonin production
Why it’s important to have a regular body cycle throughout the day
Monica M. Laronda, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Endocrinology), provides an overview of her research work in endocrinology, reproductive biology, and 3D printed ovaries.
Laronda is passionate about research and she has a keen interest in the reproductive biology and endocrinology that forms the foundation for the the development of treatments to protect or restore hormone function and fertility. Laronda received her PhD from Northwestern University and her Postdoctoral Fellow work was done at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine (Obstetrics Gynecology).
Laronda talks about their main patient focus: childhood cancer survivors whose treatment or disease may have rendered them infertile later in life. She talks about bioprosthetic ovaries and the uses of 3D printing. As she explains, their early work has shown success in mice, and she discusses what that means for future research. The PhD explains how egg cells work, and the natural decline that happens over time, as well as how disease can affect them. She discusses the complexity of the ovary, and her lab’s research in which they investigated biochemical differences, etc. to assist in the development of the best bioprosthetics. She discusses transplanted tissue and how long it can last once transplanted.
The endocrinology expert explains their scaffolding models and her team’s hopes for further study. And Laronda provides information on the micro-environment, scaffolding proteins, etc. that play a role in cellular functions.
In this podcast you’ll learn:
How 3D printing is helping to advance bioprosthetic development
The importance of primordial follicles
How disease can impact fertility
Many of us might associate misalignment in the body with past injuries or repetitive motions, but how many of us consider the impact of so many other contributors to misalignment, such as what we eat, how we sleep, the way we sit…and just about everything else we do in life?
On today’s episode, Adam Lamb, DC shares over 18 years’ worth of insight and knowledge on chiropractic, explaining how misalignments develop and why they impact our health, touching on a number of chiropractic adjustment techniques, describing how proper alignment allows for the body’s natural healing methods to take effect, reflecting on how his patients have seemed to change over the years, and characterizing two primary groups of chiropractors.
On today’s episode, you will learn:
· What factors determine how often the average person needs to be adjusted
· Why you feel better when your body is in alignment
· How a chiropractor differs from an osteopath
Tune in for all the details.
Many of us enjoy—or even rely on—a cup of coffee as a part of our morning routine, but few understand what goes into each cup as well as Mackenzie Wells, a professional coffee roaster who has spent the last four years in the industry, building an impressive body of knowledge and honing her skills. On today’s episode, she gives us a look into the science of coffee roasting and coffee roasting techniques, explaining everything from the types of heat sources used for roasting to one of the latest trends in coffee (and alcohol): barrel-aged coffees. Interested in hearing more? Tune in for the full conversation, and on the advice of Mackenzie Wells, learn more about coffee in general by simply stopping by your local roaster. In today’s podcast, you’ll discover:
- How coffee is decaffeinated
- What goes into creating a light versus dark roast
- What it really means when a coffee is said to be of a “single origin”
Jessica Pierce, PhD, bioethicist, lecturer, professor, and author, discusses her work, ethics, and the concept of dog cloning.
Her newest book, Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible is an interesting and popular read. Pierce received a Bachelor’s degree from Scripps College, an M.Div. from The Divinity School at Harvard University, and a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia.
Pierce digs deep into the concept of cloning (pets and other animals), etc. In regard to pets, she explains that although cloning could be possible, the temperament and behavior may be completely different than the original animal. Pierce discusses the impact on the ‘unseen’ class of dogs that would be used as tools to create the clone. She worries about the exploitation of other animals that would be needed, ‘donor dogs’ that would be used in a laboratory setting. Pierce explains the technical aspects of a dog cloning process, detailing cell division, fusion, and how embryos are embedded.
The bioethicist discusses the potential health problems that could arise. Pierce talks about her thoughts on the cloning industry’s pandering to audiences that may have elderly or ill animals. As she states, Pierce feels it’s a problem, because people who are anticipating loss may be vulnerable. Pierce goes on to talk about the olfactory senses of dogs, and what smells dogs may or may not prefer. Wrapping up, Pierce discusses dog health, dog weight, and how dogs learn to persuade humans to give them what they want, especially regarding food.
In this podcast you’ll learn:
What it takes to clone a dog
The potential disadvantages of cloning
What happens to ‘donor dogs’ during the process
Dr. Kenneth Witwer, associate professor of molecular and comparative pathobiology and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, joins us to discuss extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their roles in cell communication. EVs, also called exosomes, are small signaling particles that cells use to communicate with one another.
Dr. Witwer discusses where EVs are found on cells and their applications in identifying the status and/or type of cell. He discusses the role of EVs in retroviruses (such as HIV) to illustrate their role in viral infection, integration, and evasion by the host immune system.
In this podcast, you will learn:
· How different types of EVs function in healthy and diseased states
· How EVs may someday be utilized as a screening tool for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
· What challenges exist in utilizing EVs for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases treatments
For more information visit the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (www.isev.org/) or the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (JEV).
Thomas Bosch, Professor of General Zoology at Kiel University, discusses his intensive work studying animal life, cell and developmental biology, and more.
Fascinated by the sciences, Bosch studied Biology at the University of Munich and Swansea University College in the UK, earned a doctorate from the University of Munich, then held a postdoctoral position at the University of California, Irvine. Bosch is Senior Fellow of the prestigious Canadian Institute of Advanced Research (CIFAR).
As Professor of General Zoology at Kiel University, Bosch is heavily involved in groundbreaking research studying multiple areas, including healthy aging, stem cells therapy, and more. Bosch studies the multiple, complex interactions that take place within metaorganisms, between host cells and microbes. Bosch discusses his laboratory work, and some of the surprising findings they have discovered along the way. He discusses the study of organisms, from a historical perspective, with an emphasis on sequencing, the microbiome and microbe life. He explains the microbiota (diverse ecological communities of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms that can be found in, and on, all multicellular organisms) and how different species maintain their microbiota.
Bosch explains how natural birthing provides babies with important microbes that are helpful, and thus C-section delivered babies have trouble as they are denied the natural microbes provided via a vaginal birth. He explains the intricacies of the various body microbiomes, and the “invisible armada” of microbes. Continuing, Bosch talks about some of the areas of study that are being intensely investigating that pertain to his field, cellular life, etc. And he talks about the new visualization techniques which allow researchers to dig deeper into their studies.
In this podcast you’ll learn about:
The importance of the microbiome
Why C-section delivered babies may have more troubles
How species maintain the microbiota
Santiago “Santi” Villamil, elite physical therapist, strength/conditioning coach and core specialist, talks about the fitness industry, and his philosophy of “Keep it simple, sweet and powerful.”
As a sought-after Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with a long, successful career in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, sports performance, and the fitness industry in general, Villamil works every day to find new ways to challenge people and help them live their best lives. Villamil is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he received a Masters in Physical Therapy and a Bachelors in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Nutrition.
Villamil’s highest goal and mission is to empower people to take control of their health and “inspire the athlete in everyone.” As he states, Villamil works with many people with various needs, from rehabilitation to pain relief, to getting people back to doing what they love. Villamil talks about the kinds of people he works with, from athletes, to women with autoimmune issues, to those who suffer from chronic pain. Villamil talks techniques, and the important element of getting back into good shape and conditioning. First, he states, they work on improving the mindset of an individual—performing simple tasks like getting up, being grateful, taking a walk. This process of shifting the mind involves steps that can get you there. Listening to clients is key, helping them channel their needs so they can accomplish their goals.
The conditioning expert talks in-depth about body movement, and changes that can happen over time. He states that sometimes people go too hard in the beginning and the body cannot compensate if the rush to a goal is too quick. The programs that Villamil focuses on always stress the importance of making individualized plans, and considering multiple factors. Wrapping up, Villamil talks about certifications and the qualifications of coaches and conditioning experts. He cautions that everyone should look carefully at the qualifications and experience before settling in with just any trainer or physical therapist for orthopedic work or physical therapy exercises.
In this podcast you will learn about:
The importance of working gradually toward a conditioning goal
How a good mindset is the first key step in resetting your life
How all certified therapists are definitely not equal, and what to look for in a therapist
Over 100 million people in the US either have type 2 diabetes or are at a high risk of developing it. In both his personal and professional life, Dr. Ali Tavakkoli has come to understand all too well the disease of diabetes and what it can do to the body over time. But as a minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Tavakkoli began noticing a trend among almost all diabetic patients who’d undergone gastric bypass surgery: within no more than two days following the surgery, patients who had been entirely dependent upon medication to regulate their blood sugar were going home without any medication at all: their diabetic states had resolved.
Dr. Tavakkoli began doing research to understand the mechanism underlying this effect, and he wanted to know whether or not this understanding might allow him to determine a way of achieving the effects of surgery without the surgery itself. This search led him to where he is now: a member of the team that’s developing a type 2 diabetes treatment in the form of a pill that will provide patients with a transient coating of the proximal bowel, thereby mimicking a key outcome of the gastric bypass surgery. The compound is called LuCI, and Dr. Tavakkoli joins the conversation to tell us all about it.
On this episode, you will learn:
- How exactly a gastric bypass surgery is performed
- Why and how gastric bypass surgery seems to cure type 2 diabetes
- Why only 1-2% of people who qualify for gastric bypass surgery end up actually undergoing the surgery (and how LuCI could provide a solution)
Press play to hear the full conversation.
“Everyone has their own concept of what innovation is…but…when everything’s important, nothing is particularly important, and if nothing is particularly important, nothing gets done,” says Harvard Professor of Business Administration and well-known author, Gary Pisano. He continues by explaining that while everyone seems to be on board with this idea of being innovative, no one can really define exactly what that means.
So, what is innovation? According to Pisano, there is no one answer, but a multitude of answers that depend on what a company needs or wants it to be. The key, he argues, lies in the ability to formulate succinct definitions of different types of innovation, and devise detailed plans to achieve them. When approached in this way, innovation is not just for the small entrepreneurial company, as many believe; it's for even the largest of enterprises. This is the focus of Pisano’s most recent book, Creative Construction: The DNA of Sustained Innovation, and he joins the podcast today to explore some of its main tenets.
In this podcast, you’ll learn:
- Why enterprises all too often fail to implement innovative change (three primary reasons)
- How to overcome the barriers to innovation and make true progress within large companies
- What it is that determines what and who is considered valuable within large companies—and how to wield this knowledge to your advantage
Tune in to hear the full conversation and find his book on Amazon or a bookstore near you
Dr. Michelle Saltarrelli of Autumn Oak Speech, Voice & Hearing, provides an overview of her services and the advances in speech language pathology, as well as the role of an audiologist.
Dr. Saltarrelli completed her audiology residency at The Methodist Hospital within the Texas Medical Center and also at Houston Ear Research Foundation (HERF). She earned a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Southeastern Louisiana University with
undergraduate work at Southeastern Louisiana University as well.
Dr. Saltarrelli talks about her background as a licensed speech language pathologist, practicing nearly 20 years to date, and as a licensed audiologist, practicing for about 11 years. She works with many patients and also teaches. Dr. Saltarrelli discusses her interest in speech pathology and recounts how she got into it, and it was her desire to help people, as well as her interest in speech and audiology that motivated her to choose this exciting career path. She discusses the ways people lose their hearing, from head trauma, to viruses (such as meningitis, etc.) but sometimes the reasons are unknown.
Dr. Saltarrelli has extensive experience as a medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) and cochlear implant audiologist / SLP. She discusses in detail how the brain interprets messages and how damaged cells cause problems that she sees regularly. She talks about the regeneration of cells and the methods they can use to try to improve hearing. Continuing, Dr. Saltarrelli talks about issues such as tinnitus, hearing aids, and more.
The speech and hearing expert provides further information on the technology behind hearing aids and implants, and the variations that exist between the different types. With hearing aids, she explains, people have time to try them out before they are committed to them, and she states that it is important to try different brands to be sure that you get the right one for you.
In this podcast you will learn…
Why some hearing aids might work great for you when others don’t.
What are some of the reasons for hearing loss?
What happens when cochlear damage occurs.
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular method to control weight and improve health. Intermittent fasting is a term used to describe eating patterns that include periods (of varying duration) of fasting between meals. While many of us have only learned of intermittent fasting over the last few years, intermittent fasting has actually long been incorporated into religious and spiritual practices. Assistant research professor at the Catholic University of America and New York Times bestselling author Jay W. Richards discusses historical and present-day intermittent fasting, covering topics such as:
- How we can maximize our evolutionary dietary flexibility through intermittent fasting
- How intermittent fasting may improve physical, mental, andspiritual wellness
- What to expect when trying intermittent fasting yourself
In this episode, Jay Richards also discusses his upcoming book, Eat, Fast, Feast, in which he further discusses the multifaceted benefits of intermittent fasting. Tune in for a fascinating discussion of this intersection between science and religion. To pre-order Eat, Fast, Feast or purchase Richards’ other bestselling books collection (including The Privileged Plan, The Hobbit Party, and Money, Greed and God), visit Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Each day we’re faced with countless choices: how we’ll get to work, what we plan to do over the weekend, what we’ll eat for lunch...and the list goes on. Over time, the choices we make and the environmental stimuli we encounter can actually cause changes in our gene expression, which is called epigenetics. On today’s podcast, Dr. Qi Chen, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, Riverside discusses epigenetic inheritance in humans—the way in which epigenetic changes in humans can be passed onto offspring. In his lab, Dr. Chen is exploring this by studying sperm RNA in mice and looking at how it functions as a carrier of heritable epigenetic information.
In this podcast, you will discover:
- What happens when the RNA of a mouse exposed to a high-fat diet is extracted and implanted into a healthy zygote
- How the discovery of a subset of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNA) in the mature sperm of mice might have important implications for epigenetic inheritance in humans
- In what ways RNA interacts with the underlying DNA
Press play to hear the full conversation and visit http://qichen-lab.info/people.html for more information about the work being done in Dr. Chen’s lab.
In this informative and important podcast, Matty Lansdown, scientist and nutrition consultant, outlines some of the ways we can all take better care of our health.
After getting started on Facebook Live where he produced intense rants about food, medicine, and nutrition, Lansdown’s online popularity ballooned quickly and soon thereafter he moved into conferences, seminars, and even retreats, launching his powerful message on health to thousands at each event. Lansdown’s podcast, “How To NOT Get Sick And Die” is a must-experience podcast event for everyone who is interested in good health—which should be all of us.
Lansdown talks in detail about his background in science and the arts and how he got interested in podcasting, and why. He discusses important topics, such as how to prevent being sick, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and more. Lansdown explains that it was his desire to truly connect with audiences that naturally brought him into podcasting, and health podcasting was just an extension of his background and interests. Helping people live longer and be healthier, to lead fuller lives, this was, and is, his goal, and food as medicine research is his passion.
Lansdown works in a cancer research hospital, and therefore he sees firsthand what happens through the entire disease process. With so much firsthand knowledge of disease, he developed his own epiphanies about the nature of disease and methods that help to fight it. Lansdown talks about how a lot of the major work in health research is expensive and the big pharma groups, etc. that are doing it are motivated by profits alone sometimes, therefore preventive measures such as nutrition, which aren’t monetizable, are of little interest to big groups that engage in hundreds of millions of dollars of medical research annually.
Lansdown discusses eastern ‘alternative’ medicines and practices that are sometimes dismissed, but have been utilized for thousands of years in many societies globally, and certainly much longer than western medicines. And Lansdown discusses their overarching goal to help people control their own health, to assist them as they take the necessary
action to make major health improvements.
In this podcast, Chris Ellis, Co-founder and CEO of AudioCardio, discusses the innovative technology, and hearing test app, that his company has developed that can help people improve their hearing.
AudioCardio is a new kind of mobile app that utilizes technology to generate personalized audio therapy that can actually strengthen cells. The technology is remarkable; it analyzes hearing and delivers crucial hearing therapy for an individual’s ears, which provides for protection and maintenance of hearing, as well as improvement in most cases.
Ellis talks about the kinds of hearing loss people suffer from. But it is the sensory and neural hearing loss problems that his company specifically targets—problems with hearing that are due to age, certain medications, loud noises over a prolonged period, diseases, and more. Our hearing is activated via the processing of sound waves that travel through the air. Select frequencies are sent as nerve signals, and the brain recognizes them as sounds. Ellis’ Threshold Sound Conditioning can detect the critical frequencies that have lost sensitivity and exercise them with specific sound signals.
The hearing guru discusses the many individuals with hearing loss who have experienced improvement via the use of Ellis’ groundbreaking technology. The entrepreneur outlines hearing loss treatment and dementia treatment, and he talks about the types of people who have benefitted from AudioCardio solutions. Most hearing loss is gradual, Ellis states, and thus we constantly recreate a type of ‘new normal’ as we compensate for gradual losses. For this reason, dramatic hearing loss can creep up on us over time.
Acid reflux disease, commonly known as “heartburn,” is a common problem faced by about 60 million people in the US, and is often associated with regret over having had a spicy or greasy meal. But the truth is that acid reflux is associated with a much more serious disease: esophageal adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops after normal esophageal tissue is displaced by tissue that’s more similar to intestinal tissue.
This condition, which can lead to cancer, is referred to as Barrett's esophagus, and is just one aspect of esophageal biology being researched in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Temple University.
On today’s episode, Kelly Whelan, PhD, dives into all the details of the research she’s doing, which includes exploring the sex and racial bias of esophageal diseases, the risk factors that lead to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the difference and relation between esophageal cancers and eosinophilic esophagitis, the types of immune responses triggered by different disease states of the esophagus, how the epithelial cells of the esophagus change with age, and so much more.
Whelan is a wealth of information on everything esophageal biology. Press play to hear the full conversation.
Conventional wetsuits for cold water are made of neoprene, a type of clothing designed to have tiny trapped bubbles of gas within it. Since gas has low thermal conductivity, it works to keep the user warm while in cold water. The question is, how cold can the water be, and for how long will the user stay warm? According to Professor Jacopo Buongiorno who works in the nuclear engineering department at MIT, conventional wetsuits will do the job in very cold waters, but only for about 20 minutes.
With this limitation in mind, he wanted to help design a wetsuit that would feel as lightweight as a conventional wetsuit—so as not to limit motion or flexibility—but also offer far superior thermal insulating properties that would allow people to perform tasks for extended periods of time in very cold waters. In accomplishing this, inspiration has been drawn from the anatomy and physiology of animals that make cold waters their home.
Professor Buongiorno joins the podcast today to discuss three ways that different animals keep warm in cold waters, the technology behind the wetsuit he’s helped create, and the science behind it all.
Press play to hear the full conversation.
Smartphones are everywhere these days; enter a waiting room or a public bus and you can probably bet that over 50% of the people around you will be tuned in to their phones and tuned out of the world that surrounds them. The ability to acquire so much info at the touch of button is unprecedented in human history, and undoubtedly has a positive impact on our lives in some ways. However, there are also drawbacks to this level of accessibility, such as excessive use that interferes with our productivity, focus, and even our sleep. Unfortunately, kids are no exception to this, which is disturbing to a lot of parents.
So, what’s the solution? The team at OurPact might just have one: a digital parental control app that allows parents to control which apps their kids use, how often they use them, and when they use them. The app also has a content filter, location tracking feature, and a system that detects certain keywords which are commonly found within certain categories of content—content most parents wouldn’t want their kids consuming.
This app isn’t just for parents who want to ensure that technology doesn’t interfere with their kids’ health, well-being, and education; it's also for professionals and students who acknowledge the need to admit when enough is enough. It might possibly be the best screen time app for Android. Paige Mayer, Director of Communications at OurPact, joins the podcast today to give us all the details.
Animal models predominate the field of drug testing and discovery, despite a growing body of evidence suggesting that such models are often poor predictors of human reactions. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, Dr. David Pamies is working on something which might help to address these shortcomings: a human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived 3D platform, and the development of a brain organoid—an in vitro model representing the human brain.
He and his team are using the model to predict the toxicity of many different chemicals that we encounter on a daily basis. In addition to providing a cheaper and more efficient way of studying this than the industry standard of mouse models, this model is allowing Dr. Pamies to study the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals such as temozolomide in glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer also referred to as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
He explains how they transplant and incorporate glioblastoma tumors from humans into the model, what they’ve learned so far in doing so, and the current issues they’re working on. He also discusses the nature of his most recent research and where it’s headed in the future.
Tune in to hear the full conversation.
Kevin Hrusovsky, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Quanterix (quanterix.com), discusses the innovative work his company is engaged in, and the future of biotech.
Hrusovsky is a seasoned biotech entrepreneur and engineer who has been passionately pursuing the transformation of medicine from reactive care to preventative medicine over his extensive 30-year career. For Hrusovsky, healthy living and peer-reviewed science that addresses health and disease issues on a molecular structure level in the body is what motivates his work. Hrusovsky launched the Global Health Summit Series to specifically promote innovation in disease eradication processes and practices, in his ongoing mission to promote global health.
Hrusovsky talks about his company and their mission, a company he states is “at the crossroads of technology and healthcare.” He discusses their technology, and how they have developed a means to look into the blood and see proteins in a way that was never before possible, to differentiate a single protein in a field of grass, with that field of grass being the size of Alaska. That’s some deep detail, indeed. It’s “rocket science on the blood” as he describes. He explains the important biochemistries that their technology allows researchers to discover and study, to develop new insights on health and disease.
Hrusovsky explains how they can utilize AI and algorithms to help researchers see proteins, which allows scientists to see things in the blood that were once impossible, which can lead to prediction of disease years before it occurs, etc. By seeing disease at the earliest stages possible, pharmaceutical research can bring these people in and work towards solutions. As he states, it’s much easier to beat a disease early on, than later after it has taken a firm hold in the body.
Hrusovsky talks about empowering individuals to manage their own destinies by observing their own biomarkers and staying aware. Quanterix’s digital health product, Simoa® provides researchers a unique opportunity to examine critical biomarkers for cardiology, oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, and more.
Hrusovsky has been a featured guest on a multitude of media, from ABC’s Good Morning America, and all the other major networks, such as NBC, CNN, CNBC, CBS, and NPR, as well as in top publications and online sites: Scientific American, USA Today, Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Wired, Fast Company HuffPost, The Guardian, Boston Globe, and many more.
Dr. Tony Guerra, Instructor and Pre-Pharmacy Advisor, Ankeny Campus, Des Moines Area Community College, delivers an interesting overview of his work in pharmacy education and the writing and production of audio books.
Dr. Guerra is passionate about educating young minds and he teaches multiple courses in chemistry, pharmacy and pharmacology. And Dr. Guerra earned an AS degree from DMACC himself, back in 2010.
Dr. Guerra talks about his background and his interest in creating audio books for educational purposes. To date, he has close to 20 audio books out, on various topics within his areas of expertise. His books cover a range of issues, from pharmacology to pharmacotherapy, to pharmacy careers and pharmacy schools/education. Dr. Guerra writes and co-writes his books and he continues to reach many people through books and educational outreach.
The Pre-Pharmacy Advisor talks extensively about the business of creating, producing, and delivering audio books for the public. He discusses his views on audio book presentation, and the value of reading your own books/recording your own books, if you are in consulting. First time authors, for sure, should definitely record their own books, he states. Dr. Guerra explains the differences between print books, e-books, and audio books, and how each should be different in terms of audience and structure, etc.
Wrapping up, he talks about the audiences for his books, and for medical-oriented books in general. He explains that audio books can help solve problems or allay fears, and often the best-selling books deal with these issues/worries—books that help people overcome.
In this podcast, Peter Christey, PhD, CEO of General Automation Lab Technologies, commonly known simply as GALT, provides an overview of his company’s work in the area of microbial cultivation.
Christey has two decades of extensive experience commercializing research instruments for complex applications. Christey commercialized new, innovative products for Guava Technologies, as well as the industry leader, Chiron Corporation and also Applied Biosystems. Christey has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and he earned his PhD in molecular biology from the prestigious University of Cambridge in England. Christey also holds an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
Christey talks about microbial cultivation in a laboratory setting, and how his keen interest in microbes, and their potential, motivated him to develop microbes for expanded use in various areas. He discusses proteomics applications, microbial diversity, and detailed information on pure isolates and how his team studies biochemistry and physiology. GALT delivers living isolates to product developers and researchers. Via his company’s tech, complete populations of microbes can be screened quickly for low-abundance species and to identify strains that show specific characteristics.
There are close to one-trillion microbial species on Earth; yet less than one percent of them have been cultured, thus there are infinite numbers of species that have yet to be explored, and the potential information we stand to gain is immense as research expands. Christey discusses the microbiome, and growth media, and he provides extensive information on precisely how bacteria grow, and what is needed for growth, discussing the intricate symbiotic relationships that are exhibited.
In this powerful and important podcast, one that we all need to hear, Dr. Gerardo Ceballos, respected Senior Researcher at the Institute of Ecology of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), discusses critical global conservation efforts.
Dr. Ceballos holds multiple degrees: in Biology from the Metropolitan Autonomous University Campus Izatalapa, Mexico; a master's degree in Ecology from the University of Wales; and a PhD in Ecology from the University of Arizona. Additionally, while at Stanford University, Dr. Ceballos worked closely with Professor Paul R. Ehrlich, one of the most important ecologists of the modern era.
Dr. Ceballos discusses his research program that addresses the conservation of ecosystems and species, and the critical connections between conservation and development. Dr. Ceballos explains how he and his contemporaries in the scientific community are dealing with pressing conservation and extinction crises around the globe. Dr. Ceballos talks about the crucial habitat requirements of various endangered species and how it is essential to safeguard their protected areas.
Dr. Ceballos talks about his efforts to nudge public policy to work harder, and faster, toward conservation. He discusses the diversity of the Amazon forests and explains how many species there are already endangered or about to become so. And the scientific researcher states that as more and more species become extinct, the impact of human activity on their extinction is crystal clear.
Dr. Ceballos talks about where the consensus lies between various governments regarding what needs to happen in order to salvage species, curb extinction crises, and tamp down the rapidity of climate change. Sadly, he states, many governments do not seem to grasp the severity of these global crises.
Dr. Ceballos is a type C researcher, which denotes the highest ranking in university hierarchy. He is a member of the Mexican Academy of Science and a type III Researcher in the National Researcher System (SNI). His passion for finding a solution for environmental problems has made him a noted voice in the conservation movement.
In this podcast, Denis Noble, CBE, PhD, FRS, the renowned British biologist, discusses his long career in biology and exciting new discoveries in the world of cells.
Renowned British biologist, Noble is a leader and vocal voice of the modern biology arena. He was the Burdon Sanderson Chair of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Oxford for twenty years and later, Professor Emeritus. Additionally, Noble was appointed as Co-Director of Computational Physiology. Noble is an early pioneer of systems biology and he was instrumental in the development of the first mathematical model of the heart.
Noble discusses extracellular vesicles (EVs)—lipid bilayer-delimited particles—naturally released from a cell but they cannot replicate as cells do. Noble provides an overview of cells, the interior of cells, and he details how extracellular vesicles occur, discussing DNA and RNA, and the complex processes used for communication. Noble states that the scientific community used to think that cells were essentially cut off from each other, but as he explains, that is just not the case. In fact, cells are regularly exchanging information all the time. The extracellular vesicles, as he explains, are the tiny packets that contain information that can be exchanged.
Noble goes on to discuss how Darwin theorized about the immense significance of transgenerational information being passed on, but of course he was not able to prove this in his era. The biologist talks about our ability to now develop tools that can better diagnose and treat diseases. And Noble wraps up by discussing digital intelligence and AI and how intelligence is created.
As an evolution scientist and leading biologist, Noble remains a prominent figure in the scientific community, speaking out about his research on biological life, genetics, cellular processes, and so much more.
In this podcast, Zack Abbott, PhD, Co-Founder of ZBiotics (zbiotics.com), delivers an overview of his thoughts on acetaldehyde toxicity, and how probiotics work in protecting our health.
Abbott earned a PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, in immunology, classical art and archaeology. Abbott’s extensive background includes important work as a researcher, studying HIV vaccines and advancing new antibiotics.
ZBiotics, the company, building upon the proprietary technology created by Abbott, has produced the world’s first genetically engineered/modified probiotics specifically produced to break down a very toxic byproduct of alcohol—acetaldehyde. Abbott explains how their innovative product works to fight the negative effects of alcohol.
The researcher PhD discusses their product’s live bacteria aspect and how they engineered it to fight the negative effects of alcohol. Instead of producing the enzyme separately, ZBiotics has created a system to engineer probiotic bacteria to produce the enzyme from the beginning, inside the gut, thus transferring this extraordinary trait for acetaldehyde breakdown away from the liver to the probiotic bacteria. Wrapping up, Abbott talks about the future of his company, ZBiotics, and their new products that may help solve many problems, such as the issue of commonplace chemicals in alcohol and dairy products, to
seriously severe contaminants, such as radiation, and the detrimental health effects of lead in water.
In this podcast, Joan Diamond, the Deputy Director of the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability, talks about the importance of bringing together diverse voices to find new solutions for global crises.
Diamond is the Executive Director of the Millennium Alliance for Humanity and Biosphere, an esteemed Stanford University initiative that deals with the gap between our current knowledge of global crises and major problems, and the collective societal failure to address them. Diamond states that we are quite cognizant of the fact that many systems are not working as is, from major environmental issues such as water and drought, to soil degradation, fragile financial operations, and much more.
But many people, globally, are working to shift the course from one of near-certain collapse to sustainability. At the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability, Deputy Director Diamond works to gather public intellectuals, and concerned citizens together to meet the world’s greatest challenges and assist with the growing problems of overpopulation and overconsumption, to find solutions for them, as well as economic growth.
And as the Deputy Director states, unless societies work together, and truly engage, then we are on a troubled path, but people can be empowered and when they come together solutions can often be found.
In this podcast, Dr. Thomas Hartung of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, talks about organoids and the cellular-based technologies.
Dr. Hartung has a storied career in research. He is actively involved in the work being done at the Environmental Health and Engineering, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology departments at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His work is intimately connected to the creation of a major paradigm shift in toxicity testing with the goal of improving public health. His involvement with the 2007 NRC vision document known as, “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century – a vision and a strategy” has played a key role in elevating the discourse.
Dr. Hartung discusses his intensive work in the areas of toxicity and animal testing, as well as genomics and metabolomics. He talks in detail about the ‘organ on a chip’ technology, a field that he states is permanently moving and progressing. He discusses the advancement of organoids (tiny, self-organized 3D tissue cultures created from stem cells), and the importance of toxicity testing.
The Johns Hopkins research doctor talks about tissue technology and cellular communication as he discusses nutrients, cell types, and the evolving research. Dr. Hartung explains that the ‘human on a chip’ technologies will change as more research is done. Organoids are currently being used to test compounds to study the toxicity, but modeling diseases is another avenue of study. One obvious outcome that would be beneficial if achieved would be the elimination of animal testing altogether.
In this podcast, Katie Hasson, PhD, Program Director, Center for Genetics and Society, delivers an interesting overview of the current state of gene editing, and the ethical and legislative issues that pertain to human biotechnologies.
As the Program Director on Genetic Justice for the Center for Genetics and Society (geneticsandsociety.org), Hasson works to advance the conversation on gene editing and biotech. The Center for Genetics and Society is a nonprofit social justice organization that seeks to steer society toward a future in which human genetic and reproductive technologies will collectively benefit everyone in an ethical and safe manner.
Hasson outlines her role at the Center for Genetics and Society. She discusses where the current discourse is, regarding human gene editing, touching on groundbreaking advances such as CRISPR (clustered regular interspaced short palindromic repeats). Hasson explains how gene editing types differ, from treatments designed for actual patients to solve their existing medical issues, versus the more controversial gene editing that can affect traits of future generations. She discusses the many and various ethical and safety issues, social concerns, and the efforts the international community is making to come together on their thoughts and principles regarding these new technologies.
Also, there is this link for a session about CRISPR Consensus: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL29W0b7TmEDzaW1VsLHndZtBpoOlB5CmI
In this podcast, Luke Osborn of the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, talks about modern prosthetics and biomedical engineering as he provides an overview of the advancing technologies.
Osborn’s work is focused on neuroengineering and applied neuroscience, exploring tactile sensing and feedback for sensory augmentation as well. He works with upper limb amputees, therefore he is well aware of the problems they report. Osborn talks about ‘phantom limb,’ the sensation that an amputated limb is still connected to their body. As he explains, unfortunately these types of sensations can indeed be painful. Osborn talks about muscles that still exist in a partial limb, and how the muscles can cause amputees to feel certain sensations.
Osborn discusses their commitment to advancing prosthetics, and how they utilize sensory feedback. And Osborn provides an analysis of ‘embodiment,’ which is the integration of an artificial limb, or prosthetic, into one’s own identity, the fusion of body plus perception. As Osborn explains, their primary goal is to help amputees feel that their prosthetic limb is a piece of their own body, as much as possible in the same manner that they would perceive a limb they were born with.
In this important podcast, Nicola Beer, award-winning relationship psychology and transformation expert, discusses healing pathways to combat trauma, improve relationships, and improve our lives. Beer is a leading authority on save your marriage techniques that work.
Beer has dedicated her life to helping people repair, renew, and reinvigorate their relationships. For over ten years, Beer has helped women and men all over the world to live better lives by working on their relationships and dealing with past traumas. Beer’s empowered love program has helped so many people bring a higher level of positivity into their busy lives.
Beer provides an overview of her interesting background and journey toward a career in relationship psychology. Beer discusses some of the specific needs of her male and female clients, from separations and divorces, to deep emotional issues and traumas. And she talks about the ways that she helps couples through their difficulties. She talks about big issues such as guilt, communication, and more and provides information on the times within a relationship that can bring about problems, and how partners cope.
Beer is a prolific writer and has co-authored international best-sellers and is a sought-after guest speaker. She has been featured on various media outlets, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Wall Street Select, and HuffPost.
In this podcast, Dr. Theodore S. Piliszek, the respected founder and medical director of the Advanced Health and Wellness Center—Houston, Texas, discusses genetics, health, and disease treatment.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Piliszek has devoted his work to the study and advancement of preventive medicine, specifically in Functional Longevity Medicine and Clinical Nutrition designed to prevent and/or reverse metabolic, vascular, and degenerative diseases.
Dr. Piliszek has studied with a few of the world’s most renowned geneticists, including Sir David Weatherall of Oxford University. Dr. Piliszek is certified by the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He is a celebrated nutritional specialist and his work has been recognized for decades.
Dr. Piliszek discusses the medtech impact, and nutrigenomics—the science that looks at the complex relationships between the human genome, health, and nutrition. Dr. Piliszek provides his insight on genomic expressions and how they can help to predict potential future outcomes and risks, and provide valuable information that may allow people to avoid or delay medical conditions. Dr. Piliszek discusses the importance of exercise and the importance of nutrition/foods on good health. The genetics and medical technology expert discusses genetic abnormalities that may play a role in the development of medical problems such as Alzheimer’s, etc. and he talks about micronutrients—vitamins and minerals that are essential to good health.
In this podcast, Peter H. Raven, author, botanist, and celebrated conservationist discuss the importance of conservation.
Raven is a fierce advocate for and champion of conservation. Raven has spent his life educating the public about the critical threats to Earth’s biodiversity. Time magazine labeled him a “Hero for the Planet” for his contributions to conservation efforts. For forty years, Raven was the head of the Missouri Botanical Garden, a well-known institution and world-class center that seeks to advance conservation, botanical research, and public education. Raven continues his work as President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Raven talks about some of the major scientific projects he is engaged in and his conservation efforts worldwide. Raven provides important information regarding the state and health of the world’s tropical rainforests, which houses more species than anywhere else on the entire planet. He discusses their implications for climate and climate change, and how it is critical that we make greater efforts to preserve the trees and their interactions, and salvage their usefulness in the storage of carbon to prevent global warming. And he underscores that we literally have only two generations to fix the problems.
The Missouri Botanical Garden President Emeritus talks about consumption and the increasing population globally. Raven makes his argument for empowering women worldwide. Raven states, that because women are so often ignored in many populations globally, and even undervalued in developed nations including the US, that their potential contributions to solving global crises are being literally thrown away. The stupidity of ignoring women and their potentially massive contributions to all of the world’s problems is one of the many ways that we are failing to aggressively seek proper solutions.
Raven discusses the empowerment of smaller nations, helping them to find ways to help themselves, strengthening their infrastructure which can assist with advancing their productivity. The global conservationist discusses his thoughts on social justice initiatives, and how it is very important to find ways to assist the world’s poorest countries in their efforts to raise and defeat poverty. Essentially, we all need to acknowledge that these are the right things to do, and that will be the biggest step toward change.
In this podcast, Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D., noted child educational psychologist, talks in-depth about meditation and mindfulness and how we can all find ways to reduce our stress.
Dr. Reznick has 30 years of experience in meditation. And as the creator of a positive coping skills, mindful awareness program known as, Imagery For Kids: Breakthrough for Learning, Creativity, and Empowerment, she is transforming the ways we cope with and manage our anxiety. Dr. Reznick is one of the most celebrated voices on mindfulness, meditation, and imagination creation.
Dr. Reznick discusses her education, experience, and her motivation to develop programs to help people find healthy ways of coping with life’s stressors. She is a noted specialist in child and teen mindfulness and meditation. Dr. Reznick discusses her imagination and meditation programs and how they can help kids access their inner wisdom by utilizing their own creative imagination.
Dr. Reznick provides case studies and examples of brain/body meditation and the imagination work that can provide amazing transformations. Dr. Reznick states that the source of fear is occasionally known, but often we don’t know where it’s coming from, and she explains how the imagination work can help young people find ways to relax, decrease anxiety, and sleep better.
Today there are many more complications in life with technology and all that it brings, and it can all accelerate stress and anxiety. Dr. Reznick talks about texting and social media, and the emotions that we receive and send in exchanges. Dr. Reznick talks about the kinds of teaching she provides and the tools she uses to help people lead healthier lives, as well as find joy and success via change and growth solutions.
In this podcast, Samantha Gladish, holistic wellness coach (holisticwellness.ca) provides detailed, important information about holistic health and holistic wellness.
Gladish suffered through many medical maladies during her early years, from blood sugar level problems, to mood swings, poor digestion and gut health, migraines and day to day headaches, and incredibly painful PMS cramping and bloating. She knew there had to be a better solution so she began a path of discovery in hopes of healing her body. Today, Gladish is healing from her autoimmune Hashimoto’s, and sharing her healing solutions with others.
Gladish talks about her background and her early discovery of nutritious foods, exercise, and healthy ways of living. However, she still suffered from health problems. In her efforts to improve her health, she researched foods, medications, and everything under the sun until she found solutions that worked for her. One potential offender she learned more about through her research was birth control pills. Gladish states that birth control pills pose potential health issues and may present many side effects that are not often discussed with the public. Gladish talks about studies that have linked birth control pills to estrogen dominant cancers. She explains how synthetic hormones work, and how they can fundamentally change the way a woman’s body produces estrogen and progesterone. Gladish talks about select health conditions that could benefit from alternative solutions for healing, and how the medical community sometimes overlooks healthier treatment alternatives. And Gladish discusses vitamins and medications, and root cause medicine.
Working out is good for you, but now it can be good for the planet too. How? SportsArt is a manufacturer of fitness equipment that’s developed a line of cardio machines that generate electricity instead of use it. All a user has to do is get on the machine and jog, run, or even walk; it’s the movement of the user that allows the machine to produce electricity. This means you can now align your fitness goals with your social and environmental goals, and for companies it means a significantly lower electricity bill each month.
CTO of SportsArt, Rubin Mejia, discusses the ins and outs of how this equipment was developed and how it functions, how it’s being implemented in cities around the world, and how people are responding to it.
Press play to hear the full conversation and visit gosportsart.com to learn more.
In this important podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Karp, Principal Investigator, Karp Lab (karplab.net), discusses diabetes treatment options, and the medical breakthroughs that are changing treatment protocols.
Dr. Karp focuses his attention on the areas of stem cell therapeutics, drug delivery, medical devices, and tissue adhesives. Dr. Karp is a Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and a principal faculty member at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
Dr. Karp talks about his extensive background, starting out as a chemical engineer at McGill University, and continuing through his PhD work at the University of Toronto, and eventually MIT for his postdoc. Dr. Karp provides an overview of diabetes. He explains how it was in fact gastric bypass surgery patients who suffered from diabetes who provided the information doctors needed to further diabetes treatment. Remarkably, they found that gastric bypass surgery patients did not need medication for their type 2 diabetes after their surgeries. And this discovery motivated the medical science community to find a means of achieving the same response in a less invasive way.
Dr. Karp states that the pill they created, which is taken before meals, forms a transient coating that can limit the nutrient contact with the GI tract and thereby achieves similar benefits to the gastric bypass surgery.
Dr. Karp has published over 125 peer-reviewed papers, with 18,500+ citations, and he has been invited to give over 300 lectures on various medical science topics.
Do you suffer from chronic pain? Dr. Jeff Marksberry, Chief Medical Officer of medical technology company Oska Wellness, joins today’s episode to discuss the Oska Pulse device and its therapeutic uses for managing chronic pain. The Oska Pulse is a small, wearable device that delivers painless electromagnetic pulse waves to the body region nearest the device. Because of its portability (and its absence of known side effects), the Oska Pulse can be used almost anywhere on the body.
During a clinical trial evaluating the Oska Pulse’s clinical applications, results showed that patients who used the Oska Pulse had clinically significant decreases in their pain levels. Some patients are even able to manage their pain exclusively with the device, and have been able to decrease or eliminate their need for pharmaceutical analgesics.
Interested in learning more? Check out https://www.oskawellness.com and look for the device on Amazon.
Meditation is frequently thought of as a reactionary tool to help us escape from the constant stress of our daily lives. Andrew Feinstein, founder and CEO of Find Your Mind Meditation, discusses in today’s episode that meditation is a skill that can benefit our psyche and well-being even in the absence of stress. Just like brushing teeth or going to the gym, meditation becomes a habit that helps us stay grounded when we experience unexpected emotions or events.
Andrew discusses how busy young professionals can benefit from a meditation practice, and why making meditation a priority can improve many aspects of emotional, social, and mental wellness.
Learn more by visiting https://www.fymmeditation.com/.
What are the drawbacks of neural networks, and how can generative capsule networks overcome them? How do generative network capsules work? What are HyperNets and how do they mitigate the problem of variable binding? These are just a few of the questions answered on today’s episode by an expert in the field of AI research at SingularityNET, Alexey Potapov, PhD. Among a number of complex and intriguing topics, Dr. Potapov discusses past and present research in the field of AI, the problems they’re looking to tackle, and the various applications of different models of AI networks, which include smart cities, analyses of combinations of genes associated with longevity, and personal assistant devices.
Press play to hear the full conversation and learn more about the work being done at SingularityNET by visiting https://singularitynet.io/.
In this fascinating podcast, Robin Eric Weiner, author, The Geography of Genius, discusses geniuses throughout history, and the patterns, environments, etc. that help them develop.
New York Times bestselling author, Robin Eric Weiner, discusses The Geography of Genius, a stimulating read that takes a look back into history to discover how creative geniuses develop in specific places at extremely specific times.
Weiner states that for the longest time we have been considering geniuses, studying them, but totally missing the point in many ways—that geniuses are not in fact born, but are grown/cultivated. Weiner discusses the various myths about geniuses. He cites the example of Mozart, who was born with talent of course, but Weiner states that it is also critical to think about the facts: that he was born into a musical family in a musically- oriented area, in an extremely musical time in world history. Weiner outlines myth number two: that a genius is created from hard work. Hard work does play a pivotal role, but that’s certainly never enough. Weiner postulates that geniuses are in fact cultivated, that they are not random. And Weiner talks about some of the places and times in the world that produced the world’s most celebrated geniuses.
Weiner discusses the tyranny of expertise—how educated individuals are not allowed to share their ideas freely unless those ideas are 100% in their precise area of expertise. He explains how this often stifles the flow of great ideas. And wrapping up, Weiner talks about how we often romanticize geniuses, but how our perception of geniuses is somewhat like
fashion: it changes over time.
In this podcast, Josep Bassaganya-Riera, DVM, PhD, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of Landos Biopharma, an emerging biotech company, discusses their important work in the development of new therapeutics to combat autoimmune disease.
Dr. Bassaganya-Riera has been part of major research funded by prestigious grants from institutions, such as the National Institutes of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Dr. Bassaganya-Riera is Principal Investigator and Director for the Modeling Immunity to Enteric Pathogens (MIEP) project that studies the immunoregulatory mechanisms underlying infections with select gut pathogens through the use and application of mathematical systems to mucosal immunology.
Dr. Bassaganya-Riera talks about Landos Biopharma, the emerging biotech company that is creating a stir in the autoimmune disease research and therapeutic development field. Dr. Bassaganya-Riera explains some of the needs that are not currently being met by Crohn's disease treatment, and he talks about colitis—a chronic digestive disease identified by inflammation, often severe, of the colon’s innermost lining.
Dr. Bassaganya-Riera talks about Landos Biopharma’s completion of phase one clinical trials. And the research doctor provides information on various other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. He explains their leading clinical asset—BT-11—which is a new, oral, locally-acting molecule that specifically targets the Lanthionine Synthetase C-Like 2 (LANCL2) pathway in the GI tract for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Bassaganya-Riera has published over 100 scientific papers, secured 9 patents, and he received the 2018 Research Excellence Award from the Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech.
In this podcast, Samantha “Sam” Bond, Certified Medical Illustrator and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, talks about the exciting, emerging field of medical game development.
Bond is a prolific, in-demand medical illustrator, as well as a Unity developer/interactive designer. Bond holds a Master's of Science in Biomedical Visualization (BVIS) from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia.
Bond provides an overview of the exciting new medical game field, and she explains how these interesting games can educate about medicine and healthcare issues, while keeping it fun. She talks about the varying markets for this gaming tech, from extremely technical games designed specifically for neurosurgery residents, and games for the rest of us who just want to educate ourselves more about health and wellness. The game types are wide and varied, from general anatomy to vaccines, and designed for a large and diverse cross section of the population.
By utilizing the fun of games, Bond explains that they can be an amazing tool to educate the public, and medical professionals as well who need to stay sharp. Wrapping up, Bond talks about the immense success of their immunity and vaccination games and how they are increasing learning and raising the level of medical understanding.
It is said that the current generation of children will be the first in a long time to have a shorter lifespan than their parent generation. Arguably more important than declining life span is the decline in the typical health span; that is, the time one can live healthfully and with full capacities.
Dr. Joseph Mercola says that many of the common, chronic conditions we face can be avoided and even reversed by following three major strategies: stop eating processed foods (two thirds of the food people eat in the U.S. are ultra processed!), drink only water, and practice time-restricted eating. Listen in to hear more of Dr. Mercola’s tips for achieving health naturally.
If you would like to learn more, go to Mercola.com. Be sure to check out his book, EMF’d, when it comes out early 2020!
In this podcast, Steve Zarpas, President and CEO of PowerHouse Ketones provides an overview of ketones and the benefits of ketone supplementation.
Zarpas’ company, PowerHouse Ketones, is a beverage company that features 100% bioavailable ketones that mimic the ketones our livers produce. Zarpas discusses his initial interest in ketones and exogenous ketone supplementation. Ketones produce more energy per breath than carbohydrates, and supplementation is a wonderful way to not only improve overall health but push our bodies to become more efficient.
Zarpas explains how ketones work, and he discusses the differences between ketone esters and salts. Ketone acid, however, is the arena that Zarpas focuses in. Ketone acid, as he explains, is what the liver makes when our bodies convert fat into ketones. Zarpas continues his discussion of ketones by outlining some information about their upcoming
products.
The ketone expert talks in-depth about the various effects that can be seen quickly, and the production of endogenous ketones. Zarpas discusses the many benefits for competitive athletes as well as less active people. As he speaks about his own family members’ personal benefits from ketone supplementation, he states that the obvious cognitive effects, as well
as the marked improvements in energy level and sharpness are exciting.
Due to regional hospital closures, many rural areas around the nation are left essentially void of viable healthcare infrastructure, requiring people to travel over 100 miles just to access a specialist that can see them. This is time consuming, a financial burden, and for many individuals, simply not an option. The mobile units of Clinics on Wheels are equipped with power, water, and a communication platform for telemedicine, so they can provide quality medical care curbside. Because such care can be delivered in a way that is Medicare reimbursable, this is a cost-effective way of deploying healthcare infrastructure into communities.
Listen in to hear Tony Cowan, Director of Emergency Response Technology for Clinics on Wheels, explain the work being done to provide sustainable medical public health infrastructure to the communities that need it most. From rural communities in resource deserts, to those suffering the aftermath of natural disasters, to those in the midst of infectious disease outbreaks in areas void of healthcare infrastructure, Clinics on Wheels has solutions.
If you would like to learn more, go to www.clinicsonwheels.com. You can check out their parent company, World Housing Solution, at www.worldhousingsolution.com. If you would like to email Cowan directly, he would love to hear from you: tonyc@worldhousingsolution.com.
Dr. Cate Shanahan is a physician and biochemist who has studied diets around the world to find trends in the cuisines of the healthiest and longest living people. From her studies have emerged four “pillars” common to every cuisine before globalization and industrialization changed the way we eat:
-Fresh food that we eat as is, such as fruit, raw vegetables, raw milk (not pasteurized or homogenized), and uncooked fish
-Fermented and sprouted foods, such as yogurt and sprouted grains and beans
-Meat on the bone
-Organs, not just muscle meat
Listen in to hear as Dr. Cate explains why the meats we typically have available to us are subpar (our pets often eat better than us!) and why it is best to raise meat yourself or get it from a local farmer. She also suggests the option of avoiding meat altogether and eating lots of herbs and spices, which can be considered the superfoods of the vegetable world, provided you can ensure that they are not grown in toxin-contaminated soils. She also shares practical tips and reveals the underrecognized toxin that puts the junk in junk food.
Learn more at drcate.com, and check out her book, Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food.
About 10 years ago, it was assumed that the process by which stem cells become specialized was irreversible. This has since been found to be inaccurate, and such a finding has allowed the team at BIOLIFE4D to return white blood cells into stem cells, then reprogram them into specialized cells to ultimately create a bioengineered human heart that is viable for transplantation. You may recognize the company from our previous episode that featured Dr. Jeffrey Morgan.
In this episode, we learn more about the incredible work at BIOLIFE4D, this time from Steven Morris, the CEO and president. Click play to hear more.
The majority of people over the age of 50 wear reading glasses—despite never having needed eyeglasses before. Why is this? As people age, the lenses in their eyes become more rigid, and thus less able to change shape, which is required in order to focus on objects in their environment. This makes reading particularly difficult, at least without adjusting the distance of the book according to the size of the font.
At Stanford University, PhD candidate Nitish Padmanaban is working on a solution: a lens equipped with eye-tracking software aided by a depth camera, and the ability to intelligently estimate precisely what the subject is looking at in their environment, and precisely how far away that object is from the subject. Padmanaban joins the podcast to cover all the interesting details of how exactly he’s developed this technology, how it could be implemented, the challenges that he still needs to overcome, and which direction his future work is headed.
Interested in learning more? Press play and visit https://www.computationalimaging.org/.
In this podcast, Gary Marcus, author of the book, Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust, talks about his extensive background in science, studying the possibilities and pitfalls of artificial intelligence.
Marcus has a long history with science, starting early as a kid who was fascinated by all things scientific. His work today often focuses on natural and artificial intelligence. Marcus was Founder and CEO of Geometric Intelligence, a machine learning company acquired by Uber.
Marcus discusses his extensive background in science and his keen interest in human cognition and AI. He explains the variations and differences in intelligence, from the ability to accomplish one or a few tasks to general intelligence, which seeks to create machines that can not only handle tasks but begin to figure things out on their own, without further input. The scientist discusses human intelligence and innate abilities. Additionally, Marcus provides his thoughts on self-driving software and how it simply has not been debugged. He cites examples of self-driving vehicle accidents in which the software failed to make critical decisions that led to human injury and deaths.
Expanding on his thoughts further, Marcus describes how some essential information will be ‘learned’ while others must be built-in. And Marcus states that AI needs to have a ‘rough draft’ of the psychology built-in so it can function in the world in which it exists.
In this interesting and informative podcast, Dr. Amelia Mazgaloff, principal of Chiro-Health, Inc. (chirohealthsf.com), delivers a detailed overview of her daily work as a chiropractor, helping patients with nervous system issues and misalignments.
Dr. Mazgaloff earned her master’s degree in physical education and kinesiology (the study of human movement) and went on to complete her education in X-ray technology. Dr. Mazgaloff has extensive experience as a chiropractor and has worked at important facilities, such as the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, one of the best spine orthopedic hospitals.
Dr. Mazgaloff talks about joint pain, inflammation, and chiropractic techniques that she uses. She discusses the kinds of treatments that exist for correcting misalignments of the joints, and the impact of injuries on our nerves and muscles. Dr. Mazgaloff talks about the ways injuries might occur, from trip and fall injuries to more severe accidents. She explains how trauma can impact our joints and the importance of correcting problems. When alignment problems do not seem to realign on their own, that’s the time that chiropractors are often called in, to manually realign and correct the issue or issues.
The chiropractic doctor talks about her patients and how they respond in treatment. As the doctor explains, her goal is to actually fix problems on a permanent basis if at all possible, not just relieve the pain temporarily. She discusses current techniques, and she provides detailed information on how she and her team work to adjust joints. And she talks about maintenance adjustment and scheduling of patients for follow-ups to continue their care and progress.
In this podcast, Dr. Charles J. Meakin, Medical Director, Care Oncology Clinic, discusses the current state of cancer treatment, from drug therapy to research.
Dr. Meakin has over 30 years of intensive experience in radiation oncology. Dr. Meakin utilizes his vast oncology background to design ‘whole patient’ care strategies. The oncology doctor explains how his early interest in diet, yoga, and other concepts that were somewhat alternative elements to the standard of care, helped him to pursue his current work—researching to find metabolic solutions to disease.
Dr. Meakin explains the idea of reappropriating drugs once designed for another disease or illness to be used for cancer treatment. The research doctor discusses tumors and drug/treatment options that work to fight diseases at the cellular level.
Dr. Meakin discusses the Care Oncology Clinic’s goals and some of their practices, and the ongoing mission to find safe and effective combinations of medicines to target the metabolic pathways of cancer. He provides extensive detail on multiple types of drugs and treatment therapies and how certain drugs target cancer cells. Wrapping up, Dr. Meakin discusses the successes they have had in their work and some of the technical aspects of their research.
In this important podcast, Trisha Pritikin, attorney, radiation exposure survivor, and anti-radiation activist, discusses her personal health problems, their causes, and her passion for educating the public about radiation exposure.
Pritikin spent her formative years in Richland, Washington, just a few short miles from the Hanford Site, a decommissioned nuclear production complex in Washington state. While the family did move away at some point, at the age of 18 she began to experience grave health problems that she surmised must have been caused by her early exposure to radioactive iodine and various toxic radionuclides from the Hanford Site.
Pritikin reveals her riveting personal story and explains why she is passionate about education. Pritikin recounts that the Hanford Site was involved in the US government’s plutonium production—in the early years. She outlines the process they used to manufacture the plutonium, and how toxins were released into the air and water because of it.
Over time, Pritikin’s health deteriorated because of an undiagnosed autoimmune thyroid disorder—Hashimoto’s disease, and various related health problems.
Pritikin discusses the harm that came to residents of the area as they were exposed to radiation, some for years, and how the public wasn’t informed. Pritikin outlines the kinds of cancers that area citizens experienced, and the connection. Pritikin talks about her work to educate the public on dangerous radiation, and how it took 24 years of litigation to bring settlements to some injured plaintiffs.
In this podcast, Dr. Hanan Elsaie, recipient of the title ‘one of America's Top Dentists’ talks about the methods and practices she uses in her dentistry profession.
Dr. Elsaie is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center - Dental Branch, in Houston. Dr. Elsaie has extensive experience in general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. She received the prestigious honor of being named ‘one of America’s Top Dentists’— Consumers’ Research Council of America, Guide to America’s Top Dentists, and she is passionate about her patients’ health.
Dr. Elsaie talks in detail about her holistic approach to modern dentistry, considering natural medicines and supplements, practices, chemicals, and so much more. She provides important information on gum disease and how it can impact our whole body health, and she delivers a wealth of information on tooth and gum problems, from gingivitis to periodontitis. She talks about the many reasons she is not an advocate for fluoride, nor mouthwashes with preservatives (or alcohol), due to the damage each could potentially do to our bodies. She discusses the importance and value of saliva and things to watch for.
Dr. Elsaie gives her thoughts on natural foods and supplements, and she discusses inflammation. She talks about sweeteners and how they affect the body and wraps up by discussing modern advances and technologies in the dentistry field.
In this podcast, Perry Marshall, engineer, marketing expert, and scientific enthusiast, discusses his career, background, and the exciting new Evolution 2.0 Prize.
Marshall is an experienced marketer and entrepreneur. His savvy business knowledge and keen perspective have given the world an advanced system that provides unparalleled marketing concepts to executives, business owners, managers, and marketers, and his 80/20 Sales and Marketing concept, specifically, is a staple in the business way of life.
Marshall enthusiastically explains his Evolution 2.0 Prize, which is the largest “origin of life” prize that exists. The prize brings together multiple scientific fields: chemistry, genomics, and computing. Marshall discusses challenges many scientists face as they attempt to get their findings published, detailing the peer review process and evaluations made.
Marshall states that it was not easy to find the best judges for his Evolution 2.0 Prize because many scientists were wary of signing on. He explains that the scientists that did decide to get involved were typically rock stars of the scientific community, with big reputations that would allow them to dig into more controversial projects. Continuing, Marshall discusses why many scientists don’t share their information and findings with the general public often, at least at the beginning. And Marshall wraps up by discussing how some scientists achieve the mantle of ‘popular scientist,’ such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stephen Hawking, etc.
In this powerful podcast, Joshua Perry (joshperrybmx.com), keto consultant, former BMX athlete, coach, and inspirational brain tumor survivor, tells his story and shares information on how he came to be a keto enthusiast.
Perry discusses his life story, from his early high school years to date, and how he found his passion for BMX (bike motocross). Perry explains the life he led back in his competition years, and how it was a constant regular pain, mixed with nausea, and serious vision loss that motivated him to dig into his core health issues. After many visits to the doctor, he eventually was given some bad news: a brain tumor. Perry explains how it went for him, on his path from diagnosis to the surgery.
Perry talks about how he sought to improve his health and general life, after the brain tumor surgery, and how he discovered keto and all its many potential benefits for health. He discusses pain meds, and why he never wanted to be hooked on that sort of medical pathway, and how diet and nutrition are his main means to good health.
Perry has clients from many countries all over the world and he works with them in a deeply communicative, results-oriented program to help increase their cognitive function, quality of life, and to maximize their performance and health.
In this podcast, Paula Baker-Laporte FAIA, EcoNest Architecture Inc. Healthy Home Design and Consulting, talks about the emerging and important field of healthy, green architecture, and the steps we can take to improve health in our environments.
Baker-Laporte was educated at the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture and The International Institute of Bau-Biologie and Ecology. She is a recognized leader in environmentally sound and health enhancing architecture.
Baker-Laporte provides an overview of ‘healthy’ architecture. She discusses the sensitivity she had to various chemicals for years that caused her to suffer through many terrible health problems. Because of her own personal experiences, she was motivated to learn more and she began to study how environments, specifically architectural ones, can sometimes negatively impact health.
Baker-Laporte talks about the problems homes can have within them, from various chemicals, to mold, to electromagnetic radiation. She discusses possible avenues for improvement of the living environments we utilize, from standalone filtration systems, to reorganizing where we sleep, to vacuuming and cleaning, etc.
In this podcast, Cass Nelson-Dooley, M.S., CEO of Health First Consulting, LLC, talks about the microbiome and also the vast world of natural medicine.
Nelson-Dooley has been a principal player in important and innovative research into the pharmacology of medicinal plants at the University of Georgia, and is recognized for her extensive work at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory and Genova Diagnostics.
Nelson-Dooley talks about her keen interest in medicinal plants and natural medicine. She provides an overview of her work in Panama, studying the indigenous people and the various plants they used to combat their illnesses. She discusses her informative book, Heal Your Oral Microbiome: Balance and Repair your Mouth Microbes to Improve Gut Health, Reduce Inflammation and Fight Disease. Continuing, Nelson-Dooley details the nutrients that plants have within them that we can take advantage of for healing.
Nelson-Dooley provides her evolutionary perspective on how certain plants work to advance their lineage. She discusses the mechanisms that plants utilize to accomplish their goals for growth and survival. Nelson-Dooley talks about her work in diagnostic testing and she explains the intricate workings of the gut microbiome and the oral microbiome, detailing important issues the microbiome assists with, such as the creation of vitamins and inflammation management.
In this important podcast, Alan K. Davis, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, talks about his clinical research studying the effects of psilocybin for those who suffer from depression.
Dr. Davis provides a thorough overview of his research. He is a guide for psychedelic- assisted psychotherapy for those who suffer from depression. The Johns Hopkins University researcher’s work is centered on psychedelic research—clinical trials with psilocybin for people who have depression. Dr. Davis explains how psilocybin can potentially improve mental health. And progress seems to be happening, for as many as 50% of their study’s participants experienced a complete eradication of their depression after just one month of treatment. Dr. Davis states that a “good number” of those people are still free of their depression symptoms at the three and six month marks, so researchers are hopeful.
Dr. Davis provides an outline of how their treatment process works and why psychotherapy is an important part. He discusses upcoming trials and the necessary data that the FDA will require before they will approve psilocybin as a drug that can be prescribed by psychiatrists. Dr. Davis discusses legislative changes, and the DEA’s role.
The research doctor discusses the pathways that allow psilocybin to act. He explains how psilocybin takes action on an important neurotransmitter in the brain—serotonin. Dr. Davis explains how serotonin regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, and why psilocybin is perhaps a good option for depression, as it seems to help stabilize the aforementioned in
study participants.
Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg is a sleep psychologist, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, and author of Becoming Your Child’s Sleep Coach: The Bedtime Doctor’s 5 Step Guide, Ages 3-10. Press play to learn some of her tips and tricks for teaching children healthy bedtime habits and encouraging quality sleep, including the 5 B’s of bedtime, bedtime tickets, scheduled awakening, and “school plus 2.” She also sheds some light on night terrors, the “cry it out” method, and tells us how much sleep we actually need.
Learn more about Dr. Schneeberg at www.drschneeberg.com, and be sure to check out her book.
In this informative and important podcast, Louise Charles, the Communications Manager at Climeworks (climeworks.com), discusses Climeworks’ critical mission: CO2 removal from the atmosphere.
Louise provides an overview of the history of Climeworks and how it came to be. She discusses CO2 collectors, and how their systems perform CO2 removal. As climate change is being caused by the burning of fossil fuels that release vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the air, Climeworks is on a mission to help with CO2 removal from our atmosphere. The Climeworks Communications Manager discusses their mission in detail. The truth is, climate scenarios have shown that negative emissions are going to be necessary in order to manage the looming global warming crisis.
Louise talks about the many multiple uses for the collected CO2 and she details storage options and economic options as well, for countries who utilize their CO2 collection technology.
The technology advocate and Communications Manager discusses some of the upcoming, large-scale projects that will capture greater amounts of CO2, perhaps up to millions of tons, and how this volume of capture will impact the overall big picture so to speak. Ultimately, the world’s first commercial carbon removal technology will assist with the goal
of reaching for a negative emissions future.
In this podcast, Edward Sawicki Jr., MBA, the CEO of Think20 Labs, LLC (think20labs.com), talks about cannabis research and what it holds for the future of medicine.
Sawicki is an outspoken cannabis advocate who is bringing scientific research and education together to demonstrate the enormous benefits of cannabis to the medical world. Sawicki has extensive experience in biotech as he has been heavily involved with lab design for DNA-sequencing labs, molecular biology labs, and more.
Sawicki discusses his background, molecular development, and the future of cannabis. As he states, Think20 Labs is involved in much more than basic compliance testing; their work includes sequencing of DNA, epigenetics, and voluminous research, as well as project design.
Sawicki expounds upon the many ways that cannabis can push medicine forward and how full legalization is critically important in order to fully expand research and ensure safety of product. Sawicki discusses the many local growers they work with, and the data that they are continually collecting in regard to plants and soil conditions. Currently, safety for consumers, as well as compliance, are two of their most important issues. Sawicki talks about black market products, and their dangers, and how expanded legalization, with standards, will improve safety for all involved.
Additionally, Sawicki discusses the important research into epigenomic and RNA profiles that can help them find correlations, and inform researchers about what they need to learn, and how to approach experimentation, testing, and learning.
In this fascinating podcast, Sean Buchanan, the co-founder of Visom Technology, Inc. (visomtech.com), discusses AR + AI software-enabled technology that can assist surgeons as they operate.
Visom’s mission is to bring AR + AI software together to greatly enhance how surgeons can plan surgeries, see, and operate. By utilizing valuable images placed over their patients, which puts critical information the surgeons need within an easily accessible view, surgeons can operate more efficiently, with greater attention to detail.
Buchanan discusses Augmented Reality (AR) and he talks about Visom’s technology that may play a vital role in decreasing surgical errors, which can cost precious lives and also billions of dollars. Buchanan explains the Visom system and how it works. As he explains, by transitioning imagery to 3D, pre-surgical planning can be greatly enhanced, as 3D holograms give surgeons the ability to really ‘walk through’ the surgery well before it begins.
The technologist discusses critical partnerships they have secured that will help Visom to expand use of their innovative surgical-assistance technology. And he expounds upon the types of medical and training institutions that see the Visom tech as a brilliant way to provide training for the healthcare industry.
Many people know tiramisu as the delicious, brandy-and-coffee-soaked Italian dessert, but did you know that the term “tiramisu” translates to “pick me up”? Such is the inspiration for the name of Misu, an app designed with the goal of enhancing your well-being in an effortless way.
Misu is like a Fitbit for your emotional health. Whether you want to build self-awareness, better understand your own triggers, or reduce your stress levels, you might benefit from mood tracking. This might seem a daunting task, as it requires time, effort, and sustained motivation, but Misu has made the process simple using an automated, software-only solution. Click play to hear more.
To try the beta version of Misu, go to www.misu.app or email Seidler directly to avoid the wait: dan@misu.app
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, M.D. and Chief Medical Officer at BIOLIFE4D. BIOLIFE4D is a biotech company dedicated to the development of a bioartificial heart, which would improve safety and accessibility of heart transplantation. Currently, the number of people who need heart transplants far outweighs the amount of available donor organs, but with the development of bioartificial hearts, this will be a problem of the past. It gets better- by using the heart recipients own cells,the risk of the body rejecting the organ is eliminated. Listen in to hear Dr. Morgan share more about developments at BIOLIFE4D and learn other important applications of bioartificial hearts.
Learn more at https://biolife4d.com. Dr. Morgan also encourages you to check out related press releases and interviews on social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook.
In this podcast, Adele Anderson, neuro-linguistic programmer and life coach, discusses NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and the pathways to healing.
Anderson provides a detailed overview of the mechanisms of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). She explains how we can all take steps to actively change the neuropathways in our minds, to decrease stress, to accelerate learning, and install the ‘excellence’ of others.
Anderson explains the complex science of NLP. As she outlines, our minds have the capacity to take it all in, taking in many elements and stimuli, some we want, and some we don’t. Through NLP techniques, she states, we can actually rewire our brains and set ourselves on a new course. Healing trauma and ending stress are two of her primary goals when working with clients. Anderson discusses the various types of trauma that many of her clients experience and she provides valuable information on how she utilizes the process of NLP to help her clients find the healing they seek.
The NLP expert talks about neural pathways and she explains how they function. Anderson states that NLP offers hundreds of ways that we can engage and rewire neural pathways that may be seriously interrupting our ability to function at our highest level, or achieve happiness, reduce stress, etc.
Anderson discusses her methods and practices, and she wraps up by discussing the ways in which she works with individual clients to help them create physical identifications of these traumas in the mind, and then change them via a complete meditative process.
In this podcast, Biquan Luo, Ph.D., the CEO and Co-Founder of Lumos (https://lumos.tech/) discusses her company’s Lumos Smart Sleep Mask and the mobile app that, together, are helping to end jet lag and chronic fatigue.
Luo holds degrees from Peking University in China and the University of Southern California and was a postdoctoral fellow at the prestigious Stanford University. Luo discusses her extensive scientific background and her motivation for launching Lumos. She recounts how frequent trips to China left her feeling drained all the time. Armed with a wealth of scientific knowledge from her work as a bioscientist, and coupled with her own personal experiences as a sleep clinic patient, Luo set out to eliminate jet lag and chronic fatigue.
Luo talks in-depth about the technology of their sleep mask and she explains how it transmits undetectable pulses of light to prepare us for our coming days. The Lumos light source is less intense than our common natural light source—the sun, and thus our bodies can receive these types of organic indicators without disrupting our sleep. Cues of light assist our bodies as they seek to adjust to new time zones, and this process greatly decreases the time it takes for our bodies to accept the new time zone and feel comfortable.
Luo talks about the many factors that can negatively impact our ability to sleep well, and how we can find methods to improve sleep. Luo discusses melatonin secretion, and she explains why teenagers are ‘night owls’ during their teen years. Luo explains sleep deprivation, and circadian rhythms, and the ways that poor sleep can potentially exacerbate or cause depression.
In this podcast, Thomas E. Lovejoy, Senior Fellow, United Nations Foundation, talks candidly about his life’s work as an advocate for environmental conservation.
Lovejoy talks in detail about biodiversity and his extensive work in environmental science. He explains how his early interest in animals, biology, and eventually his work in graduate school led him to his career in environmental science and conservation.
Lovejoy talks about his time with the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and his years of work studying and researching the Amazon in Brazil. Lovejoy talks about what happens when a forest breaks into fragments. As he states, a forest that is broken into fragments creates a situation in which these fragments are no longer part of a larger system, and as they are no
longer part of the larger ecosystem the fragments lose the ability to support the species contained within.
The biodiversity science expert discusses drought and deforestation. And he talks about some of the ways that we can back off the tipping point by pursuing reforestation, and working to build new connections between the various forest fragments. Lovejoy discusses treefall gaps (holes in a forest with vertical sides) and he provides a detailed explanation of how seeds are distributed and why certain small animal species are so crucially important to the process.
Wrapping up, Lovejoy explains the negative impacts of greater amounts of carbon in the atmosphere and how that is directly affecting climate change.
“Many people think that psychiatric disorders are just related to the psychological signs; they don’t believe they have molecular indications, so it’s really important to show that the biochemistry of the body completely changes with psychiatric disease,” says Dr. Alessandra Sussulini, assistant professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Campinas, Brazil. But, just how is that being shown? The answer might lay in the heart of Sussulini’s latest research, which is looking at the types and quantities of metabolites in the cells, tissues, and organs of people who have bipolar disorder or treatment-resistant depression.
Her work falls into the field known as ‘metabolomics’, which is an emerging field that holds promise for the future of personalized medicine. Dr. Sussulini is a wealth of knowledge, and she touches on a number of compelling topics on today’s episode.
Press play for all the details.
“Most cells inside the confines of your body are not human cells; most of them are bacteria,” says Alex Lewin, as he discusses the importance and prevalence of microbes in our bodies, which is a truth that elucidates why fermented foods can be so beneficial to us. When a food is acted upon by bacteria, yeast, or mold, it’s said to be fermented, and the types of food which fall into this category are many. In fact, you might not even realize that coffee and chocolate are included. But what benefits do they provide? Better digestion, increased nutritional bioavailability, and a more robust team of good microbes in our gut are just a few.
On today’s episode, Lewin explains his appreciation for fermentation, the science behind it, and how you can reclaim a part of the world by learning to ferment your own foods. Press play to hear the full conversation and check out his books, Kombucha, Kefir, and Beyond, and Real Food Fermentation: Preserving whole fresh food with live cultures in your home kitchen.
“For a long time, evolution has been defined based upon natural selection…one of the things that I have been thinking about is a new way of defining evolution that is neutral enough to include these different kinds of evolutionary mechanisms...I define evolution as the phenomenon whereby units evolve at levels of an ontological hierarchy by mechanisms and processes…beyond genes, beyond organisms, there can be different units of evolution; it can be a gene, and organism, an organelle, a bacterium…there can be many units,” says Nathalie Gontier, Director of the Applied Evolutionary Epistemology Lab and faculty member in the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Lisbon, Portugal.
She joins the podcast today to discuss how the theory and understanding of evolution have changed over time, emphasizing a theory that is becoming increasingly recognized in the world of evolutionary epistemology: reticulate evolution, which occurs by symbiogenesis. She also discusses why the tree as a model or metaphor for evolution is based on an incomplete understanding of evolutionary mechanisms, how culture is a form of evolution, what can be learned from the idea of proto-languages, external versus internal environments where evolutionary processes occur, and so much more.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and find more information on Gontier’s work at https://ciencias.ulisboa.pt/en/noticia/07-02-2013/appeel-applied-evolutionary-epistemology-lab.
In this podcast, Dr. Kevin Boyd, pediatric dentist, provides an overview of his medical theory called Darwinian Dentistry, based on the study of the many prehistoric fossil remains of our human ancestors.
Dr. Boyd details the history of evolutionary medicine, including information on some of the true early pioneers of medicine who studied modern diseases that related to cultural industrialization. Dr. Boyd explains how people adapt over geological time to their slowly changing environments. He discusses the changes to the genome, and provides examples of mammals that experienced sickness but survived—the basis of evolutionary fitness.
Dr. Boyd talks about tooth decay and he explains why we now need orthodontists, and when that concept first entered the human experience. He discusses his concept of Darwinian Dentistry, that brings together his theories, evolutionary medicine, and his 20 years as a pediatric dentist.
Dr. Boyd discusses the benefits of early orthodontics, such as widening the jaw and airway, and he talks about the volumes of evidence that demonstrate many kids perform better in school, experience behavioral improvements, and even stop wetting their beds, after orthodontic procedures are performed. Continuing, the doctor provides additional information about the problems that can be caused by crowding the airway, and how early orthodontic procedures might prevent many potential future problems.
In this truly future-forward podcast, David Ewing Duncan, celebrated author of Talking to Robots: Tales from Our Human-Robot Futures, shares his insight and thoughts about the future society that is coming, as robotics and AI become more a part of our daily experience each year.
Duncan has written on many topics but he has a particular interest in artificial intelligence and robotics. In this interesting podcast, Duncan provides a detailed overview of his book, Talking to Robots: Tales from Our Human-Robot Futures. The book digs deep into the why and how of modern robotic systems and AI, considering the implications for society and thoughts on where we are headed with robotics. Duncan considers many possible futures—24 scenario visions of human-robot futures considering everything from Politician Bots to Warrior Bots, Sex Bots and beyond.
The science author talks smart technology, discussing how it is already upon us, with commonplace technology such as Uber, etc. Duncan discusses the issues of ethics and morality in regard to robotics, and shares his thoughts on important issues concerning robotics and AI, such as programming of systems, government regulations, and more.
Duncan has penned ten books to date, published in 21 languages. He is a respected science journalist for print, television, and radio and a regular contributor to important periodicals, such as Wired, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, Atlantic, and more.
Dr. Semir Beyaz is a cancer researcher and principle investigator at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and he wants to know if we really are what we eat. One of the main questions being addressed in his lab is how dietary fat and obesity can influence diseases such as cancer. Epidemiological data suggests that obesity is strongly associated with diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes, however the causal mechanisms remain unclear.
Dr. Beyaz and his lab aim to understand how what we eat transforms our bodies at the physiological, cellular, and molecular levels. Click play to hear how.
Dr. Beyaz is not on social media, but will gladly respond to your questions via email at beyaz@cshl.edu. You can also check out his Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory profile at https://www.cshl.edu/research/faculty-staff/semir-beyaz/. Find his publications with a quick PubMed or Google Scholar search.
Hold your arms at or above shoulder height for a few hours without rest. Now do this for a quarter to one half of your waking life, perhaps for the rest of your life, just to pay the bills. Now imagine you could hire a helping hand…one that would support you above the elbow when you needed it, and only when you needed it, as well as provide you with a system of cartridges, cables, pulleys, and a rigid spine designed to remove the load from your body and eliminate the physical strain and stress being placed on it each day. It may sound like a large, cumbersome device, but it actually has a very low profile and allows for full range of motion and an unobstructed work space.
Joseph Zawaideh and Mark Doyle are co-founders of Levitate, the company that’s bringing this product to the market. They refer to it as an upper body wearable exoskeleton, and it’s changing the game for a lot of people, including assembly workers, painters, construction workers, and maintenance operators. It was initially designed to support surgeons during long and taxing laparoscopic surgeries, but the product quickly caught the eye of a number of big name manufacturers.
In a study conducted by Toyota, the Levitate exoskeleton was shown to reduce muscle exertion by 20-30 percent. Wondering how exactly it works? Zawaideh joins the podcast to discuss all the technical details and more.
Press play, check out levitatetech.com, and get in contact by emailing info@levitatetech.com.
You’re likely familiar with the experience of the dreaded doctor’s appointment; you do your due diligence in showing up on time or even early to your appointment, wait an hour to be seen, then the doctor whisks in and out and you are given a diagnosis and perhaps even a prescription before you can even think of the appropriate questions to ask.
Dr. Darshan Shah knows from decades of experience that in the traditional medical setting, doctors are rewarded for maximizing patient caseloads and often reimbursed based on diagnoses and prescriptions, and he wants this to change.
At Next Health, Dr. Shah’s health optimization and longevity center, appointments are an enjoyable experience and health maintenance is part of a regular routine. Press play to hear more about Dr. Shah’s background and learn what Next Health has to offer.
If you are in the LA area, Dr. Shah encourages you to come in for a full executive physical, which includes measuring biomarkers, a full-body MRI, and genome sequencing. From this information, they can get an in-depth look at your health and provide you with advice for appropriate treatment and education to live your healthiest life.
For more information, go to https://www.next-health.com
Sperm-mediated gene transfer is a process by which mature sperm cells take up exogenous DNA (DNA from outside of the sperm) and bring it to oocytes during fertilization. This can only happen when sperm is still in the epididymous because once ejaculated, sperm is surrounded by a protective glycoprotein in seminal fluid that prevents its interaction with the exogenous material.
Corrado Spadafora discusses the potential evolutionary implications of this finding, and shares the hypothesis that this phenomenon could result in the formation of a new species; that is, if environmental conditions and stressors are strong enough and the amount, quality, and nature of the RNA that reaches the epididymous is significantly different, then it could have the power to redirect embryo development and create something new.
Learn more about Spadafora’s research by pressing play. He has also authored and co-authored several papers, which can be found by searching his name at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed.
In this podcast, Dr. Thomas O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, noted expert on autoimmune diseases, provides a volume of information on various food sensitivities, environmental toxins, and factors for autoimmune disease development.
Dr. O’Bryan’s book, The Autoimmune Fix: How to Stop the Hidden Autoimmune Damage That Keeps You Sick, Fat, and Tired Before It Turns Into Disease, created a stir in the health community and is a real eye-opening read. Dr. O’Bryan is a passionate speaker who is regularly asked to speak all over, at conferences and events pertaining to health, environmental toxins, and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. O’Bryan has a real passion for helping people find their personal path to better health. He opens the podcast by sharing his personal story, discussing the infertility issues he and his wife were experiencing as they tried to get pregnant. After much research he was able to solve their pregnancy problem, and afterwards, when the word got out through family and friends, many couples who were experiencing issues with infertility reached out for help. Dr. O’Bryan talks about some of the issues that impact fertility, such as select mineral deficiencies, etc.
Dr. O’Bryan discusses the current state of modern healthcare. He states that traditional health practitioners may not know how to take a detailed look into medical conditions that fall outside the ‘standard’ issues. Dr. O’Bryan states that traditional health practitioners are actually more similar to ‘crisis practitioners’ more so than ‘healthcare medicine’ providers.
Dr. O’Bryan launches into an important discussion about environmental toxins, and he provides information about various common products that could be putting toxins into our bodies. And the autoimmune disease guru explains that it is important to read and stay current on health issues and better health practices. And he discusses toxins in regard to overall accumulation, explaining that the use of a toxic product over a long period of time could be a path to potential health issues and medical problems.
In this important podcast, Dr. Jianyi “Jay” Zhang, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering at the prestigious School of Engineering—University of Alabama at Birmingham, provides a wealth of knowledge about heart-related issues and the medical science that is changing how we treat some heart issues.
Dr. Zhang is an expert in myocardial bioenergetics, and stem cells for use in cardiac repair procedures. Dr. Zhang discusses the complex and interesting topics of cardiac tissue engineering and heart failure. He provides a detailed overview of myocardial bioenergetics and how energy is produced in the mitochondria, then transported so it can provide the work and force needed to pump blood throughout the body.
Dr. Zhang explains energy metabolism and energy production, with a special consideration of how the mitochondria can use glucose, fatty acid, and literally anything available to accomplish its goals in regard to energy. Dr. Zhang talks about the work and research that is being done to improve existing therapy methods, which could hopefully prevent heart failure or delay it.
The research doctor talks about the heart’s structure and parts within. He delves into a discussion of gene therapy and discusses current research pertaining to the use of sophisticated patches that might one day be utilized regularly to stop debilitating heart failure.
Dr. Zhang holds an MD from Shanghai Medical University, a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Minnesota, a master of science in engineering and certificate of business administration from Tufts University and he completed his post-doc work at the University of Minnesota in their world-renowned Cardiovascular Division.
Early in his career, when insects were generally viewed as black boxes in which the inner workings were of little interest, Arnold de Loof saw the complexity in their physiological system and wanted to further his understanding. He has spent his life researching and identifying dozens of insect hormones and has concluded that not only is the insect hormonal system as complicated as that of vertebrates, but many of the hormones are exactly the same. De Loof also commends the strategy of insects to miniaturize their parts and notes that in some ways, they are many years ahead of us.
Press play to hear more about de Loof’s research and to be enlightened with a unique definition of “life.” De Loof has also written two books, What is Life: The Immaterial Dimension, and Communication, Life, Mega-Evolution: Decrypting Life’s Nature, and has authored several papers, many of which can be found in databases such as Medline.
In this important podcast, Albert Presto, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University, discusses air quality and emissions, and how chemistry is involved. Dr. Presto earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, where he continues to this day, researching and working to understand the ways pollutants affect us.
Dr. Presto and his colleagues turned their attention to pollutant emissions quite some time ago, noting that emissions are increasing in our modern world. Dr. Presto’s important work and research is heavily focused on energy extraction and consumption, and the atmospheric transformations that certain emissions undergo.
Dr. Presto talks about the crucial work of CMU's Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies and their efforts to fully understand how air quality impacts certain environments. He discusses the role of weather and topography in air quality and pollution drift. Dr. Presto explains the dose-response curve and why it is important. A dose–response relationship describes an organism’s specific response in regard to its exposure to a particular stimulus or stressor over time of exposure. Dose–response relationships can be described by dose–response curves.
Dr. Presto talks about the levels of particulate matter that exist, such as within areas of a city that have many restaurants, because cooking can increase emissions. The science researcher goes on to further explain the role of the sun in regard to changing of chemistry, and how it can affect air quality. Wrapping up, the PhD explains a few of the legislative bills
that have been passed to address air quality and increase emissions monitoring.
Jeff Sanders wants you to get up early, but not just because he said so. While he has found vast improvements to his productivity and general well-being in having begun a regimen of getting up early in the morning, he acknowledges that each individual needs their own motivating factors to do so.
For this reason, Sanders advises that you plan something of personal value at an early hour in order to begin and maintain an early morning rhythm that will set you up for a more successful day. Listen in to learn more, including tips for your evening routine and why our attachment to modern technology can be a hindrance to our productivity, happiness, and fulfillment.
You can hear more from Sanders on his podcast, The 5 AM Miracle Podcast, which can be found at https://www.jeffsanders.com. For the readers out there, you can also check out his books, The 5 AM Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfastand The Free-Time Formula: Finding Happiness, Focus, and Productivity No Matter How Busy You Are.
Lawrence Gust has been conducting indoor home and office environment evaluations for 27 years now, helping people identify factors in their environment that could be impacting their health in a number of ways. In today’s episode, he discusses how the nature of his work has become increasingly focused on the effects of radiation from electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) that are essentially everywhere in modern society.
Trouble concentrating, headaches, fatigue, the inability to sleep or stay asleep, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, digestive issues, numbness and tingling in the extremities, ringing in the ears, heart palpitations, lightheadedness…the list of potential symptoms associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation continues. So, how do you go about pinpointing the sources of radiation in your home or office, and how do you mitigate the negative impact they could be having on you?
Tune in for the answers and to learn a lot more about the science behind Gust’s work. For more information, visit https://gustenviro.com/.
For the last 30 years in the biotechnology industry, recombinant DNA has been used to read, write, and edit the genomes of cells for the production of all kinds of things, including drugs, materials, flavors, fragrances, and various chemicals. SynBioBeta is an innovation network for the synthetic biology industry which is trying to make biology easier to engineer. “Everything we use in modern biotechnology is the product of genetic engineering and we want to make it easier to engineer, meaning we want to turn it into a robust, reliable, predictable engineering discipline…like computer engineering or software engineering…” says John Cumbers, founder of SynBioBeta.
He goes on to discuss a few products that have already been created using biological engineering and synthesis techniques. For example, ice cream based on the synthetic production of whey protein rather than extracting the whey protein from cow milk, and a jacket made from an enhanced version of spider silk, providing maximum strength, durability, and stretch.
Cumbers explains the science behind all of this and more, so tune in, check out their weekly newsletter at synbiobeta.com, and get in contact via Twitter.
Ryan Sullivan, Ph.D., is an atmospheric chemist, associate professor in chemistry and in mechanical engineering, and associate director of the Institute for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Sullivan states that“aerosol cloud interactions are one of the largest sources of uncertainty in our ability to understand and predict how human activities are changing our planet’s climate.” He is currently focusing his research efforts on learning about how particles in the atmosphere react with clouds, and how those reactions ultimately affect the climate.
Listen in to hear more about his research. Sullivan is also part of the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies and encourages you to check them out at https://www.cmu.edu/particulate-matter.
In this interesting podcast, Cassie Bjork, celebrated weight loss expert, founder of Cassie.Net, and sought-after speaker, provides valuable information on weight loss and the healthy, whole foods we should be eating.
Bjork is a weight-loss advocate and a major voice in the natural health field. She is the noted author of the bestseller, Why Am I Still Fat? The Hidden Keys to Unlocking That Stubborn Weight Loss. Bjork opens the podcast by talking about her background, as a dietician, and as someone who struggled with her own weight for years. She followed strict diets, exercised intensely, and devoted herself to health, but in spite of her hard work, she couldn’t lose weight. Frustrated by the lack of results, she tossed aside much of what she had been reading and started eating—healthy whole foods, such as real butter, nuts, even bacon. And once she made the switch to healthy whole foods, and tossed aside all the ‘low fat’ foods that are constantly marketed to us, she began to see real results. She felt better, had more energy, and was losing weight as her body began burning healthy fats for energy.
Bjork talks about the importance of eating unprocessed foods, and she states that stress related to one’s desire to lose weight can really make losing weight that much harder. Life is a balance, and we need to remember to enjoy life, and our foods. She underscores that it’s really not just about food and exercise; there’s much more to the equation. Bjork discusses chronic inflammation and how eating poor foods and experiencing stress can exacerbate it.
She explains how metabolism burns excess weight, and how good metabolism is stimulated by eating quality foods, including healthy fats. Bjork states, “Fat doesn’t make you fat,” as she relates how good fats such as real butter, coconut oil, avocados, nuts, olives, and olive oil do so much to support solid, healthy metabolism, which of course helps the body burn fat for energy and improves brain function. Bjork talks about cravings, sugars, and alcohol, and she explains the phases of achieving a healthier lifestyle and diet, as it relates to her program. Wrapping up, she talks about supplements for good health. And she details some of the marketing that we’ve all been subjected to for our whole lives that has at times advocated a less than a healthy way of eating.
If a gene editing technique could be utilized to knock out genes known to cause life-threatening diseases, would you find yourself facing a moral dilemma, wondering if it was the right thing to do? What if a gene editing technique could be utilized to design a baby to have green eyes and black hair, or superior intelligence? For many people, the first question poses only a small or no moral dilemma at all, while the second may present them with a much more significant one.
As the head of the division of medical ethics at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City, Arthur Caplan has been involved in the field of bioethics for many years, but only in more recent years has he been faced with a need to consider these questions. In addition to exploring the bioethics of genetic engineering, he discusses his perspective on vaccines, issues concerning the control and protection of genetic information, and health care costs.
Tune in for all the details and find him on Twitter at @ArthurCaplan.
In this episode, we hear from Elikqitie, host, and producer of Travel Gluten-Free Podcast. After learning that some people who are gluten-free have stopped traveling for fear of getting sick, she was inspired to create a resource to educate and enable people to engage in what they love while still maintaining their health.
Travel Gluten Free Podcast provides tips and tricks to listeners to use when eating out locally and while on adventures around the globe. Whether you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, Elikqitie encourages you to be your own advocate and ensure that you can be confident that the restaurant staff knows how to accommodate you, because she knows from experience that “it’s not worth losing three days” of work or of vacation after eating contaminated food.
Click play to learn more.
To hear her podcast, go to https://www.travelglutenfreepodcast.com.
“Heart disease…high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, early stage prostate cancer…When I was in medical school, I was taught that all these diseases have different diagnoses and different treatments, but because they all share the same underlying biological mechanisms, I came to realize that they are really the same disease just masquerading in different forms, and this radically simplifies what people need to do,” says Dr. Dean Ornish, well-known physician, author, and expert in the field of health and wellness.
On today’s episode, he explains what he believes and what research shows to be key in reversing chronic illness, maintaining a state of health and wellness, and even living longer: eating well, moving more, stressing less, and loving more. A strong proponent of a whole foods plant-based diet, Dr. Ornish also discusses how important it is to establish a routine that involves moderate exercise, stress management practices such as yoga and meditation, and social interaction with others that allows us to feel loved and give love.
Tune in for an inspiring and informative conversation that might compel you start changing your life for the better, and be sure to check out Dr. Ornish’s latest book, Undo It! How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases.
How do symbioses between microbes and animals operate? How does a host recognize its symbionts? What prevents a host from overgrowing its symbiont or vice versa? What makes an interaction between microbes and animals beneficial versus harmful? These are just a few of the questions that have guided Dr. Margaret Mc-Fall Ngai’s research on animal-bacteria symbioses. In her lab at the University of Hawaii, she’s using the Hawaiian bobtail squid as a model for this research. This species of squid hunts its prey at night, using the light emitted by its bacterial symbiont to camouflage itself within the light of the moon and stars, thereby remaining undetected by predators.
On today’s episode, Dr. Mc-Fall Ngai discusses the science behind this research, explaining how the illuminous bacterium alter the gene expression of the squid, what exactly occurs as a result of those changes in gene expression, what the research has revealed thus far about symbioses between animals and microbes in general, the concept of evolutionary tinkering, and so much more.
Press play to hear the full conversation and check out http://glowingsquid.org/index.php to learn more.
Robert K. Logan, author of The Extended Mind: The Emergence of Language, the Human Mind, and Culture, provides his thoughts on human intelligence and communication. Logan is Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Toronto, and Chief Scientist at the Strategic Innovation Lab at the Ontario College of Art and Design.
Logan earned his BS and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After completing two successful post-doctoral appointments as a Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Toronto, Logan became a physics professor in the late 1960s until his retirement nearly fifteen years ago.
Logan discusses his background in theoretical physics and elementary particles, and the research and educational opportunities of which he pioneered and promulgated. He discusses an idea he developed called the sixth language, which was the basis for his book, The Sixth Language: Learning a Living in the Internet Age. Logan explains that the six languages are speech, writing, math, science, computing, and the internet. Logan discusses, in great detail, how they developed, providing valuable and interesting information on how each of the six emerged, and their individual impact on our society and culture.
Logan muses about what might be the seventh language, and he states that maybe we’ve already experienced its birth, for perhaps the seventh is ‘social media,’ perhaps ‘artificial intelligence,’ or even our smartphones, as smartphones completely change the way we interact with each other.
Logan states that what makes for human intelligence is not simply the possession of information, but having a desire to ‘know’ and to ‘understand.’ Computers, he states, have no desires, and are not motivated, but human intelligence at its core is about the desire to understand things. Logan talks about technology and how human life could be impacted.
In this important podcast, Leah Segedie, the noted author of Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!), provides valuable information we can all use to eat and live healthier.
As a celebrated food activist, social media consultant, and author, Leah Segedie is an outspoken voice for change in the food and product world. Segedie is the founder of the Mamavation® community and has devoted much of her life to helping others, by educating us all on the importance of looking carefully at everything we eat and use. Segedie talks about her background, growing up with a strong interest in activism.
Segedie discusses many foods and products, focusing heavily on ‘indirect additives,’ which become part of some foods in tiny amounts, during the processing and packaging stages. Segedie explains how harmful elements end up in a wide assortment of food products that most of us purchase every week. Segedie discusses hormone-disrupting chemicals and how they can possibly, over time, disrupt our natural body systems.
The food and product expert talks about what we can do to push forward into a healthier future, as we learn to make more informed choices about our foods and the many products we use daily. Segedie provides an overview on the changing business culture, and how big companies have begun acquiring tiny and mid-sized companies that have great brands that are healthier. As she explains, big companies have taken note, and as their greatest fear is to see their market share take a dive, they are investing more and more into these smaller companies that have acquired loyal followings of consumers in search of healthier alternatives.
Dr. Rakesh Nagarajan, M.D., Ph.D., is an adjunct associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the founder and Executive Chairman of the Board at PierianDx. Dr. Nagarajan and his team at PierianDx believe that advanced genomic testing underlies the future of precision medicine and complex disease management, and that this can only be accomplished with adequate software, informatics and knowledge. Such methods are already being seen in the treatment of late stage cancers and some genetic conditions. One way PierianDx is enabling such developments is through their groundbreaking software, Clinical Genomics Workspace.
Click play to hear more. Learn about Dr. Nagarajan and his company by visiting PierianDx.com
In this episode, Quinn Burlingame, Ph.D. and postdoctoral fellow in the Loo Group at Princeton University, tells us about the ever-improving technology in organic semiconductors and organic solar cells. Specifically, he shares about C60, which is comprised of 60 carbon atoms attached to each other. C60 are thin, flexible, and can be transparent, allowing for versatile use. Traditional solar cells are made up of silicon, which acts as an effective semiconductor, however is limited in its functionality due to its relative size and weight. While the efficiency of organic semiconductors is increasing rapidly, the Loo Group continues to also work on creating a material with a long lifetime despite frequent sun exposure. Listen in to hear about the technology and its potential applications.
Get in touch with Burlingame on Twitter @QuinnBurlingame and visit Andluca Technologies at https://andluca.com.
Among other brilliant capabilities, the octopus has the ability to visually attend and track strikingly more than other invertebrates. David Edelman, Ph.D. and visiting scholar in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, believes that this ability can give us insight into the consciousness of octopus. Edelman aims to establish whether consciousness and awareness can be demonstrated in the octopus by providing evidence of skills such as visual perception, working memory, and “binding,” the integration of sensory input from multiple sources into a unified percept. Click play to learn more.
Keep an eye out for the work of Edelman and his colleague, Dr. Peter Tse, as they will be coauthoring papers on their research findings.
Recently we have experienced some of the warmest years on record. Storms have become more frequent and intense, we are seeing harsher droughts, the ocean temperatures are rising, and polar ice is melting. As these trends inevitably continue to get worse, we will lose most of our north polar ice, we will see food production around the world impaired by drought, and rising sea levels will destroy coastal cities.
John Harte, Ph.D., studies the effects of human activity on biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate and states that global warming is leading to an earth that will be uninhabitable for humans and other living creatures. He joins us today to discuss what the science is saying about climate change, how feedback from the ecosystem might exacerbate the situation, and what we as humans need to do to save us from ourselves.
Give the Harte Lab a virtual visit at https://hartelab.weebly.com.
In this podcast, Nessa Carey, the celebrated author of Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease and Inheritance, talks about her work in epigenetics.
Carey outlines epigenetics, a scientific discipline that studies and explains the things that cannot be easily explained by basic genetics. How can two things that are absolutely genetically identical be different from one another in any way, or become more different over time? How are different biological outcomes actually possible? Epigenetics seeks to solve these mysteries and offer concrete understanding of the why and how as it relates to biological development.
Carey discusses stem cells. She talks in detail about zygotes, and the embryonic stem cell, and how epigenetics enhances our understanding of the structures, as well as behaviors of biological life on the planet. Epigenetics demonstrates how nurture and nature can work together to engineer incredible biological diversity.
Carey talks about gene expression in a fetus, and discusses the important connections between a mother and a fetus. She provides her thoughts on Darwinian evolution as it relates to epigenetics. And Carey talks about chronic conditions that cause human suffering, such as neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes, and she explains why they may take a longer time to develop.
In this informative podcast, Janet Bennett, successful Speech Pathologist and the founder of an innovative sleep program, I Just Want To Sleep, discusses the treatment of people who suffer from snoring and breathing issues.
As a Speech Pathologist in private practice, Bennett is excited each and every day to come to work and help people improve their lives, and eliminate their suffering. For over 40 years she’s been working in the rewarding field of speech pathology, and for the past 25 of those she’s been treating the problem of tongue thrust. She talks about tongue thrust, and the many problems that it can potentially cause, such as buck teeth or an open bite, because it can make people swallow incorrectly. She talks about one of her early patients, a 14-year old football player who was surprised to discover that his treatment had ended his snoring. In addition, he was more focused overall and in school. His grades were improving and his performance on the football field was improving as well. As Bennett had been working with patients to relieve other problems and not snoring, this particular case was a remarkable moment for the seasoned speech pathologist, and afterward she began treating snoring sufferers with her unique techniques.
Bennett discusses mouth breathing, and she explains how tongue exercises can retrain your tongue to hold itself at the roof of your mouth, which enables us to breathe naturally through our nose. She explains the importance of nitric oxide that helps regulate and invigorate the body, and how it is produced by breathing through the nose, which is all the more reason to make sure we are nose breathing and not mouth breathing when we sleep.
Bennett states that an amazingly high number, 94%, of all people treated stopped snoring. Bennett’s IJustWantToSleep® program is truly changing how people sleep and her tongue exercise program puts an end to snoring that is due to incorrect tongue position and mouth breathing.
In this podcast, Dr. Moshe Szyf, perhaps one of the greatest minds in the interesting field of epigenetics, discusses the complex and important field of social epigenetics.
Dr. Szyf has a PhD from the Hebrew University. He completed an intensive postdoctoral fellowship in Genetics at Harvard Medical School, then continued his studies and research through his James McGill Professorship and GlaxoSmithKline-CIHR Chair in Pharmacology.
In the field of epigenetics, Dr. Szyf has amassed 40 years of scientific research focused primarily on understanding how select genes can be programmed. Dr. Szyf’s lab has pioneered many methods and techniques and was an early voice in the proposal that DNA methylation is a therapeutic target specific to cancer and other diseases. Their groundbreaking work helped to launch the field of social epigenetics.
Dr. Szyf recounts some observations of rats that were essential to his lab’s work. He relates how rats that clearly lick their pups more often are actually changing their pups’ lives. As these pups that have experienced high maternal care become adult rats they will then have a variation in stress responsivity and characteristics. Dr. Szyf’s lab is extremely interested
in these behaviors and how they alter the programming of genes.
Dr. Szyf discusses proteins, DNA, and the many factors that can alter genes and gene programming overall. Dr. Szyf discusses how epigenetics can provide a better understanding of aging as well as disease development. He talks about changes in cancer cells and the many alterations in a wide range of genes. Dr. Szyf explains the epigenetic approaches to prevent or intervene in cancer that may possibly allow for an alternative approach in lieu of the standard methods, many of which are quite toxic.
Michael L. Perlis, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has been involved in the world of sleep medicine since the 1980s, when he was still in his early twenties. Compelled by an interest in understanding the function of dreaming, he was at the same time rather certain he would never be drawn to insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI), or placebo research, but ironically, those three areas of research comprise about 90 percent of his work in sleep medicine today.
Perlis explores some fascinating topics on today’s episode, including the function and purpose of dreaming, what it means to have lucid dreams and whether or not they’re beneficial to us, insomnia and near-death experiences, subjective experiences versus objective measurements in the world of sleep medicine, acute versus chronic insomnia, the evolutionary roots of insomnia, and CBTI.
Tune in for the full conversation and get in contact with a CBTI professional at www.cbti.directory.
Some like it hot…and some insist on cold brew. Niny Rao knows that taste is subjective and has dedicated her research to learn more about the sensitive chemistry of coffee in order to give brewers the tools to make it to their liking. Rao is an associate professor of chemistry at Thomas Jefferson University; press play to hear her reveal the truth about whether the cold brew is actually less acidic than coffee brewed at higher temperatures, which coffee has more antioxidants, and to learn about the other variables that go into this important part of our daily grind.
Contact Rao through email at niny.rao@jefferson.edu or visit her on Twitter @NinyRao.
In this podcast, Wolfram Zimmermann, lab researcher and distinguished professor at the University Medical Center Göttingen, discusses innovative technologies that are advancing heart-related medical options.
Professor Zimmermann provides an overview of heart failure and he talks about what happens to the heart. His respected lab is intensely interested in all research that pertains to remuscularization of a failing human heart as well as the development of engineered heart muscle (EHM) to be utilized for important clinical applications in heart failure repair,
and of course the discovery of regenerative therapies.
The professor provides a detailed analysis of his research, the lab’s findings, and their plans for the future. He talks in depth about myocardial tissue engineering and heart regeneration, and simulations of human heart pathologies.
Zimmermann provides further information on the development of their laboratory technology and how it can impact future studies and research. The research professor delivers a thorough analysis of the building of tissue and the many and vast regulatory requirements that play a role in their lab’s functioning. And Zimmermann discusses cellular elements and the transplantation of engineered tissue patches that have specific cells that can act as tools for cardiac repair.
“Did you squeeze your butt today?” Shawn Faver says that for many who experience lower back pain, it may be a matter of gluteal engagement. Faver is an advanced posture therapist and has seen a lot of chronic issues that he can pin on dysfunctional movement patterns and poor posture. Faver got his start in the healthcare industry as a nursing student, where he found himself disappointed that hospitals focus on managing chronic problems, not solving them. Faver left the nursing program to become a personal trainer and study kinesiology. He has since made it his mission to learn as much as he can about the human body in order to help people feel their best.
Faver states that the human body is intelligent; it adapts to everything it is used for on a regular basis, for better or for worse. Posture therapy reminds the body of its intended function and encourages us to move our bodies in a more functional and healthy way. It may seem overwhelming or difficult, but Faver says that once you have it as a practice, it is really easy to manage.
Listen in to hear tips and tricks to work towards better posture today, including exercises, adaptations, and even the kind of shoes he recommends! For more information, go to Faveryourself.com
Richard Jacobs, entrepreneur and founder of The Good Night’s Sleep Project, discusses their AI-powered, custom-tailored pillow line that is creating a stir in the sleep industry.
Jacobs talks in detail about his own personal experience struggling to get good-quality, restorative sleep. For many years, he struggled with sleep – just like a lot of people do. Physician after physician simply told Jacobs he was stressed, anxious about his life and business. He was prescribed pills, and given all kinds of advice but nothing worked. Frustrated, Jacobs knew there had to be a solution, so he created it himself.
The Good Night’s Sleep Project has developed the world’s first handmade, custom-tailored pillow that has literally changed people’s lives overnight, as many of them experience the first restful night’s sleep they’ve had in months, possibly years. As Jacobs explains, we can all remember those days in which our sleep the night before was so restful that we woke up feeling full of energy and ready to take on the day. But for most of us, sadly, those days are few and far between. Jacobs talks about his own experimentation with nasal strips, new mattresses, humidifiers, head pillows, knee pillows, huggable pillows, and more. Sadly, nothing worked completely, though the combination of many things helped somewhat. After finding some relief but not complete relief, Jacobs focused on the pillow and sought to find a way to improve it. As he explains, he has a particular body type, with wide shoulders, so if he can get a prescription for glasses that are tailored specifically to his needs then why wasn’t there a pillow option on the market that could be tailored to his specific body measurements?
Jacobs decided to build the pillow. He began focusing on the ways that AI and machine vision could be integrated into his design process to extract customized measurements from people who were seeking a better night’s sleep. Jacobs’ app will take your picture and extract all the vital measurements that are needed to then custom-build a pillow for you and you alone. He states that when we sleep on our side, our back, etc., these various positions create potential problems for sleep, and thus Jacobs devised a process to deal with nearly every issue that could arise, so he could design and produce a pillow that really worked, and would provide a better night’s sleep for people.
The Good Night’s Sleep Project head pillow keeps your spine, head, and neck in an aligned position that prevents discomfort and allows for quality restorative sleep. Jacobs’ company is also developing customized huggable pillows that help keep the body in a good position so great sleep can occur. In addition, they are focused on a knee to ankle pillow that improves the lower spinal position and thus enhances comfort in a healthy, supportive manner. And lastly, a hand pillow which provides needed support for the arm and hand rounds out their full sleep line.
Jacobs talks about the future of their project, which will delve into mattresses and more—all with the unified goal of helping people sleep better.
In this podcast, Charlie Bailes, the Founder, and CEO of CB Supplements discuss his family’s personal journey toward better health, and the launch of his supplement company, CB Supplements.
Bailes discusses his personal health story and his intense concern over his daughter’s failing health that led him to research diet and eventually launch his groundbreaking company. He talks about his daughter’s many childhood illnesses, and their heartbreaking experience watching her suffer. Bailes remarks that after innumerable visits to asthma physicians, pediatricians, and even multiple emergency room visits, he knew there had to be another, a better option, to improve his sick daughter’s health problems.
After digesting over a hundred books by important medical doctors, on various topics, he came to the conclusion that a connection between health and diet was undeniable. Through his own personal dietary experiments he discovered a path to better health, and he then immediately introduced significant dietary changes into his daughter’s diet, which impacted her greatly, and to their delight, her health began improving dramatically.
Bailes credits collagen as one of the factors in his daughter’s health improvements, as well as his own. Collagen, in Bailes’ opinion, is the food group within our daily diet that needs to get more attention, for he believes it holds equal importance to other necessary elements such as carbs, fats, and proteins. Collagen is in our skin, nails, hair, muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels, and digestive system, so clearly—the body needs it.
Bailes discusses CB Supplements. He explains how bone broth is a key factor as well, as he discusses his supplement line. Diet is important for metabolic health and a poor diet is responsible for many medical problems and conditions. Bailes talks in detail about how collagen intake has helped him feel better overall, and how he no longer experiences nagging daily pain.
In this episode, Dr. Howard Hindin, DDS, co-founder and chairman of the Foundation for Airway Health and a partner and founder of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD), talks to us about the importance of collaborative healthcare. He states that many chronic diseases can be prevented and even reversed through a collaborative approach. Dr. Hindin is especially interested in collaborative care as it pertains to airway health. As he emphasizes, there is no physiological need greater than to breathe; we can go days without food or water, but we cannot survive more than a few minutes without air. Listen in to hear from Dr. Hindin as he discusses the role of dentistry in whole body health and cites specific examples of successes in collaborative care.
You can learn more about his organizations at www.AAPMD.org and www.airwayhealth.org and don’t forget that October 2 is Global Airway Health Day!
In this podcast, Joshua Neilly, the Chief Growth Officer of CannabisMD (cannabismd.com), talks frankly about CBD, cannabis, and society’s changing views toward both.
Neilly discusses their interesting company name, and their decision to utilize the “MD” element within it. He talks about a few of the seasoned executives that they have added to their company’s roster, people who bring an unquestionable legitimacy to all the issues they cover. Neilly explains how their vision is different from the ‘smoke-oriented’ websites that provide information on CBD (cannabidiol), and other cannabis issues. Neilly explains that with the launch of CannabisMD they have expanded cannabis information for a truly global audience, and in a form that rises to the level of major publications in the media stream—creating what the market needs just as much as what the market wants.
Neilly talks about CBD acceptance in the public and contrasts that against the general acceptance of cannabis. Many people are now using CBD and the numbers are undeniable. With so many potential benefits, more and more people will soon be turning to CBD for solutions to their medical issues. And in Neilly’s eyes, he envisions a future society that will come to treat it like amino acid, something that can offer many health benefits. Neilly shares his ideas about the industry. He discusses THC and how CBD tends to eliminate the negative aspects people associate with THC, such as drowsiness, paranoia, and anxiety.
In this podcast, Orbit Genomics’ President & CEO, Dede Willis, and the Chief Scientific Officer, Harold “Skip” Garner, talk about their innovative work and research in genomics.
Willis is a 25-year veteran of international business. Garner is the scientific mind behind the creation of Orbit Genomics’ platform technology. Together they have launched Orbit Genomics, a forward-thinking scientific research company.
Garner & Willis discuss Orbit Genomics, and their backgrounds. Garner recounts some of his past work with the human genome. He leads us through an engaging discussion on the importance of microsatellites, and how they are the ‘tuning knobs’ that allow for control of diseases and traits. Microsatellites can be effective as markers in the study of disease,
aging, and overall health.
Garner talks about his research with dog traits and explains how microsatellites may be key factors in human morphology, the ability to fight disease, and so much more. The Chief Scientific Officer talks about their published research, and he provides further information on how microsatellites function, including the ways in which the human genome is
impacted. Garner discusses longevity and genetic variance in regard to inheritance and the environment.
Willis provides specific information on their genomics studies. She discusses a particular study that demonstrated how genomes change over time. Going further she elaborates on how we are born with certain risks to disease, etc., but that our lifestyle could play a role in making changes to the genome.
If you were to zoom in super closely on a bacterial flagellum—a tail-like structure that provides movement to bacteria—you would see that this feature is astoundingly similar to a boat’s motor in its components and function. It consists of a tiny propeller, a drive shaft connecting the propeller to the motor, clamps to hold the motor to the cell membrane as it turns, a mechanism to turn the motor via flow of acids, and dozens of other tiny mechanical parts. According to Michael Behe, this example of “purposeful arrangement of parts” is hallmark to design. Behe is a PhD, author, and professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University who focuses primarily on the evolution of complex biochemical systems.
He believes that at the very foundational level of life, things are elegant and incredibly complex—so much so that Darwin’s theory of evolution can’t adequately explain them. In this episode, Behe shares with us a bit of his findings after decades of researching Darwinism, biochemistry, and intelligent design.
Listen in to learn more. Be sure to check out his books- Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution, The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism, and Darwin Devolves: The New Science About DNA That Challenges Evolution.
If you were asked to guess the number one cause of weight loss resistance, would you guess that it’s neurotoxin exposure? And would you believe that 35 percent of diabetes is caused by neurotoxins? Probably not, and you wouldn’t be alone. On today’s episode, Dr. Daniel Pompa explains neurotoxin exposure, the ways in which a variety of neurotoxins affect us on a daily basis, the mechanism they play out in our bodies, and how low the awareness is—even among other physicians. He also discusses a personal journey that began with a severe, seemingly unfixable illness.
Today, that journey continues through an unending passion to teach and educate fellow doctors on the importance and relevance of neurotoxin exposure to some of the most common conditions and symptoms faced today, and how he proposes we deal with it. “Cells are designed to get rid of toxins; the problem is when we get exposed to these nasty neurotoxins, it shuts down all of the detox pathways in the cell, so you have to restore that, otherwise you’re never going to get your life back,” says Dr. Pompa. He explains exactly how to restore this, and shares inspirational stories of people who’ve reclaimed their lives through detoxification.
Press play to hear the full conversation and learn more at https://drpompa.com/.
Your feet are meant to feel the surfaces they come into contact with, and they are meant to bend and flex in response to the sensations felt; this is how the human body was designed, and how it should be allowed to function. Are modern athletic shoes heeding these needs? When coming up with the fanciest and most padded new design, are the major shoe companies taking into consideration the importance of the foot’s natural movement? There’s certainly no evidence to suggest so, and many argue that the products put out by these major companies are arguably contributing to a variety of health problems by limiting the foot’s mobility and weakening it over time.
After sustaining one injury after another while wearing modern athletic shoes, Steven Sashen received some advice from a cross-country runner: try a different type of shoe. It wasn’t long until Sashen realized that his injuries were caused by a form-related problem and that the culprit was the very shoes that claimed to help prevent them. Not long after, he founded his own footwear company that would adhere strictly to the belief that what’s natural is what’s right.
Xero Shoes has become increasingly popular, and Sashen joins the podcast today to discuss his products and why they work. Tune in for the full conversation and visit https://xeroshoes.com/ to get a pair of your own.
Earthing, or “grounding,” describes the time spent when our body is in direct contact with the earth. Dr. Gaetan Chevalier, a Ph.D. in engineering physics and a once-skeptic of the benefits of earthing, is now the director of the Earthing Institute after having seen the benefits both firsthand and through ongoing research.
In this episode, Dr. Chevalier explains how our body’s contact with the negatively-charged surface of the earth can prevent build-up of inflammation and provide relief from a variety of conditions, including most cancers, arthritis, and diabetes. Additionally, Dr. Chevalier touches on how grounding can help to offset the negative effects that modern conveniences, such as cell phones and other wireless products, might have on our minds and bodies, particularly for those who experience electro-hypersensitivity.
Tune in and visit to earthinginstitute.net to learn more.
In this thought-provoking podcast, Katherine Brown, holistic health coach and founder of the popular website, Just Bein’ Honest (justbeinhonest.com), discusses the many ways we can take charge of our mental and physical health to improve our lives dramatically.
Brown is passionate about health. Unfortunately, many people suffer from chronic diseases and/or daily pain, and they are simply unaware that their own patterns, lifestyles, nutrition, and behaviors are causing poor health. But the good news is, for most people, changes can bring improvement. Brown’s mission is to help people restore their gut health so they can mentally and physically perform better.
Brown talks about her passion for bringing good health to everyone. She focuses on helping others reshape their bodies and minds to improve health. Brown talks about the troublesome neurological issues she experienced when she was younger.
As Brown states, mental awareness must be dealt with first, and thinking about how we talk to ourselves is critical, and only after making improvements in mental awareness does she move on to body awareness, exercise, posture, etc.
Brown is on a dedicated mission to truly inspire people to enhance their own health and well being and reach higher levels mentally and physically than they ever dreamed possible.
In this fascinating podcast, Dr. James V. Hardt, the President and celebrated Founder of Biocybernaut Institute, Inc., talks brainwaves and how we can improve our lives through brainwave feedback training.
Dr. Hardt has a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Carnegie Institute of Technology. He holds a Masters Degree from Carnegie-Mellon University in Psychology and a PhD in Psychology, also earned at the prestigious Carnegie-Mellon University.
Dr. Hardt muses that a biocybernaut is akin to inner space in the same manner as an astronaut is to outer space. He explains how through brainwave feedback training, a person can advance their learning, growth, healing, and transformation. Dr. Hardt explains that their advanced brainwave feedback training can help people become smarter, less anxious, and can provide a powerful boost to creativity. IQ boosts alone are reason enough to engage in Dr. Hardt’s methods, for IQ has been shown to increase by 11.7 points.
Dr. Hardt discusses the dawn of brainwave studies that date back to 1908. And he discusses their training in detail, as he compares its results to that of zen meditation. And as zen meditation can enhance brainwaves and change them over a period of many decades, Dr. Hardt’s process can enable someone to change their brainwaves in a drastically shorter
period of time.
Dr. Hardt discusses alpha waves and the Biocybernaut Institute methods. At his institute, they use technology to amp the microvolt levels one-hundred thousand times, which allows these important brainwaves to be read by their computers. This innovative process can then turn the amplitude of one’s brainwaves into a loudness of varying and various musical tones. You can literally hear your brainwaves produce tones of flutes, clarinets, and oboes, etc., To apply this information you would monitor the musical tones and when the music becomes louder, this indicates that you’re creating more alpha.
Dr. Hardt talks about how feedback can work for everyone typically, and help them improve many facets of their lives.
In this informative podcast, Dr. Mark Burhenne, dentist, author, and speaker, discusses his new bestseller, The 8-Hour Sleep Paradox, as well as the importance of good sleep for our health.
Dr. Burhenne has over 30 years in dentistry. In this podcast he talks in depth about his own personal problem with sleep apnea, and its relation to all that he shares in his thoroughly interesting, best-selling book, The 8-Hour Sleep Paradox. Dr. Burhenne explains how sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can negatively impact our health. Sleep is important, but not just any sleep… good sleep. If you’re always feeling exhausted, and make excuses for your low energy, if you snore loudly or grind your teeth, a sleep problem could be the cause.
Dr. Burhenne discusses obvious dental warnings that could indicate a sleep problem exists. He explains sleep issues, obstructed breathing and other conditions that interfere with quality sleep. He shares his personal experiences with sleep as well as nutrition and talks about intermittent fasting, muscular changes, bite changes, TMJ and other issues affecting
the body.
Magneceutical Health is a company built around an energy-based technology that enhances feelings of relaxation and alleviates many of the issues associated with chronic stress, including inflammation, poor sleep, pain, low energy, and digestive problems. But how does it work? The device provides whole-body immersion in a uniformed magnetic field created by two seven-foot-in-diameter coils that the patient sits between for 30-minute or one-hour sessions, after which some of the beneficial effects are immediately apparent.
President and CEO of Magneceutical Health, Allen Braswell, joins the podcast to discuss the science behind this new technology, which includes a discussion about the role of the vagus nerve in the human body, the metric of heart rate variability, and the ratio between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and check out https://magneceutical.com for more info.
In this podcast, Ann Merchant, the Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Communications at the National Academy of Sciences, talks about the many ways the Academy is impacting lives and providing valuable scientific input on a myriad of issues.
Merchant provides an overview of the National Academy of Sciences that was founded in 1863, under the authority of perhaps America’s greatest president, President Abraham Lincoln. The sixteenth president’s goal was to involve America’s greatest scientists and engineers in the making of policy initiatives that dealt with critical scientific issues and projects. If you like the national park system, you can thank Lincoln’s Academy. And if you enjoy being able to ride an airplane without cigarette smoke, also thank the National Academy of Sciences.
Merchant outlines many major issues the National Academy of Sciences is facing today. One such issue is complex and multifaceted—health/medicine. Merchant explains how long term health as well as the overall culture of health are some of the areas in which they’re working in, improving, and educating the public about. The promotion of good health is important and the National Academy of Sciences has its hand in many important issues, shaping policy and educating Americans on a wide variety of issues.
As Deputy Executive Director, Merchant is heavily involved with a large scope of issues. She explains how many of their reports and videos are released, and then new information based on their original work is then translated into many languages, which serves the interests of a diverse and growing population. By enriching everyone’s knowledge with useful information that is important to their lives, and health, the National Academy of Sciences is truly working to make this world a better place.
In his work with a variety of people seeking healthy lifestyle changes or solutions to specific problems in their lives, Andrew Farina takes a holistic approach—he doesn’t just focus on one specific problem a client may present, but on all aspects of that individual which could be contributing to their health in ways they may be unaware. After over 30 years in the health industry and a personal history of multiple physical barriers to his own health, Andrew Farina has become an expert in health, life, relationship, nutrition, and sleep coaching, which allows him to help a wide range of people facing different challenges.
Tune in to learn more about his work, and visit https://fearlesshealthcoaching.com/ to get in contact.
Entrepreneur and host of Future Tech and Future Tech Health podcast, Richard Jacobs, has interviewed over 120 sleep experts and explored an unending interest in all things health and technology. In his personal life, he’s struggled to achieve consistent quality sleep, and has had a particularly difficult time finding the right pillow for him—one that doesn’t quickly lose its integrity, fail to keep his neck aligned with his body, and ultimately leave him feeling unrested and in pain the following day.
There are all kinds of sleep pillow products on the market—some which boast to have the best material for sleep, others which integrate all kinds of electronics and AI tech within the pillow itself. But according to Richard Jacobs, the solution may be quite a bit simpler than it seems. As the founder of The Good Night’s Sleep Project, Jacobs has created an AI-powered and truly customizable pillow that’s designed based on 14 different measurements of an individual’s face and upper body. All that’s required from the customer is a photo submission—it’s that simple.
In today’s episode, Jacobs discusses the details of the pillow, the feedback he’s received, the importance of spinal alignment during sleep, and the impact of sleep on overall health. Tu
ne in for the full conversation and visit goodnightssleepproject.com to learn more.
Parker Lennon and Chuck Stach have over two decades’ worth of combined experience working in health and fitness and have always used each other as a sounding board for new ideas, questions, and frustrations. With the goal of educating people and sharing their experiences with those who could potentially benefit from it, they decided to create the FAQ Fitness podcast.
Over the course of the past three years, they’ve expanded the scope of their discussion topics and nurtured their unending desire to learn and consume more content for themselves and their audience. They value an evidence-based approach to understanding and tackling health and fitness, and they join the podcast today to discuss everything they’ve learned over the course of their careers and through their experiences as podcast hosts.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and check out their podcast at faqfitnesspodcast.com.
Karen L. Lee, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone, delivers an overview of her important work in the fields of neurology and sleep medicine.
Dr. Lee holds board certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sleep Medicine), 2013, and the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology), 2012. At NYU Langone, she specializes in treating patients who suffer from sleep disorders.
Dr. Lee discusses her background in neurology and her personal story. During her extensive medical studies, she found the study of sleep to be particularly fascinating from a neurological perspective. As she explains, while you might think of sleep as a shutting down period, there are actually many important processes taking place during our sleep.
Dr. Lee talks about sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. As she explains, restless leg syndrome is sometimes hard to diagnose because many people who suffer from it have difficulty truly describing exactly how it affects them, but it typically manifests in discomfort, either in the legs, possibly arms as well, or other parts of the body. She discusses the many ways that sufferers describe it, like discomfort or a tingling sensation, a prickly feeling, or soreness. She explains when it often occurs and talks about treatment options, and how many people experience relief by moving their legs, though relief may be only temporary.
Dr. Lee details sleep apnea and explain how it affects the upper airways. She elaborates on the symptoms and treatments, and the many options for apnea sufferers. Poor quality sleep is related to multiple conditions and various diseases, such as stroke, anxiety and depression, headaches, poor concentration, chronic pain, heart disease, dementia, obesity, hypertension, and more.
Dr. Lee has a keen interest in treating patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and other disorders related to sleep.
Philippe Menasché, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Paris Descartes, discusses his work with stem-cell-derived extracellular vesicles for the treatment of heart failure.
Dr. Philippe Menasché earned his MD and Ph.D. degrees from the prestigious University of Paris. As a noted Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Paris Descartes, Chief of the Heart Failure Surgery Unit of the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, and Director of an INSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research) laboratory that is focused on cell therapy for cardiovascular diseases, Dr. Menasché keeps a busy schedule indeed.
Dr. Menasché talks about his background and current work. He explains in detail how cells function and how transplanted cells, as those that are transplanted into the heart, die. However, Dr. Menasché states that improvement does happen, and their current thinking is that the repair actually comes from the heart itself as it is stimulated by the molecules that are secreted by these transplanted cells during their presence, even if their presence is only for a limited time.
Dr. Menasché discusses the issues with injecting directly into the heart. He explains that you can functionalize biomaterial and use it in such a way that it will release secretome over time in a controlled fashion. The term ‘secretome’ is a simplified word that denotes all of the many factors that are secreted by a cell, along with the secretory pathway constituents. This process allows the myocardium to be exposed to the secretome for a longer amount of time, which is beneficial.
Dr. Menasché talks about the idea of stem cells in the heart and the serious discussions that are occurring in the medical science community that questions whether stem cells actually exist in the heart or not. The Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery wraps up by talking about clinical trials, the types of heart disease that exist, as well as patients who can benefit from new treatments.
Ron Barshop, CEO of Beacon Clinics (beaconclinics.com), delivers a stirring overview of their intensive work in the field of allergies.
As CEO of Beacon Clinics, a top ancillary income provider for many primary care providers, Barshop is in the center of what’s happening and developing in medical science. Beacon has been heavily involved in allergy outcomes, developing industry-leading safety protocols, and increasing patient volume.
Barshop talks about Beacon’s involvement in the area of allergies, and how the scope is huge because so many people suffer from various allergies. He explains that primary care physicians (PCPs) are starving for ways to stay afloat financially, and allergies is a wide-open field. As Barshop explains, allergies are officially a disease, and there is a cure. He talks about the various types of pollens and weeds that affect people, and his own personal story growing up, suffering from intense allergies.
Barshop explains the process of allergy impact, and how the body’s immune system tries to rid the allergen, the invader, from the body. He talks about airborne allergy issues and also discusses food allergies, which affects different systems. Barshop explains how skin tests and blood tests are effective at determining the problems a particular patient is dealing with. He explains the differences between taking allergy meds, like Flonase, versus allergy shots, the latter of which he advocates. Sadly, many people find themselves in an endless loop of suffering, medicating, and suffering again.
Barshop talks about molds and dust mites, and other major offenders that keep people suffering from a litany of dreadful, nagging symptoms. Barshop explains the importance of mycology. Mycology is the specific branch of biology that deals with the study of fungi, inclusive of its genetic and biochemical properties, their specific taxonomy, and use to human beings as a true and proper source for medicine and food, and inclusive of the various implications for toxicity, etc.
Barshop describes Beacon’s business model and its efficiency. Barshop’s important work has earned him multiple leadership awards as well as prestigious honors in the state of Texas. He was recently named CEO of the Year 2019 by IAOP, and he is a member of many San Antonio civic boards and organizations across the state.
Anyone who has personally suffered from sleep apnea or knows someone who has may be all too aware of the challenges that can come along with the use of CPAP machines and masks. Too often, people prematurely discard this solution to sleep apnea after having a poor experience with their machine or mask. Sleep disorders technologist and well-regarded expert in the world of sleep apnea, Jason Sazama, joins the podcast to discuss a number of topics, including the most common and easily-fixable problems people encounter with the use of CPAP machines and masks.
He also discusses the difference between in-home and in-lab sleep studies and how to determine which might be best for you. He explains the critical difference between REM-specific and positional sleep apnea, and how identifying which you might have could prevent you from having to use a CPAP machine at all. Sazama has devoted his professional career to helping people help themselves achieve truly restful, healthy sleep. His YouTube channel has become a popular resource for countless people across the globe.
Press play to hear the full conversation.
How do cells communicate? Can one group of cells control the density of a neighboring group of cells? Can cells perceive the death of nearby cells? What can cell communication teach us about the processes it underlies, such as human behavior? These are just a few of the questions that have guided Dr. Daniel Fels’ work in the field of biological research, particularly in his latest venture, the establishment of the Biophysical Cell Communication Lab. His focus has been on determining whether or not cells communicate using electromagnetic waves, and he’s conducted a number of experiments to test this.
He joins the podcast to discuss the details of his experiments, including the observations and conclusions they’ve led to, and the doors to new research they’ve opened. Dr. Fels brings an impressive amount of knowledge to the conversation, making a technical conversation compelling.
Tune in and learn more by searching for his publications on the web.
Strokes, heart attacks, obesity, diabetes; these are just a few of the health problems that have run rampant in Nathaniel Jordan’s family. As a kid, it looked like he was headed in the same direction, dealing with high blood pressure at a young age and significant weight gain in his earlier adult life. On today’s episode, Jordan—now a keynote health and wellness speaker, nationally certified health coach and nutrition fitness specialist with the American Council on Exercise, and certified master trainer with the National Federation of Professional Trainers—explains how he pulled himself out of a state of sickness and put himself on a path of health and wellness to become well-regarded as the “minister of wellness.”
“The standard American diet has been designed to be addicting…it’s designed by high-level biochemists to hook the human brain….it’s nearly impossible to achieve a long life and excellent health in America,” says Jordan. He goes on to explain what he’s learned from a variety of nutritional gurus and personal experience with a plant-rich diet. He also explains what it’s like to work with a diverse range of people who seek health and wellness, but don’t know where to begin or how to sustain healthy living. He touches on a range of topics, from the ketogenic diet to the psychological component of breaking habits. Interested in learning more?
Tune in and check out theministerofwellness.com.
In this podcast, Jake Steiner, founder of (endmyopia.org), provides an interesting overview of his work and research, and the ways we can improve our myopia.
After reaching a frustrating -5.00 diopter myopia in his 20s, Steiner set out to change things, to find a way to improve his failing vision. With a past career that was largely in banking and stock trading, he used his analytical mind to dig deep into the research of vision biology. Steiner discovered that ‘pseudomyopia,’ which is a focusing muscle spasm of the eye, was not a medical condition at all, nor was it a defect.
Steiner explains how myopia (short-sightedness) can be reversed as it is a refractive state that can be corrected through a natural process. He discusses how the glasses we wear to correct myopia are actually making eyes worse in some cases. Steiner provides information on how minus lens move a focal point further back into the eye, which will then
compensate for the muscle spasm. He discusses reversing the stimulus, and how the eyeball isn’t actually getting longer, but it is simply adjusting.
Reversing the stimulus, shortening it, can decrease myopia. Steiner talks about wearing glasses, but wearing a pair that is not as strong as you might ordinarily prefer—essentially challenging the eye to make adjustment and see better over time. One important way to get started—stop using distance glasses when doing close up work. And as he explains, our
constant use of laptops and smartphones is certainly making eye problems grow in the general population.
Aimee Tariq was only in high school when physical ailments took over her life. With a resting heart rate of 200 beats per minute, she was unable to socialize, play her favorite sports, or even take care of herself. She sought help in the way that most would: from a variety of doctors and specialists in the U.S. medical system. But after countless diagnoses and no relief, Aimee Tariq felt she was running out of options. Finally, she decided to abandon the U.S. medical system and carve her own path to health through self-education. She researched everything from toxin exposure to spinal alignment, changed her lifestyle, and completely changed her diet before beginning to find relief.
Today, Tariq is where she was before the ailments began controlling her life—in fact, she may even be better off. Her journey inspired her to author A Life with Health, which quickly became a best-selling book on Amazon. She joins the podcast today to discuss her personal journey, the valuable information she has learned over the years, and how you can help yourself achieve a true state of health—with or without a diagnosis or prescription. Interested in learning more?
Tune in and visit https://www.aimeetariq.com/.
In this important podcast, Allison Rosen, M.S., Lead Project Coordinator at Baylor College of Medicine, talks about her ongoing mission to spread the word and educate about cancer prevention.
Rosen is passionate about her work at Baylor College of Medicine. As the Lead Project Coordinator at Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Outreach and Health Disparities at Baylor College of Medicine, Rosen takes grassroots community education seriously.
Devoting her life to educating the public about various cancers is a personal journey for Rosen, and she shares with us the path that she took to get to where she is today. At Baylor, one of Rosen’s main areas of focus is the education of minority communities as well as young people, about cancer screening and cancer prevention.
Rosen talks about her journey, and life as a colon cancer survivor. And she provides information about how she organically moved into prevention, taking her message to the public.
Rosen discusses her education and research, especially in oncology research and how she was led to eventually put all her efforts into cancer prevention. Rosen discusses symptoms of cancer, especially for younger people, and she provides further details on one of her primary areas of knowledge—colorectal cancer.
There’s no doubt that certain types of music, tones, and frequencies can have a relaxing effect on us. In fact, even ordinary sounds encountered in daily life can put as at ease, such as the sound of typing or someone brushing their teeth. But when it comes to falling asleep for the night, it’s difficult to use these sounds as aids for sleep without feeling encumbered and uncomfortable by the bulkiness of headphones or the pressure of earbuds. Wei-Shin Lai and Jason Wolfe developed a solution to this problem by placing thin speakers within comfortable and stretchy material that can be worn as a headband. Since its inception, their company, AcousticSheep, has become well-regarded and recognized in the world of sleep technology.
They join the podcast today to discuss their latest application of this technology: a database of innumerable variations on sound modeled in the form of a genome, with alleles representing different tones or frequencies. Each variation is referred to as a “sheep” and each sheep is capable of procreating with other sheep to produce more sheep genetically related to each parent sheep. It’s sound with the form and function of a human genome, and there’s nothing else like it on the market.
Tune in, download the AcousticSheep app for free, and check out acousticsheep.com for more info.
Creating fruit fly avatars: it sounds like something you might do in a video game, but at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, it’s something that’s being done in the lab in an effort to save lives—on a case-by-case basis. Laura Towart has always had a passion for personalized medicine, and for the last seven years, she’s played an important role in a new method called Personal Discovery Process (PDP), which is a technology that sequences individual tumors, injects the genetic mutations into a fruit fly pupa, and then tests thousands of different drug combinations on the fly in order to find the most effective drug therapy for an individual patient.
Towart joins the podcast to explain the technical aspects of this new research, the benefits and drawbacks of using a fly model, how deep learning and artificial intelligence technologies are helping to make the process more efficient and cost-effective, how quickly this method can produce results, and what’s on the horizon for the PDP team at Mount Sinai.
Interested in learning more? Tune in and visit mypersonaltherapeutics.com.
There are about 90 million dogs in the U.S. right now, which means it’s almost guaranteed that you either have one or know someone who does. They’re known as man’s best friend, and most of us would do anything to help give them the longest and healthiest lives possible. Nonetheless, half of them will die of cancer after reaching age 10.
On today’s episode, founder and CEO of LEAH Labs, Wesley Wierson, explains CAR T-cell therapy, a recently FDA-approved therapy for leukemia and lymphoma in humans that harnesses the power of the immune system to attack cancer cells. He also describes how implementing this therapy in dogs could simultaneously benefit dogs and humans suffering from the same type of cancer.
“LEAH Labs was founded to bring self-therapies to dogs,” says Wierson, as he goes on to explain how testing this therapy in dogs will provide humans with a much greater understanding as to how the therapy works and what causes CAR T-cell toxicity in both humans and dogs—a major drawback of the therapy. Wierson explains why the current method of CAR T-cell therapy development is not only insufficient and inaccessible, but potentially misinformed, and how the work being done at LEAH Labs is completely revolutionizing this.
Interested in learning more? Press play and check out https://www.leahlabs.com/.
One of NASA’s most recent missions was carried out under the sea, and as a member of the team, Dominic D’Agostino, professor in the department of molecular pharmacology and physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine joins the podcast for a third time to discuss all the ins and outs of it. He describes space analogs, which are field tests carried out in locations that have similar characteristics as those in space. The main purpose of space analogs is to develop technologies and concepts that can be implemented in space.
D’Agostino played an integral part in NASA’s recent mission which involved a number of these analogs carried out under water in order to emulate the environmental and physical challenges encountered by astronauts in space. For example, the water allowed for a simulation of neutral buoyancy and microgravity in space, and the small, enclosed space under sea simulated the small, enclosed areas in space where astronauts must properly carry out a number of difficult and sensitive tasks. D’Agostino talks about a wide variety of subjects, bringing a surprising amount of insight to each one.
Tune in for an informative and compelling discussion about the details of this mission, the challenges presented by undersea and space habitats, decompression sickness, the danger and physical effects of high concentrations of carbon dioxide, what’s on the horizon in this area of research, and so much more.
Of the people who use drugs, 80 to 90 percent don’t become addicted, and of those who actually do become addicted, 80 to 90 percent overcome those addictions without any professional help; they just seem to naturally outgrow their addictions over time. These numbers are surprising to many people, perhaps because we live in a culture that encourages the idea that drugs almost invariably lead to addiction due to their chemical composition and the way these substances interact with the body. But under this over-medicalized view of drug use, how can we make sense of these numbers? This question underlies many of the topics explored by Aaron Ferguson and Zach Rhoads on The Social Exchange podcast, which is aimed at placing the concept of “addiction” in a much broader context than most people are used to.
On today’s episode, Ferguson and Rhoads discuss a number of perspectives on the nature of addiction, the philosophy of harm reduction, how to understand chemical dependency, and so much more.
Press play to hear the full conversation.
Jack Brouwer is a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UC Irvine, as well as the head of the National Fuel Cell Research Center. He joins the podcast to discuss the potential of fuel cell technology as a complement to wind and solar energy, which could pave the way for the development and implementation of 100 percent renewable energy. “What we’d like to see is renewable gasses that include biogasses but also renewable hydrogen, and this would become the ubiquitous fuel that’s moved around in society, and then you would use a whole bunch of wind, a whole bunch of solar, and complement it with something you can turn on and off, and turn up and down, which is the fuel cell,” explains Brouwer.
He discusses the biggest hurdles in the way of fuel cell technology, how to jump these hurdles, how to understand and compare different forms of energy, how fuel cells operate and are affected by temperature versus the concentration of fuel and oxygen, and much more.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and check out www.nfcrc.uci.edu to learn more.
To contact Brouwer directly, don’t hesitate to email him at jb@nfcrc.uci.edu.
In this podcast, Dr. Eva Detko, Ph.D., natural health specialist, discusses her nearly two decades of work studying and treating medical problems that have physiological and psychological/emotional elements.
Dr. Detko has immersed herself in the study and treatment of complex medical conditions. She utilizes a balanced approach that incorporates multiple methods, from psychology and hypnotherapy, mindfulness, Havening Techniques, and NLP, as well as nutritional therapy.
The Ph.D. discusses how her own medical history motivated her to help others with their medical issues. After being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibromyalgia, Dr. Detko knew that she would have to find her own way back to optimum health, as she was not satisfied with the traditional medical options she was offered. Detko integrated nutrition and biochemistry, psychology and psychotherapy, and plant medicine in an effort to heal herself. Through her study and experimentation, she was able to find her way back to good health and she now shares this knowledge with her patients who are suffering from complex medical problems.
Dr. Detko talks about nutrition. She explains how our bodies have to deal with excessive toxicity in the environment, and she offers that many people could be suffering from electromagnetic sensitivity and exposure to toxic metals. Dr. Detko discusses water purity issues and explains why water filters for your home are so important. Continuing, she provides valuable information on the negative aspects of various cosmetics, deodorants, and creams that we use on our skin.
Medical issues that have both physiological and psychological/emotional elements can be tricky to diagnose, but with the right practitioner, treatment, and actions, many people can find relief.
In this podcast, Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, psychologist, and noted author, discusses her work helping people repair their most important relationships, and restore happiness and purpose to their lives.
Rapini is a very established, prominent psychotherapist who specializes in the intimacy and sexual issues that affect our relationships. She is a sought-after lecturer, author, and television personality who knows how to get a relationship back on track and her advice and written work has been featured on countless shows and in various media.
Rapini discusses her work with couples and individual people who are dealing with challenging sexual issues, both physical and emotional. She explains how therapy is often the answer, and how taking a pill often isn’t. Some people need true therapy to help them deal with their emotional issues, and the stressors that can easily promote raw feelings of anger and even depression.
Rapini talks about the importance of emotional maturity in a marriage, and she outlines some of the reasons particular types of marriages have difficulty finding their comfort zone. Rapini discusses cognitive behavioral therapy and she gives an overview of the many social problems that cause us to have emotional issues. She speaks of a curiosity, and a need for
change, that is necessary in order for one to have a success in therapy—and self-awareness is a key factor for success as well.
The psychotherapist details some of the factors in a healthy relationship, and notes the importance of communicating with your partner. And Rapini explains how important it is to share, maintain balance, and accommodate for your partner when you’re working to build a healthy relationship.
In this podcast, Dr. Armando Hasudungan talks about his background, medical interests, and what led him to become one of the most prolific medical science YouTubers.
Dr. Hasudungan talks about how he became interested in medical videos. Starting out as a student who was more interested in artistic endeavors, he found that some of his required classes in medical science topics were fairly obtuse and complex. Hasudungan began to experiment with new ways of learning, in hopes that he could find a way to retain complex medical and scientific information more easily. After much experimentation, he concluded that a more visually-oriented presentation of complex subject matter would make it easier to grasp and retain.
Dr. Hasudungan discusses how he began to draw out complex concepts and then record them to video as a means to learn. After posting some of his early explainer videos online, he discovered that many other people found this method of learning to be extremely useful as well, and thus, a new hobby was born.
The science educator discusses the techniques he uses during the creation of his popular YouTube videos. He talks about the graphics and in particular his drawing style and how he has improved his visuals immensely since that first video. Dr. Hasudungan provides an overview of the many complex topics he covers, and how he tries to encompass multiple elements into his videos to make them thorough and easy to follow.
Dr. Armando Hasudungan’s explainer videos have become a YouTube sensation and he is always looking for new ways to improve his technique, in order to provide his viewers with a thoroughly interesting way to learn about complex medical science topics.
In this podcast, Dr. Anthony B. Miller, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, provides an overview of his long career and research into cancer causes and nutritional factors.
Dr. Miller’s research has included many topics, from the epidemiology of breast cancer, to cancer screening, non-communicable disease control, and the environmental factors of cancer etiology, etc.
Dr. Miller discusses his path, research history, and interest in medicine. During his tenure with the British Medical Research Council, Dr. Miller oversaw much of the groundbreaking disease research being done there. Dr. Miller talks about his extensive work studying tuberculosis and lung cancer. He talks about his years with the National Cancer Institute of
Canada, as the director of their epidemiology unit, a position he held for 15 years. And he details some of the research he was involved with that demonstrated links between occupational hazards and increased risk for certain cancers.
The research doctor provides detailed information on the various types of radiation that exist in today’s technological world. Dr. Miller discusses cell phone use, and radio frequency, and he talks about some of the important international studies that have demonstrated a link between usage and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. He discusses electromagnetic fields, and their potential risks. And Dr. Miller underscores the importance of nutrition and the many ways it could play a role in cancer development.
In this podcast, Hannah Crum, known affectionately as “The Kombucha Mamma,” discusses her love for kombucha and the many health benefits it offers.
Crum caught the kombucha bug early on, when visiting a friend out of town. Her friend was brewing a batch of kombucha and she was intrigued. The experience stuck with her and she returned home with a desire to learn more. After much research on her own she began to brew her first batch, which led to another, and eventually her passion for this healthy elixir
flowed outwardly. She had to share her message with the world and thus she launched her business and website. She wanted to let everyone know about the tremendous health benefits that kombucha offers.
Crum discusses the old days when people often made their own foods and beverages. Crum explains that kombucha is basically a fermented tea at its core. She talks about the culture in kombucha, as well as the culture of kombucha now that it has become a product that many people are buzzing about.
Crum talks about what it takes to get going with your first home brew venture. And luckily most folks already have a lot of what they will need in their kitchen cabinets, such as tea, sugar, jars, etc. You’ll also need a tightly woven cloth cover, and of course the scoby, which is a kind of syntrophic mixed culture of yeast and bacteria. Crum explains the various ways
that concentrate forms of kombucha found in grocery stores differ from the traditional home brewed kombucha. And as you might expect, home brew typically offers more healthy benefits, though Crum is quick to note that store-purchased kombucha does have many health benefits as well, so if that’s all you can get, it’s worth purchasing—for your health.
For more info on Crum and her amazing home brew techniques, please visit her online at: (www.kombuchakamp.com).
In this informative podcast, Lowry Curley, Chief Executive Officer at AxoSim, a biotech startup, talks about the ways his company is contributing to better drug development.
Curley is a biotech entrepreneur with a background in biomedical engineering. His company’s innovative technology, Nerve-on-a-Chip™ is changing the way drugs are developed and tested.
Curley provides an overview of the past drug modeling that often ended with dismal results. He states that animal models are very ineffective at predicting whether drugs will be successful in human bodies, and surprisingly 94% of the time, after extensive animal testing, the drugs simply don’t work in humans. Curley is quick to point out that you really cannot equate animal biology to human biology.
The biotech expert discusses how AxoSim creates models for drug testing. As Curley explains, they take skin cells and transform them back to stem cells and then ultimately differentiate that into a functional nerve cell. And as this is then engineered into a 3D environment, they can mimic complex interactions that a given cell could experience within the human body. Currently, AxoSim is working with many types of current drugs in development and also looking at past drugs that might have shown promise but were never released to the public for various issues, side effects, etc.
And Curley talks about the methods his company uses to seek out other companies doing similar work, to potentially partner with or acquire them, to maintain their mission of being the industry leader in new drug development processes.
In this thoroughly interesting and informative podcast, I. Glenn Cohen, James A. Attwood and Leslie Williams Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, provides an overview of the current ethics issues and laws that govern emerging technologies and industry.
Professor Cohen is interested in bioethics and its connection to law/health law. Professor Cohen discusses his training in law and medical ethics, and he lists a few of the many areas that his work delves into, such as healthcare and artificial intelligence, organ transplantation, gene editing, food and drug law, and more.
The Harvard professor details his involvement in the many interesting legal and ethical issues that pertain to artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as various neural net applications that relate to the organization of medical data and predictive applications/uses.
Cohen discusses privacy issues and data. He talks about electronic health records, and physician fatigue as it relates to the inputting of data, which is an important issue as the input of accurate and thorough data is crucial for patient care. Cohen talks briefly about cloning, reproduction, and other issues that pertain to genes and technology. Cohen provides an overview of the current regulations that govern gene editing. He states that we will probably see further ongoing debate about what is considered acceptable and what is not, in regard to the practice of gene editing.
Have you ever wondered why healthcare data isn’t centrally located in one database? Why are patient records scattered in numerous places? Ray Dogum joins us today to discuss the present and future of patient healthcare information storage. The current system contains numerous obstacles for both patients and providers and may contribute to potential missed diagnoses or laboratory information. Blockchain technology could provide solutions to some of the workflow issues in healthcare, including scattered patient records.
Ray Dogum argues that blockchain technology could also improve both patients’ and healthcare providers’ trust in healthcare information technologies. If implemented correctly, blockchain technology would give patients more control over who is able to access their healthcare information. Ray Dogum also discusses his own podcast, Health Unchained. He discusses how he started his podcast and how it has given him a unique perspective into the healthcare technology industry.
For more information, visit healthunchained.org or visit his profile on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/raydogum
Meditation is a tool that is helpful for many people let go of negative associations from their past and focus on the present. For Masha Kouzmenko, co-founder of Silicon Valley Wellness, her interest in meditation started with researching Eastern medicine with her sister. This was soon after their mother was diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer, started chemotherapy, and unfortunately experienced a malpractice incident. In their exploration into Eastern medicine, Masha and her sister discovered the mind’s ability to heal the body and prevent illnesses. Her philosophy at Silicon Valley Wellness is founded on these principles, and today their clinic focuses on helping workers achieve wellness from the inside out. Silicon Valley Wellness is available to conduct group meditation events at the workplace, so that employees can participate in wellness initiatives and return to their work feeling refreshed.
For more information, visit siliconvalleywellness.com.
When we think of robots, we likely think of metal or plastic parts, synthetic actuators and/or sensors. One lab is aiming to change all that by using muscular and neurologic tissues instead, with the goal of creating completely organic, sustainable, and programmable biorobots. The lab is called the Biohybrid and Organic Robotics Group (B.O.R.G) and is led by Victoria Webster-Wood, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She joins us today to discuss her research in this exciting field.
The benefits of biorobots are numerous. Traditional robots are fragile – if a robot made of traditional materials tips over, it could easily break or have one of its components dislodged. If we or another animal fall over, our pride may be wounded, but the fat and muscle on our body often prevents our bodies from being seriously damaged. Having biorobots made from these materials could allow biorobots to exist in the natural world in a new and safer way. Robots could exist in ecosystems, assisting humans with search and rescue missions, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research. Tune in to find out how exactly these robots are designed, maintained, and when we might expect to see them out in the world.
For more information, please visit www.engineering.cmu.edu/borg.
One could argue that nature is the world’s best designer; biomimicry is a design approach which draws on biological processes and natural entities to create products, structures, and systems. Today’s episode discusses how insect anatomy and the natural world influences and inspires Sarah Bergbreiter’s work on small robots. As she creates robots just a few millimeters long, Bergbreiter utilizes nature as her bioinspiration. In this episode, Bergbreiter discusses her research on small robots, as well as sensors and actuators which improve capabilities of larger robots. She discusses the physics and chemistry required to optimize these small robots, as well as potential applications of this technology. This technology, she discusses, could be used in many fields, from medicine to ecology. For more information, visit https://www.meche.engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/bergbreiter-sarah.html.
It’s hard NOT to love fried food. It gets a little easier, however, after learning how bad fried food is for your body and how much damage heating oils can do. Udo Erasmus joins us today to discuss everything you wanted to learn about incorporating oils into your diet: the good and bad (hint: fried food always falls under the “bad” category). Udo Erasmus used his background in biochemistry, genetics, and biological sciences to begin his own nutritional supplement company; in today’s episode, Udo explains how and why cooking food in certain oils can do more harm than good, and which types of oils can help optimize our diets. Udo also explains how much of these oils should be taken in via the diet, when they should be added during the cooking process, and how we can optimize our health from the inside out.
For more information on Udo Erasmus’ work, visit http://udoerasmus.com/.
“We are fundamentally interested in how we can use these [supramolecular] interactions to build systems that resemble or recreate the living world,” says Dr. Matt Webber, principle investigator in the Webber Lab at the University of Notre Dame. He’s an engineer by training and a self-taught chemist who works among an interdisciplinary group of engineers, biologists, and chemists who all have the same primary objective: to discover what types of structures can be engineered using the principles of supramolecular chemistry (i.e. non-covalent interactions between molecules) and to what degree they can control and direct those structures to meet certain therapeutic or clinical ends.
Consider viruses, for example: with perfect symmetry and comprised of the exact number of components necessary for structure and function, they are perfectly defined structures in nature. According to Dr. Webber, the ability to synthetically create structures with similar form and function could allow for us to have precise control over powerful and useful molecules. Among other topics, Dr. Webber discusses interest in creating structures with host recognition ability like immune systems, the development of a shear-thinning and self-healing hydrogel, and their recent work on a drug that might act as a protective mechanism against dangerous drops in blood glucose levels.
Tune in for the full conversation, and check out http://www.webberlab.com/ for more info.
In this interesting and detailed podcast, Hasan Erbil Abaci, Assistant Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, discusses exciting new work in tissue engineering as it relates to hair follicles.
Abaci is an experienced scientific researcher and has published extensively on a multitude of scientific areas, such as tissue engineering, endothelial cells, and human-on-a-chip design.
Abaci talks skin, which as he states is quite the complex organ composed of various components. Abaci is curious about how hair follicles are connected, and his research delves deep into these complex organs and how hair follicles function and communicate with other tissues.
The tissue engineering expert provides a thorough overview of how cells within the complex skin system signal, detailing how tissues regenerate. Abaci informs us about the growth cycle, and how this involved process demands that new blood vessels provide a specialized supply of blood to support the growth.
Abaci explains their work with specific samples in the lab, and how their use of 3D printed molds with hair follicle extensions is opening up new opportunities for study and application of their work. Abaci explains the chemical and physical signaling that goes on in our bodies, which is essential for tissue communication and life. And he expounds upon the importance of understanding how these processes work, and what secrets they may reveal in regards to recreating signals in vitro, to efficiently grow hair follicles—in vitro.
Raymond McCauley, Chair of Biology at Singularity University delivers an engaging overview on the many ways biotechnology is impacting our world.
McCauley is the Co-founder and Chief Architect for BioCurious—a not-for-profit that allows bio hobbyists, entrepreneurs, and scientists to come together to pursue their mutual goal of advancing technology-based solutions for modern world problems.
McCauley talks about his work with Singularity, working with startups, Fortune 500 companies, governments, and other biotechnology-based companies. McCauley provides information on new, sometimes controversial, genetic engineering work and some of the ethical questions that are raised. He discusses the big issues, such as when a company works in a specific area of genetic engineering primarily for their own gain, could there be ways in which their work affects all of us in a potentially negative manner?
McCauley discusses food supplies and global diets. He discusses the world demand for proteins and meat and the costs to the planet. Thinking of it as a global problem, McCauley states that it is doubtful that the world will become vegetarian, but also doubtful that we’ll go so far as to chop all the rainforests down so we can have more grazing lands for livestock, thus we must find new ways to meet the food supply-demand globally. As it is a trade problem and also an ecological problem, McCauley states we have to think about it as such.
McCauley’s important and innovative work has been featured in Wired, Forbes, Time, and others, and he is a sought-after expert in the many areas of his scientific expertise.
We spend a significant amount of time in our homes; we sleep there, eat there, raise our children there, and enjoy our lives there. Knowing this, it would make sense that we would go out of our way to ensure that our homes are safe and healthy environments…but do we? Stephen Collette is a building biologist and environmental consultant in the residential market, which means he spends his time understanding what leads to construction failures, locating potential health concerns, and advising people on how to identify and prevent threats to their health that are posed by their homes. On today’s episode, he explains the beginnings of the field of “building biology,” the importance of empowering people to take control of their environment and health through education, some of his most common recommendations (and why they’re recommended) for particular features of buildings, and the harmful chemicals we encounter on a daily basis. Tune in to hear the full conversation and visit http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca/ for more information.
Dr. E. Peter Greenberg is a professor at the University of Washington, where he runs the Greenberg Lab. His research revolves primarily around something you may not have even heard of: quorum sensing. Simply put, quorum sensing is the ability of an individual to sense how many of its kin are in its environment. Since an individual microbe such as a bacterium can’t accomplish much on its own, having the ability to detect when it’s in the presence of others of its kind is critical. “When an individual bacterium first invades a host, it can’t show all of its weapons until the troops have amassed…and when there are enough bacteria to overwhelm the host’s ability to respond, they coordinately generate these virulence factors,” explains Dr. Greenberg. He goes on to explain how exactly bacteria detect the density of others in their environment and therefore respond in coordinated fashion at the appropriate time. On today’s episode, he discusses the details of all this and more, including antibiotic resistance and the ability of bacteria to transfer genes from one to another, the effect of nutrient availability and temperature on bacteria, and how developments in this field could lead to therapeutic applications.
Tune in and visit https://microbiology.washington.edu/users/e-peter-greenberg to learn more.
Dr. Anthony Trewavas is a molecular biologist and emeritus professor in the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Edinburgh who’s been studying plant biochemistry for longer than many of us have even been alive. How and why do plants behave the way they do? What mechanisms underlie their response to environmental factors? What are the key chemicals responsible for plant growth and development? These are the questions that have driven Dr. Trewavas’ work over the years. He brings a wealth of information to the discussion today, explaining various research projects and papers he’s published over the years, to include the topics of the influence of the hormone auxin on plant behavior, protein phosphorylation as a means of controlling how cells function, and the critical role of calcium in a plant’s ability to respond to various environmental and chemical signals.
Tune in for a fascinating and informative conversation and search for Dr. Anthony Trewavas on the web to learn more about his work.
When Billy Price was just 18 years old, he endured a life-changing event that left him paralyzed from the neck down, and with significantly reduced dexterity in his hands. Maintaining independence was important to him, as it was a defining characteristic before the accident that changed everything. But he didn’t want to just create a product that would help people with disabilities adapt and retain independence, because he knew all too well the consequences of being “that kid” with a different wardrobe or accessories that weren’t desired by the mainstream public. This is what led him to become the founder of BILLY Footwear, a company that’s revolutionizing the footwear game with a shoe that zips down completely, allowing you to drop your foot into it rather than shove and maneuver it in. It’s a simple design, but the reasons for its use are wonderfully complex. Tune in for all the details, and find your own pair by visiting billyfootwear.com or visiting one of their many partner websites.
Over the last 15 to 20 years, the development of advanced tools such as zinc-finger nucleases and CRISPR has provided access to specific genes in the genome of individual organisms, unveiling information about how particular genes work, what controls the development of individual organisms, and how to manipulate or modify genes to function in a particular way. In more recent years, efforts have become increasingly focused on the development of applications that could have significant impacts on the public.
As a distinguished professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah School of Medicine and member of the Nuclear Control of Cell Growth and Differentiation Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. Dana Carroll brings a wealth of information on these topics, discussing everything from how to define a ‘gene’—and why it’s not as easy as it may sound—to ex vivo therapy and autologous bone marrow transplants for sickle cell disease. He explains DNA repair activities and the dependence on homologous repair for the right corrections, and a growing area of research that’s looking at how to modify cells so as to ensure that they carry out homologous repair. He also discusses his current research efforts on gene editing techniques in both plants and animals and the promise of gene editing tools for the future of animal and plant life. Tune in to hear the full conversation.
Nerve gasses have been a topic of research since they were first made in Nazi Germany, and they all target primarily one key enzyme that’s responsible for neurotransmission in the body, which is responsible for the ability to move and breath. When intoxicated by these nerve agents, a victim is sure to face death by suffocation. However, new research could lead to the development of an effective antidote and pre-treatment options which would prevent intoxication in the first place.
Dr. Zoran Radic is an expert in this field, and he’s carrying out research at UC San Diego using a new virtual reality tool by a company called Nanome. He explains the invaluable benefits afforded by the ability to interact with molecules in the virtual reality space—to see how they interact with the body, bind to their targets, and lead to the effects that he’s aiming to reverse or prevent. He also discusses more broadly the mechanism of toxicity in the body, why the search for effective antidotes has presented so many difficulties, and what’s likely on the horizon in this growing and important area of research. Interested in learning more about Dr. Radic’s work? Find more info by visiting https://profiles.ucsd.edu/zoran.radic.
Dr. Cheryl Burdette, ND, joins us to discuss the principles of naturopathic medicine and a few of the differences between traditional medicine and her practice. Dr. Burdette emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach and individualized treatment plan. This translates to the doctor spending enough time to collect a thorough (anywhere from 35-60 minutes) patient history, advising the patient on the best anti-inflammatory foods, and sending out blood work to screen for subtle biomarker abnormalities. This helps her look for patterns of misdiagnosed, under-diagnosed, or other indications of illness. After establishing a customized treatment and diet/exercise plan for the patient, Dr. Burdette makes sure to create a long-term follow-up schedule to help the patient achieve and maintain their optimum health. Don’t live in or near Atlanta? Progressive Medical offers telemedicine appointments and can advise you on resources in your area.
For more information, visit progressivemedicalcenter.com.
Nearly everything we interact with in today’s world is digital, and every application we use without thinking twice about it is dependent upon various types of digital storage technology. With a seeming endless increase in the amount of digital data, there needs to be a solution for storing it all. According to Thomas Coughlin, that solution may be found in synthetic DNA. Coughlin is the president of Coughlin Associates, author of Digital Storage in Consumer Electronics: The Essential Guide, and well-regarded expert in the field of data storage.
He brings over three decades’ worth of data storage industry experience to the discussion today, explaining the future of data storage in a world that’s becoming increasingly digitized. He describes how synthetic DNA has the potential to store 1,000 times more data than current forms of data storage, such as flash memory and hard drives. He also discusses new research that’s exploring unprecedented forms of data storage, commenting that, “There’s enormous creativity that goes in to trying to create new ways in which we, as information processing creatures…can capture and understand the world around us…and I don’t see it ever diminishing. I think it’s just the nature of who we are.”
Neuromorphic computing, brain to electronics interfaces, artificial telepathy, deepfake technology, and the associated legal and ethical implications of these capabilities are just a few of the other topics explored on today’s episode.
Don’t miss it—tune in for the full conversation and learn more about Coughlin’s work by visiting tomcoughlin.com.
At the University of Glasgow, Professor Richard McCulloch studies the biology of genomes, but unlike most other researchers, the human cell is not the subject of his research. Instead, he’s looking at parasite cells that cause diseases in humans and trying to develop a better understanding of how their genetic material is protected from harm in the human body and transmitted in the process of cell division. He’s focused on two specific parasites—one that causes a disease known as “sleeping sickness,” and another that causes a number of diseases that have widespread distributions.
Dr. McCulloch explains that while both parasites are transmitted to hosts in the same way (via flies), they have very different mechanisms of action once in the host’s body. This is allowing him and his team of researchers to make useful comparisons between these parasites in the hopes of revealing more information about their genome, behavior, and protective mechanisms against the human immune system.
Among a number of interesting topics, Dr. McCulloch discusses the possibility of making the vehicles of parasites resistant to parasites, some of the running hypotheses of how parasites avoid attack by the human immune system, a parasite’s capacity to create a limitless number of variant surface glycoproteins that coat cells and function as protection against antibodies, and new research on the replication and dissemination of parasites in the host.
Tune in for all the details, and check out https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/iii/staff/richardmcculloch/#/researchintereststo learn more.
Nicole Hynson, Associate Professor, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, at the Pacific Biosciences Research Center, talks about the interesting symbiotic relationships that exist between fungi and plants.
Hynson runs the Hynson Lab for Community Ecology in the Department of Botany at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where her team studies the complex, interesting ecology of plant and fungal communities. The devoted scientists within her laboratory group come from many diverse areas of scientific studies, such as ecology, evolution, physiology and computational biology as well.
Her lab is focused on the sometimes complex interactions fungi can have with certain organisms, such as plants. Hynson discusses the important function of fungi in their symbiotic relationship with plants. She explains how fungi have the capacity to assist plants to transition out of water growth to soil growth, and how the plants, in turn, help supply the fungi with vital carbon they need to complete their proper lifecycle. Hynson provides an overview of microbial symbiosis and the interactions that may exist between bacteria, fungi, plants, etc.
Hynson seeks to untangle these complex symbiotic interactions, and hopefully utilize microorganisms, specifically fungi, for the advancement of important restoration and conservation practices, to increase crop yield and sustain valuable resources, and ultimately limit the need for fertilizers overall.
With double board-certification in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Samantha Nazareth is a noted researcher, writer, speaker, and authoritative source for all things nutrition, wellness, and the microbiome. She joins the podcast today to discuss the focus of her clinical work with patients, the most common conditions she sees, the effectiveness of Pepcid AC in treating bleeding ulcers, the possible relationship between sugar, neuropathy, and gut health, the stomach’s ability to stretch and how this functions as a signal to the brain, whether or not we will ever be able to define a microbiome as “normal”, the future direction of microbiome research for the development of high-precision and personalized care, current research on fecal transplants, and more.
Find information on these topics and others at drsamnazareth.com.
Plants have been referred to as the “masters of chemistry”, and we know without a doubt that they have an impressive ability to adapt to the environment in ways that promote their growth. But what else do we know about plants? Do they have the ability to predict how their behavior might result in a particular outcome? Do they anticipate future events? Do they have goals? Are they sentient? At the Minimal Intelligence Lab, research on plant behavior is being carried out in an attempt to answer these questions--or at least gather as much information about plant behavior as possible. According to Paco Calvo from the Minimal Intelligence Lab, the only way to truly study plant growth and development is by slowing the timescale of observation to the speed at which plants develop and interact with their environment. In order to do this, the team has set up cameras that are programmed to capture photos of the plants every one to five minutes. After compiling the photos that are taken over the course of a few days, the researchers are able to observe the minutiae of plant behavior, uncovering interesting new information. Calvo joins the podcast to discuss the details of all this and more, including three plant models they’re studying in the lab, what kind of observations they’ve made, and the challenge of avoiding confirmation bias in this type of research.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and find more information at https://www.um.es/web/minimal-intelligence-lab/.
In this podcast, Keith Hengen, Ph.D., Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses his lab’s interesting work and research.
Hengen details the kinds of research his lab is focused on, and his lab’s goals. Hengen explains basic brain function. According to the current research, the brain is not ‘locked in,’ our synapses respond to countless experiences every day, all day, and while change is constantly occurring—stability exists. Every day most of us learn new ideas and concepts, but the core foundation of who we are remains constant and stable. And even though there are millions of interactions and inputs, the human brain is computationally stable. This is one of the many ways our human brains are different from artificial neural networks. The human brain can continue to gather information at an incredibly high rate and still maintain its core identity and foundation, its stability.
The Ph.D.’s neuroscience laboratory studies the role of sleep and wake in chaperoning certain interactions between the distinct plasticity mechanisms. Their research is founded in the self-organization of distinct intact neural networks that provide for functioning processes such as perception, sensation, and cognition. The researchers are interested in how information transmission within these critical systems is established during a development process, and thus how it’s all disrupted in disease.
Hengen provides further information on the lab’s work and some of their important findings. He discusses various cortex issues in healthy mice, elaborating on the organizational processes, and criticality. Hengen gives an overview of how networks of neurons work, and the ways that information is encoded.
Brett Younginger, postdoctoral researcher at Washington State University, discusses the fascinating research into plant tissue and diversity.
As a postdoctoral researcher, Younginger is interested in investigating the diversity and function of fungal endophytes, fungi that live in plant tissue without causing any symptoms of disease.
Younginger talks about his interest in plants, his background, and his current focus. As a lifetime lover of plants, Younginger was fascinated with farming and the natural world. Starting with an undergraduate degree in biology, he advanced his study to plant microbial symbiosis. Younginger explains the areas of research they delve into currently, studying the symbiotic relationships some plants have with bacteria in the soil in which they grow. Remarkably, plants they study are able to convert nitrogen in the atmosphere into a plant useable form—essentially fertilizer.
Younginger describes his work with fungal endophytes, and the bacterial issues he is researching. The postdoctoral researcher explains how nitrogen is dispersed when it is deposited in the soil. Continuing, he talks about ‘partner choice’ the process that plants and bacteria undergo in order to associate with different strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Younginger explains how communities exist within the soil, and how nodules vary in size and shape, with variations in position and the bacteria that is present. Root nodules, specifically, are located on the roots of plants, mostly legumes, that form a coordinated symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and with the precise nitrogen-limiting conditions, some plants can form a symbiotic relationship with host-specific strains of certain bacteria.
Additionally, Younginger describes how applied science works in a practical sense. As Younginger explains, he is most interested in the processes that impact the patterns we see occurring in nature. And as new knowledge is gathered, Younginger hopes to see more progress toward combatting critical soil erosion and water pollution problems.
Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s…the list of age-related diseases goes on and on, and while many of us consider these to be essentially inevitable at one point or another, Elizabeth Parrish disagrees. As the CEO of BioViva, her focus is on the effectiveness of regenerative gene therapies for diseases of aging and childhood diseases. “When we’re looking at a regenerative therapy, we’re talking about one treatment that affects all of the diseases of aging, and each one of the treatments we look at also has the effect of treating a childhood disease,” says Parrish.
It sounds too good to be true, but there’s science to back it up. She explains her own experience taking the first two gene therapies developed by BioViva, one of which was a myostatin inhibitor to increase muscle mass, and the second a polymerase inducer for telomere extension. Detailing the biological function and mechanism of each, she explains the importance of undergoing such therapies before we get sick—not after.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and check out https://bioviva-science.com/ to learn more.
“I make the Universe. Well…maybe not the Universe, but a universe,” explains Dr. Richard G. Bower, professor at Durham University. He’s researching something called observational theoretical cosmology, which involves using a supercomputer, along with the laws of physics and theory of the Big Bang to create a universe that would result from these calculations. He then asks whether or not the simulated universe looks like the Universe we see around us. As a part of this approach, Dr. Bower and his team are teaching computers how gasses collapse to form stars, how these stars produce energy and heat up the gasses around them, and how this process can lead to the formation of black holes. He discusses running theories that explain the nature of dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies are created and what differentiates one from another, how modeling the fabric of spacetime using a combination of quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory might (and might not) explain dark energy, a fascinating art project made possible by this work, the potential to map the Universe in x-rays, and so much more. Tune in and check out https://community.dur.ac.uk/r.g.bower/WordPressSite/blog/wordpress/.
Over a short and recent span of time, non-natural electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation levels have risen by a factor of about 1.0×1018 (that’s one with 18 zeros behind it!). While it may be invisible, the effects of EMF radiation from technology aren’t, according to numerous recent studies on the subject. Just this year, a report by the National Toxicology Program showed that cell phone signals encourage the development of cancer in rats and mice; these findings were confirmed by four additional large-scale studies. And in his own lab, Dr. Paul Héroux from the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health at McGill University has shown that low-frequency magnetic fields which are contained in power systems fields and cell phone signals directly influence cancer cells of all types and lead to the generation of free radicals. Despite this growing body of research, the industry has maintained that the effects of this radiation on human and animal health are negligible.
Dr. Héroux makes for a fascinating conversation, explaining the difference between natural and non-natural EMF radiation, why biological systems don’t exhibit resistance to this radiation, the most damaging aspects of cell phone technology and data transmission on human health, how free radicals are generated and what they can do to the body, how the impending implementation of 5G will only add another layer of radiation and increase frequency, and much more. But he also discusses the ways in which the damaging effects can be mitigated, which range from redesigning cell phones to direct the radiation away from the user, to choosing how you download your data. Tune in to learn more.
Whether it’s engineering a monogenetic food crop to resist pathogens, putting in the hornless trait in dairy cows in order to make more efficient and reduce the inhumane practices associated with dairy production, creating a low-cost chemical delivery system that could cure some forms of leukemia, or making custom therapies a reality, gene editing and genome engineering is opening the door to a host of potential solutions for a growing number of problems in the modern world. Dr. Stephen Ekker refers to it as “molecular surgery”—the ability to edit the genome with an unprecedented amount of precision and detail to produce a particular result. He’s Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship, and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Mayo Clinic, as well as a member of the Genome Writers Guild. He makes for a fascinating and exciting discussion on today’s episode, explaining the importance of education and awareness of gene editing technology, describing how this technology could solve one of the main problems with immunotherapy for patients with cancer, shedding light on where the research is headed, and discussing the ins and outs of the latest developments. Press play to hear the full conversation, and check out genomewritersguild.org for more info.
“If we didn’t have epigenetics, we’d be nothing more than a blob of cells in a dish,” says Tom Stubbs, CEO of Chronomics. On today’s episode, he defines the role and function of epigenetics and explains how it can inform us about the impact our environment and lifestyles are having on our health. He also explains how Chronomics is making it easier than ever to understand your own epigenetics and find the guidance you need to live a healthier, longer life. During the course of the conversation, Stubbs talks about the different types of epigenetic mechanisms in our cells and the types of modifications they lead to, how epigenetics enables various forms of adaptation necessary for survival, the causes of elevated biological age, how the Chronomics epigenetic testing solution works, and some of the surprising insights they’ve found from the users of Chronomics.
Interested in learning more? Press play to hear the full conversation, and check out https://www.chronomics.com/ for more information.
While fish and other amphibians can regenerate heart muscle throughout their lives, for unclear reasons, mammals cannot. In fact, the human heart is the least regenerative organ in the body, which means that when someone has a heart attack, the portion of cardiac tissue that dies never regenerates, and this is what leads to heart failure. Dr. Charles E. Murray is a professor, cardiovascular pathologist, and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Biology at the University of Washington, and a solution to this problem is being created in his lab. Dr. Murray is using stem cells to grow beating, human heart muscle cells—unlimited amounts of them that can be used as seeding material for additional heart tissue regeneration. Once injected into the damaged portion of heart tissue, the cells begin dividing, connecting with each other, and connecting with the existing heart tissue, and before long, they begin beating in sync with the existing heart cells. On today’s episode, Dr. Murray discusses a range of fascinating topics including environmental and microbiome-dependent effects on the heart, and provides an in-depth explanation of the science behind heart disease, damage, and repair.
Interested in learning more? Press play and check out a recent TED Talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/chuck_murry_can_we_regenerate_heart_muscle_with_stem_cells?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare.
Dr. Paul Anderson, CEO of Anderson Medical Group and Advanced Medical Therapies, delivers an insightful overview of the various types of integrative cancer therapies that may be options for patients.
Dr. Anderson, N.M.D., a naturopathic medical doctor and medical director is the founder of the Anderson Medical Group. Additionally, his center, Advanced Medical Therapies is a groundbreaking institution that provides therapies in multiple modalities for advanced patient care and support.
Dr. Anderson talks about his background in integrative medicine and his particular interest in cancer therapies. As he states, when he began in this field, there was not a lot being done in regard to integrative therapies, but over time the medical community began to see the many potential benefits. Dr. Anderson talks about options other than just simply chemo, radiation, and surgery… the big three as they are referred to. He doesn’t discount the importance of the big three, but he states that there are many ways to work with the immune system and the normal cells to keep things on track.
Dr. Anderson speaks about diet and nutrition, intermittent fasting, and herbal extracts, etc. that form the base of their care platform, as well as injection and intravenous type therapies using natural substances (various strengths of vitamin C, and others, etc.) And he discusses the benefits of exercise to increase muscle activity and potentially extend life.
The integrative therapy expert discusses ‘clean eating,’ which involves keeping outside chemicals (preservatives, etc.) out of the body. Dr. Anderson details how they work with patients in general, and how restrictive policies of the past in the oncology community are changing with the times, now with more oncology doctors becoming aware of the benefits of alternative type therapies that can enhance standard care. Dr. Anderson discusses strategies to keep patients in remission. He states that many patients who are in remission are now seeking additional options to do everything they can to stay in remission. He explains the various types of prevention and the levels of care they can offer, and what each involves in terms of diet, therapies, repair, or anything that has negatively impacted their cells, etc. Once the body has vitality, he states you must still be aggressive, and push forward on keeping sugars low, utilizing intermittent fasting, and of course clean eating to keep toxins out.
When a patient presents to the ER with a heart problem, most doctors will know what tests to run, what drugs to prescribe, and what treatment will be best for recuperating that patient and allowing them to go home and resume their normal lives. The same cannot be said for those who present to the ER with a spinal cord injury. In fact, there is no proper treatment for spinal cord injuries, and therefore a big need for new research and development in this field. When Jacob Koffler finished his PhD in biomedical engineering in 2010, this is exactly what he was looking for: a field where there was a big need for new ideas and techniques in the development of a successful treatment. He brings a tremendous amount of information to the conversation today, discussing his efforts at UC San Diego toward developing a treatment for spinal cord injuries. The technique he’s helping develop involves stem cells, 3D printing of tissue scaffolds, and gene expression studies of nerve regeneration.
Tune in for all the details.
Asthma, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy…these are just a few of the medical problems that can coexist and underlie behavioral sleep problems in children. Generalized anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder can also cause sleep problems in children over the age of six, and should absolutely be ruled out prior to any sleep coaching. These are just a couple of the topics Kim West, family therapist and author of Good Night, Sleep Tight, discusses on today’s episode. For over 20 years now, she’s been known as “The Sleep Lady”, a testament to the focus of her work and her success in helping both children and parents in this area. She discusses different methods used for coaching children under six months of age to fall asleep well, and why she believes the method she’s developed—which she refers to as parental fading or The Sleep Lady Shuffle—is the healthiest for children and parents alike.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn more by visiting sleeplady.com.
It’s easy to tell when your heart is pounding, but it’s not so easy to detect the more subtle changes in your heart rate that occur throughout the day as you encounter stimulus after stimulus, or even as you entertain thoughts that bring you a sense of sadness, anger, or happiness. Gavin Andrews is the managing director of HeartMath, a company that uses heart rate variability (HRV) as a tool for measuring and better understanding physical and mental health, as well as tracking the body’s ability to appropriately and healthfully respond to the environment.
The HeartMath system is composed of a number of techniques that can be used to put you in a space where you feel in control of your emotions and patterns of thought, rather than overwhelmed by them. Andrew discusses a number of topics, including how and why HRV is a useful measurement of physical and psychological health, patterns in HRV that can be detected in chronically stressed (either mentally or physically) individuals, and what he’s learned from using HeartMath strategies for the past decade. Tune in for all the details and learn more by visiting heartmath.co.uk.
In this podcast, Tony Altar, PhD, Senior Scientific Fellow & Advisor of Verge Genomics, discusses brain illnesses and the groundbreaking new techniques utilized to advance treatment options.
Altar has over 35 years of experience leading some of the world’s most advanced CNS drug discovery and development teams. He is the former Global Head of Neuroscience at Otsuka, Chief Scientific Officer at Assurex Health, and CSO of Psychiatric Genomics, among others.
Altar talks extensively about his background and how his interest in brain issues grew. He recounts how, during his time a young man in high school, psychedelic drug use was fairly common in the communities of Los Angeles where he grew up. He became interested, from a scientific perspective, about any possible shared connections between the effects these drugs created and the mechanisms of psychiatric illnesses. As an advanced high school student excelling in his studies, Altar was able to complete high school early which afforded him the extraordinary opportunity to begin a volunteer position at the Neurobiochemistry Lab of the Brentwood Veteran’s Administration, where his interest in brain issues and diseases was cemented.
Altar explains that there are approximately 20,000 genes, and remarkably the brain expresses nearly half of them in total. And by studying all 20,000, scientists and researchers are able to more fully understand the coding of proteins and can measure mRNA in diseased tissue. Altar provides detailed information on cell types and neurons and he elaborates on how select brain diseases impact them, discussing the vulnerability of certain neurons that could make them more susceptible to disease.
Altar provides an analysis of the loss of dopamine neurons and outlines how protective mechanisms work, and why cells die. He gives an in-depth overview of enzymes and brain injection therapies and why standard intravenous therapy solutions may be inadequate.
Peter Sullivan, the founder of Clear Light Ventures, talks about the many environmental toxins that could be impacting our health, that we need to know about.
Sullivan’s work covers electromagnetic field safety and awareness, toxic metals screening, and a special focus on environmental issues that could play a significant role in the development of autism. Sullivan’s company, Clear Light Ventures, has a goal of helping people remove the environmental health threats that are negatively impacting their lives.
Sullivan discusses environmental threats and he states that with many chronic diseases, when symptoms are noticed, there could already be many things affecting your health and how you feel, not just one. He delves into the various ways our devices such as the popular wearables and other electronic devices could be impacting our health. He spends a few moments discussing the effects of mercury poisoning and the general effects of an assortment of environmental toxins.
The environmental toxins expert states that everyone can work to reduce their exposure to toxins. Turn off smartphones at night, or at the very least remove them from beds and/or bedside tables when we sleep. We can all help drop our exposure by using the ‘off and away’ method, by turning devices off at night and when they are not needed, and moving them away to safer distances. He provides information about sperm damage and DNA damage, and talks about wireless radiation’s impact.
The environmental health expert provides information on the various meters that are available to help us test our environments for toxins and exposures, such as EMF meters as well as specific meters that measure magnetic fields and electric fields, wireless radiation, and other potential health-impacting problems.
Sullivan’s groundbreaking and notable work on detoxification and EMF has been featured in books and magazines and he is a noted authority in the field of environmental toxin exposure.
“It’s so common that a person has something else going on…if the doctor is just looking at TSH [thyroid stimulating hormone], they’re not seeing the whole picture and they’re not knowing if the thyroid hormone is actually getting inside the cell…and usually they end up with some kind of misdiagnosis,” says Dr. Zana Carver, who not only has academic and research experience with thyroid problems, but a personal story to go along with it: when she was diagnosed with a goiter, she had no idea that it would eventually lead to a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and a consequent surgery to remove her entire thyroid.
Dr. Carver has had a tremendous roller-coaster of experience with the aftermath of that surgery, and joins the podcast to discuss her experience on and off TSH suppression therapy, and what she’s learned about the importance of education and awareness when it comes to addressing thyroid problems.
Tune in for all the details, find her book on Amazon, and visit thyroidcode.org.
Cecelia Doucette, technical and professional writer turned public health safety advocate and expert, discusses her important work creating awareness about the potential dangers of environmental toxins. Doucette is the Technology Safety Educator, Education Services Director at Wireless Education.
Doucette’s expertise with technology via her vast experience as a technical writer was the foundation for her current mission—to educate the public and impact policy change. In this podcast Doucette discusses EMFs (electromagnetic fields) and how they could affect our health. She talks about EMFs in the context of wireless technology and how digital technology has layered many more electromagnetic fields into our environment.
Doucette states that these EMFs are impacting our bodies on the cellular level. Doucette talks about her work with schools. She was instrumental in many policy changes, such as when Ashland Public Schools in Massachusetts became the very first in the whole nation to develop and put into place, Best Practices for Mobile Devices.
Doucette goes into detail about the various ways EMFs can affect health. She discusses other work she was involved with after she became aware that there was reason for concern over these issues. And she worked directly on the development of public health fact sheets with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The environmental health and technology guru provides much information on the ways we can help to avoid potential threats. She outlines methods and work-around solutions, such as hardwiring cellphones to access the internet. Doucette discusses the methods she used to actually hardwire her entire house for her family’s health safety. Additionally, she discusses antennas and satellites and what the public needs to know about safety.
Paul Ehrlich co-wrote and published a book called “The Population Bomb” in 1968. A commentary (and warning) to the dangers of overpopulation, Ehrlich predicted that continued population growth would lead to famine, economic collapse, and significant climate change. The global population has doubled since the book’s initial release 50 years ago. In today’s episode, we revisit Ehrlich’s initial predictions to see how many have come true, and to what extent. Ehrlich discusses the paradoxes of population growth, how the political climate is compounding the effects of population growth, and how we got to this point. Tune in to find out if, and how, we can change the current course of population-related issues.
For more information, Ehrlich encourages listeners to do their own research by seeking reputable sources, and then taking action by becoming politically involved.
Dr. Kevin Moore, Professor of Hepatology at the University of College London, joins us today to discuss all things liver – both in healthy and in diseased states. What are the common tests that doctors run to evaluate liver health and function? What do those acronyms stand for and what do they tell us? Can doctors run tests to see if you’ve been drinking? (Spoiler alert: yes, they can!). Dr. Moore answers these questions and more. This episode also discusses a few common conditions affecting the liver, including their causes and current treatments.
Tune in to learn all about liver function tests and what we can do to keep our own livers healthy.
The Schmidt Lab at the University of Florida is the site of some exciting research that could provide for a new and effective treatment for spinal cord injury in humans. The approach utilizes donor peripheral nerves, which are put through a desterilization procedure and bioengineered into an injectable hydrogel for nerve and spinal cord injury repair. Dr. Young Hye Song is a post-doctoral associate at The Schmidt Lab, and she joins the podcast to discuss the ins and outs of the science that underlies this work, the challenges it presents, and the potential it holds.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and learn more by visiting https://www.bme.ufl.edu/labs/schmidt/.
Dr. Katharina Lederle, consultant, human sleep and fatigue specialist at Somnia, discusses the importance of sleep.
Somnia’s mission is to improve sleep quality for everyone, as better sleep is the key to a higher quality life that is often happier, and certainly healthier. Somnia’s heralded Sleep Programmes can assist people as they try to understand their sleep, its impact on their lives, and the true value of getting consistent quality sleep. Their program is designed to help people improve their sleep habits. From poor sleep to outright insomnia, Dr. Lederle and her trained, skilled team of sleep specialists provide personalized services, from one-on-one private consultations to active exercises and digital solutions designed to cut to the core of an individual’s sleep problems and work toward a solution.
Dr. Lederle recounts the story of her upbringing and what intrigued her about sleep and studying it. Growing up in a rural area with not much around except an army base, she came to be comforted during her sleep by the sounds of helicopters. However, her father had the opposite reaction, and she was interested in that difference, and how people sleep and what makes them sleep well. Later in life, she slowly came around to her current career in sleep, studying sleep in humans.
Dr. Lederle discusses the sleep cycle and chronotypes. A chronotype is the behavioral presentation of the core underlying circadian rhythms of various physical processes. For example, someone’s chronotype is the desire to sleep, and the practice of sleeping at a particular time within a 24-hour period that is optimum for them. And as Dr. Lederle states, it is important for everyone to discover their own specific chronotype and not be swayed by what society tells you. Dr. Lederle talks about sensitivity and light, and how it all impacts our body clocks. She explains that we are designed to sleep at night and work during the day, for our night vision is not great—this is how we are. She discusses melatonin and other issues and delves into a discussion of her work and goals for Somnia.
Dr. Lederle utilizes evidence-based knowledge and her hands-on, practical experience in the area of sleep science, inclusive of sleep therapy as well as particular sleep-related matters in order to help individuals feel better by sleeping better, and living more productive, enjoyable lives through achieving quality sleep.
In this podcast, Greg Kieser, Founder at Supersystemic.ly LLC, talks about his varied interests in future technologies, and investments into companies that are doing good work, helping people improve their health.
Greg Kieser is the author of Dear Machine: A Letter to a Super-Aware/Intelligent Machine (SAIM). His interest in technologies of the near future led him to marry that with his natural desire to help people. Kieser’s company, Supersystemic.ly, is a think-tank style investment firm. With a great interest in complex systems science combined with his previous work at a poverty-relief type foundation, Kieser sought to launch an investment entity that would provide funding for those companies doing good work, helping people.
One issue that is of great importance is the microbiome, which is the key to so many health issues. Kieser talks about various investments he has made, including a microbiome company that is leading the way in fecal therapy, which can help people who suffer from autoimmune disorders, IBS, skin issues, digestive issues, and more. Kieser explains how fecal transplantation works, transplanting a healthy donor’s stool to someone who is suffering from an illness in order to help healthy bacteria thrive and combat illnesses. Kieser explains how donors are screened, and how the company looks for potential donors who have never taken antibiotics, and have been healthy of body and mind for their lives.
Further, Kieser discusses other companies that are making strides in the areas of health improvement and his interest in supporting them and their work.
Chemical bonds are essential to life, but not many of us can explain in detail exactly what they are, how they function, and how they contribute to a compound’s properties. On today’s podcast, this is just one of the many interesting topics discussed by Professor Christopher Hendon. As a theoretical chemist working in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon, Dr. Hendon’s work revolves around backing out the quantities associated with different materials, such as electrical transport and color, which are important when it comes to determining a material’s capacity for energy storage.
He discusses his latest work in the field of emerging technology, super capacitors, explaining that the ability to capture energy from light is readily available, but the ability to store large amounts of that energy isn’t. In search of a material with a high surface area of conductivity, Dr. Hendon and his team are looking at a new class of materials called metal-organic frameworks.
He provides an in-depth conversation of all this and more, including electron tunneling, light-emitting diodes, the use of platinum in anti-cancer drugs, electron energies, and some insight into the story and science behind his nickname, “Dr. Coffee.
What if your Apple Watch, Fitbit, or other heart rate monitor could tell you, based on your heart rate variability, that you could be at risk for sleep apnea? What if your wearable technology could inform you of a health condition BEFORE you started having symptoms? Abraham Otero, Associate Professor of Information Technology at San Pablo University, discusses the technology that may someday turn these possibilities into reality. His research on heart rate variability analysis with the R package RHRV, a heart rate variability analysis software tool, uses algorithms to non-invasively assess patients’ cardiovascular health.
In this episode, Otero overviews what causes and controls heart rate variability, what this means about the patient’s overall health, and how this technology uses algorithms to identify patients with certain health conditions. Otero discusses the current and future research using this software, and how this technology may someday be used as a preventative healthcare tool.
For more information, visit http://rhrv.r-forge.r-project.org/.
In this informative podcast, Jamie S. Foster, Ph.D., Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, discusses the amazing mission of microbes.
Dr. Foster is interested in the community—the microbial community to be specific. Her advanced research program looks at the interaction between microbial communities and their adjacent or surrounding environments in an effort to fully grasp the molecular mechanisms that microbes use to adapt and respond to changing modifications within the environment.
Dr. Foster states that her research introduces her to a wide variety of complex and interesting areas, including microbes that exist in squid, to select microbes that actually form rocks within the environment, and much more. As she states, almost all that we consume and interact with is the product of microbes when you really look deeply.
Remarkably, nearly ninety percent of the cells in our bodies are in fact microbial. The microbe expert discusses squid, one of her specialty areas of study, and goes into detail about the microbes that envelope them as they swim. And it is this ‘mutualistic symbiosis,’ in which a bacterium assists a host to capitalize abilities and successfully perform functions that are of particular interest to her.
Dr. Foster discusses the selection process in organisms that makes adaptation possible. Bacteria will survive, or at least do everything within their abilities to maintain survival. She details how microbes utilize the selection process and how that is the foundation of evolution. She explains how selection pressure improves an organism’s ability to thrive and survive. Dr. Foster outlines the ‘competition experimentation’ that sometimes involves adding genes or taking away genes to study how it impacts fitness and the ability to colonize.
Further, Dr. Foster discusses their work with microbes in a space environment, in order to better grasp how immune systems of astronauts can possibly become compromised in space. And she provides an analysis of how beneficial microbes are very crucial under microgravity conditions. By observing how microbes interact and how they exist within their environment, Dr. Foster seeks to understand how complex microbial communities originated and how they have possibly evolved throughout history.
In this podcast, Dr. Barry Raphael, orthodontist and head of the Raphael Center for Integrative Education, talks about breathing issues and disruptive sleep.
Dr. Raphael has devoted his career to orthodontics and the improvement of breathing and sleep. His center, the Raphael Center for Integrative Education, focuses on many issues such as airway-centered dysfunction and early treatment techniques. Dr. Raphael’s notable accomplishments in his field have made him a sought-after educator and authority on sleep/breathing issues.
Dr. Raphael provides a detailed overview of sleep and the reasons behind sleep disruption, explaining the process of air intake while we sleep, and the issues that can create negative pressure. He outlines how the diaphragm can distribute air perfectly throughout the lungs, but airway issues sometimes can disrupt this perfect process that our bodies are designed to do. He discusses what is known as ‘turbulence,’ which is a kind of ‘swirling’ of the air as it moves throughout the body. And this swirling can create negative pressure, and when our airway sidewalls flutter it creates the noise that we have come to refer to as ‘snoring.’ Snoring is one of the obvious signs that negative pressure in the airway is taking place.
The orthodontist discusses nasal issues and airway ‘narrowing’ that can affect our breathing. Further, he talks about sleep apnea, how it disrupts good airflow and the various ways the body tries to adapt to get air. Dr. Raphael discusses airway conditions and disorders, specifically sleep apnea, which he explains can stress organs. Continuing, Dr. Raphael talks more in-depth on apnea, and he outlines how it often comes from a protracted history of breathing issues during sleep.
Gail McIntyre, Ph.D., DABT, the Chief Scientific Officer of Aravive (aravive.com), provides a thorough overview of Aravive’s important work researching and developing treatments for life-threatening diseases.
Gail McIntyre has a long history of successful accomplishments in the business arena. She served as principal at IntelliDev Consulting, LLC where she assisted multiple biotechnology companies as a senior consultant. She was VP of Development for Meryx, Inc., Senior Vice President of Research at Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and was the head of Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC’s compound partnering business for many years before arriving at Aravive where she was Senior Vice President of Research and Development prior to becoming their CSO.
Dr. McIntyre talks about the innovative work they are doing at Aravive, such as developing treatments created specifically to halt the progression of life-threatening diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, and others. The Aravive system is predicated upon particular approaches to specifically target the signaling pathways that push the accelerated activation, migration, and ultimate invasion of abnormal cells into normal healthy tissues.
The scientific officer explains the complex finer points of Aravive’s top products in development. The AVB-500 is their lead product candidate, an ultra-high affinity decoy protein that specifically targets the GAS6/AXL signaling pathway. The AVB-500 starves the AXL pathway of its signal by capturing the circulating and bound GAS6, which can halt the biological processes that promote and accelerate the disease.
Dr. McIntyre provides an overview of how tumors fight to survive. She explains how tumors secrete interleukins, etc., that can have an impact on white cells. She details the processes that can work to enhance factors for tumor growth and advancement, allowing them to survive in less than ideal conditions. The science expert explains how they conduct studies on oncology drugs, observing GAS6 levels in monkeys. She further details how certain doses of drugs will suppress GAS6 levels in general, specifically studying ovarian cancer development.
Dr. McIntyre is the noted author of over 30 regulatory submissions and she is a board-certified toxicologist with considerable experience in many therapeutic areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, central nervous system issues, and much more.
Most people are familiar with the function of pacemakers: small bioelectronic devices that are implanted near the heart and help a person maintain a proper heart rate. However, not many people understand the intricacies of the technology behind these devices or realize the amount of spatiotemporal precision required for these devices to even work. But for John S. Ho, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore, this is his area of expertise.
In today’s episode, he explains how different bioelectronic devices can be used to study and treat diseases, how the implementation of wireless technology in these devices can overcome the challenges presented by battery-operated devices, and how to control complex processes in the body using technology.
As one example, he discusses photodynamic therapy, which relies upon a device that’s designed to activate only when it absorbs a particular wavelength of light, and how this could end up eliminating the negative side effects of chemotherapy drugs.
Tune in to learn about all this and more, including what’s likely to come in the field of bioelectronic device development.
Fifty percent of dogs [over the age of 10 years old] will develop cancer. So, what can we, as pet owners, do about it? Dr. Barbara Royal, an integrative veterinary medical practitioner based in Chicago, joins us to discuss what we can do to help our beloved pets live their best and healthiest lives. In this podcast, Dr. Royal focuses on how providing a balanced, natural diet for our pets can help reduce their risk for certain diseases and medical conditions. By looking at what our pets’ ancestors ate, Dr. Royal helps us understand why some modern-day pet foods may be hurting our pets in the long run.
Dr. Royal’s practice in Chicago sees dogs, cats, and other small animals, but Dr. Royal also has experience as a wildlife and zoo veterinarian. In this episode, we hear about how Dr. Royal has applied her holistic approach to veterinary medicine to treat many types of animals, from cats to camels. Learn how focusing on improving your pets’ diet may also have unexpected benefits for you, too.
For more information, visit https://animaldietformulator.com/.
In this podcast, Meagan Rubel, Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, discusses some of the exciting new research in anthropology as it pertains to the microbiome.
With a Ph.D. in molecular anthropology, Rubel is keenly interested in evolution and adaptation in humans. She studies how diet, survival practices, and environments are related to genetic variation, as well as general health and phenotypic adaptation. Focused on the gut microbiome and parasitic worms, her detailed analysis of select African groups has produced some interesting findings.
The Ph.D. provides an overview of health biomarkers, specifically detailing her work in Botswana. She states that a normal microbiome is often context-dependent, and she follows that by citing examples of varied microbiomes. Rubel discusses microbial diversity that can sometimes be lost because of changing diets and variations of activities, which can affect bacteria composition.
Wrapping up, Rubel explains how air pollution, reduction in pathogens, and the dramatic improvements in the overall standard of living that exist in our modern society have impacted bacteria and health.
Fermentation is easier than you think. In its most distilled form, all you need is vegetables, salt, and time. Kirsten Shockey, the author of Fiery Ferments and Fermented Vegetables, joins us today to demystify the fermentation process. She explains why fermenting and eating a particular vegetable can actually provide more health benefits than consuming it raw.
Shockey provides us with the temperatures at which certain food should be fermented to achieve the greatest health benefits, and walks us through the basics of fermenting vegetables at home. The episode muses on the future of fermented foods while acknowledging why this centuries-old process is still important today. After listening to this episode, you may just be inspired enough to make your own batch.
For more information (and help troubleshooting your own ferments), visit http://ferment.works.
Have you always had a passion for the world where biology, technology, and design intersect, but never had the access to a lab or the mentorship necessary for truly engaging in it? If so, you’re not alone: communities of people who are driven by a desire to learn, create and explore the biotech and design space are popping up globally, and Genspace is one that seems to be leading the way.
On today’s episode, Director of Science Education at Genspace, Beth Tuck, discusses what it’s like to be a member of Genspace, enjoying 24/7 access to a lab for furthering your own interests and research projects, engaging in meaningful conversation about the implications of emerging biotechnologies, and learning in hands-on fashion from some of the greatest experts in the fields of biotech and biological design. Tune in for an enlightening conversation covering all the details of Genspace and the creative members who make it what it is.
To learn more, check out genspace.org.
Andres M. Gomez, Assistant Professor of Microbiomics at the University of Minnesota, delivers an interesting overview of microbiomics. Gomez received a BSc in Animal Sciences and an MSc in Biotechnology from the National University of Colombia before going on to complete his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois.
Gomez explains microbiomics, which encompasses all the current techniques used to study microbes, their function, and interactions with the environments they inhabit. Microbiomics utilizes next-generation sequencing techniques, metabolomics (large-scale study of small molecules), and more.
Gomez’s lab studies the many factors that determine or guide the composition and function of a microbiome associated with animals and also humans. They use advanced meta-OMIC techniques (metagenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics), as well as machine learning and other statistical tools. One of their primary goals is to comprehend how the microbiome engages with a host, and ultimately influences the host’s overall health and nutrition, etc.
Gomez provides a detailed overview of the microbes that live within the gut. He discusses fatty acids and how they are produced. Microbiome analysis can provide important insight into the microbial communities and deliver abundant amounts of information about varying environments and important changes that can occur in the environments. Further understanding of these issues and the data they are gathering could provide a wealth of significant data regarding the human microbiome and how it impacts health and disease.
Gomez discusses some of the case studies that have recently made the news. And he talks about fecal transplantation therapy (bacteriotherapy). Fecal transplantation is the conveyance of stool from a healthy donor into a recipient, used as a means of treatment. Transplants can allow for a better understanding of the microbiome. Results have varied however, Gomez states, and more study needs to be done.
Jules Chandler, known online as The Thyroid Expert, shares her story of identifying, treating, and managing her graves’ disease (overactive thyroid). In this episode, Chandler provides a general overview of graves’ disease and other common thyroid conditions. She overviews conventional approaches to managing these conditions, then compares them to her holistic approach with naturopathic medicine.
Today, the London-based naturopathic nutritionist helps her clients manage their own thyroid problems through holistic yet individualized approaches. In this episode, Chandler shares her experiences with conventional medical therapies, the transition to naturopathic medicine, and her inspirations for obtaining her certifications with naturopathic nutrition. Chandler discusses why she recommends certain treatments for certain clients and gives us a preview on just how personalized naturopathic medicine can (and should) be.
For more information, visit http://www.thebristolnutritionist.com/.
In Copenhagen, Denmark, citizens have been warned: don’t drink the tap, and don’t even brush your teeth with it, as it has been shown to be highly contaminated by dangerous pesticides. Could you imagine if that were the case in your own home? Unfortunately, it could be. Concerns about water safety are spreading, and rightfully so; while the majority of people assume that the tap water in their home is being continuously monitored for safety, in many regions of the world, water is only being tested once every couple of years.
Jafar Noori is a member of the team at Intelligent Pollutant Monitoring, and he joins the podcast to discuss why it’s so dangerous to allow large gaps of time to pass between testing water, the specific health effects of the most common pesticides found in drinking water, and perhaps most importantly, what we need to do about it now. Specifically, he discusses the details of a new project he’s working on, which is the creation of a water monitoring device that will test drinking water on a truly continuous basis, delivering results to municipalities every millisecond if desired.
He discusses the ins and out of how the device functions, the potential for it to become available for individual consumers, and the long-term goals he hopes to achieve with this new device.
Press play for more.
The conventional genetic engineering approach in plants targets plant nuclei, which means it’s limited by the fact that there is only one nucleus in a plant. But what if there was a method of genetic engineering that could target a plant’s 50 to 60 chloroplasts?
Dr. Tedrick Thomas Salim Lew works as part of a team of engineers at MIT with the goal of accomplishing something that’s never been done before: gaining control of plant genomes by introducing DNA nanoparticles into their chloroplasts, and thereby making plants more efficient users of nutrients, increasing their growth rate, causing them to produce more protective antibodies, and allowing for the production of hormones that can be used for human drug and vaccine development.
He explains how this method will significantly decrease the cost and minimize the steps involved in the production of vaccines and touches on several other potential applications of this technology.
Professor Katie Peichel is head of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Bern, and she joins the podcast today to discuss a range of fascinating topics, including the development of new species, debate over how to define one species from another and the biological species concept, how behavioral differences can lead to reproduction barriers, speciation as the byproduct of adaptation to different environments, marine stickleback reproduction, behavior, and evolution and the work she's doing in her lab to further understanding in these areas, the performance of hybrid species in the wild, viable versus nonviable hybrid species, and how phenotypic changes happen.
Tune in for all the details and visit http://www.ee.iee.unibe.ch/
In this podcast, Beran Parry celebrated nutritionist, and prolific author discusses health tips and wellness, and her new book, The Ageless Metabolic Cure: The Science of Looking 20 Years Younger: Natural Hormone Reset: Get Lean and Genetically Clean.
Parry discusses her background and the steps that led to her current, successful life as a noted nutritionist and health expert. Parry’s new book, The Ageless Metabolic Cure: The Science of Looking 20 Years Younger: Natural Hormone Reset: Get Lean and Genetically Clean is a useful health encyclopedia of sorts that covers a wealth of health and nutrition topics.
The book really gets specific about many health issues, including hormones, thyroid issues, diet/nutrition, weight loss, ways to combat inflammation, our genetics, the significance of DNA testing, and a host of other important topics.
Parry seeks to help every person who comes to her or reads her books, to recharge their energy and feel great again, rebalance hormone levels, lose fat and build muscle, reduce wrinkles, and so much more. The nutrition expert provides an overview of how she works with clients and individuals to improve their body and mind health, which all starts with a complete evaluation of medical history and diet/nutrition, as well as emotional health. She describes the ways she evaluates the impact of toxins and cortisol, both of which can have a detrimental impact on wellness and feeling good.
Wrapping up, she discusses many of the success stories people share with her, people she has worked with directly and those who have transformed their lives by utilizing the steps in her books.
Kelly Dorfman, a well-regarded clinical nutritionist and author in the field of therapeutic nutrition, joins the podcast to discuss the use of nutrition as a primary form of treatment for a variety of conditions, primarily those related to brain and behavioral health. She shares the insight she’s learned through the treatment of a diverse range of patients, from aging adults suffering from memory problems to young children dealing with behavioral issues.
She also discusses the relationship between diet and irritants and the healing strategies she’s employed in these cases, nutritional depletion caused by common medications, the long-term negative effects of protein pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, the generic drug crisis that you may not even know is affecting you, and so much more.
Tune in and visit http://kellydorfman.com/ for more.
Raja Sivamani, M.D., M.S., C.A.T., Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis, delivers an interesting overview of our skin and the conditions that affect the skin.
Dr. Sivamani is a board certified dermatologist with a particular clinical focus in the areas of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology, as well as acne and sebaceous gland disease. Sivamani received a B.S. in Bioengineering from UC Berkley and then successfully completed the graduate program in bioengineering (UC Berkeley-UC San Francisco).
Sivamani talks about his background and what excited him about the field of dermatology, specifically the mechanics and engineering of skin, the largest organ, but also the most social organ. And it was the humanistic quality of the field, with its social implications that intrigued him to focus in the area.
Sivamani’s work is often centered on sebaceous gland disease and various advanced bioengineering adaptations for dermatology. His work and research brings together multiple areas of science and technology, including bioengineering, Allopathic medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine and merges them with specifics of plant sciences and food sciences. His goal: to integrate nature for new, tailored medical therapies in an innovative, advanced, efficient manner.
Sivamani talks about techniques and processes utilized in his practice, including the types of lighting that they use to observe patients. He discusses the use of ultraviolet light, specifically detailing the application of a Wood's lamp for examination. A Wood’s lamp uses transillumination (light) to help dermatologists detect bacterial or fungal skin infections, skin pigment disorders, or other possible irregularities.
The skin doctor discusses glands and pores in detail as well as various skin conditions such as eczema and other forms of dermatitis that can cause the skin to become dry or itchy or produce rashes or swelling. Sivamani outlines how bacteria function, and he discusses probiotics and the microbiome in detail. He details metabolic byproducts and the benefits of the therapeutic use of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics for application on the skin.
Tracking one’s own health care can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Dr. Vedrana Högqvist Tabor shares her own journey of being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, and how her experience as a patient led her to develop the app, BOOST Thyroid. Dr. Högqvist Tabor overviews what Hashimoto’s disease is, how it can affect the body, and why it is important for patients to be able to accurately track and manage their symptoms. Dr. Högqvist Tabor’s background as a cancer medical researcher led her to quickly discover the limited peer-reviewed research on Hashimoto’s disease, as well as the need for a digital platform to disseminate information to patients and help them manage their disease.
In this episode, Dr. Högqvist Tabor shares how BOOST Thyroid can empower patients to take thyroid health into their own hands, including keeping records of their lab values, symptoms over time, and staying up-to-date on current thyroid research. To contribute to the research on underactive thyroids and Hashimoto’s, Dr. Högqvist Tabor collaborates with research institutions such as the University of Oxford, Charité in Germany, and Northeastern. Tune in to hear how Dr. Högqvist Tabor’s app has the potential to change how patients manage their own health and communicate with their doctors, shifting the approach from reactive medicine to preventative medicine.
For more information, visit https://www.boostthyroid.com/.
Pouya Bashivan, Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, provides an overview of his work at MIT.
Bashivan discusses the specific area of brain activity that is his current focus. Bashivan states that their lab’s primary area of study is in regard to how the brain sees—the visual cortex, recognition of objects, etc. To put it in perspective, remarkably, Bashivan states that humans can recognize tens of thousands of objects within a few milliseconds. He discusses patches in the brain where neurons respond to objects.
Bashivan, in collaboration with Kohitij Kar, are the lead authors of a new paper that has created quite a stir in the scientific community. The MIT neuroscientists performed the most intensive testing to date of computational models that imitate a brain's visual cortex.
By utilizing their advanced modeling of the brain's visual neural network, Bashivan and Kar designed a unique way to accurately control individual neurons as well as populations of neurons within the middle of the specific network. Their team’s findings demonstrated that information gained from this computational model would allow them to design images that significantly activated selected brain neurons, specifically of their own choosing. Their groundbreaking research indicates that current versions of these models are similar enough to the brain that they can possibly be utilized to control brain states within animals.
The neuroscientist discusses the next stage and some of the challenges in development for machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Further, Bashivan discusses self-driving cars and other innovative technologies, and the complexities involved in regard to vision in their operating systems. He discusses how artificial vision systems can be maximized to operate even better than how human vision operates.
Continuing, Bashivan discusses the importance of focusing on single, larger neural networks as a means to achieve current goals, accomplish behaviors, etc. Additionally, MIT neuroscientist discusses the future of machine vision, going beyond object recognition. He talks about some of the new models that are being trained to play digital games, and this could lead to training in more realistic style games that could approximate real-life situations that humans encounter—vision training as well as brain training. This type of training could provide data on how human brains are impacted by experiences.
Most people associate psychedelics with the free-spirited mindset of the 60s and 70s, but the use of psychedelic substances for the purposes of healing the mind and body and enhancing spirituality is something that humans have been doing since ancient times. Stephen Gray is the head of the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference, which is in its ninth year. He’s also an editor and contributor to a book called Cannabis and Spirituality and has been involved in the use of psychedelics for nearly 40 years.
On today’s episode, he describes what it’s like to go to a peyote ceremony in the Native American church, and how the use of ayahuasca, psilocybe mushrooms, iboga, peyote, cannabis, huachuma (San Pedro), LSD, and MDMA is not done for the purposes of escaping or avoiding reality, but finding different versions of reality. He also discusses the common experience of identifying and working through past traumas with the assistance of these substances.
Find more information by checking out https://spiritplantmedicine.com/.
In this podcast, Louis Metzger, Chief Scientific Officer at Tierra Biosciences, provides a detailed analysis of the groundbreaking work they are doing at Tierra.
Tierra Biosciences’ innovative technology stands atop the accepted knowledge foundation of cell-free synthetic biology, computation, and integrated automation, in that its mission is based on utilizing known information, building upon it, and advancing methods to search for molecules that were once considered to be inaccessible.
Metzger talks in detail about Tierra Biosciences’ greatest goals. He explains how chemicals and enzymes that are often used for biotechnology purposes are produced by expressing them in various host organisms, but that certain enzymes for that compound could be toxic to the host cell and cause it to die. The Tierra Biosciences method, however, grinds up the cells but preserves their unique biochemistry which allows for the expression of proteins in cell-free systems that are originated from living cells but are not actually living. Metzger states that through their method they can uncover proteins, etc. that might typically be quite toxic to the host.
Metzger talks about the work they are doing with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that could assist in the treatment of malaria. Tierra Biosciences has pioneered an approach to restore the natural product pipeline and discover the useful molecules for the future.
Dr. Mark Bertin, a board-certified developmental behavioral pediatrician, provides a thorough overview of ADHD and child development issues.
Dr. Bertin studied at Cornell University and the UCLA School of Medicine then completed his general pediatric training in Northern California at the Oakland Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Bertin completed his fellowship in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics at the Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center at the prestigious Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. His celebrated books, How Children Thrive: The Practical Science of Raising Independent, Resilient, and Happy Kids and The Family ADHD Solution: A Scientific Approach to Maximizing Your Child's Attention and Minimizing Parental Stress are absolute must-reads on children’s health.
Dr. Bertin discusses ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) a disorder that makes it especially difficult for a person to give their attention and/or control their impulsive behaviors. He describes the developmental path known as ‘executive function’ and explains how it is here that life skills are managed (attention, behavior, emotion, time, etc.) in the same manner that a CEO would manage a company. Children who fall behind in the management of these skills quite likely to suffer from ADHD. He states that the genetics are clear on this disorder, as clear as the genetic map would be for something like height, for example. Dr. Bertin underscores the importance of recognizing ADHD as early as possible in a child for it can be very disruptive in terms of development.
The pediatric expert discusses some of the common symptoms of ADHD, and the signs to look for. However, Dr. Bertin states that some kids can slip through due to their solid academic scores and good behavior. These children may have issues later in life as their ADHD is more internal. Dr. Bertin talks about sleep and exercise, and other issues that can be important to manage, in order to improve the disorder/manage symptoms. He discusses medical vs. nonmedical paths to treatment.
Dr. Bertin’s practice focuses on developmental pediatrics, which is a subspecialty of pediatrics that deals with the overall promotion of a child’s development, and the various developmental disorders that can impact the child, from ADHD to autism, and of course learning disabilities.
Nadine Artemis, author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums provides an overview of her work and her product lines.
Artemis is a woman of many talents—beauty philosopher, aromacologist, and botanical enthusiast. She is an author and the creator of a company called Living Libations that produces a complete line of serums, elixirs, and essential oils for people who desire some of the best botanical health and beauty products on the market.
Artemis talks about her motivation for writing the book, Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums. Artemis recounts how she discovered that there was a dearth of information available regarding holistic oral care, and as our oral health is connected to the health of our overall bodies, she decided to write the book and provide much-needed information on the topic for those who are interested in holistic health. She discusses in detail topics such as lymphatic fluids, spikes in blood sugar, a lack of minerals in the diet, stressful hormonal times, poor diet, and so forth—issues that all affect our oral health, the strength of teeth, etc.
Artemis talks about saliva and its great importance for lubrication and taking care of the microbiome, and she talks about the important process of bringing nutrients to the teeth. Her book covers many topics; it’s essentially a how-to guide for natural oral care. Artemis covers self-care strategies, and how we can all take precautionary measures to prevent negative issues from taking root, thus restoring optimum dental health. Her take on it is that oral care should be a whole-body type approach.
Artemis discusses the importance of botanical extracts. As she explains, select plant extracts can prevent pathogens. And the goal is to create an internal system in which friendly bacteria keep the pathogens in check. She talks about how extracts can be utilized to improve oral health, seal gums, or be used as swishers (in place of commercial mouthwash), etc. Artemis states that many people who utilize these extracts and techniques are having cheaper, shorter dental visits, which is certainly a great thing for oral care and wellness.
Type 1 diabetes affects millions of people, but the level of education and personal guidance provided to those who receive the diagnosis is severely lacking, leaving people with more questions than answers, and little power to take control of their health. Jeff Dachis is the CEO and founder of One Drop, a diabetes management platform that’s changing the way people with diabetes and related health issues understand, manage, and move forward with their condition. The platform rests on a few simple principles, including the idea that data is powerful when used in the right way, and the belief that all individuals suffering from diabetes and related conditions should be able to access all of the available data in order to improve the quality of their lives and the decisions that will affect their future.
In today’s episode, Dachis explains the genesis of One Drop, his personal experience in dealing with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, the ins and outs of the technology and capabilities of the One Drop app, and so much more.
Tune in for the full conversation and get the app for yourself by visiting https://onedrop.today/pages/mobile-app.
Type 1 diabetes is a common condition experienced by millions of people, and while insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can help those who deal with this condition, there’s a lot of room for improvement. For example, unlike the connected nature of technological devices in almost every other sector, insulin pumps and CGMs are not connected with each other and not automated, which means dealing with type 1 diabetes on a daily basis can be stressful and cumbersome. Having been diagnosed as a teenager, Dana Lewis set out to change this, taking it upon herself to leverage open source code and thereby access her glucose information in real time. She built a predictive algorithm that would allow for her insulin pump and CGM to work together in a closed system in order to deliver results to a phone or computer regarding the need for an increase or decrease in insulin.
Lewis is wealth of knowledge on the topic, discussing the challenges and risks posed by type 1 diabetes and why the need for the technology she’s developed is critical, why this technology has not already been developed in the health care sector, misconceptions regarding the way the insulin pumps and CGMs work, and how the technology has significantly improved her quality of life.
Tune in and find more information on this topic at https://openaps.org/.
Your heart seems to be racing and skipping beats, your anxiety is through the roof, and you’d do anything just to feel comfortable or “normal” again; this is what many people experience after consuming too much THC, and it can be traumatic enough to scare some people away from the substance for good. With the increasing presence of dispensaries, it seems the science behind THC-infused edibles has become sharper, and many people are under the impression that one THC-infused gummy is guaranteed to contain a specific amount of THC. However, Latham Woodward explains that this simply isn’t the case. In fact, there’s really no way to know whether the gummy you’re about to consume is super-saturated with THC. But Woodward also explains his solution.
As the CEO of Shoogies, Woodward set out to create a THC and CBD-infused product that was backed by the finest engineering and the most rigorous testing protocol in order to guarantee users a specific amount of THC, and that’s what he’s done. The product being offered by Shoogies is a sugar-based THC and CBD-infused product that is guaranteed to contain five milligrams of THC, and can be used discretely in your coffee, tea, margarita…you name it.
Tune in for all the details on this exciting new product, and check out www.shoogies.com for more info.
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for both men and women in the USA. One doctor is trying to change this statistic through his work in developing bioprinted hearts, which he hopes will someday be utilized instead of traditional heart transplant procedures. In this podcast, Dr. Jeffrey A. Morgan, a cardiac surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for BIOLIFE4D, discusses his work in this exciting field.
He provides us with background information on heart failure, as well as insight on the current conventional therapies and their drawbacks. In doing so, he discusses procedures commonly performed to treat patients with heart failure (such as placement of heart pumps, bypass surgeries, placement of artificial hearts, mitral and aortic valve surgeries, and heart transplants) and their efficacy. He overviews the current status of the bioprinting technology and leaves us with where he believes this research may be headed in the next few years.
In this podcast, Aubrey de Grey, Ph.D., and the Chief Science Officer/Co-founder of SENS Research Foundation discusses his fascination with aging and his ongoing efforts to change the way we think about, and treat, age-related conditions.
Dr. de Grey is a biomedical gerontologist and the innovative developer of the SENS platform. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the American Aging Association. He received a Ph.D. in Biology from the prestigious University of Cambridge.
Dr. de Grey states that aging is the greatest medical problem we face as it causes the most suffering. He discusses the various excuses that are given as reason to simply disregard aging as a field in need of greater research, from the standard, ‘everything ages, just accept it,’ to the more philosophical—‘death, by its existence, gives meaning to life,’ and the social excuse—‘treating aging in a new way would only create new problems that could be much worse.’ But according to Dr. de Gray, not a single excuse holds up, all fall to the slightest scrutiny when really considered.
Dr. de Grey explains that in order to design and implement therapies that will prevent the health problems of an aging population, we need to learn from what has already been proven and acknowledged in the past. SENS Research Foundation seeks to develop and promote access to innovative new therapies that can cure or possibly even prevent the diseases and difficult, troubling disabilities of aging by repairing built-up damage in our bodies.
Wrapping up, Dr. de Grey explains cell therapy and damage, loss of cells, and the processes needed to bring about the repair. And the doctor goes into detail regarding the injection of stem cells to repair the damage, replace lost cells, etc.
In this podcast, Carlos R. Ponce, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, discusses consciousness of vision.
How do brain regions communicate for motion processing and visual object recognition? By utilizing a combination of reversible deactivation and sophisticated microstimulation techniques, along with some advanced modeling, Dr. Ponce and his team seek to understand the complex brain processes, cells and signals, that create consciousness of vision. Cells in the occipital lobe respond to basic information such as lines and dots, but the cells ‘talk’ with other cells that react to even more complicated information (corners and curvature, etc.), and then these cells communicate with still other cells that respond to increasingly complex information such as texture for example. These steps, in general, lead to the final goal—achieving conscious understanding.
Dr. Ponce elaborates on the steps the eye embarks upon as light enters, from the very first light hitting the retina, eventually hitting the primary visual cortex cells, and making its way to the temporal cortex where visual comprehension is achieved. He talks about AI, and how neural networks react to complex shapes and he discusses how neural networks receive information. Dr. Ponce discusses his various thoughts about the human brain, and he explains how it is actually just a form of a neural network. The Harvard PhD provides an overview of the current state of machine learning, and discusses machine vision, providing examples of early experimentation in the area of machine vision.
In this podcast, Dr. Sam Rodgers, Medical Director for Medichecks, discusses his company’s mission to provide efficient, easy-to-use, quality blood testing to everyone.
Medichecks has connected the top pathology laboratories with groundbreaking consumer technology to provide blood testing that is easy to use and increases efficiency.
Dr. Rodgers talks about his company and its history. One benefit of their system, he states, is that Medichecks can provide greater convenience, with multiple options for collecting blood samples (an at-home finger prick or the standard doctor’s office venous method). It’s easy, and the results are published online in a private-access site for you to see, and they come with a doctor’s report. As Dr. Rodgers states, the service is easy to use and provides tremendous convenience for all patients, athletes, health-enthusiasts, or anyone who just wants to know more about their body/health indicators.
Dr. Rodgers touts the many benefits of their system, such as early results before a physician or clinic visit, and accessing results that can help people to make lifestyle changes to improve their health. And by making better choices they may be able to avoid future health problems.
The doctor goes on to explain how different types of people can use their platform to improve health and performance. Individual goals such as living longer, improving daily wellness, working out harder, etc., are some of the many reasons why people are turning to the Medichecks system to gather important health information.
In this podcast, Sharmin Habib, OD, optometrist, Co-Founder of Umay, delivers an interesting overview of her work and the negative impacts of digital eye strain.
Habib’s company uses thermal therapy as a means to improve eye health. The doctor provides some background on how she launched Umay with her brother. She discusses those daily symptoms many of us suffer from, such as red, burning, itchy, or dry eyes, which point to possible digital eye strain. Today, more than ever, we need a solution, as the daily average for digital screen time per person is a staggering 10+ hours. As Habib explains, digital eye strain stresses the oil glands along the eyelid margin and staring into screens reduces our blink rate by up to 70%. This is not a good situation as our blinks pump healthy oils that keep tears from drying out. Heat is the answer, she says, to get those oil glands working more efficiently again, to do the job they were intended to do—protect our eyes.
Habib talks about warm compresses for the eyes and the usual problems that arise such as regulating temperature, messiness, and inconvenience, all factors Habib and her brother considered in the design of Umay’s device. Umay, as she states, has developed a better way to let thermal therapy work efficiently and easily, such that anyone can use it whenever they need it.
In this informative podcast, Dr. Joana Vaz de Castro, a respected Otorhinolaryngology Specialist, provides a detailed overview of modern treatments for ear, nose, and larynx conditions, disorders, and diseases.
Joana Vaz de Castro has many years of education and experience in the medical field, specifically and currently focused on her work as an Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) Specialist, or as it is often called—an ear, nose and throat surgeon (ENT). Joana holds a Masters in Medicine from the prestigious Nova Medical School. After Nova, she continued her studies as an active participant in the well-respected Ph.D. Neuroscience Program at the University of Lisbon Medical School. With a particularly keen interest in the area of sleep, she pursued her certification in sleep medicine at the European Sleep Research Society in the Centre of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology (CENC).
Joana Vaz de Castro discusses her interest in sleep-disordered breathing and conditions that affect sleep. She goes in depth about the affects of snoring and sleep apnea on the body, noting and outlining various obstructions to breathing. As she states, the goal is to work with patients to treat the whole of a problem not just one part. You have to look at all the issues which are impacting a patient in order to effectively treat disorders and conditions. ENT doctors are specialized physicians who can provide advanced surgical care for individuals who are suffering from conditions that pertain to the basic functioning of the ear, nose, and throat. An ENT doctor might be consulted for a wide variety of diseases and disorders from chronic allergies, to headaches, facial pain, sleep disorders or potentially many other types of sinus or ENT issues.
Continuing, Joana Vaz de Castro talks about the kinds of evaluations sleep medicine physicians should conduct with patients, as well as important issues doctors should discuss with their patients before and after surgery.
The Ph.D. explains how insomnia and sleep apnea often occur simultaneously, especially with females. Joana Vaz de Castro states that both should be addressed when seeking a comprehensive treatment plan for optimum health. Additionally, Joana talks about some of the kinds of breathing masks that patients can utilize and discusses some of the issues that users occasionally deal with. Wrapping up, the Ph.D. talks about mild sleep apnea and how it can advance as people age or gain weight.
As a practicing orthodontist of almost five decades, Dr. William M. Hang has learned a lot over time, which is evidenced by the fact that his approach to orthodontics has completely transformed since the beginning of his career. Conventional orthodontics taught him to focus on the straightening of the teeth and nothing more, but his experience with actual patients taught him that something was being overlooked in this approach, and it was causing problems. In the early 80s, he began realizing the effect of tooth extraction on facial form and hearing an increasing number of patients complain of neck pain, head pain, problems breathing at night, and low-quality sleep after undergoing extraction procedures. At that point, Dr. Hang decided to travel the world with the goal of finding an alternative approach to orthodontics. In 1989, he started reopening extraction spaces for people who had extraction procedures, and thereby improving facial balance and eliminating headaches, neck pain, and sleep issues related to dental health and facial structure.
On today’s episode, he explains his approach to orthodontics and the services offered by his practice, Face Focused, sleep apnea in children and how preventative action can help, how our lifestyles have caused the facial changes that are creating problems, the usefulness of myofunctional therapy, the importance of focusing on proper facial growth in young children, facial features that have become increasingly common and problematic, and so much more.
Tune in, and visit https://facefocused.com/ to learn more.
When compared to the standard of care, an approach in gastroenterology called video capsule endoscopy was shown to be three times better at detecting active bleeding in the gastrointestinal tracts (GI) of patients, which will allow for site-directed therapeutic endoscopy. Dr. David Cave, gastroenterologist, and professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School explains how this technology has and will continue to transform the way we make diagnoses and deliver treatment in gastroenterology. For almost two years after the introduction of the first FDA-approved device, Dr. Cave was the first and only doctor in the U.S. to use video capsule endoscopy, and he has never lost interest in its development and capabilities.
On today’s episode, he explains the ins and outs of the way this technology works, what we’ve learned as a result of its implementation, how it improves patient experiences, the type of data this technology has allowed us to gather, the possibility of using artificial intelligence to interpret the images taken by the device, the development of a magnetically controlled capsule, and so much more.
In this podcast, Dr. James Hickman, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer at Hesperos, talks about his groundbreaking work designing unique, tailored systems to model diseases and test drugs.
Dr. Hickman and company partner, CEO, Michael L. Shuler, Ph.D. combined their skills and research and formed Hesperos. Dr. Hickman explains how his functional in vitro systems merged well with Shuler’s multi-organ metabolic systems. The Ph.D. talks in depth about how Hesperos creates functioning models and multi-organ systems to identify first-in-class drugs and advance the progression for specialty medicines designed to combat various diseases, including rare, less understood diseases.
Dr. Hickman goes on to detail the processes involved in their work, touching on topics such as in vivo tissue engineering, clinical trials, and advanced modeling. And in regard to rare diseases, Dr. Hickman states that their platform is especially well suited, as they are able to build specialized systems that can produce various characteristics of a disease, thus allowing them to show how the disease can be managed or reversed. Further, Dr. Hickman discusses some of the specific models they have been asked to build, and how their platform lends itself to customization.
Animal models for drug development and scientific research are well-known for having drawbacks and an unavoidable level of unreliability. However, for a long time now they’ve also been regarded as the best option out there for testing new drugs, understanding human anatomy and physiology, and modeling diseases. Nortis is a private company that could very well change this entirely, transforming the way research and drug development are carried out. Their device is about the size of a credit card and composed of microfluidic channels that connect to a chamber in which 3D tissue-engineered organ structures are built, studied, and tested. For example, the team at Nortis has engineered the proximal tubules of the kidneys using human cells, zooming in on their function and response to different environmental influences, such as increased fluid flow which is controlled with precision in the device, and the introduction of new drugs.
Nortis’ technology is allowing scientists to get a closer-than-ever look at the different functions of this incredibly complex organ, but it’s also allowing for the study of a multitude of other tissue-engineered structures, including heart tissue and vessels, and the blood-brain barrier. Dr. Neumann is the CEO of Nortis, and in today’s episode, he provides an in-depth look into the science behind this technology and the potential it holds.
Press play for the full conversation and check out https://www.nortisbio.com/ for more information.
In this podcast, Dr. Michael Skinner, School of Biological Sciences at Washington State University, discusses epigenetic transgenerational inheritance and the potential long term impact of toxins.
Dr. Skinner discusses his research within the area of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. He explains the different ways males versus females are potentially impacted. He outlines how gestating females may be exposed to toxins, and what type of affect exposure can have on not only the offspring but future generations as well.
Dr. Skinner discusses the various types of toxins, toxins that could come via our nutrition, from factors such as smoking and alcohol, and of course detrimental environmental toxicants. The biological expert’s work centers upon the study of gonadal growth and differentiation, as it pertains to reproductive biology.
The Ph.D. talks about the differences between men and women in terms of how they are affected. Dr. Skinner explains that men ‘turn over’ their sperm at a rapid rate, and that a man’s environmental exposures can change the epigenetics of the stem cell within, that produces the sperm. This change could then impact all the subsequent sperm that is generated thereafter. Additionally, Dr. Skinner discusses how females are affected by toxins, and how the research shows that females have an ability to somewhat ward themselves against environmental toxins, etc. and are therefore more resistant.
Dr. Skinner recounts some of their research with the finches on the Galápagos Islands. Some of the finches there, as he explains, showed changes within their phenotypes—alterations of metabolism, color, beak structures, and more, even though the genetics was the same for all the finches across all sites. After their research was complete they were then able to say with confidence that environmental epigenetics does generate a shift in the phenotype that is independent of the internal genetics.
Burnout: it’s a word most people use casually, and a condition not taken very seriously, or else blamed on the person who claims to experience it. But very recently, the World Health Organization has listed it as a medical syndrome, which might start to change the way our culture views this modern-day phenomenon. So, what exactly is burnout? According to Kathryn Fantauzzi, burnout can be characterized as a multitude of things, including exhaustion, the inability to concentrate or complete tasks, disengagement from the environment, and the inability to sleep. To describe it another way, burnout is a state of chronic stress that can lead to serious short and long-term consequences for our health—not to mention sap the quality and joy of our lives.
As the CEO and co-founder of Apollo, Fantauzzi has been on a mission to develop a solution to this problem. Apollo’s technology is a software platform, mobile application, and wearable device that sends vibrations through the body which send the brain a signal of safety. Fantauzzi explains that the vibrations create and amplify the same benefits that mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation practices bring, but without requiring the user to do a thing. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by new emails, text messages, phone calls, and the expectations and responsibilities tied to them all, it might make sense to have a solution that’s quite literally tied to our ankles (or wrists) like the wearable Apollo device. Fantauzzi makes for an interesting and exciting conversation, reporting on the results from clinical studies using the Apollo technology, explaining the features built in to the app that might eliminate your need for an alarm clock, discussing the importance of heart rate variability and how this technology can help you improve yours over time, and describing how the app will use biometric data to curate every user’s experience.
Press play for more, and check out https://apolloneuro.com/.
“Great sleep is available for all of us…this is not some great disease that we need to treat with medicine or with some sort of special device; sleep is an innate ability that we all have…and it’s still perfect in every single one of us, and as the years go on I become more and more convinced of this: no one is broken, no one has a disease; all they have is some unhelpful thinking and unhelpful habits that are getting in the way of letting that natural ability to sleep come out and show itself,” says Sasha Stephens, author of The Effortless Sleep Method: The Incredible New Cure for Insomnia and Chronic Sleep Problems and creator of Sleep for Life, a five-part insomnia cure program that's helping people all over the world deal with serious sleep problems.
Sasha joins the conversation to share her personal history with sleep and what led her to this field, what she’s learned in helping people who have suffered from insomnia and sleep problems for decades, tips for establishing the right circumstances for sleep, and perhaps most importantly, the power of thinking in the reinforcement and elimination of insomnia. “The main crux of my advice is in changing the way that you think about this problem,” she says.
Tune in and learn more about her program by visiting https://sleepforlife.com/.
Despite a growing body of research on the connection, most people still believe that sleep has little to do with dentistry. In fact, for the 27 years that Dr. Barry Raphael practiced conventional orthodontics, he—along with many other orthodontists who received conventional training—didn’t truly understand or emphasize the connection between the two. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago after encountering a typical problem in orthodontics—an open bite due to tongue thrust—that he began looking deeper into the role and impact of soft tissue development on the problem of malocclusion, unhealthy breathing, deformed airways, underdeveloped jaws, and how it's all connected to sleep.
Learn more by tuning in for the full conversation and checking out https://www.alignmine.com/. To locate a dentist who recognizes the critical importance of and connection between airway formation, dental health, and sleep, visit aapmd.org.
Many people see Western and Chinese medicine as being at complete odds with one another, but after over three decades of practicing them in conjunction and seeing an 85 percent success rate in alleviating her patient’s symptoms, Dr. Shiroko Sokitch disagrees. She began her career in medicine with the same goal as many other doctors: to save people’s lives. And despite having the chance to do that during her time as a surgical resident, Dr. Sokitch didn’t feel satisfied with the type of work she was doing, and she began wondering what other avenues she could take that would lead her to reach the same goals. Not long after, she was introduced to the world of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and found it so appealing that she left her surgical residency just two years in.
Since then, Dr. Sokitch has found a way to incorporate the best of both Western and Chinese medicine into her clinical care of patients. On today’s episode, she details aspects of Chinese medicine that many people may be unaware of, explains how public and professional perceptions of Chinese medicine have changed over the past several decades, points to the strengths and weaknesses inherent in each system of medicine, discusses the approach she takes with her own patients and the conditions she’s had the most success in treating, the ins and out of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture as a tool for immediate pain relief, and so much more.
Tune in for this enlightening conversation and visit https://hearttoheartmedicalcenter.com/ to learn more about Dr. Sokitch’s approach to medicine.
In this podcast, Stephanie Schnorr, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, talks about the power of the gut microbiome.
Schnorr is a biological anthropologist who is interested in digestion, our diets in general (currently and historically), and the gut microbiome. Much of her research seeks to answer the question of how humans have quite large brains. Her research has led her to study dietary behavior and various physiological adaptations and how they relate to passing human environments.
Schnorr talks about her particular interest in sports performance, metabolism, and muscle function, that motivated her to ask deeper scientific questions about how the human organism is sustained. She wanted to know more about human specialization, but ultimately she reached the conclusion that humans are actually not very specialized; we are simply malleable and adapt.
Schnorr provides more information on the elements that impact us, such as the quality of our sleep, metabolism, antibiotics, sanitation, stress, and much more, and how it all impacts the gut microbiome as well, and our sensitivities to the environments in which we live. She expounds upon the benefits of a nutritious diet and how a high nutrition content in our diet can help our bodies to manage changes and combat allergies and other issues. She talks about the microbial community within us, and how it is our immune system’s job to keep it in line.
In this podcast, Donny Hanjaya-Putra, a researcher at the University of Notre Dame, provides a detailed overview of his work with stem cells.
Hanjaya-Putra earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and he holds a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering as well, from the University of Notre Dame.
This interesting podcast allows Hanjaya-Putra to explain how his team utilizes engineering principles to manipulate stem cell differentiation. Hanjaya-Putra’s lab brings together principles of engineering and medicine, working with stem cells as a means to treat disease. By combining stem cell engineering, biomaterials synthesis, and micro/nano-technologies, their lab hopes to make great strides in disease modeling, regenerative medicine, and methods of drug delivery.
Hanjaya-Putra details information regarding stem cells and the expression of proteins in his work, discussing tissue repair, and how stem cells know just where to go once injected into the body. The Ph.D. discusses how his lab can use tiny molecule drugs to enhance cellular repair and how they are working toward reducing the side effects of drugs while still keeping the drug’s therapeutic effects intact.
As a result of climate change, the environmental fluctuations currently experienced by plants will only increase in the coming years, which could lead to devastating consequences for plant health and food production. At the Virginia Tech Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Dr. Clay Wright’s work is centered on trying to better understand plant behavior in order to manipulate it in such a way as to increase their robustness and plasticity, thereby preempting the coming environmental changes.
He joins the conversation to discuss a range of intriguing topics, including plant defense mechanisms against pests and pathogens, how different types of plants are likely to respond to increases in both temperature and CO2 levels, the relationship between endophytes, yeast, and the plants they come into contact with, how microbes take advantage of a shared evolutionary history with plants in order to hijack their defense mechanisms, the shade avoidance response of plants, and the details of two specific plant hormones they’re working within the lab at Virginia Tech.
Interested in learning more? Tune in and check out https://www.bse.vt.edu/.
Conventional biomedical device manufacturing methods have several shortcomings and are limited in what they can create by geometrical, material, and mechanical barriers. But at the University of Utah College of Engineering, these barriers are being broken down by a new approach to the manufacturing of biomedical devices: multi-scale, multi-material, 3D-printing. Unlike conventional methods, this approach is allowing for the creation of biomedical devices that can be ingested rather than surgically implanted, significantly decreasing the level of invasiveness, and also avoiding the threat of negative immune responses.
Dr. Yong Lin Kong is leading this research, and on today’s episode, he details the ins and outs of the science behind this method, the challenges that must be overcome, the potential it holds, and what’s on the horizon.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and contact him directly via yong.kong@utah.edu.
Imagine gene editing technology being as ubiquitous as smartphones—an editing device in every teenager’s pocket capable of altering, creating, and transforming life as we know it. It sounds like science fiction—perhaps a terrifying version of it—but so was CRISPR technology until just a few years ago in 2013. CRISPR gene editing technology adapts a system that’s been used by bacteria for millions of years as a way of fighting off viruses and involves removing or inserting portions of code into genes.
Since its creation in 2013, this technology has developed at an astounding speed, which is raising a number of ethical questions and concerns, such as whether we as human beings should harness this technology to design babies, bring back extinct species, or create new species. In addition to these controversial questions, Tarun Wadhwa emphasizes the unknowns in terms of the experimentation that will occur as this technology becomes more widespread. “We have a technology that’s cheap, democratized, and then you abstract away the technical layers and all of the sudden…you don’t really know what’s going to happen,” says Wadhwa. As the founder and CEO of Day One Insights and visiting instructor at Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering, Wadhwa’s goal is to advance the conversation surrounding this technology in order to increase the public’s understanding of what it is and the potential it holds, as well as how culture will influence its reception, dissemination, and use. He provides insight into what the future may look like, and what to expect going forward.
Tune in and visit tarunwadhwa.com to learn more.
When asked what causes crowding in the mouth and the consequent need for braces, most dentists and orthodontists will point to genetics, but they probably won’t be able to point to a significant amount of evidence in support of that position. According to Sandra Kahn, Paul Ehrlich, and a number of under-acknowledged studies, the increased incidences of crowding in the mouth over the past few hundred years is related to decreased jaw size, which is related entirely to the environment in which we live. How? Kahn and Ehrlich explain that the modern human diet, which is comprised primarily of processed, easy-to-chew foods has significantly decreased the mechanical stress on the jaws, which is necessary in order for them to develop properly. They argue that it is this malformation of the jaws that are led to crowding in the mouth and changes in facial anatomy which prevent us from doing what we were designed by evolution to do: breathe through our mouths. This has led to an epidemic of sleep poor sleep and can be connected to a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and depression. “We’re in a really sad epidemic—one that a lot could be done about, but that not much is being done about,” says Ehrlich. Kahn and Ehrlich have made is their mission to raise awareness of this connection in the hopes of bringing it to the forefront of medicine and dentistry. Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic is a book that provides detailed explanations and illustrations of all of this and more.
Press play to hear the full conversation.
Check out their book at https://amzn.to/2Q6qqzV for detailed explanations and illustrations of all this and more.
COMMONWEALTH CLUB TALK at https://youtu.be/8NgVQKZhMR0
Behind every pharmaceutical development and scientific discovery, there’s a story to be told, and Thomas Hager has made it his life’s work to tell those stories. His path to becoming a well-known and successful author of narrative nonfiction works began in the lab, where he would work on various projects in medical microbiology and developed the knowledge base which would ultimately inform his writing.
He joins the podcast today to discuss how drugs have shaped the history of medicine and impacted American culture. He draws from topics in his latest book, Ten Drugs: How Plants, Powders, and Pills Have Shaped the History of Medicine, and touches on a range of subjects, including a collaboration in the 1920s between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison that few people know about, his take on monoclonal antibodies and statins, the problem of food production and an exploding global population, and some ideas that he has for future books. Press play to hear the full conversation, look for his latest book on Amazon, Kindle, or your local bookstore, and visit thomashager.net for more of his work.
In this podcast, Hugo Mercier, the CEO of Dreem, discusses his company’s new product that is literally helping people get better sleep and improve their lives.
Mercier provides an overview of their groundbreaking new sleep product, a headband, an app that measures how we sleep. Sleep disturbances through the night, insomnia, taking a long time to fall asleep… the list of potential sleep problems is a long one, and Mercier has developed a product, along with his team of science-oriented technologists, to tackle sleep problems and thereby improve sleep quality.
With Mercier’s Dreem headband, users can now collect their sleep data all through the night, and in the morning access it through their phones. The Dreem app provides access to valuable, insightful advice that will assist people with not only improving the quality of their sleep, but will also help them to decrease the time it takes to fall asleep.
Mercier discusses their sleep studies, and he talks about how their Dreem data matches up against expensive sleep lab equipment-derived data, and the studies have shown that the quality of their data collection is quite amazing, and very accurate. Mercier and his team at Dreem have been working with sleep doctors to debut a program that offers Dreem headband users the important advice, from a detailed perspective, to help them better grasp how they can correct nagging sleep problems—better sleep, better life.
In this informative podcast, Dr. Jonathan Delafield-Butt of the University of Strathclyde, provides a detailed overview of his work studying early consciousness of the human mind.
Delafield-Butt’s work is especially focused on consciousness and psychological development. Delafield-Butt holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology from the University of Edinburgh Medical School and he is a recent contributor to the celebrated book, The Infant Mind: Origins of the Social Brain. Delafield-Butt is particularly interested in the earliest stages of the human mind’s development.
Dr. Jonathan Delafield-Butt discusses his early studies in chemistry and neuroscience that led to his interest in the origins of the human mind. As he states, he sought to identify the earliest moments of consciousness and the establishment of human activity—when is movement associated directly with awareness, conscious activity.
Delafield-Butt provides a detailed analysis of the various stages of development, awareness and conscious actions. And he talks about some of the critically important research done by significant scientists working with consciousness theories in the middle of the 20th century. He explains the complexity of the cortex and provides further information on brain stem theories. And in regard to the brain, interestingly, all of our experiences are taking place through the brain stem, Delafield-Butt states. And the brain stem has associative memory.
Additionally, Delafield-Butt discusses layers, memories, and associations, including a discussion of instinct as well as problem-solving, and other areas. Ultimately, Delafield-Butt states that it is certainly true that infants do not have the same abstraction of ideas or conceptual organization, or advanced language skills but that said, they are absolutely as conscious as adults.
Over the past couple of decades, there’s been a marked decrease in the number of people who perceive empathy both in their own actions and in their interactions with others. Many people are quick to blame automation and the prominence of technological devices—which could very well be big contributors—but ultimately, the lack of empathy is being reported by people in people-dominated industries. According to Minter Dial, running a good business means being empathetic toward customers, which means truly listening to them, observing them, ensuring that they feel heard, and putting yourself in their shoes.
Most people agree with this and are therefore on board with the idea of integrating empathy in AI technology. But Minter Dial asks an important question, and one that will ultimately require us to look inward before making any changes: are we capable of encoding machines to show empathy if we are incapable of showing and feeling it ourselves? The crux of his book, Heartificial Empathy: Putting Heart into business and Artificial Intelligence, explores why we need more empathy, how to go about increasing it, and how encoding machines with empathic capabilities will force us to analyze what empathy means to us as human beings. It is this process, says Minter Dial, that will not only benefit the way we run businesses but the way we interact with one another as individuals and as a species.
Tune in for the full conversation, and learn more about Minter Dial’s work by visiting minterdial.com.
In this podcast, celebrated author and noted cognitive psychologist, Arthur S. Reber, talks about his amazing research into cell consciousness, and the remarkable discoveries in regard to implicit learning.
The author and psychologist, Reber, received a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania as well as an MA and Ph.D. from Brown University. Reber talks about implicit learning. He recounts a significant moment earlier in his life in which he watched a simple caterpillar making clearly conscious choices in regard to chewing on leaves and checking for dangers in the environment such as potential predators. Reber was so interested in what he was observing that he began a series of pointed writings and research regarding the topic of conscious cells. Reber is known in the scientific world for introducing the concept of implicit learning. Reber utilized the general principles of biology to elucidate how implicit or unconscious cognitive functions show differentiation from those that are conducted consciously, which opened up an avenue for further research.
Later in the podcast, Reber talks about prokaryotes and he explains their functioning. He relates how their skills in learning are simply remarkable. He discusses groundbreaking experiments that showed how cells function while protecting themselves from viruses and toxins in their environment. He details how bacteria function and explains their unique sensitivity by discussing the effect of anesthetics on bacteria behaviors. As he explains, even cells want to reduce their suffering and though most of us don’t give much consideration to plants, Reber states that plants are probably sentient, able to feel and perceive.
There’s something wrong with me…I’m bad…I don’t belong…I don’t deserve love; these are some of the most common core unconscious beliefs that frame people’s reality, preventing them from identifying the traumatic experiences which led to the development of those beliefs to begin with and therefore preventing them from dismantling and rebuilding them. After devoting three decades’ worth of his life to ministry in a progressive church, Bruce Sanguin took a path filled with psychedelics, psychotherapy, and spiritual discovery that would lead him to uncover his own core unconscious beliefs, heal himself from the inside out, and live life with a profound sense of gratitude, love, peace, and empathy. “I was taken into dimensions and domains that ordinary consciousness doesn’t make available…and I felt more connected to source—whatever term you want to use, god, goddess, the great mystery—than I ever did in my years as a clergyman,” says Sanguin. Tune in for the full inspiring account of his incredibly unique journey.
In this exciting podcast, Fatima AlZahra´a Alatraktchi, Ph.D., nanophysics, discusses bacteria communication and the future of diagnosing infection.
Fatima AlZahra´a Alatraktchi is a celebrated nanophysicist. Her innovative research garnered her the Ph.D. thesis of the year award for, Micro- and nano-sensors for early diagnosis of bacterial infections. Fatima talks about her interests and the pathway she took to begin her current bacteria research. She discusses how her primary goal was to isolate the molecules that allow bacteria to communicate, with an objective of developing sophisticated prediagnostic tools that can diagnose infections in their earliest stages. Fatima draws comparisons between the human world and the bacteria world as she outlines how bacteria communicate with each other to accomplish tasks in a collective manner in order to support the bacteria community’s overall success.
The nanophysics expert explains how she and her team seek to fully understand bacteria colonization. And she discusses cooperation between various bacteria strains, highlighting how they sometimes compete with other potentially adversarial bacteria communities. Fatima talks extensively on bacteria secretion and outlines her team’s work in regard to current medical practices used to detect infection.
Finally, Fatima provides a detailed overview of her method and describes how it is based on a nanosensor and is thus more efficient, faster, and significantly more sensitive than other methods in the field.
In this podcast, Adam Brown, senior editor of diaTribe, an online community for those with diabetes, shares his personal story of diabetes management.
Adam shares valuable diabetes information gathered from nearly two decades of living with and managing his own diabetes. In his book, Bright Spots & Landmines, he delves into diabetes management with tips and strategies aimed at living a healthier life. The book seeks to answer questions and address issues that many people have after their diagnosis, as they begin to walk down the path toward diabetes management.
The diabetes editor talks about his own diagnosis and how discovering methods used by bodybuilders for tracking their body performance and chemistry helped him to gain a better understanding of the importance of careful body monitoring. Additionally, he talks about the critical importance of nutrition and how the consumption of the right foods is a major tool for managing diabetes properly.
Adam delves into a thorough discussion of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), that can be utilized to monitor glucose levels day and night. These effective CGM systems can track glucose measurements, and extrapolate the important data necessary to give people with diabetes a good understanding of glucose direction and rate of change. As it measures the glucose highs and lows and can provide insight into how certain foods, as well as types of exercise impact the body, individuals with diabetes, can now manage their condition perhaps better than ever.
Adam is a contributing writer and senior editor with diaTribe, a helpful online community for anyone with diabetes, or family members who want to know more. Adam’s popular column, “Adam’s Corner,” offers diabetes tips and quality information regarding exercise, foods, and strategies for achieving restful sleep.
Many of the tissues in the human body perform important mechanical functions, which allow us to move, perform complex tasks, and navigate our environment. Articular cartilage, meniscus cartilage, and intervertebral disk tissues are just a few examples, and in Dr. Lawrence Bonassar’s lab at the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University, he and his team are engineering these tissues in the lab, designing them to fit the anatomical needs of individual recipients, and implanting them in non-human large animals in the lab. Dr. Bonassar discusses the ins and outs of the science and technology behind this type of tissue engineering, how the size and shape of each implant must precisely fit the recipient in order to ensure functionality and safety, the challenges that the process presents, and the near-term goals of this research and development.
To learn more about the work being done by The Bonassar Research Group, check out https://bonassar.research.engineering.cornell.edu/.
Despite a large and growing body of research on fibromyalgia and a number of hypotheses as to what causes it and how it can potentially be treated, the condition remains somewhat of an undefined mystery, leading to misdiagnoses, mistreatment, and continued suffering on behalf of those who are left to deal with the symptoms on a daily basis. Dr. David Brady is a leader in the area of fibromyalgia diagnosis, treatment, and management, as well as the other of The Fibro Fix: Get to the Root of Your Fibromyalgia and start Reversing Your Chronic Pain and Fatigue in 21 Days.
He joins the podcast today to discuss how fibromyalgia differs in important ways from chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions which can share some of the same signs, the bias regarding fibromyalgia that has begun to dissolve but still exists within conventional medicine, the myths about fibromyalgia that can be dispelled by legitimate research on the condition, a unique brain pattern that occurs in patients with fibromyalgia during sleep and how it contributes to “unrefreshed sleep,” why most of the pharmaceuticals prescribed for patients with fibromyalgia don’t work, and more importantly, what does work. He also discusses the role of past or childhood trauma in the manifestation of the condition, and how he goes about evaluating and addressing the needs of each patient on an individual basis.
Learn more by visiting https://www.fibrofix.com/ and https://drdavidbrady.com/.
Christopher Reinkemeier is a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Molecular Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, where he has been working on the development of a synthetic organelle that can be inserted in living cells and translate one mRNA (messenger RNA) to produce a specifically modified protein. The mechanism is based on genetic code expansion, which is a technique that’s been around for many years and involves artificially changing units of genetic code to encode certain amino acids. Reinkemeier explains that their organelle allows for this process of modification to occur in only one mRNA, leading to the production of only one, very specifically modified type of protein.
The fact that their organelle can carry out translation is evidence that synthetic molecules are capable of carrying out complex tasks—one of the most complex tasks a cell does, in fact. In the body, the task of translation requires the recruitment of hundreds of organic molecules that work together to create a protein, but this synthetic organelle requires just five components which recruit all of the other molecules necessary for translation in the cell. Reinkemeier discusses the ins and outs of this technology, the principle of phase separation, different types of organelles, possible applications of their organelle in medicine, and their long-term goals with this research and development.
In this interesting podcast, Dr. Volodymyr Koman, a postdoc at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, talks about his extensive work with cell-sized robots.
After receiving his Ph.D. in Photonics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Dr. Koman accelerated his research studying and developing cell-sized robots, which he refers to as ‘colloidal state machines.’ As he describes, they are essentially state machines that can perform computations while on board a particle. Dr. Koman talks about their desire to create advanced cell-size ‘state machines’ that have the ability to form tissues and create larger structures. And as these tiny robots can sense their environment, as well as store important data and engage in computational tasks, the possibilities for research and application is tremendous. Structurally, they are comprised of tiny electronic circuits made of two-dimensional materials, and they can, remarkably, communicate while completing tasks.
Dr. Koman talks about how these micro-sized robots might be used within the bloodstream, especially in regard to diagnostics, as it could be possible to carry out diagnostic expeditions within the human digestive system. And finally, Dr. Koman discusses the future of robotics and his outlook for these spectacularly small, advanced tiny robots.
Frantisek Baluska, Ph.D. is a researcher at the Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany at the University of Bonn in Germany, where he focuses on root apices—a fascinating plant organ that has the complicated task of searching soils for water and mineral nutrients while avoiding toxic heavy metals also present in soils. Dr. Baluska explains that roots behave in much more complex ways than previously thought, using complex sensory systems to navigate their environment and relying upon cognitive mechanisms similar to those found in the human brain.
He delivers a compelling overview of many aspects of plant life and behavior, including the way in which roots decide which direction to grow, the presence of bending zones which allow roots to move in snakelike fashion, the root’s ability to evaluate concentrations of oxygen, water, and other nutrients essential to their survival, the way in which they communicate chemically with fungi and bacteria in their environment and differentiate between friendly and dangerous bacteria, the rich microbiome present on the surface of roots, the ability of plants to control insect behavior, and how all of this information points to real plant cognition.
Dr. Baluska is a wealth of knowledge on these subjects, so tune in to hear the full conversation, and learn more about his work by visiting https://www.thethirdwayofevolution.com/people/view/frantisek-baluska.
In this podcast, Patrick McKeown talks about the power of the Buteyko Method, and how it offers better health through better breathing.
McKeown suffered for 20 years before discovering the breathing method that literally transformed his life. The Buteyko Method solved McKeown’s multiple problems such as wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of being constantly tired. He outlines various techniques people can use to decongest and rediscover the power of nasal breathing. McKeown details how nasal and breathing issues can cause or exacerbate a whole host of problems from dry mouth/inflammation, to reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and a long list of other conditions and issues as well. He explains how blood circulation and breathing are connected, and how stress, anxiety, and depression are all reduced through mastering slower breathing.
The Buteyko Method can help people suffering from asthma, nasal congestion, snoring and so many other conditions. McKeown talks about various clinical trials that proved the Buteyko Method can work to reverse asthma, as well as reduce the need for reliever and preventer medications. McKeown provides information on how the method has helped countless people find relief from their frustrating, serious health issues.
In this podcast, Gene Monterastelli, founder of Tapping Q&A (tappingqanda.com) and creator of the audio book, Recovering Self: A Healing Manifesto, talks about how tapping techniques can be used to help people improve their lives and defeat problems.
Monterastelli was educated at the prestigious Catholic University of America. After graduation, it was his struggle with social anxiety that motivated him to find a solution. He recounts some traumatic experiences he had when his social anxiety was reaching its pinnacle. It had become so debilitating that he had trouble with basic communication at times. But tapping was the therapeutic technique that allowed Monterastelli to go from being socially paralyzed to later, confidently, speaking to audiences as large as 8,000 people—a remarkable turnaround.
Through the years he has pursued his interest in various methods that can help people combat daily problems. He is interested in many pathways to wellness such as hypnotism, NLP, guided imagery, and meridian based tapping including EFT.
Monterastelli discusses how early pioneers such as tapping therapy founder, Dr. Roger Callahan and EFT Tapping Therapy guru, Gary Craig, simplified and synthesized the techniques taken from acupuncture into their most basic form as a means to manage pain, battle depression, anxiety, phobias and so much more. He talks about the tools that anyone can utilize, and how tapping works to manage physical pain and emotion, anxiety and stress, limiting beliefs, learning disabilities, and more.
In this podcast, Meghna Thacker, author of the celebrated book titled, Seven Steps to Heal Your Thyroid: A proven plan to Increase Energy, Elevate Mood & Optimize Weight shares her lifetime of knowledge on thyroid issues and problems—and how to overcome them.
As a seasoned thyroid expert, Dr. Thacker has a special focus on thyroid disease. Frustrated by her own struggles with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, she set out to make an impact and help others who also suffered. Her popular book, Seven Steps to Heal Your Thyroid: A proven plan to Increase Energy, Elevate Mood & Optimize Weight provides useful information that thyroid issue sufferers can use to combat their own thyroid-related problems and conditions.
Dr. Thacker talks about the importance of procuring a doctor who really understands thyroid issues. She explains that you need a doctor who understands that basic blood work may not tell the full story and that they should dig deeper to find real strategies to alleviate the thyroid-related problems.
As a naturopathic doctor, Thacker discusses the importance of a healthy diet, how supplements can possibly help with conditions, and the possible uses of botanical medicines. She talks about micronutrient analyses that can help provide a clearer picture of what is going on inside a person’s body. Additionally, she touches on thyroid balance and explains how the body detoxifies in general.
In this podcast, Rana Gujral, the enthusiastic CEO of Behavioral Signals, provides his insight on the technology that is enhancing our communication experiences.
Gujral is an experienced business entrepreneur, skilled in many areas of technology and the practical business uses of tech including enterprise software and technologies for emerging markets. Gujral has had many successful ventures and has been a critical member of the leadership at multiple companies such as TiZE Inc., a popular SaaS platform; Cricut Inc.; Logitech S.A.; Kronos Inc., and others.
Gujral talks about AI and the emotional context of speech. As he states, the emotional element is a crucial piece of any voice interaction. Communicating intent is paramount in every transaction. Context and emotion are just as important as what is actually being said, and Gujral is pushing his company to improve and expand these subtle but informative areas of communication. Gujral talks about studies that have proven we absorb more emotional context from hearing a person speak than we do from observing their facial expressions.
Gujral provides real examples of how the technology can enhance an agent/client call in many ways such as providing feedback in real time about how the caller or the agent’s voice sounds angry or whether the agent needs to talk faster, or slower, etc. AI can provide input on the spot, that can help agents to better respond to the client, and connect with them in a more efficient, helpful, and ultimately successful manner.
As adults, we have learned how to create lives within which we can manage our pet peeves, have access to our preferences, and generally avoid our dislikes, but for kids who rely upon sensory input from the environment in order to navigate within it, this can be a lot more difficult and complicated by bullying and teasing. And the more sensitive a child is to the stimuli in their environment, the more difficult it will be for them to adjust.
As an occupational therapist, Lindsey Biehl has made it her life’s work to help children, adolescents, and young adults who fall anywhere on what she refers to as the sensory sensitivity continuum, characterized by mild sensitivities, pet peeves, and preferences on one end, and severe, often disabling sensory sensitivities on the other end. She explains that while sensory sensitivities are often conflated with autism, having the former does not necessarily indicate the latter. She also discusses the types of sensitivities experienced by many of her patients, and how she goes about addressing them. While there has been no definitive cause of sensory sensitivity identified, Biehl gets a bit into the science behind the potential causes, which involve white matter in the brain and differences in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Biehl brings over 20 years’ worth of experience to the conversation, touching on a range of intriguing topics. Visit sensorysmarts.com for a downloadable sensory checklist, information on strategies for sensory difficulties, webcasts, and magazine articles, and check out Amazon or your local bookstore for her books, Raising a Sensory Child and Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids & Teens.
Stacy Erickson Edwards was a 32-year-old otherwise healthy individual when she was diagnosed with sleep apnea; having always associated this condition with older, overweight, and just generally unhealthy people, this diagnosis confounded her, but at the same time compelled her to challenge the assumptions and stereotypes that characterized her perception of sleep apnea and the machines used for treating it. The more she learned about the condition, the more she realized how inaccurate these stereotypes were—being healthy, fit, and young did not at all preclude someone from receiving a diagnosis of sleep apnea. In fact, a growing number of millennials are being diagnosed, as well as people who are otherwise considered healthy.
In light of this, she realized how important it was to try to shift people’s perception of the condition and eliminate the stigma attached to the condition in order to encourage people to embrace their diagnosis and use CPAP machines with confidence. She believes this is essential not only to the health of individuals but to the safety of society at large since untreated sleep apnea and associated sleep deprivation poses a threat to safety in many environments. Edwards discusses a range of interesting topics, including sleep apnea in kids and how it can be misdiagnosed as ADHD, the need for better follow-up care by sleep doctors and clinics, and the potential market for the personalization of CPAP machines and masks. Interested in learning more? Contact her on Instagram and visit cpapbabes.com.
As an outgrowth of the Personal Genome Project, the Open Humans Foundation is a non-profit organization that encourages people to collect, aggregate and make the most of their data. In today’s world, it’s possible to collect data on nearly every aspect of our lives, from our DNA to the number of steps we took on our morning jog. But according to Bastian Tzovaras, head of research at Open Humans Foundation, we aren’t using our data to its full potential. On today’s episode, he discusses how he’s made use of his own personal data through the Open Humans Foundation, and how communities of people are forming within the foundation to conduct their own experiments in genomics, genetic inheritance, and continuous glucose monitoring for diabetes 1. He also discusses the importance of extracting data from silos and examining it in aggregate form in order to identify correlations and trigger new areas of research. It's free to become a part of the community at Open Humans Foundation--just visit http://openhumansfoundation.org/ to check it out.
In this podcast, Louise Short, MD, MSc, National Clinical Leader for Strategic Benefit Advisors provides an overview of healthcare, health management, and employer options that can enhance overall health.
Louise Short holds degrees from Harvard, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. And she is a recognized leader in multiple areas of healthcare management and innovation. Dr. Short works with employers to develop new strategies that can assist families who desire to make better health choices and avoid the negative effects of poor or compromised health.
Dr. Short discusses her group, Strategic Benefit Advisors, and some of their immediate goals. She talks about population health, and their work with employers regarding health, healthcare costs, and efficient productivity. As she states, employers face increasing healthcare costs for a myriad of reasons such as expensive specialty drugs, high-cost claimants, and many chronic diseases.
The health management guru talks about healthcare management in detail, stressing points out that all employers can take advantage of. Dr. Short outlines various types of health plans and breaks down the reasons why some are seemingly better than others. And she discusses a few of the best features she hopes will expand further such as virtual care options, and intensive disease care management, as well as comprehensive behavioral health.
“You cannot touch anything on planet Earth without finding yourself confronted with microbiome science, which was until very recently not looked at, at all,” says Dr. Sandrine Miller-Montgomery, executive director and professor of bioengineering at the UC San Diego Center for Microbiome Innovation. She goes on to remind us of something that might be easy to forget: for millions of years prior to the existence of humans, the microbiome was evolving and adapting, resulting in the great diversity of bacteria, viruses and fungi we interact with on a daily basis—many of which are critical to the development of our immune systems. Despite a long-standing belief that microbes were nothing but enemies of health, research continues to show evidence of the vital roles and functions of the human microbiome in health and well-being, as well as the potential for the microbiome to be used as a diagnostic, preventative, and treatment tool in medicine by detecting early indications of disease and being manipulated in ways that could slow or altogether stop the progression of certain diseases.
Due to the nature of microbiome research being extremely diverse and applying to essentially all aspects of life, Dr. Miller-Montgomery explains the importance of not having a research ‘focus’ per se, but instead remaining open to any and all new findings within any sub-field of microbiome research, with the understanding that a single finding within one sub-field of research could have repercussions for all of the others. Dr. Miller-Montgomery offers an impressive amount of insight on a number of topics, including details about their current studies on the microbiome and aging, schizophrenia, depression, obesity, and diet. Tune in and visit https://cmi.ucsd.edu/ to learn more.
Author Bio: Rachel Hill, a highly ranked thyroid patient advocate, writer, and author, created the award-winning advocacy and website: The Invisible Hypothyroidism. Diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, she talks openly and honestly about what it’s like to have these and what has helped her and many others to recover their health and thrive with thyroid disease. She is passionate about helping those with hypothyroidism and giving them a voice and is well recognized as a valuable contributor to the thyroid community.
In this informative podcast, Rachel Hill, founder of The Invisible Hypothyroidism website, talks about her personal struggle with hypothyroidism and how she took steps to regain her good health.
As a noted thyroid patient advocate, Hill seeks to bring her message of good health to the public. Her website, The Invisible Hypothyroidism, was cited by The National Academy of Hypothyroidism as one of the best contributors to thyroid awareness.
Hill discusses her own struggles with hypothyroidism and how she made the decision to pursue her research, and advocate for everyone suffering from thyroid conditions. Hill’s popular book, Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate: When You’re Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired lays out an abundance of concrete information on thyroid issues. The book recounts Rachel’s path to good health after her diagnosis with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. In this podcast, and in her book, Hill talks about medications and supplements, mental health issues, blood tests, and personal motivation. And she talks about the importance of finding a doctor who truly grasps thyroid issues, one who is more than willing to work with you. She discusses the importance of experimentation and research in regard to what you are eating, the types of exercise you engage in, and vitamins. Hill states that it is critically important to keep experimenting until you find what works best for your body, to reduce or eliminate your symptoms and live a healthier life.
Rachel’s work can be found on her twitter (https://twitter.com/Invisible_Hypo), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheInvisibleHypothyroidism), Instagram (https://instagram.com/TheInvisibleHypothyroidism) and website (https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com), as
well as in her book: Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate (http://bit.ly/2G6NImd).
The Human Genome Project has brought us great strides closer to understanding the role of every element in the genome, including large portions of it that for years have been considered nonfunctional or otherwise insignificant: noncoding RNA. In his research at the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences at Newcastle University in the UK, Dr. Andreas Werner is focusing on noncoding RNA, and looking specifically at what are referred to as natural antisense transcripts (NATs), which may play a role in the regulation of protein expression, in driving transcription, and even in certain diseases. Dr. Werner is a wealth of information, offering an in-depth conversation on the science behind what he’s doing and what he aims to discover in the coming years.
Bio: Dr. Trevor Cates is founder and owner of The Spa Dr. and author of the bestselling book Clean Skin From Within. She was the first woman licensed as a naturopathic doctor in California and currently lives in Park City, Utah where she helps patients from around the world achieve graceful aging and glowing skin. Dr. Cates is host of The Spa Dr. weekly podcast and has her own PBS special, Younger Skin From Within. She believes the key to healthy skin is inner and outer nourishment with non-toxic ingredients. Dr. Cates’ The Spa Dr. skin care and supplement lines are formulated with natural and organic ingredients designed to help you achieve the clean and natural path to confidence and beautiful skin. www.TheSpaDr.com
“Skin is an outer reflection of what’s going on inside the body, and oftentimes it’s the first sign that something is out of balance in the body, so instead of ignoring or covering up those signs, I’m encouraging people to look at those signs as something to pay attention to, because if you can address and find the root causes behind that, you’re not only going to have vibrant, healthy looking skin, but you’re also going to prevent or address other health issues that could have similar root causes,” explains Dr. Trevor Cates, well-regarded naturopathic doctor, founder of The Spa Doctor, and author of Clean Skin from Within: The Spa Doctor’s Two-Week Program to Glowing, Naturally Youthful Skin.
She encourages people to use their skin as a guide toward uncovering the truths about their overall and internal health and explains the six root causes of skin issues: nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, gut, and digestive problems, blood sugar issues, oxidative damage, and inflammation. By addressing skin issues early on, the root causes can be identified and addressed, which will likely fix internal problems that a person may not have even known existed.
Curious what might be causing your skin issues? Take Dr. Cates’ free online quiz at theskinquiz.com and check out her book at book.thespadr.com—all you pay is shipping and handling.
In this interesting podcast, Katelyn Parsons, holistic health coach (katelynparsons.com), discusses her work with clients, helping them achieve their goals and find a healthy path.
Katelyn talks about her personal background and the struggles she dealt with as a young girl then on into her 20s, feeling bad about her body and trying to lose weight, that ultimately led to a devastating long-term bout with bulimia. After hitting rock bottom, Katelyn reached out for help from family and friends and sought the treatment she needed to make her way back to a healthy body and mind. She immersed herself in the study of nutrition and reworked her lifestyle, which resulted in transformational changes. Finding her own success, she decided to dedicate her life to helping others with their struggles and challenges, sharing the knowledge she had accumulated throughout a decade of study, research, and the rebooting of her own life.
Katelyn shares her thoughts on food and lifestyle, and she lays out her approach to holistic health coaching. She doesn’t take on many clients at a time because she wants to make sure that she can provide each and every client with knowledge that can empower them to make truly transformational changes.
The holistic health coach discusses nutrition and lifestyle and goes into detail about internal health, detoxification, and ‘plate building’ (which is a means of selecting healthy foods that will lead you toward your goals, not away from them). Additionally, the holistic expert discusses food cravings, the power of healthy fats, and other nutritional issues including how foods impact our bodies.
Bacteriologist, Monique van Hoek, and peptide chemist, Barney Bishop, have been collaborating since 2009 in the effort to find new and effective sources of antimicrobial peptides—molecules that are produced naturally in the body and allow for strong innate immunity. They’re looking in a place not many others are: in the blood of Komodo dragons. Bishop explains that reptiles have robust immune systems that rely on innate immunity as the first line of defense much more so than mammals, which is how an alligator can survive the loss of a limb with minimal incidence of infection and without any medical intervention. And when it comes to Komodo dragons, the fact that they can regularly consume decaying corpses and remain unaffected by the high presence of bacteria in their saliva is a testament to the strength of their immune systems.
Guided by an interest in the diversity of peptides that have evolved over millions of years to defend animals against infection, Hoek and Bishop have centered their focus on the peptides found in the blood of Komodo dragons. After surveying hundreds of peptides and testing them against a variety of bacteria, the duo has found a peptide that has antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and wound healing properties. They’ve tweaked the peptide just slightly for added stability, and can now synthesize huge quantities without any additional blood from Komodo dragons.
Interested in learning more? Hoek and Bishop offer an exciting and intriguing discussion on all the science behind this research, the potential it holds, and what’s to come in the near future. For more information, visit adr.gmu.edu.
In this informative podcast, Teresa Rebelo Pinto of CENC, Center of Sleep Medicine, Portugal, discusses sleep, psychology, and her efforts to educate the public on the subject of sleep.
Teresa Rebelo Pinto discusses her background in sleep science. Through her work at the CENC, Lisbon Sleep Medicine Center as a psychologist and somnologist, Teresa is intimately involved with the center’s mission to help people understand sleep, and find ways of improving it in order to lead healthier lives. Teresa works with the Sleep-Schools Project that provides sleep education to thousands of people nationally.
Teresa Rebelo Pinto provides information on sleep patterns, and she explains how they change as people age. She discusses how getting enough sleep can be challenging for adolescents who tend to have a later sleep schedule than children or adults but are still expected to function in an early morning school schedule.
The sleep expert talks in depth about various sleep problems and issues children deal with, such as fear of going to sleep, night terrors, behavioral insomnia (which is when children refuse to go to sleep), sleep apnea, and sleepwalking. She discusses her public outreach efforts and the positive feedback they receive from the people they have educated on sleep issues. And she delves into a discussion on sleep patterns, and also dreaming, which she states is an opportunity for us to explore different realities and solve various problems.
At what point do you stop tending to a crying infant at night? At what point do your attempts to rush in and comfort them actually lead to more harm, and more difficult-to-overcome challenges than simply letting them work through it on their own? Dr. Carey Chronis, respected pediatrician and host of Dr. Carey’s Baby Care in Ventura, CA, gives a relatively simple answer to these seemingly complex questions: four months. Most parents have difficulty simply letting their child cry, and have to work hard to fight the urge to immediately try to fix the problem. By doing this, however, they’re worsening the problem by setting the stage for long-term sleep problems, and at the same time, they’re missing out on the quality sleep they need for themselves. By drawing the line at four months and letting an infant figure out sleep on their own, two problems are solved: the infant will begin to develop healthy sleeping patterns, and the parents will be able to get the sleep they need.
Dr. Chronis explains why the four-month mark in infant development is the best time to implement these changes, which has to do with the concept of object permanence. He also explains how to promote good sleep in infants under four months of age, the importance of establishing routines, how to navigate unavoidable disruptions in those routines, and how much sleep infants need at different stages of development.
Tune in for the full conversation, and find more resources on this topic by visiting https://drcareys.com/.
A stroke can happen to anyone at any moment, but the effects can last for a lifetime. What determines whether and to what degree a person will recover from deficits brought about by a stroke? What’s happening in the brain when months or even years after a stroke, a patient begins to see functional improvement? These are the types of questions that guide Dr. Svetlana Pundik’s work on a daily basis. As a stroke neurologist, Dr. Pundik sees patients in the acute stages of stroke—just minutes and hours after having an event. But in her lab, she’s focused on the long-term recovery process and on understanding how a patient might achieve better coordination, a greater ability to walk, or increased limb movement even after years of seeing no improvement at all.
She joins the podcast today to discuss a number of important and interesting topics, such as the difference between the two primary types of strokes, how to identify signs of stroke, the time sensitivity of treatment for stroke, and what needs to happen in the future of stroke rehabilitation.
Press play to hear the full conversation and visit fescenter.org to learn more.
Catia Reis is a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Medicine at Lisbon University. Lisbon University is a public research university, one of the largest in Portugal. And the Faculty of Medicine is a top medical school with an established history dating back to the 19th century.
Catia Reis discusses her interest, and background, in the area of sleep and circadian rhythms. She recounts how her earlier work in marine biology stimulated her interest in sleep deprivation and fatigue, and ultimately deeper into the study of sleep. And her own personal struggles with fatigue, being tired all the time from her work, also piqued her interest in this area of study.
A circadian rhythm is essentially an approximately 24-hour cycle within the overall physiological processes of animate beings such as animals, plants, fungi, cyanobacteria, etc. In a rigid interpretation, circadian rhythms are known to be endogenously produced, however, they may be regulated by certain external cues as well, such as light from the sun and temperature. Reis explains how melatonin affects shift workers. She explains that this kind of work can be very problematic. Unfortunately, regarding shift workers, their melatonin profile may have trouble realigning properly as they work at night and try to get their sleep during the daytime hours. And a misalignment of one’s melatonin profile, and the circadian system, in general, can contribute to fractured, or disturbed daytime sleep. Additionally, it may have a profound impact on their alertness during the night shift and could be a contributing factor to other health problems. Reis discusses in detail how inadequate sleep can affect job performance and she talks about the inherent dangers of being sleep deprived on the job.
The sleep researcher talks about genetics, social behavior, and light, and how they influence our cycle. She provides information on the potential for success in the management of these influencing factors. Light, for example, is a strong signal for our internal clocks. Light therapy might be one way to help shift workers ease their bodies into an adjustment to an irregular schedule. Light has a general alerting effect, and it can aid with shifting sleeping patterns, related to the relative timing of light exposure. In light therapy, individuals will sit very near a light box for a preset period of time. Time of day is critical. Bright light exposure early in one’s day and dim light exposure at the end of the day can help shift the internal clock to an earlier position, while exposure to light later in the day may delay the timing of one’s internal clock. Therefore, the timing of exposure can assist with shifting their internal clock to accommodate needs for work, etc.
Reis wraps up by discussing her overall expectations for further research and how there is so much to learn from people as she digs deeper into her research. She underscores the importance of our sleep and talks about some of the areas she wants to explore in her field.
Beran Parry was introduced to the world of alternative medicine in a South-African-based integrative medicine center as a young adult, and this is where her interest in healthy living—and all of the aspects involved in it and required for it—arose. Today, she is a well-regarded expert in the field of nutrition and exercise physiology, an eating behavior specialist, a health coach, and one of Amazon’s most popular authors. On today’s episode, she discusses diseases and removal of the thyroid gland, and what she’s learned as a person who personally lives without one.
She also discusses her process of patient evaluation, which varies depending on the individual but generally includes a toxic screen, general medical history screen, general blood tests, and DNA analyses for more complex, otherwise inexplicable symptoms a person may be having.
Tune in for all the details, visit https://beranparry.com/ to learn more about her work, and reach out via email at beran@beranparry.com.
At this point in my life…it’s crystal clear that the people we surround ourselves with...have a major impact on the way that we think, on the way that we feel, and the way that we behave,” says Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., speaking from personal experience. He joins the podcast to explain the road that led him to become the founder of The Center for Mindful Living in West Los Angeles, author of Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion and The Now Effect: How a Mindful Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life,and creator of a program that teaches people to identify and change the thought and behavioral patterns that prevent them from living their best lives. He explains the science behind the idea of behavioral contagion, some of the main aspects of his program, and what people can do to take their first steps towards making meaningful change in their daily lives.
Tune in to hear all of the insight Dr. Goldstein has to offer, and check out his books on Amazon and in the stores.
Kunwoo Lee, Ph.D., CEO, and co-founder of GenEdit delivers an interesting overview of his company’s groundbreaking work in gene editing.
GenEdit is a future-forward company that has a primary focus on genome editing, developing advanced technologies for CRISPR/Cas9 based therapeutics. Their proprietary technology supports the delivery of unique gene editors to an array of tissues utilizing nanoparticles that are non-viral and also polymer-based delivery vehicles.
Lee talks about the origin of his company. He provides some background information about DNA sequences and discusses in detail how DNA is assigned at birth, and he explains that although there are some mutations, it has generally been very difficult to change the DNA that we are born with. As Lee states, in the past, if one was born with a genetic disease there was not much that could be done to alter that on the DNA level, but now, with new advancing technologies, there are many more options.
Genetic diseases exist in many organs such as the brain, liver, muscle, and blood. As Lee outlines, their GenEdit platform can screen the polymer-based nanoparticle library to ascertain the optimum delivery to a target organ. Their unique nanoparticles can enclose gene therapy molecules as well as CRISPR proteins.
The gene expert talks about how their system works in detail, explaining their delivery system, delivering genes to target tissue areas. He discusses their many challenges, and some of the processes they have used to accomplish their goals. He speaks about viruses and how the human body reacts. Lee talks about how they utilize CRISPR/Cas9 to precisely impact the gene that has a genetic mutation. CRISPR/Cas9 is a breakthrough technology in the field of biotech that has now become a go-to laboratory tool for many high-end researchers globally. CRISPR is, in its simplest terms, a collective of DNA sequences that can be found in the genomes of various prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria.
Lee explains muscle regeneration and nerve regeneration, and the possibilities for both, considering the technologies his company has developed, and are continuing to advance further. He discusses the permanency of gene editing and how technology is literally changing the way we think about combatting diseases. As animal testing has shown some incredibly exciting possibilities, Lee talks about his enthusiasm regarding their road forward with the technology, and the steps they must take before human clinical trials will begin.
When you think of insomnia or poor sleep habits, the first thing that comes to your mind might not be cognitive behavioral therapy, but according to sleep psychologist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, Lynelle Schneeberg, sleep behavior and the way we think about it has a much greater impact on it than most people realize. It is this overlap between psychology and medicine that has always intrigued Dr. Schneeberg, and ultimately what compelled her to enter and become a leader in the field of sleep medicine.
She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) and explains the “three Ps model” that forms the foundation of her work with patients, which refers to precipitating factors, precipitating events, and perpetuating factors. Precipitating factors, she explains, are personality traits or characteristics that predispose someone to develop insomnia, such as “type A” personalities, and those whose days are consumed by complicated, cerebral tasks that require a level of thinking that’s hard to shut down when it’s time to sleep. Precipitating events are what causes someone to actually develop insomnia, rather than just be at risk for developing it, and these events include stressors such as job loss or a death in the family. Lastly, perpetuating factors are the habits people carry with them even after the precipitating event has passed. Dr. Schneeberg describes how an understanding of these components can help people identify and address them in order to correct their sleep behaviors and ultimately live healthier and happier lives.
Dr. Schneeberg offers a ton of insightful and important information about sleep and alerts listeners to her up-and-coming book that focuses solely on sleep in children. Press play to hear the full conversation, and check out her website at drschneeberg.com.
Abdul Hamid Halabi is the head of healthcare at NVIDIA, and he offers an interesting look into the technology being offered by Clara, a new platform that’s bringing graphics processing unit (GPU) enabled imaging instruments to the medical world for faster reconstruction and higher quality images with up to an 80 percent reduction in irradiation to the patient. In addition to better graphics and higher resolution images, Halabi discusses the powerful upgrade in scientific computing brought by this technology, which will allow for the development of algorithms for faster detection of hemorrhage and the ability to prioritize work lists for radiologists in accordance with urgency, as well as algorithms that can automatically measure anatomy and produce reports from numerous images, whether generated by ultrasound, CT, MRI, or X-ray. Interested in learning more? Press play for an informative conversation that sheds light on the exciting future of technological advancement in medical imaging.
Visit https://developer.nvidia.com/clara for more information.
"Why do we let people die without accessing technology that in both research and offshore use…shows promise?” That was the question that Elizabeth Parrish found herself asking in 2013 after her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and her inquiries about stem cell and bio-banking resources were immediately shut down as experimental medicine and therefore inaccessible. This compelled her to begin a journey for patient advocacy.
She’s now the CEO of BioViva Science, a company that doesn’t just accept the status quo human lifespan, but instead explores new technologies for improving the length and quality of human life. Specifically, they’re doing this by developing a new gene therapy that creates upregulation of genes that improve cell function and prevent characteristic signs of cell aging. She joins the podcast to discuss the process of aging, how BioViva’s technology works to improve what the body already does naturally, the effect of myostatin inhibitors and telomerase inducers on the body, the problem with approaches taken by mainstream medicine, and so much more.
Tune in and check out https://bioviva-science.com/ for more information.
As the founder and medical director of the Center for Network Therapy, New Jersey’s first state-licensed outpatient detoxification care and treatment facility, Dr. Indra Cidambi has made it her life’s work to help more people suffering from addiction by restructuring the way treatment is carried out and by increasing accessibility to it. She is well-recognized as a pioneer and leading expert in the field of addiction medicine, and she joins the podcast today to discuss the benefits of outpatient treatment for addiction as opposed to the traditional method of inpatient treatment.
She explains how the understanding of addiction has changed over the years; while once seen as a character flaw or purely behavioral problem, research has shown that addiction is a chronic disease, just like diabetes or arthritis. The traditional inpatient method of treatment is based on the behavioral understanding of addiction, operating off of the idea that individuals suffering from addiction should be isolated from their families and friends until they can learn to change their behavior. But now that we have a better understanding of addiction, why does the inpatient model still dominate? Dr. Cidambi provides an answer to this question and explains the many ways in which her program will revolutionize addiction treatment and lead to healthier and happier patients.
Approximately 15-20% of men and 10% of women who have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea don’t even know it, and these percentages are increasing quickly. With an increasing number of people with sleep problems, there’s also a growing need for sleep medicine physicians and sleep centers. In order to help meet this need, Dr. Barry Fields is a board-certified sleep medicine physician who works in telemedicine—reaching patients from all over the country who are unable to sleep and suffering because of it. He’s lectured extensively across the country, co-authored the AASM sleep telemedicine handbook, and become an overall leader in the field.
Dr. Fields makes for an insightful and informative episode today, discussing a number of topics, including the mechanism of apnea and the collapse of the airway that characterizes it, the nature of sleep telemedicine (both from the perspective of the physician and the patient), the difference between obstructive and central sleep apnea and how the treatment methods differ for each, the most common complaints he encounters from patients, and environmental and genetic causes of sleep apnea.
He also discusses novel treatments for sleep apnea aided by new technology, such as the hypoglossal nerve stimulator which is placed in the chest much like a pacemaker and functions to stimulate the nerves responsible for moving the tongue forward in the mouth, thereby opening the airway. One of the newest technologies developed for the treatment of central sleep apnea is an implantable device that stimulates the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm, which also triggers the movement of the tongue and the opening of the airway.
Press play to hear the full conversation and to learn how to get yourself or your loved one help for their sleep problem.
Dr. Thaddeus Gala, Founder and CEO of Complete Care, delivers a riveting overview of his work in integrative medicine.
Dr. Gala is a skilled chiropractor who has given many of his career years to the goal of improving health and wellness for all. He is a sought-after lecturer on multiple topics related to wellness, including general nutrition, weight loss, management of diabetes, and more. Dr. Gala’s research has been published nationally and he is the successful author of notable publications such as the popular, “The Secret to Defy Disease and Decay,” cookbooks, and other works.
Dr. Gala talks about the events that motivated him to become passionate about wellness and natural medicine. As Dr. Gala recounts, his mother faced a serious illness that doctors had trouble explaining, but one that put her into a wheelchair. Frustrated by the fact that doctor after doctor offered little to no help to improve his mother’s condition, Dr. Gala devoted his life to find better solutions for people suffering from chronic diseases, to help them naturally reverse their diseases without the use of drugs or surgery. Dr. Gala talks about his integrative medical clinics and his desire to be actively involved in his patients’ care.
The natural medicine expert delves into the topic of inflammation and he explains how it happens. He explains how inflammation is the body’s natural response to something it considers to be an injurious type stimulus. He details multiple examples and outlines the body’s processes. He talks about the many nutritional problems people suffer from and goes into detail about the choices we make that impact our overall health.
Dr. Gala is a strong supporter of lifestyle changes as a means to reverse disease. His philosophy is based in the whole person approach, one that proposes we should be investigating the deeper underlying causes of body disturbances to root them out, and make lifestyle adjustments that will help push the body back to a healthy state and normalize body function.
There are over 88 known sleep disorders, almost all of which are manageable or treatable, yet sleep deprivation remains an epidemic in the United States, and as the body of research on the impact of sleep on physical and mental health continues to grow, so too should the urgency with which people seek help. The associations between sleep and overall health haven’t been on anyone’s radar until recently. In fact, during her time in nursing school, Terry Cralle, RN didn’t even learn about the impacts of sleep as part of the curriculum. Today, there’s a growing body of research indicating a relationship between sleep and diabetes, obesity, suicidal thoughts or tendencies, depression, substance abuse, and overall poor productivity and quality of life.
For over 22 years now, Cralle has worked in the world of sleep medicine, doing her best to educate everyone—from heads of corporations to kids in elementary schools—on the role that sleep plays in our lives. On today’s podcast, she offers a glimpse into what it’s like to be a part of sleep studies that aim to diagnose a range of sleep disorders, from REM behavior disorder which can cause people to become physically aggressive during sleep, to narcolepsy and sleep apnea. She discusses how she became involved in the world of sleep medicine, some of the misconceptions regarding sleep studies and why people are hesitant to seek help, societal influences on the perception of sleep, and more.
Tune in for the full conversation and visit http://www.terrycralle.com/ to learn more about the work she’s doing.
Approximately 15,000 new genomic profiles are analyzed on the SOPHiA GENETICS platform every month, and nearly 1,000 institutions are sharing and comparing this information for the ultimate goal of better understanding the relationship between genes and cancer and rare disorders, coming up with prognostic information, and identifying the best treatments in light of a patient’s genetic profile. General manager of North American operations and VP of business development at SOPHiA GENETICS, Kevin Puylaert, offers a glimpse into a world where massive amounts of data are being collected and analyzed on a regular basis for the betterment of data-driven medicine. He also discusses the details of the work they’re doing and what’s on the horizon in the coming months and years.
Press play for all the details and check out https://www.sophiagenetics.com/en_US/home.html to learn more.
In this informative podcast, Mark A. Cruz, D.D.S, an innovator in the dental industry, shares a wealth of information on his approach to dentistry.
Dr. Cruz received his degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry. Some of his notable accomplishments, beyond his successful practice, include serving on the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research Grant Review Committee in our nation’s capitol, Washington D.C., and the editorial board for the Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice.
In this podcast Dr. Cruz deeply discusses IFL, Inspiratory Flow Limitation, a topic discussed often in the fields of pulmonology and sleep medicine. Dr. Cruz discusses upper airway resistance syndrome and other issues such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Cruz continues his discussion on airway issues and their effects on overall health. And he explains how his team approaches care for all their patients, which includes looking at the bigger, overall picture of oral health, from a multidisciplinary vantage point.
Dr. Cruz enthusiastically promotes active prevention as a means to avoid oral problems, and he believes wholeheartedly in dental and oral health education.
“I don’t care what your educational background is, I don’t care what your ability is; everyone…if they want to, can become really knowledgeable…about anything,” says Richard Jacobs, creator, and host of Future Tech Podcast. He started this adventure in October of 2016 with little more than an interest in emerging technologies and a motivation to learn. Since then, he’s shared informative, eye-opening conversations and gained friendships with some of the top experts in numerous industries. Today’s mini-episode is all about his process, experience, and the lessons he’s learned.
Questions? Want to hear from someone in particular on Future Tech Podcast? Shoot an email to support@futuretechpodcast.com.
Some of the most common complaints you here nowadays are based on a set of symptoms many people blame simply on the busyness of their lives—headaches, tiredness, poor memory, poor sleep, the inability to concentrate…the list goes on. But what if you were to learn that these are not temporary experiences that are merely inconvenient? What if you were to learn that these symptoms are only going to worsen over time until they produce irreversible damage to the body?
Essentially, that’s the message that Professor Dr. Martin Pall from Washington State University and numerous studies are sending. He explains the powerful albeit continually ignored effect of electromagnetic radiation on our bodies—on the voltage-gated calcium channels present within every membrane of every cell in the body. These channels are particularly integral to electrically charged tissues, such as the nervous system and heart, and they also play a significant role in the release of neurotransmitters and hormones in the body. With a force that’s 7.2 million times stronger than the force imposed by cells in our body, it would be surprising to find that EMFs don’t significantly impact health. So, what’s being done about this, and why isn’t this information more frequently covered by mainstream news media? Tune in to hear Dr. Pall’s answer to that question and to find the best resources for research in this field.
“Lots of people think of the way genes influence you in terms of eye color or blood type, where one or very few single points in the genome decide these things…but most things have hundreds of genes or tens of genes all influencing them,” says James Turner, participant in the Personal Genome Project and Treasurer and Chairman of the Open Humans Foundation. This is just one among many of the insights he’s learned during his involvement with these projects.
The Personal Genome Project was started at Harvard Medical School in 2005 with the goal of increasing the number of whole genome sequences—which is a significantly more thorough and fruitful process than those used by Ancestry and 23andMe—and to link that genotypic data with correlated physical expressions or phenotypic data. When someone decides to submit information to the Personal Genome Project, they are anonymously making that data public to any researcher who could make use of it.
The Open Humans Foundation developed as a descendent of the Personal Genome Project and takes a more nuanced approach to the same idea by allowing participants to select whether their data is available to everyone, making use of data inspired by the Quantified Self Movement (e.g. Fitbit/Apple Watch, diet data), and providing new tools for data transfer from personal devices to data banks.
Turner makes for an insightful and informative conversation, discussing challenges for the medical community and concerns people have about making their genetic data public, the 1000 Genomes Project, the NIH-funded All of Us Research Project in which data sets on one million people are being tracked and collected, genome-wide association studies, the plummeting price of genome sequencing and how this is affecting the field, and so much more.
Tune in for all the details, and check out https://www.personalgenomes.org/us and http://openhumansfoundation.org/ to learn more.
In this informative podcast, Jake A. Kushner M.D., pediatric endocrinologist and Medical Director of McNair Interests, shares his thoughts about diabetes, and other health conditions.
Dr. Kushner is a respected diabetes researcher focused heavily in multiple areas of study such as type 1 diabetes and various endocrine disorders. In this podcast, Dr. Kushner talks about his extensive background as a pediatric endocrinologist. He recounts what piqued his interest in the research of diabetes. Other issues he has a particular interest in include: hypoglycemia, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and healthcare. The diabetes doctor explains many processes of the body and how the body deals with substances such as glucose and carbohydrates. He outlines some of the nutrients and foods that are commonly consumed and how they impact the body. Additionally he explains dietary requirements and the various processes of our internal systems.
Dr. Kushner is a graduate of UC Berkeley and holds a medical degree from Albany Medical College in New York. He completed his medical residency in pediatrics at Brown University, and has devoted his life to the study and treatment of disease and helping people improve their health.
Joan E. Nichols, Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, as well as Microbiology and Immunology, and Associate Director of the Galveston National Laboratory at the prestigious University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston delivers a thorough overview of her lab’s work studying the lung.
Nichols discusses her background and what motivated her to get into the field of bioengineering, specifically for organs. One major reason was that she saw an incredible need, as the list for organ transplants is long with not nearly enough human organs available. Nichols has spent her extensive career in research, studying many areas of science, with a particular interest in the alterations within the human immune response to microbial pathogens. Nichols’ work examines the lung’s reaction and response after being exposed to pollutants, respiratory pathogens, etc. Her lab is motivated to study many exciting areas that are relevant to medical science such as inflammation, stem cell characterization, and stem cell-based treatments, disease pathogenesis, healing after severe traumatic injury to the brain and lungs, and other important issues.
The bioengineering expert talks in detail about the ways they go about their research at her lab, and how their work has expanded. She talks about the importance of starting small, which she did, working with quarter-sized pieces of lung tissue to study disease and infection, and then advancing to the possibility of developing a full-sized lung. Nichols uses adult and embryonic stem cells and also tissue-engineering techniques to create human ex-vivo organoids/tissue constructs, which can be utilized as human model systems to aggressively research disease pathogenesis and human responses to significant pathogens.
Nichols explains the mechanisms of the lung, detailing gas exchange, and she discusses the intricate elements within the lung and how they study and advance their research based on every new thing they learn. She remarks on the incredible attributes of the lung and how the lung must adapt to various environments, pressures, etc. She discusses cells and how they are affected, and she explains lung development in various animals and compares and contrasts that to human lung function, taking into account immune system responses.
The science expert provides further information on her lab’s future and the need for funding as they advance and expand their research.
There is a lot to be learned from a view of Earth from space; the difficult part is translating that information into something that is useful and applicable to the problems we’re facing on the ground. Benjamin Koetz is a scientist with the European Space Agency who spends his days monitoring Earth from space and determining how best to apply what he’s learning to solve practical issues.
For instance, he is able to identify dramatic changes correlated with the death of crops due to lack of rainfall in certain geographical regions, compare these changes over time, and use this information in food security intervention efforts, such as by informing farmers of specific irrigation needs. Among other topics, Koetz discusses observation techniques, the effects of climate change, environmental trends that are identifiable from space, and the long-term goals of his work.
Press play to hear the full conversation and search the web for live-streaming satellite videos.
One of the essential pathways that cancer takes in order to spread to other parts of the body has long been identified as the Axl/Gas6 pathway; knowing this, researchers have tried for more than a decade to find a way to halt, block, or otherwise remove this pathway from being available to cancer cells, thereby potentially curing cancer. But until about four years ago, the only research efforts that existed were focused on knocking out or making the Axl component unable to bind with Gas6, which would shut down the pathway as a whole.
CEO of Aravive, Jay Shepard, joins the podcast to discuss why this approach has had only variably successful results, and why the approach they are taking has already shown a great deal of promise. Rather than targeting Axl, the team at Aravive has created a “decoy” of Gas6, which essentially acts to fool Axl into binding with it instead of natural Gas6. The idea was created by Stanford scientist and current founder of Aravive, Amato Giaccia. In pre-clinical trials, this method stopped or reversed metastasis in cancers, and cured resistant ovarian cancer in 20-30% of mice. Shepard discusses the ins and outs of this unprecedented research, the potential it holds, how it would take shape within the current landscape of cancer therapies, and what’s next on the list.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and check out https://ir.aravive.com/ to learn more.
Not many people draw associations between craniofacial development, epigenetics, and sleep disorders, but as a dentist, Dr. Ted Belfor has centered his life’s work on the intersection where these fields meet. When he first started speaking about epigenetics about two decades ago, no one gave any weight to what he was saying, but today, it’s the topics of some of the latest and most exciting research in science. He makes for an eye-opening and informative conversation that details what he’s learned over the years about the effect of epigenetics on craniofacial development, and the effect of craniofacial development on our ability to get quality sleep and maintain an overall state of health.
Simply put, epigenetics is the idea that while the environment can’t change our genes, it can dictate whether or not they’re expressed. Since our environments have changed significantly over the years—particularly since the spread of agriculture and the more recent rise in processed foods, it would be surprising to find that these changes haven’t affected gene expression. And in fact, they have. Dr. Belfor explains how these epigenetic changes have led to a lack of full and proper craniofacial development, and how that in turn has lead to sleep apnea, upper airway resistance, and a range of other sleep disorders.
He has created the Homeoblock, which is a removable oral device that is designed to correct what our changing environments have altered and to realign our physiology with the way it was designed to function, thereby toning our airways and enhancing the growth of our jaws in order to promote better sleep and better overall health.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and visit http://www.facialdevelopment.com/aboutus.php to learn more.
Dr. William B. Miller Jr. became a doctor during a time when medicine was much more hands-on in nature than it is today, a time when the diagnosis of appendicitis was made of the basis of palpation and a set of physical signs a new doctor wouldn’t even know, a time when exploratory laparotomies were the norm. So, when the advent of diagnostic imaging came along, such as computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound, Dr. Miller was impressed by and compelled to learn more about its advantages and capabilities—so much so that he decided to specialize in radiology.
As a radiologist, Dr. Miller began appreciating the reliability of disease patterns in different modes of imaging. For example, certain infectious diseases and microbes reliably caused specific patterns in certain organs, and he began to wonder why that was the case. This is the thought process that led him to develop an interest in evolutionary biology. He has since explored evolutionary biology, authored The Microcosm Within: Evolution and Extinction in the Hologenome, and given many lectures on the new science of the hologenome and the impact of the microbiome on evolutionary development.
Dr. Miller joins the podcast to discusses the hologenome theory of evolution, which is based on the idea that all multicellular organisms should not be seen as independent from their symbiotic microbes but as part of a system that contains them. He also discusses cancer as an infectious disease and how this is evidenced by radiographic interpretation, fractal reiteration, the microbiome and the role of microbes in growth and development, appetite, metabolism, human behavior, and mate selection, how immunology might be a cause or driving factor of evolution rather than just a subject of it, and many other topics. He is a wealth of knowledge who makes for a fascinating conversation, and you’re bound to learn from it. Tune in, visit www.themicrocosmwithin.com, and check out his book on Amazon or in the stores.
Mariano Vázquez, Ph.D., co-founder, and CTO of ELEM Biotech, discusses the many possibilities for testing and advancing treatments by utilizing virtual humans.
Mariano Vázquez, Ph.D., has spent many years as a prominent researcher at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and he has worked in tandem with many multi-disciplinary, international researchers with diverse backgrounds spanning physics, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering. By activating the most powerful supercomputers on the planet, researchers seek to gather a more sophisticated understanding of nature by developing a computational world for their ongoing research.
Vázquez talks about their work at ELEM Biotech. Their simulations of complex systems such as the human body, open up many doors for further research and testing. Overall the company is immersed in biomedical simulations, cloud, machine learning, the cardiovascular system, and the respiratory system, advanced medical devices, etc. Vázquez explains that while ELEM Biotech is interested in many areas of study and development, they are mostly focused on the cardiovascular system. Their information states… “Imagine a virtual human, not made of flesh and bones, but bits and bytes.”
As Vázquez explains, they create virtual humans with the goal of facilitating the testing of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, etc. Ultimately, virtual humans are created in a cloud infrastructure, where pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, etc. can test their products and fine-tune treatments to best-fit patients. In theory, so many devices and systems can be tested, from pacemakers to valve replacements, as well as stents and anti-arrhythmic drugs. Additionally, treatments for asthma, obstructive pulmonary diseases and so much more can be set up for study.
Vázquez talks about the future study they hope to approach. He explains the manner in which they develop their models and the relative complexity. He details how they combine systems to work in coordination. He further elaborates on their desire to link systems in a more advanced way, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Vázquez explains also, the wonderful possibilities to test devices in relation to male versus female, for as he states a pacemaker, for example, is designed for both male and female, but the hearts are different.
Finally, Vázquez talks about the research and development they expect to delve into in the coming months and years
You might be under the impression that once someone is diagnosed with sleep apnea, they’re simply sent on their way with a CPAP machine and that’s that—and you wouldn’t be alone in thinking this. Sarah Hornsby joins the podcast to explain why this isn’t—or at least shouldn’t be—the case. Prior to becoming a leader in the field of myofunctional therapy for sleep apnea, Sarah Hornsby worked as a dental hygienist, which eventually led her to discover and dive deeper into an investigation of the ways in which oral myofunctional problems and associated airway and breathing problems are related to poor sleep and overall health, and are actually the root causes of them.
Sarah Hornsby began her work as a myofunctional therapist in a brick-and mortar building, where she saw patients face-to-face for about four years. But by the end of 2014, she was being contacted by so many people from all over the world in search of a solution for their problems, that she decided the best way to reach more people would be to take her practice entirely online. Since then, she’s been teaching people how to strengthen their tongue, throat, breath through their nose, and rest their tongue at the top of their mouth through a variety of oral and breathing exercises. When she’s not doing Skype-based appointments, she’s making YouTube videos and other video programs in order increase the accessibility of these resources.
Sarah Hornsby discusses a number of interesting topics, including the effect that resting the tongue on the bottom of the mouth can have on a child’s craniofacial and airway growth and development, the respiratory disturbance index which accounts for changes in brain activity and heart rate during episodes of apnea, and how seemingly harmless snoring can lead to obstructive sleep apnea. She also discusses how her practice has evolved over the years to meet the demands of her patients, explains the process of a first-time appointment with her, and the impressive results she’s making possible.
Tune in for all the details, check out her videos on YouTube, and visit https://myfaceology.com/ to learn more.
“There are many decisions in medicine often made by groups of people, and as we’ve all experienced, with a large group of people—no matter how educated or organized—there is still a heterogeneous and ultimately not efficient way that we tend to fall to collective decisions,” says Dr. Matthew Lungren, assistant professor of pediatric radiology at Stanford University Medical Center. He goes on to explain why this is, which seems to be in large part because of the power dynamics at play in face-to-face conferences or meetings; there are usually leaders or individuals with perceived power and authority over the others in the group, making truly collective decision-making efforts difficult to actualize—whether or not anyone really notices it. But when patients' lives are on the line, can we really count on this method? It’s the only one that’s been used in medicine, and it seems to have been working for eons now, but does that mean it’s the best method? Could it be improved in the name of efficiency, fairness, and patient well-being?
Dr. Lungren and the team of senior researchers at Unanimous seem to think so, and for the past two years they’ve been collaborating on an effort to bring swarm intelligence into the realm of decision making in radiology and any other specialty of medicine which might benefit from it. So, what exactly is swarm or collective intelligence? When distilled to the basics and explained illustratively, it’s really quite simple: “It’s a real-time interaction, but unlike a large conference call…you don’t actually know the identity of anyone else in the swarm and there’s a very graphical way that people who are swarming interface…Imagine a puck on ice that can be slid around, and each person has a magnetic force that they can apply to that puck to pull it toward the answer they believe is correct,” explains Dr. Lungren. Eventually, a conclusion will be reached, with the contributions having been evenly distributed and anonymous within the swarm.
Interested in learning more? Tune in for all the details, check out unanimous.ai, and send your inquiries to Dr. Lungren at mlungren@stanford.edu.
It’s hard to deny that pharmaceutical companies have played a big role in extending people’s lives through the production of new drugs, but that doesn’t mean the processes they use to produce those drugs have been perfected, or that the drugs they put out are without risk. The fact that nearly 300 people in the US will die today as a result of adverse drug reactions is a testament to this. So, what exactly is going wrong?
Dr. Martin Dawes, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of GenXys joins the podcast to answer this question and explain what GenXys is doing about the problem. He explains the drawbacks of randomly-controlled drug trials (the gold standard for getting market approval for drugs), which include the fact that they are extremely expensive, confined to limited selections of study subjects, and vulnerable to improper data interpretation leading to erroneous conclusions that don’t apply on an individual level. Dr. Dawes also explains how choosing and prescribing medications currently works, how it should work, and how their prescribing software goes far beyond just correcting the problems with current drug interaction software programs. By keeping the individual patient’s medical history, current prescriptions, risk factors, and all other clinically-relevant information at the forefront of any conversation about prescribing a new drug, and by implementing software that guarantees this, lives will not only be improved, but saved.
Tune in for all the details and visit https://www.genxys.com/content/ to learn more.
Cancer, diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease; what do all these have in common? A connection to oral health. A common conception of dentists is that it's their job to fix teeth, while it’s a doctor’s job to treat and cure people of illnesses, but as dentistry grows as a practice and research continues to be conducted, more and more people are realizing that oral health is entirely inseparable from systemic health.
As the founder of the Wellness Dentistry Network and owner of his own dental practice rightly named Integrative Oral Medicine, Dr. Doug Thompson has made it his life’s work to bring to the forefront of dentistry the ever-present and vitally important connections between oral and overall health. In his practice, he views each patient holistically in order to identify risk factors for other chronic diseases and collaborate with primary care physicians to provide them with the best possible outcomes. Through the Wellness Dentistry Network, he teaches other dentists the value of integrative oral medicine and provides them with access to the best resources for implementing holistic approaches in the treatment of their own patients.
Dr. Thompson offers informative, insightful contributions to the conversation today, touching on a range of topics including how to recognize diseases early on, the importance of tailoring his recommendations for good oral health to the individual needs of patients, how inflammation presents itself in the mouth and leads to the degradation of the body in numerous ways, and how a sick mouth contributes to the process of slow brain death seen in patients with dementia.
Visit https://ioralmed.com/ and https://www.wellnessdentistrynetwork.com/ to learn more.
To date, the majority of cancer therapies have been developed to specifically target cancer cells, without much or any emphasis placed on the way in which those cancer cells interact with and alter their environment in order to thrive. Over the past several years, however, a greater understanding of tumor microenvironments has begun to emerge, and this is shaping the way in which therapies are being developed. Since tumor cells have the ability to evolve quickly in response to their environment, therapies designed to attack them often fail to produce clinical benefit for patients. Instead of targeting cancer cells, emerging therapies are focused on enhancing the body’s own ability to fight these cells. This approach, since it is not specific to cancer cells themselves, holds the potential to treat many types of cancer.
Rgenix is a company at the forefront of this technology. Today, physician-scientist, CEO, and co-founder, Masoud Tavazoie, joins the podcast to discuss his work in this field. Developed at Rockefeller University, Rgenix’s approach is based on the modeling of interactions between tumors and tumor microenvironments in mice in order to determine the ways in which tumors interact with the body, as well as how and where to apply the therapies they’re developing. Dr. Tavazoie is a wealth of information, discussing the ins and outs of this new approach, the details of the several drug programs they have in clinical development, cancer as a systemic disease, the dynamic interactions between tumors and the immune system, and much more.
Learn more by visiting https://rgenix.com/ and press play for all the details.
Unlike robotic systems made even partially from organic materials, entirely artificial electronic systems have use cases in both the human body and a variety of other environments, such as tiny crevices in the earth, chemical reactors, and oil pipelines. In order to reach these places, however, these systems must be tiny—the size of red blood cells, which are not more than ten microns in diameter.
Albert Liu is a presidential fellow working in Michael Strano’s lab in the MIT Department of Engineering, and he joins the podcast to discuss their most recent accomplishments: the creation of an entirely artificial robotic system the size of a human red blood cell, and recent publications detailing how these systems can be employed in aerosolizable electronics and soil matrices. He also discusses the most difficult aspects of creating these systems, the insight he’s gained as a graduate student working in this field, the revolutionary potential of these systems in medicine and industry, and the tradeoffs between biological and artificial robotics.
Interested in learning more? Stay current on the latest research by visiting https://srg.mit.edu/, and tune in to hear the full conversation.
Mass producing colloidal electronics (with a video):
http://news.mit.edu/2018/how-mass-produce-cell-sized-robots-1023
Strano website:
https://srg.mit.edu/
Albert website:
https://albert-t-liu.com/
Nature Nano reference:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-018-0194-z
Nature Materials reference:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-018-0197-z
According to a report produced by the Alzheimer’s Association last year, early detection of dementia in the US could potentially save over seven trillion dollars over the lifetime of all the individuals who are eventually diagnosed with dementia. How? By delaying their entry into residential care.
The team at Cognetivity has developed a testing platform with a very simple yet effective premise, which is to show people images for a short period of time and then ask them about the content of those images. The test can be administered on an iPad or mobile phone and is used as a screening method for changes in cognition that occur 10 to 15 years before most people receive a diagnosis for dementia. By detecting such small changes in cognitive competencies, the test can identity warning signs for dementia before it’s too late for intervention to help, such as behavioral and lifestyle changes, mental exercises, and some medications that can treat symptoms that arise during different stages of the disease. Ultimately, this will extend the functional lives of individuals with the disease and delay their need for residential care.
As Cognetivity’s data set continues to grow, they will be using AI tools to improve the training of the platform, analyze the patterns of responses, and predict how a patient is likely to progress.
Press play for all the details and check out cognetivity.com to learn more.
Miriam Kalamian, EdM, MS, CNS, discusses her work as an educator and nutrition expert, and talks extensively about the connection between diet and disease.
Kalamian has devoted much of her life to the study of nutrition. She is board certified in nutrition (CNS), bestowed upon her by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists. As a noted nutrition consultant and educator, she spends a great deal of her time focused on the importance of diet in an overall healthy lifestyle. And as a successful author and nutrition expert she is interested in the implementation of ketogenic therapies, and has written extensively on the topic. Kalamian holds a master of education (EdM) from Smith College and a master of human nutrition (MS) from Eastern Michigan University.
Kalamian discusses her background and what led to her current career focus. As she recounts, her world was rocked back in 2004 when her young son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Standard therapies did not stop the aggressive progression of his disease, and thus it was clear to Kalamian that she simply had to go in a different direction to fight for her son. After much reading and research, Kalamian discovered Dr. Thomas Seyfried’s extensive research that was based on the ketogenic diet as a means to fight cancer. She discusses in detail, the journey she went through with her son, and talks about the ways in which the body turns up its power to fight, when a stricter diet commands the body to work efficiently.
The nutrition expert delves into the inner-workings of the body and its abilities to handle and process foods. She talks about the effects of too much protein in a diet, and explains what happens internally. She explains how cancer cells work and how exercise and diet combine to provide benefits. Kalamian explains fatty acids and ketosis, and the removal of glucose from the bloodstream. As she states, low-impact exercise, such as a nice walk, helps to remove glucose from the bloodstream in a safe and effective way. She explains that nutrition, when controlled, can benefit the body’s health while simultaneously working against cancer.
The effects of a ketogenic diet can have a significant impact on some cancer patients in combination with their doctor’s other treatments and therapies. While keto may not be the sole solution, it certainly can enhance traditional medicine treatments.
Alyssa Crittenden, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, delivers a thorough overview of anthropology and diet.
Crittenden has spent many years deeply researching the evolution of human behavior, specifically as it pertains to nutrition and reproduction. With a keen interest in the many questions that circulate regarding what makes our human species so incredibly unique, Crittenden’s research taps into the direct links between diet composition, growth/development, as well as the formation of families and child rearing.
Crittenden discusses her opinions on diet and nutrition. As a nutritional anthropologist, she is particularly interested in historical diets as they relate to what we know today. She delves into a discussion on the paleo diet. The paleo diet, short for Paleolithic diet, sometimes referred to as the caveman diet or stone-age diet is a complete diet that requires an individual to restrict their diet to foods thought to have been readily available to humans throughout the Paleolithic era. Crittenden explains the benefits of various diets and substitutes people can make to stay true to their particular diet. As she states, while the paleo diet is popular, many clinical nutritionists don’t advocate it. From an anthropological perspective, she explains that the enlargement of human brains was related to higher quality food sources.
The Ph.D. discusses how many diets exist in our society, but most of the world does not have the same dietary options or access. She delves into some of the questions we ponder in relation to our food sources and diet and relates how our microbiome is directly impacted by not only foods we eat but also our environment. She talks about worms and insects and how many people in the world commonly eat them, though most Americans are quite averse to the idea. She explains how the harvesting of insects is more sustainable, as large animals require significant amounts of land for grazing. She details some of the statistics that relate to food growth and crop productivity. Incorporating insects into the diet, Crittenden states is perhaps one of the best ways that we can enhance our food supply, with a lower impact.
The professor discusses how access to adequate nutrition is still a privilege but not a right. Many people in the world are malnourished, unfortunately, and obesity adds another element that contributes negatively to global health.
Crittenden has worked extensively with the Hadza of Tanzania, East Africa — one of the world’s few remaining hunting and gathering populations. Crittenden’s work has been published often in academic journals and highlighted in notable media sources such as The New York Times, Smithsonian, National Geographic, Psychology Today, and many others.
"We are trying to show that DNA is a future engineering material,” says Dr. Rebecca Taylor, assistant professor of mechanical engineering with courtesy appointments in biomedical engineering and electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She spends many of her days in the lab engineering electromechanical sensors and devices for employment in the human body, but she’s doing so in a revolutionary new way: with the use of DNA. As opposed to top-down manufacturing, which involves controlling every detail at every step in the manufacturing process, DNA origami are small electromechanical systems that, once programmed, build themselves, thereby granting the power of bottom-up bioengineering.
The technical details of how exactly DNA origami works are a bit complex, but Dr. Taylor lays them out in simple terms with illustrative examples, making for a compelling and informative episode. She discusses two of the main projects being worked on in her lab, one of which is the creation of robots capable of swimming through the tiniest capillaries in the human body—capillaries that are just eight microns in diameter. In the near future, Dr. Taylor sees a reality in which DNA origami behave like the molecular chaperones in our body, facilitating and directing their own more complex assemblies in the body.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and learn more about this field of research by visiting https://engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/taylor-rebecca.html.
When it comes to genetic engineering, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), and new reproductive technologies, a lot of progress has been made in recent years. New research pushing the boundaries of how we define, control, and treat biological entities and life itself is welcomed by some and a source of fear for others. As the Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law and professor by courtesy of genetics at Stanford University, Dr. Hank Greely’s work centers around the ethical, social, and legal implications of advances in the biosciences, and he joins the podcast today to discuss skin-derived pluripotent stem cells and what he sees as the coming revolution in human reproduction.
It’s already been done in mice, and an attempt to do it using human cells might not be a far-off reality: the joining of sperm and egg cells developed from skin-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), and the consequent creation of healthy infants. For those couples who can’t have genetic children of their own due to infertility for any number of reasons, this new reproductive technology holds great promise. And according to Dr. Greely, the same might even be true for homosexual couples who have functional gametes, but only one kind.
Dr. Greely is also the author of The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction, a book which details the many potential implications and possibilities that could arise in the very near future of human existence. Just imagine being able to thumb through a pamphlet with your significant other, deciding how to essentially “design” your future child and having the ability to choose embryos with the lowest chances of developing certain genetic diseases.
Interested in learning more? Press play, find his book on Amazon and check out https://law.stanford.edu/directory/henry-t-greely/#slsnav-featured-video.
Phil Deschamps, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Helius Medical Technologies delivers an overview of brain function and brain stimulation.
Phil Deschamps has been on board with Helius Medical Technologies since 2013. Deschamps has amassed an impressive 28 years of continuous experience in the growing pharmaceutical and healthcare industry and has worked with major corporations such as Bristol Myers Squibb, GSW Worldwide, and MediMedia Health. Deschamps has overseen the strategic development of multiple companies and is a seasoned veteran and noted authority in the industry.
Deschamps discusses his work at Helius and the new, advanced portable neuromodulation stimulator they refer to as simply, PoNS. He provides a detailed overview of how external stimulation of the brain works, with an emphasis on neuroplasticity. Helius focuses on noninvasive platform technologies, with the intent to provide outstanding new treatment options for many patients by amplifying the human brain’s innate ability to actually heal itself. PoNS is a medical device that looks very promising in various clinical trials. Deschamps speaks about their work with traumatic brain injuries, but he states that over time they hope to be cleared to provide solutions for many more medical areas such as MS, Parkinson’s, stroke, cerebral palsy, etc.
The medical technology expert discusses rehabilitation in regard to brain function. He describes the exercises in physical therapy that help a patient recover, and how PoNS can enhance the physical therapy to provide permanent improvements. He delves into the design of their device and how it works, but he underscores that clinical trials are ongoing and with each new trial they continue to learn more about the benefits of this new technology. Scientifically, there is much to learn still, but researchers are working steadily to progress the tech to help many patients.
Deschamps talks about their clinically significant results and their review process with the FDA. Additionally, he provides information on the various groups that they have worked with in regard to physical therapy. He discusses placebo and blinding, and the other means they use to gather the most honest data they can in their clinical trials. He expounds further upon specific trials and discusses some of their surprises, as well as some of the expectations they went into the trials with, that were met. He states that they found some significant brain changes that have been very encouraging.
Down the road, Deschamps hopes to find even more advanced ways to help patients affected by neurological symptoms caused by trauma and disease.
Most people have an aversion to needles, and for good reason—they cause pain and are usually associated with unpleasant experiences, not to mention the regular use of them leads to a significant amount of biohazardous waste. For the over 30 million Americans who have diabetes, however, the use of needles for insulin delivery is unavoidable or at least imminent. But this might not be the case for long.
Alex Abramson is a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering at MIT, and for the past four years, he’s been working on the development of a new pill for the oral delivery of insulin and other biologics. Inspired by the shape and density distribution of self-righting tortoises, the pill is designed to self-orient toward the stomach wall, sense the humidity in the stomach’s environment, and release a drug-loaded post directly into the stomach tissue with the use of a needle no larger than one millimeter in diameter.
Funded by a pharmaceutical company by the name of Novo Nordisk, the project has already been published and is generating a ton of excitement. With numerous studies showing efficacy in large animal models, Abramson is hoping to bring the device into human clinical trials within the next two years. On today’s podcast, Abramson explains the ins and outs of the mechanism behind the pill, how he came up with this idea, the potential it holds, and one of his primary concerns.
Check out the link below to watch a video depicting how exactly the pill works, and press play to hear the full conversation.
https://youtu.be/w7UTwEPYD4M
Despite the widely used and highly addictive nature of cocaine, as well as the ever-present threat of lethal overdose, there’s still no FDA-approved medication for treating cocaine abuse, which results in many cocaine addicts being turned away from treatment centers and hospitals and never receiving the care they need. But recent findings by researchers Xiaoyang Wu and Ming Xu at the University of Chicago might indicate a promising solution—one that could forever change the future of how cocaine addiction is handled.
After the identification of a naturally-occurring cocaine-degrading enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), Wu and Xu began developing a method that combines CRISPR gene editing and skin grafting to produce “cocaine-proof” laboratory mice—mice that are incapable of developing cocaine addiction, relapsing into cocaine use, and overdosing on cocaine. CRISPR is a revolutionary new tool for gene editing that allows for a cell’s genome to be edited with precision and without affecting other genes. Wu and Xu’s procedure begins with the removal of a small piece of skin from a donor mouse, followed by the use of CRISPR to introduce BChE-producing genes into the skin cells within the piece of skin and then grafting that patch of skin back onto the same donor mouse. These genetically modified skin cells produce sufficient amounts of BChE to enter the mouse’s circulatory system and degrade cocaine faster than it can accumulate, and therefore faster than it can cause addiction, overdose, or relapse. Wu and Xu provide a wealth of information on the science behind these processes and the potentially significant impact of these findings on the future of addiction medicine. Tune in to hear the full conversation.
In this informative podcast, Toshihiro Shioda, MD, Associate Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School, provides an overview of the current research in cellular biology, with a focus on primordial germ cells.
As a noted researcher, Toshihiro Shioda, MD, Ph.D., has devoted a great deal of his life to the study of cellular activity and cellular processes. Shioda’s lab researches a vast array of important scientific areas including the role of estrogens and antiestrogens in human breast cancer. Shioda and his team have a particular interest in primordial germ cells (PGCs).
His research team studies how primordial germ cells share similarities to common, natural germ cells. And Shioda’s research may deliver a working model that could facilitate the analyzation of germline epimutations. The Ph.D. researcher discusses the details of chemotherapy and its impact on both sexes. Additionally, he cites various research regarding epigenetics. By using the leading tools available to them, Shioda and his team hope to deliver effective germ cell models that will be viable for cancer research as well as other areas of study.
“Living things adapt not necessarily by being genetically endowed to function well in a particular environment, but they actually modify the environment to themselves…adaptation…is a two-way street: animals and organisms adapt to environments, but they also adapt environments to themselves,” says J Scott Turner, physiologist, professor, and author who focuses his work on the intersection between physiology, evolution, ecology, and adaptation.
He’s best known for his research on macrotermis microceni, an African species of termite that adapts its environment to serve its own physiological needs—the prime example being the mounds they form, which quite literally function as lungs for crucial gas exchange. This work triggered a whole series of questions that he’s pursued ever since, and he joins the podcast to discuss a few of them.
This compelling and intriguing conversation touches on a range of topics, such as the nature and role of organisms that construct and adapt their environments like superorganisms—including the ones in our gut, the meaning of animal architecture and what we can learn from it, the process of malignancy, the relationship between hereditary memory and function, the trainability of immune systems, and the fundamental questions of what physiology is and where it comes from.
Learn more about J Scott Turner’s work by visiting jscottturner.com, and feel free to reach out with questions via email at jsturner@syr.edu
When we don’t get a good night’s sleep, we can usually tell simply by the way we feel the next day—we’re tired, unproductive, unable to think clearly, etc. But it’s much harder to pinpoint why we didn’t sleep well, or at what point during the night things went wrong. And while there are a number of “sleep trackers” on the market which promise to deliver useful data on our sleep patterns, the only true measurement of sleep—or at least the gold standard for objectively measuring sleep—involves multiple sensors attached to the body, which disrupts comfort, and therefore disrupts sleep. What if there was a different solution—one that didn’t involve physical contact with the body at all, but could still capture, analyze, and make sense of all the data associated with sleep? Now there is. Roy Raymann, Ph.D., joins the podcast to discuss a new technology 13 years in the making that could forever change how we collect sleep data.
He’s the Vice President of Sleep Science and Scientific Affairs at SleepScore Labs, and he brings over 25 years’ worth of research experience to the table. Dr. Raymann discusses all the details of this new technology, which utilizes radio waves (sound waves), algorithmic operations, and data processing to not only capture the micro-movements we make during sleep, but also analyze and make sense of them. Perhaps the best part is that it doesn’t require contact with the body at all, which means sleep won’t be disturbed by the sensors and wires that were previously used to study it.
Tune in to hear more about the SleepScore product and the extra features it includes, and check out https://www.sleepscore.com/ to learn more.
“People are looking for drug-free alternatives...and we are really focused on making people aware of the fact that technology can be a really viable and effective solution for their chronic pain,” says Frank McGillin, COO of Quell, a company that’s offering just that: a completely drug-free, over-the-counter, wearable solution that employs neurotechnology in the treatment of lower-extremity chronic pain. By stimulating nerves with high-frequency electrical stimulation, the device triggers a response that blocks the pain signal in the body on a long-term and 24-hour basis. In fact, it’s the only over-the-counter pain-relieving device that’s been FDA-approved for use during sleep—a particularly important detail considering the overwhelming evidence that suggests lack of sleep actually exacerbates perceptions of pain. The device fits comfortably around the calf, is no larger than the size of a debit card, and creates a strong but comfortable buzzing sensation.
McGillin discusses the ins and outs of this technology, as well as user feedback from chronic pain patients, the device’s ability to track sleep patterns and gait abnormalities (which are linked to pain) to better inform users and provide suggestions over time, and the newest version of the product set to be launched this year, which will apply machine learning to millions of hours’ worth of user data in order to improve the device’s algorithms, making the technology smarter and more tailored to the individual pain sufferer.
Press play to hear the full conversation, and check out quellrelief.com to learn more and get one for yourself.
In this podcast, Louis Rosenberg, Ph.D., founder of Unanimous AI (unanimous.ai), provides an analysis of the current state of artificial intelligence and discusses his company’s mission: to enhance human intelligence via AI.
Rosenberg is the chief scientist at Unanimous AI, a company that has devised a means to utilize artificial intelligence to enhance human intelligence. Rosenberg holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. from Stanford University.
The science expert talks about the connection between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. He goes into great detail about swarm functionality, the group mind system that allows a collective to contribute to answers, which has been proven to produce more accurate results. This swarm technology is being adopted by industries, physicians, and more, to improve outcomes, increase accuracy and knowledge, as well as boost efficiency.
By logging into a swarm system, people can answer questions to a problem together, increasing efficiency and accuracy. The AI can assist to analyze the confidence level, and other measures, to home in on the best answers. Companies are seeing the many benefits, but physicians can benefit as well by using the swarm concept to gain an advantage and decrease errors.
Rosenberg explains that human knowledge is the base, but the swarm technology can amplify this human knowledge and improve it. He details the ways their innovative technology can help to increase results and improve knowledge, understand markets, and so much more.
“I think the biggest challenge for dentists is to step away from the restorative model and look at the medical model…let’s treat this like a disease proper, let’s figure out what the cause of the disease is and fix that instead, and that’s what really motivated me 20 years ago,” says Dr. Kim Kush, explaining what led him to shift his focus as a practicing dentist—away from the restorative model of dental health he was taught in school, and toward the medical model of dental health, which could actually hold promise for giving people long-term dental health.
Dr. Kush discusses in detail the four main risk factors he’s identified over the years in his practice: dry mouth, diet, biofilm, and genetics. He explains why dry mouth puts people at a much higher risk for developing cavities, how the typical American diet and habits of eating are reducing the body’s ability to protect the teeth, the mechanism of biofilm formation, and how genetics play a role in people’s predisposition toward developing cavities—which might explain why some people can go their whole lives with poor dental hygiene and zero cavities, while others can try everything in the book and still get new cavities every year. Dr. Kush shares surprising facts about a variety of practical issues we all encounter each day, and how to mitigate them.
Press play to hear the full conversation and learn more about his practice by visiting https://carifree.com/.
The lack of quality sleep is becoming a global epidemic—almost all of us either suffer from a sleep problem or know someone who does. But at the same time, sleep clinicians are still few and far between, making it difficult and inconvenient for people to find legitimate help with their sleep. This leaves people in a cycle that consists of poor sleep, poor work performance, and poor quality of life. URGOTech is a company that’s offering a solution: they’re bringing the same technology used by sleep doctors and clinics to the comfort of your home.
The basis of their product revolves around a relatively simple concept, which is that the brain simply needs to be trained to sleep better. A user simply wears the URGOTech headband, connects to the app, and follows the training exercises three times a week for approximately 15 to 20 minutes each session. The results? People are not only able to fall asleep faster, but they’re experiencing a 53% reduction in the number of times they wake up each night. Co-founder of URGOTech, Guirec Le Lous, joins the podcast to explain how exactly the product works, how each individual will utilize a different strategy for improving their sleep, and when you can look forward to getting one for yourself.
Tune in and check out urgonight.com to learn more.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and statistics suggest that an individual has a 50% chance of developing the disease after age 85. Approximately 150 drug trials for Alzheimer’s have failed, but the efforts continue nonetheless. Erik Gunther, Ph.D., is an associate research scientist at the Strittmatter Lab at Yale University School of Medicine, and he is working on the development of a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s—one that operates under the compelling hypothesis that the buildup of beta-amyloid proteins or “plaque” in the brain is what causes Alzheimer’s. Rather than follow the lead of what’s already failed—which are drugs that remove plaque once it’s already accumulated in the brain—they ’re working on a drug that will prevent the buildup of plaque in the first place. It’s a novel approach to a long-standing problem, and it could change everything for current and future generations.
In addition to explaining exactly how the drug interacts with neurons in the brain and what they’ve discovered from trials with laboratory mice, Dr. Gunther discusses a range of other topics, including the genetic contribution of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and how it bolsters the beta-amyloid hypothesis, what occurs during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and how it ultimately causes death, how an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is reached (and the problem of misdiagnosis), insulin resistance of the brain and the possible connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, and how the brain’s immune system works.
Press play to hear all the details of these topics and more, and visit https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/strittmatter/ to stay current on the latest research.
In this interesting podcast, John Tucker, DMD, the founder of Tucker Educational Excellence LLC (tuckereducationalexcellence.com), provides a thorough overview of the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea, and the promotion of sleep medicine education.
For more than ten years John Tucker has treated patients and provided valuable education opportunities for dentists. Tucker Educational Excellence is intently focused on dental sleep medicine practices. Tucker describes their mission and goals, and relates that they actively pursue patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and for whom traditional CPAP therapy is not an option or has failed.
CPAP, which is short for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, provides constant airway pressure to the throat to keep the airway open when sleeping. CPAP is a method of treatment for those who are experiencing a stoppage of breathing during their sleep cycle. Without treatment, some apnea sufferers may go up to a minute and a half without breathing, which is not good for one’s health. Tucker discusses obstructive sleep apnea’s link to major health problems from GERD to diabetes and more, even sexual dysfunction. And unfortunately, as he states many people are undiagnosed currently.
Tucker provides some detailed information on his practice and explains what they look for, to assess sleep apnea and airway-related issues. He gives an overview of some of the areas they observe and what they focus on, including high-vaulted palate, as well as gum and tongue issues.
When someone suffers from a stroke, an insufficient amount of blood and oxygen reaching their brain causes tissue death and disturbs what’s called the corticospinal tract. This tract lends itself to an impressive level of human dexterity, but also to a range of devastating consequences when damaged. This is why people who’ve suffered from a stroke often have low dexterity, loss of limb movement or control, and weakness. Similar symptoms can be seen with other neurological diseases and injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, cerebellar ataxia, and multiple sclerosis. The best way to recover from any of these conditions is by engaging early on in intense rehab, which includes lots of movement.
At the Brain, Learning, Animation, and Movement (BLAM) Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. John W. Krakauer is interested in better understanding the science of movement in health and disease, how people plan, control and learn movements after a neurological event, and how to engage people in the rehab process, which can be intense, arduous, and challenging for most to maintain.
However, Dr. Krakauer explains that in order to maximize the potential usefulness of the abilities that remain post-stroke, maintaining a consistently high level of rehabilitative movement is absolutely necessary. This is why he’s focusing his efforts on "gamifying" the process—designing interactive games that will not only engage people, but address their specific rehabilitative needs by integrating them into the characters within the games.
Dr. Krakauer joins the podcast to discuss a variety of topics, including different types of stroke, the process of recovering from stroke and other neurological events, feedback from the trials they’ve held, and their plans moving forward, which include building new technology, holding bigger trials with chronic and acute stroke patients, and considering the ways in which this technology could influence the future architecture of hospital rooms.
Tune in and learn more by visiting www.blam-lab.org.
Did you know that 40% of your sleep comfort comes from your pillow? The team at REM-fit knows this, which is why they’ve spent the last several years putting so much energy into the creation of a pillow unlike any other—one that utilizes the technology of today’s world in every way possible to bring you the best night’s sleep, every night. The ZEEQ pillow is both Alexa-integrated and IFTTT-integrated (If This Then That), which means it can connect with any smart Home-enabled device you have. It can get your coffee brewing 20 minutes before your alarm is set to go off, it can begin heating the floors in your bathroom before you start your day, it can pull back the shades to let in natural light, and it can adjust the humidity in your home based on your individual sleep needs.
Kevin Houston, head of Execution at REM-Fit, joins the podcast to describe all the functions and features of the ZEEQ pillow, which include infinite adjustability allowing you to customize your pillow based on your preferences, the ability to stream music, white noise, or guided meditation without the need for an uncomfortable headset, and an outer material that is antimicrobial resistant, moisture-wicking, and cool to the touch, aiding in your ability to obtain quality, uninterrupted sleep.
The team at REM-Fit understands the importance of sleep, and they’re passionate about it. This is why they are constantly improving their products based on customer feedback, and constantly crunching the data in order to identify areas which might need improvement. So far, the ZEEQ pillow has proven extremely popular.
Interested in getting one for yourself? Press play for all the details and visit remfit.com.
In this informative podcast, Luis P. Villarreal of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, provides an overview of theories and thoughts on life, and biological changes that occur.
Villarreal has long been interested in research related to viruses that thrive either in the genomes or epigenomes of their host. Villarreal’s position is that viruses have had a significant influence on the origin of life.
Villarreal discusses his background and outlines his study of negative-strand RNA viruses that resemble rabies and ebola. He talks about regulatory RNA and how it sparked his desire to know more about viruses. Villarreal explains how retroviruses work together to create a placental network and discuss the surprising relationships that must occur for a host to create life, taking in a biological entity and suppressing the immune rejection, to override the system and create change. Viruses, as Villarreal states, are central to many functions in life. Villarreal continues his discussion of cellular DNA and explains how RNA and DNA react with each other and he details their complex network.
Villarreal provides some insight into his thoughts on evolution. He talks in detail about endogenization of the koalas in Australia and provides information on a virus that affected them and became part of them to the extent that their immune systems were changed. And he provides further thoughts on the human species, evolution, and brain function, etc.
In this podcast we’ll hear from Mark Russell, the innovation entrepreneur and founder of Rocking Bed (rockingbed.com). Mark talks sleep and motion, and provides info on his exciting new product.
We all want to sleep better and Russell believes he has the answer. Taking a cruise in 2004 changed his life and the lives of many others whom will some day soon be purchasing a Rocking Bed. On the cruise Russell was stunned by how much the vessel’s rocking motion helped him to sleep like a baby.
Motivated to get that good sleep every night of his life he set out to create a solution and the rest is, as they say, history.
Russell expounds upon current research that shows motion is effective at improving the quality of sleep. The sleep guru talks about some of the great feedback they have gotten at trade shows, as well as some of the interesting discoveries.
He mentions that many people, after closing their eyes while lying on the Rocking Bed, cannot believe the bed is even moving as the rocking motion is so subtle. Russell states that so many are shocked when they open their eyes to see that it is actually still moving.
This is a testament to the smooth rocking nature that you will hardly notice, but your body will, as it is gently coaxed into a state of relaxation, heading off to slumber.
Additionally, Russell enthusiastically explains the great benefits his company’s Rocking Bed can provide for special needs children who actually need to be rocked in order to fall asleep at all. Wrapping up, Russell discusses the manufacturing process and how they make each bed, and he talks about their business overall and the growth they hope to see as they expand their market in the near future.
It’s well known that getting quality sleep is good for us, and pretty much everyone would agree that a good night’s rest makes getting out of bed in the morning easier and our days more productive. But Dr. John Peever, professor at the University of Toronto Department of Cell & Systems Biology and Vice President of research at the Canadian Sleep Society, is focused on answering more in-depth questions about sleep that involve identifying exactly how and why sleep provides the benefits it does. Answering these questions requires diving deep into the neurobiology of sleep—the study of how the brain causes different sleep behaviors.
The primary focus of Dr. Peever’s lab is on developing a better understanding of an important state of sleep called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. They’re investigating what exactly the brain is doing while in REM sleep, the importance of REM sleep to our health, the mechanism of REM sleep behavior disorder, and the relationship between the parts of the brain that cause REM sleep and degenerative disease processes such as those that lead to Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Peever discusses the details of all this and more, including narcolepsy, the differences between different stages of sleep, the effect of light and electronics on sleep rhythm, how sleep affects every muscle in the body, and the potential for sleep to repair DNA. Press play to hear the full conversation and stay current on the latest by visiting www.peeverlab.com.
In this informative podcast, John Hands, author, scientist, talks about his new book and the origins of life itself.
John Hands’ new book, Cosmosapiens: Human Evolution from the Origin of the Universe, delivers interesting theories regarding cosmology and neuroscience. Hands discusses his thoughts on how humans evolved, with a special consideration of topics such as dark energy, cosmic inflation, neurogenetic determinism, and string theory. His book challenges many of the widely accepted scientific theories regarding the origin of life. For Hands, the passing of his beloved wife brought questions to his mind regarding why we exist and how did we come to exist. He discusses society’s take on existence, from the supernatural to the scientific. He remarks that specialization in science may have clouded our views, and obscured the big picture. Always curious, Hands dug deep in his research. Through his extensive research he came to understand that many accepted theories in science, the big bang theory for example, have been completely contradicted by evidence. Hands talks about the many holes in Darwinism and its theories, and he explains them in detail.
Hands provides an overview of the collaborative process that creates life and change in general. We are unique as a species, he states, and it is our reflected consciousness that makes us unique. We are the only species that not only knows, but also knows it knows, Hands remarks as he lays out some significant points on human consciousness. He wraps the podcast by discussing various ancient philosophies and other types of theories that attempt to explain the origin of life.
“Organisms at all levels—from individual cells within the tissues and organ systems, to the animal, to the society that it lives in, to the ecosystem, to the entire planet and the solar system—are all different frames of this single metabolic process,” says Michael Garfield, as he explains the conceptual transition that he believes characterizes the human experience today. It’s his view that the human worldview is becoming one in which we see ourselves embedded in our environment; we don’t just live on the planet, but within many different layers of the cosmos within which the planet exists. He believes that this will become even more evident to people as augmented reality becomes a part of daily experience.
Garfield also discusses how the explosion of technology has impacted and challenged us to reconsider the ways in which we experience and define our existence and the way in which our environments interact with us, rather than simply the other way around. Along with that train of thought and as commentary on the prospect of humans merging with AI, he adds, “To think about merging with the machine is to ignore all of the ways that we are already intimate with the technologies that we use…to carry a phone with ourselves at all times and to sleep with it next to us…these things are penetrating our electromagnetic field.”
Tune in for a compelling conversation that will encourage you to think about life and your reality in many shades of new light. To stay current on his latest work, visit michaelgarfield.net and follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
According to a recent government-issued press release, only 183 people died as the result of opioid overdose in a Chicago suburb over the past year, and this is something officials were celebrating. Upon hearing this, the first questions that came to Dr. James Babiuk—an oral surgeon who’s been practicing for over 20 years—were, “Only 183?” and “How can this be something to be proud of?”
He began diving into the research on opioid use in the medical field and statistics on opioid addiction, as well as reading anecdotes of the acquisition and progression of opioid addiction. When he learned that most people’s first exposure to narcotics occurs during and after wisdom tooth removal, he realized that there might be something he could do.
With a little trial and error and a lot of research, he began modifying his technique in a way that would allow him to perform wisdom tooth extractions without the use of IV narcotics during procedures, and without having to prescribe narcotics for post-op pain. Dr. Babiuk provides a brief overview of his technique, which involves pre-op tissue conditioning designed to increase the healing capacity of tissue and reduce inflammation, thereby reducing pain and the need for pain medications. The results have been incredible—far better than the experience he had with the removal of his own wisdom teeth, and far better than what he sees from people who have sought care from oral surgeons adhering to the industry standard. But perhaps the greatest benefit is the avoidance of drugs that have and continue to contribute to the loss of so many lives.
For more information, reach out via email at info@wisdomteethjoliet.com, visit wisdomteethjoliet.com, or call 815-254-1560.
“Every cell in our body uses signs to interpret its environment and to respond intelligently, and to respond intelligently just means to preserve itself,” says Victoria Alexander, biosemiotician, Director of Dactyl Foundation, Fulbright specialist, and author of The Biologist's Mistress: Rethinking Self-Organization in Art, Literature, and Nature. According to Alexander, biological cells do more than just react to their environment—they interpret the signs within it and respond accordingly, much like an intelligent being.
She explains that in the world of biosemiotics, which is the study of sign use in biological systems, anything can be a sign, such as a pressure or sugar gradient, picture, word, smell, or sound. Alongside randomness and competition, Alexander argues that evolution can be explained by a system of biological cell interpretation made possible by the ability to read signs.
This leads her to the topic of her current research, which is focused on the differences between artificial and biological intelligence. For example, she ponders whether computers can be trained to interpret signs that depend on the context within which they exist, as opposed to merely identify signs.
“We have to stop treating the body like it’s a machine that just has reactions to codes in the world; the body is an organic machine, it has responses or interpretations to signs, which means it’s flexible, it can learn, it can adapt, and it can make terrible mistakes,” she adds.
Among many other topics, Alexander discusses how the placebo effect might be related to the association between properties of different stimuli, her theory on the causal nature of unexplained syndromes and conditions, and evolutionary agency. Tune in to hear all the details and check out her book on Amazon for a more in-depth investigation into all things biosemiotics.
In this interesting podcast, Ilan Morad, PhD, founder and CEO of Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies Ltd. (aebi-bio.com), talks about drug discovery, and the cellular process.
As a lifelong biology enthusiast and researcher, Morad has been working in molecular biology and biochemistry for multiple decades. His research has spanned many scientific areas including gene cloning, protein engineering, purification and characterization, and more. Morad discusses his company, Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies Ltd. (AEBI) which is an advanced development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on development of therapeutic peptides, and AEBI’s unique combinatorial biology screening platform. Morad provides an overview of how their innovative platform works. As he explains, the platform delivers functional leads to complex, difficult targets, not simply those which best bind with the target. AEBI’s groundbreaking technology, SoAP, allows researchers to develop drugs for all kinds of medical illnesses, including cancer as well as so many others.
Morad delves into the science of it all, explaining that peptides are microproteins. He talks about building blocks and expounds upon synthetic peptides that are isolated for research and development. He discusses peptides within the body, drug resistance, cancer treatment, and the many side effects of drugs. He provides a wealth of knowledge about the new drug cocktails that are being utilized to suppress or defeat many diseases.
The scientific research expert talks about toxic peptides and explains how they can be utilized to poison diseased cells and kill them. And he gives his account of how immune systems work and how they can recognize molecules. Finally, Morad talks about the future for his company, clinical trials they expect to take part in, and what it all means for drug development and treatment.
When Damien Blenkinsopp set out to visit Thailand in his early twenties, he had no idea what was in store for him: the acquisition of an unknown illness resulting in a myriad of strange and scary symptoms that would take years to recover from, but that would also change the direction of his life for the better.
He visited countless specialists and bounced from hospital department to hospital department over the course of many years in search of a diagnosis and reprieve from his sickness, but it persisted nonetheless. Failure to find an answer through these means is what compelled him to begin his own investigation by collecting data from his body in every feasible way.
Part of this investigation included the creation of The Quantified Body podcast, which he used as a tool for accessing and connecting with a wide range of scientists and individuals who had conducted their own self-experiments in an attempt to find answers that the medical system just couldn’t provide.
Over the course of four years, Blenkinsopp mapped out his experience with different dietary approaches, and found that the ketogenic diet and fasting seemed to provide the greatest amount of relief from his symptoms. In response to this finding, he founded Ketosource, a website dedicated to providing others with the information and insights he’s learned throughout his journey, which continues to this day.
Tune in to hear all the details of Blenkinsopp’s incredibly unique story and his take on how to navigate the US and UK medical systems, the fasting mimicking diet, the power of data, and more. For resources, check out The Quantified Body podcast and visit ketosource.co.
In this interesting podcast, Jack Rubinstein, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, provides an overview of some of the challenges and serious problems in our healthcare system.
Dr. Rubinstein discusses the themes in his medical thriller, The Perfect Dose. The book’s characters provide a glimpse into the many real problems that are plaguing our healthcare system, such as corruption. Dr. Rubinstein provides the example of disgraced hedge fund manager, Martin Shkreli, who began making national news when he raised the price of a drug by 5,000% to maximize profits. Dr. Rubinstein explains the curious loop of profits in the drug development industry. As he states, many drugs are actually funded by taxpayers in the development stage, developed by academic researchers in the lab and funded by NIH grants with tax dollars.
Dr. Rubinstein outlines how certain drugs especially designated for one medical condition can sometimes be repurposed for cardiovascular issues. Off-label drugs are becoming more common in treatment he says, and he hopes to see them utilized more extensively in areas of medicine where new treatment ideas are needed. Additionally, Dr. Rubinstein talks about how doctors proceed when asked to treat other doctors or their family members.
In this informative podcast, Dr. Alan Christianson, a naturopathic medical doctor and author, talks about diet, hormones, thyroid disorders and so much more.
Dr. Christianson discusses many of the topics he writes about in his book, The Metabolism Reset Diet. As a specialist in endocrinology, he has a particular interest in the study of thyroid disorders. Dr. C, as many refer to him, discusses the importance of living a balanced life and eating a proper diet, and he explains how many factors can have an effect on your hormones. He recounts his early life as a boy, and then teenager, who suffered from seizures, poor coordination, and obesity. His life, as he states, was a motivating factor for change and through it all, as he worked his way toward better health, he became passionate about particular areas of study such as thyroid conditions and adrenal issues.
The naturopathic doctor details his thoughts on thyroid issues and discusses the abundance of compounded thyroid medicines. He provides valuable information on T3, an important thyroid hormone that is a critical key to understanding thyroid functionality. And Dr. C provides further information on circadian rhythms, hormones, the important mission of iodine, and how a well-rounded, nutritious diet impacts so many issues within the body.
Your mood, your level of productivity, and your health are just a few things that can be affected by poor sleep. Considering that about one-third of the global population reports not getting enough sleep or not getting quality sleep, this is a real problem that many argue has approached epidemic proportions. Talk to any number of sleep experts and you’re likely to get a different answer as to what contributes to or prevents quality sleep. But Nicolas Roux argues that there’s one contributor which is both underrated and absolutely essential: temperature regulation. This argument is supported by studies which have shown that temperature dysregulation is seen in most chronic insomniacs.
The team at Moona has developed a solution in the form of a pillow insert that’s connected to a bedside device. Based on the user’s needs, the device sends a quiet, continuous flow of water at different temperatures. For example, since lower temperatures facilitate the ability to fall asleep, cooler water will circulate the insert while the user is attempting to fall asleep. Conversely, higher temperatures facilitate the ability to wake gradually, so warmer water will circulate the insert about 20 minutes prior to the user’s desired wake time. Driven by an AI-powered app, the device will make increasingly accurate temperature suggestions as it gathers more data from a user’s sleep profile and patterns.
Head of marketing at Moona, Nicolas Roux, joins the podcast to discuss the ins and outs of this technology, feedback from user testing, when you’ll be able to get one for yourself, and his personal experience with the Moona insert. Tune in and visit en.getmoona.com to learn more.
In this important podcast, Andrew Koutnik provides a detailed analysis of cancer cachexia, explaining how this unfortunate process of muscle mass atrophy causes the death of approximately 20% of cancer patients.
Koutnik has spent many years studying nutrition and metabolism in the Metabolic Medicine Lab at the University Of South Florida Morsani College Of Medicine. In the podcast Koutnik gives a complete and thorough overview of cancer cachexia, a systemic wasting syndrome. As Koutnik explains, cancer cachexia is evidenced by a loss of skeletal muscle mass, and often fat as well, that unfortunately cannot be reversed by the usual advanced nutrition protocols. And as a result of this devastating illness, serious functional impairment can develop. Koutnik talks about inflammatory signals and he explains how the sometimes-slow process of wasting occurs.
Koutnik discusses the merits of fasting and how it impacts the body in general. And he gets specific on what ketones are and what they do in the body. He remarks upon multiple studies that provided important information on ketones and exogenous esters. Koutnik explains how a fasting scenario or lowered carbohydrate intake can turn adipose tissue into a preferred fuel, though he stresses the importance of metabolites, the intermediate products of metabolic reactions catalyzed by enzymes that occur in cells.
The researcher discusses inflammation as an underlying issue and expounds upon his theories regarding how the body grasps the information it receives in regard to wasting. Finally, Koutnik talks about past research that has been primarily rodent-based, and he states that the goal going forward is to understand those findings in the context of the human scenario, to get a better understanding and advance medical science.
Dr. Adrienne Scheck had always been interested in cancer research, but it wasn’t until her lab fortuitously found its way next to Dr. John Roe’s that she would encounter a proposition that would indefinitely redirect the focus of her research. Dr. John Roe, clinician, scientist, and international expert on the use of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of epilepsy, asked Dr. Scheck if she would be interested in researching the effects of ketones on brain tumors, and it wasn’t long until the two were collaborating on a pilot experiment using cells from an aggressive brain tumor. “The results were so good that I really started to change the direction of my lab in many ways to study this,” says Dr. Scheck. The study showed that ketones—even in the presence of high glucose levels—significantly enhanced the effectiveness of chemotherapy, the standard of care.
As the author of Cancer and the Ketogenic diet, research scientist at the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, and associate investigator in the cancer biology program at the University of Arizona, Dr. Scheck draws from decades’ worth of knowledge and experience to make for a compelling conversation that touches on everything from the role of ketones as epigenetic modifiers and their ability to repair damaged DNA, the possibility of sensitizing tumors to radiation by consuming exogenous ketones, how changing the acetylation and/or methylation of DNA can change its susceptibility to damage, the genetic and phenotypic differences between different types of tumors, and the coming advances in technology that will accelerate research in this field.
Tune in for more and search for Adrienne Scheck online to stay current on her latest research.
Andrew Koutnik is a passionate biomedical researcher focused primarily on nutrition, metabolism, and their connection to various medical conditions, especially type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This podcast offers listeners an opportunity to learn a vast amount of information about how nutrition affects the body and its processes, and is a must-listen for anyone with diabetes.
Koutnik provides a thorough overview of select research he has conducted at the Metabolic Medicine Lab, University of South Florida. He gives an in-depth explanation of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Koutnik states that type 1 diabetes is essentially an autoimmune disease that presents due to an inappropriate immune response.
This immune response unfortunately targets cells within the pancreas that are responsible for the production/secretion of insulin and the inappropriate targeting elicits an attack response by the body. When this happens, the patient must self-manage their insulin and glucose, as the body has abandoned what would normally be one of its important jobs. Koutnik provides an explanation of type 2 diabetes, which is essentially insulin resistance.
Koutnik talks about some of the emerging treatment protocols for diabetes and he examines dietary issues for diabetics in regard to insulin, treatment, and wellness. Koutnik explains many related issues such as the impact of elevated blood sugar and carbohydrates, and he provides a wealth of detailed information on proteins, and the kinetics of proteins specifically. Going further he discusses how sleep and glucose control are related and outlines the many factors that often influence one’s insulin sensitivity, such as the time of day, or stress, and even caffeine. And he stresses the importance of exercising on a regular basis.
Expounding on the importance of nutrition, Koutnik discusses his own personal journey and how switching to a low carbohydrate diet really made a great difference in his health. He provides a detailed analysis of ketones and ketoacidosis, a complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus that is initiated when there are extremely high levels of ketones and blood sugar. Koutnik wraps up by talking about the dietary shifts that diabetes patients really need to make in order to feel better, control their lives, and be their best.
“Drug development for Alzheimer’s is notorious for failures,” says Julie Collens, PhD. She goes on to explain that about 150 drugs developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease over the past 20 years have failed to meet the clinical target and endpoint of the study designed to test their efficacy.
Julie Collens, CEO and founder of Vivid Genomics, is trying to change this by creating and implementing several tests which will identify variations in the disease which could be skewing the outcomes of clinical studies, thereby blocking potentially effective drugs from reaching the market and bettering patient’s lives. The progression rate of the disease, the stage of disease, vitamin B deficiencies, and recent history of a stroke are just a few of the variables that can alter the way in which a person’s body responds to particular drugs, and the tests being developed by Vivid Genomics should identify these quickly and inexpensively, which will make for better-designed clinical studies, better data, and the ability to carry out better, more predictive analyses than is currently being done.
Collens joins the podcast to discuss the details of each of the four prototypes they have designed and when they’re expected to be fully commercialized, the challenges posed by the identification and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, including the existence of multiple sub-types of dementia often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s (or vice versa), and the way in which they are leveraging data from genome-wide association studies in the development of their tests.
Interested in learning more? Tune in for the full conversation, visit vividgenomics.com, and send your questions to julie@vividgenomics.com.
Geisinger’s MyCode program operated as a biobank until 2014, when in collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals it became a research effort involving whole exome sequencing on patient participant samples. They have since sequenced over 92,000 samples, many of which contained potentially medically relevant information warranting immediate changes to treatment protocols. In response, the MyCode protocol was changed in 2015 to allow for participants to obtain the results of their sequencing and address the associated medical concern, whether related to hereditary breast or colon cancer, dangerous arrhythmias, or cholesterol levels.
Erica Ramos, director, and head of clinical and product development at Geisinger, joins the podcast to discuss all the details of the evolution of the MyCode project, and the ways in which it may propel the use of genomic data in the general population and health organizations worldwide. The efforts at MyCode are currently focused on examining how genomic results are being delivered to and received by patient participants, whether chatbot technology could be utilized to deliver results and facilitate understanding among patients and patient families, how genomic data can best be used by primary care physicians in their treatment of patients, and how to roll out genomic sequencing into the general population.
Press play for all the details and learn more at geisinger.org/precision-health/mycode.
BIO: Dr. Jeannine M. Coburn is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Her group’s research interests are in developing novel functional biomaterials for biomedical applications. Her group uses silk, chondroitin sulfate, bacterial-derived cellulose, and decellularized plant cell matrices as the scaffolding “blocks” for the biomaterials and utilized basic chemistry principles and techniques from synthetic chemistry and genetic engineering to impart unique material properties. Her research is highly collaborative in nature; she works with other scientist, engineers, and clinicians to address medical needs relevant to drug therapeutics, tissue engineering, and in the vitro disease model.
Dr. Coburn received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer H. Elisseeff. After completing her Ph.D., she did her postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. David L. Kaplan at Tufts University. She was a recipient of the predoctoral (2010-2012) and postdoctoral (2014-2016) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship. Her research is currently funded by the DoD and NIH.
Dr. Jeannine Coburn, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute working on the development of biomaterials for a number of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and in vitro disease modelling. A primary focus of her lab is on developing a biomaterial that could aid in the local treatment of cancerous tumors. By developing a biomaterial that would wrap around a drug that would otherwise be delivered systemically, high concentrations of drugs can be delivered directly into tumors. The result is twofold: more effective targeting and attack of cancerous tumors, and reduction of secondary toxicity associated with chemotherapy.
Dr. Coburn discusses at length the process of developing this type of drug delivery system, the challenges it poses, and the ongoing work her team is doing to make it happen. She also speaks more broadly about the sources of the materials being manipulated in her lab for biomedical applications, the body’s immune and inflammatory responses, and in vitro modelling of immune recognition in order to study the drugs being used in the immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer.
Tune in for the full conversation and email your questions to Dr. Coburn directly at jmcoburn@wpi.edu.
Visit: http://labs.wpi.edu/coburnlab/
Follow twitter: @FuncBioMatLab
“We all have this badge of honor…that we’re going to stay up all night…and we’ll sleep when we’re dead, and it took a really long time for me to figure out that that’s completely wrong and backward and scary and dangerous,” says Dr. Seema Khosla, who now serves as the Medical Director of the North Dakota Center for Sleep. She began her career as a pulmonology resident rather unaware of the critical importance of sleep, as she worked herself to the bone and felt her own sense of honor in doing so. But throughout her career, Dr. Khosla has come to not only realize how detrimental it can be to not get enough quality sleep, but also how connected quality sleep is to pulmonary issues. Among the most common, for example, is sleep apnea, but she discusses that the issues are so much more varied than that, and as such must be addressed on an individual basis. It’s never a one-size-fits-all approach at her clinic; it’s about tailoring treatments to each individual’s unique needs.
Dr. Khosla’s insight makes for a compelling conversation that touches on what it’s like to monitor sleep studies, why many people want to avoid them, to begin with, how society, the media, and institutions are experiencing a shift in their attitude towards the importance of sleep, novel ways of treating sleep apnea that do not include CPAP machines, and an exciting prospective feature of upcoming Fitbit products that would further simplify the ability to track sleep and identify the problems you might not even know you have.
Interested in learning more? Press play and reach out with questions by calling 701-356-3000
Dr. Wei-Shin Lai and Jason Wolfe, the wife/husband team behind the successful sleep aid company, SleepPhones (sleepphones.com) discuss their interesting, and organic, path to sleep innovation.
Dr. Wei-Shin Lai discusses how sleep problems in her own life led her onto a path of research that culminated with the development of their popular sleeping aids. Trying unsuccessfully to find a way to relax into sleep with bulky headphones, she set out to invent a better solution. With the help of her husband Jason, the couple began to manufacture hundreds of SleepPhones units from the comfort of their home turned factory. Dr. Lai shared her headphone sleep relaxation product with her patients who had been taking sleeping pills and many saw immediate improvement, able to fall asleep naturally again, with no drugs.
Now, after eleven years, they are receiving lots of feedback from satisfied customers who state that the SleepPhones headband is the most comfortable, has saved their marriages from the agonizing problem of an in-bed snorer, and increased a general feeling of wellness within them. The sleep entrepreneurs discuss their super soft headband fabrics, and the mechanisms within, such as their tiny but ample removable speakers. Whatever you need to fall asleep, whether it’s white noise, talk radio, meditation music, or rock and roll, you can listen to it with their product and find yourself easing into sleep faster.
Looking toward the future, Wolfe talks about a new initiative that engages AI and machine learning to source exactly which sound technologies are the most ideal, most effective, for applications. Wrapping up, Lai and Wolfe talk about the textiles they use to make the sleep aid products, fabrics for every kind of climate and activity.
Douglas W. Losordo, MD, the Executive Vice President of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., provides us with an extensive account of his experiences researching vascular biology and cardiovascular issues in general.
Dr. Losordo has enjoyed an extensive career studying the mechanisms of angiogenesis, tissue repair and regeneration, and specific vascular problems. His company, Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company that excels in technology platforms targeted to cardiovascular conditions. In their mission to restore health, the company has made significant contributions to late stage programs for cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Losordo provides an overview of blood vessel regeneration, known as angiogenesis. He gives an in-depth explanation of how cells are injected and the beginning of angiogenesis. The vascular expert goes on to discuss some of their deep experimentation with cells in regard to ischemic tissue and much more.
In an assessment of the biological science industry, Dr. Losordo outlines some of the many regulatory issues that create specific challenges for researchers. And he shares information on a few of his company’s newer programs, such as their refractory angina program that has been selected for accelerated approval. He provides further examples of the kinds of work Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. engages in and shares his thoughts on the important science behind their work.
In this podcast Kelly Glazer Baron, PhD, MPH, DBSM, an Associate Professor in the Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah, provides an extensive and detailed overview of the various ways that sleep impacts our lives.
Dr. Baron is a clinical psychologist who has been intensely engaged in behavioral sleep medicine for many years, providing cognitive behavioral therapy in her clinic for sufferers of insomnia, sleep apnea, sleepwalking and nightmares, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm issues. She provides specific detailed information on how the disruption of sleep and the circadian rhythm can aid in the development of serious medical problems such as obesity, diabetes, and other issues. Getting deeper into the understanding of what circadian rhythms mean to individuals in the larger sense, she explains how we relate to our bodies in terms of sleep schedules and performance, and she discusses the concept of a ‘night owl.’ Being a night owl isn’t really a problem if you are allowed to function as such; the real problem occurs when someone who is a self-described night owl tries to contort their life into the more common 9 to 5 schedule, and potentially compromises the amount of sleep he or she is getting or the quality of sleep in general. She explains that the alignment of melatonin and sleep schedule is what truly impacts dietary behavior. Those who choose to sleep earlier in their personal melatonin timing may eat more often and thereby consume more calories, and if there is a weight problem there could then be signs of insulin resistance.
Dr. Baron underscores that there can be many contributing factors in regard to weight gain. And while sleep can be a contributor, it is not always the only issue. Dr. Baron discusses an area of her particular interest: sleep technology wearables. She provides her thoughts on the benefits of sleep monitoring data and the devices that capture the data. She states that while the devices do capture a wealth of data, it is not always clear to individuals as to what they can do with their data. Many times however the data will confirm a user’s previously held suspicions such as ‘I think I’m not getting deep sleep,’ or ‘I feel like my sleep is intermittent.’ Dr. Baron’s research digs deep into the myriad of issues that could interfere with quality sleep and her primary goal is to bring sleep solutions to as many people as she can, to improve their lives and increase the quality of their health.
Kevin Kastelnik and Guillaume Gautier are the innovative founders of dreaminzZz. This podcast will provide valuable information regarding sleep and hypnosis as they discuss their visionary product, HYPNOS, an all-new way to deeper relaxation for achieving goals and falling asleep faster. Find more information online at their website: dreaminzzz.com.
Kastelnik discusses his own personal issues with sleep and how early on in his life he discovered that poly-phasic sleep, the practice of sleeping multiple times throughout a day, truly worked for him, to keep him on task, but feeling great.
He explains how his interest in sleep led to the establishment of the company and ultimately to their development of HYPNOS. HYPNOS is a connected hypnosis mask specifically designed to assist with access to modern hypnosis as it applies to wellness, service, health, and fitness.
The groundbreaking innovation allows its users to experience hypnosis synchronized to advanced visual and motion simulations that offer multiple benefits. And remarkably, HYPNOS users often fall asleep three times faster.
Kastelnik and Gautier explain how it works—providing light and vibration that are connected via the mobile app. Once connected, users can choose their area of focus, whether it’s stress reduction, relaxation, combating fear or pain, etc. The hypnotic suggestions aid with falling asleep, as well as achieving goals/objectives. Kastelnik and Gautier detail the stories in the app, and how the hypnotic suggestions are initiated. Sleep disorders and stress are the primary areas that users typically express concern about, and fortunately, HYPNOS can help with both.
In this interesting podcast, Edward Franz Pace-Schott, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, talks about trauma and anxiety, and the importance of sleep.
As an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, much of Pace-Schott’s work has focused on the importance of sleep, which is so incredibly vital for the normal regulation of human emotions. Pace-Schott looks at sleep disturbances in multiple study participants who have suffered or are currently suffering from psychological trauma of various types. In his research he has analyzed particular behavioral responses to emotional memory. Pace-Schott talks about the two prominent types of experimentation he and his team engage in: fear extinction and fear conditioning. He explains each in detail with specific examples of how people respond to fear, and what can be done to lessen it or create new inhibitory memories to contend with the ingrained fear responses.
Pace-Schott explains that their testing provides important answers to questions about the brain and body, as well as human emotions. In their research they discovered that most participants perform better immediately following a night of restorative sleep, as there is a high level of retention of their extinction learning. Pace-Schott continues to work in the field and is excited about the possibilities for their research, in hopes that it can assist people to live healthier, happier lives as they embrace the importance of restorative sleep on multiple levels.
Michael J. Joyner, MD, noted expert on human physiology, takes us on an informative trip as he discusses many issues from human performance to blood flow.
Dr. Joyner is an experienced researcher in the area of performance and exercise physiology. Privately, and as a consultant for NASA and NIH, his grant-funded research has led to significant revelations in the understanding of muscle and skin blood flow, athletic performance, and blood pressure regulation. Dr. Joyner discusses his focus on integrative physiology. Throughout his impressive career, Dr. Joyner has studied many areas pertaining to blood flow, overall circulation, and performance. In the podcast he details the restorative properties of systems, and discusses angiogenesis, the process that allows for new blood vessels to form from preexisting vessels.
Dr. Joyner provides a historical context regarding gene therapy as well as various drugs used to initiate or enable blood vessel growth. As he explains, however, the best method is simply exercise. He continues with his discussion hitting various topics such as drug re-purposing, which is when drugs are created for a specific purpose but are later discovered to be more ideal for another purpose medically.
He recounts some of the past studies regarding bed rest that led to the current view that mobilization is important for recovery, and as such most patients are encouraged to get moving as soon as possible after surgical procedures. He expounds upon the importance of exercise in general and talks about its specific value to those who are prediabetic or diabetic. He discusses various drugs on the market and his thoughts on the future of research.
Brian McCarthy is the EVP of Dentistry.com and is an innovator in the business of modern dentistry. His primary motivation: to bring quality dentistry to everyone. In this informative podcast McCarthy talks about how the lack of proper oral care is a growing problem in America.
With many Americans skipping yearly dental visits, oral care is suffering. And as many dentists have been slow to keep up with advancing technology, appointments are being missed, and patients are not scheduling regular checkups, as they should. McCarthy saw an opportunity to jump in and help, and that is what Dentistry.com is all about—making dentistry more accessible to everyone.
McCarthy details the importance of preventive care and he cites examples of improvements in dental technology that have revolutionized modern dentistry. From fixing a cracked tooth to advanced clear aligners, and so much more, the times are changing and the technology is improving, which means better quality oral care for all of us—assuming we go to see our dentists. McCarthy discusses how his company is helping to introduce dentists to new ways to market and connect, keeping patients informed via teledentistry, texting, and more. He elaborates on the many ways that providers c
Improved academic performance, fewer car accidents involving young adults (a major cause of death in this age group), better overall moods, and improved health: we could all agree that these are things that we should strive for, but is there a clear answer as to how to obtain them? What if it were simply a matter of encouraging better sleep habits, and heeding the metabolic and physiological demands of adolescents and young adults?
According to Dr. Conrad Iber, this is exactly what it boils down to, which means change is feasible. He explains why that change has yet to see widespread implementation, and what challenges need to be overcome in order for them to happen. The need for change in this respect becomes even more pressing in light of the results of a study out of Fairfax, VA, which showed that adolescents who regularly got fewer than five or six hours of sleep are at a higher risk of suicide.
Dr. Iber also discusses the latest developments in sleep medicine, including the increased use of in-home sleep monitoring devices, the prospect of diagnostic monitoring and neuropharmacological alterations to sleep schedules, prioritizing the sleep health of shift workers, weight gain and its contribution to a variety of diseases, and the general trend toward greater acceptance of the importance of good sleep health. Press play for the full conversation.
In this podcast, Jen Fisch, founder of the popular site, Keto In The City at ketointhecity.com discusses the many ways that the ketogenic lifestyle can help combat medical conditions and improve wellness for everyone.
Jen Fisch’s popular cookbook series is creating a buzz in the keto community. She is the author of The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook, The Big Book of Keto, and Keto In 30 Minutes. Jen is a sought-after speaker on all things keto, and spends a great amount of time on keto education and guidance, helping people find their path to wellness through diet.
Early on in Jen’s life she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but she did not make the connection to keto until ten years later. When she did, she found that changing her diet to a ketogenic diet not only gave her more energy and better restorative sleep, but it helped to combat her medical condition. For every year since, Jen has been building her knowledge base on keto and helping people with their own journeys. In the podcast Jen goes into detail about the dynamics of keto, from cutting sugar and carbs to finding the right types of nutritious keto-approved foods that work for the individual. As everyone is different, Jen states it is important to continually tweak your diet to make sure you are still getting the maximum benefits. The keto lifestyle expert details the specifics of keto nutrition, and explains how keto foods work in the body to burn fat and fuel the body in ways that the body responds positively to. In essence, the body is fueled by glucose and stores excess carbs and protein as fat, but as ketosis begins the body starts to use fat as its primary fuel source.
Jen recounts some of the wonderful feedback she has received from people who have utilized her books to change their diet, and their lives. Jen is a proud member of the keto community and is always happy to provide her input to everyone who is looking for a path to great health via nutrition.
“When the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen, [people] get strokes, heart attacks, their blood pressure shoots up, diabetes control gets worse, and weight gain continues, so it’s a pretty deadly disease,” says Dr. Gabriele M. Barthlen, PhD, MD. Throughout her career, Dr. Barthlen has directed several sleep centers and authored three books, 33 abstracts, and 15 peer-reviewed articles; she’s nothing short of an expert on everything in the world of sleep medicine. These days, she focuses on the clinical treatment of sleep apnea at Hawaii Sleep Center, where she puts into action the best and most established treatment options, the gold standard of which is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. She explains how exactly it works, why it’s such a successful form of treatment in most cases, the importance of obtaining a correctly-fitting mask for CPAP machines (and how to go about doing this), the differences between sleep studies carried out in the clinic versus those carried out using in-home monitoring devices, and the dangers of untreated sleep apnea.
Interested in learning more? Reach out by phone at 808 456 REST and visit sleepcenterhawaii.com.
Dr. Emily Splichal, founder of Naboso Technology, is a global leader in the scientific study of podiatry and rehabilitation. Dr. Splichal delivers an abundance of information on advanced care for our feet.
Dr. Splichal is not only a sought-after podiatrist, but she is a celebrated Human Movement Specialist. Her experience in the field has positioned her as a top expert in movement dysfunction and neuromuscular control during gait. She is a strong advocate for advanced technology in her field and as such works with 3D kinematics and surface EMG to refine and elevate her outstanding assessment skills in regard to rehabilitation programming. She believes wholeheartedly that we all possess the ability to shape our well-being and she practices what she preaches.
Dr. Splichal provides a general overview of her exciting new company, Naboso Technology. Naboso’s advanced line of tech products utilizes the first-ever small nerve proprioceptive material commercially available and specifically designed for improving posture as well as enhancing movement. And Dr. Splichal is enthused about the possibilities for improved health and performance, neuro rehabilitation, and wellness, podiatry, orthopedics, optimum sports medicine, and pediatric development that Naboso can offer to the public.
As a foot technology pioneer, Dr. Splichal talks about their products such as insoles and mats. She states that while most companies in the insole market focus on the biomechanical influences of the foot, Naboso goes further. Naboso focuses on foot function and foot stimulation from a sensory or neurosensory perspective. She explains how their groundbreaking design and textural elements are specifically designed to stimulate the nerves in the bottom of the feet. As the doctor explains, the skin on the bottom of the foot is highly related to control of balance, walking, and posture. She details how the texture of their insoles creates the stimulation and what it can do for your health.
The foot expert talks about how people appreciate the conscious connection to their feet that they can experience with the advanced insole technology. She talks about the various levels of stimulus that are available and how they affect people. And she answers specific questions about how pressure relates to back pain, etc.
She explains that the Naboso insole can work with custom orthotics, and thus patients can get the benefit of the Naboso experience and still have their usual footwear. Dr. Splichal discusses the accumulative effect of wearing them and she states that even if you skip a few days you still get the benefit, and research is validating this.
“I’ve spent the last 15 plus years developing a human in vitro platform using human primary cells to model different aspects of tissue biology, and successfully discovered a number of novel mechanisms of toxicity that we have used and developed as commercial assays, and are helping people in drug discovery select safer molecules,” says Dr. Ellen Berg. She’s the founder of Alto Predict, a data science company devoted to promoting the adoption of non-animal alternatives for product safety testing.
What are some examples of these non-animal alternatives to product testing? Human in vitro organoids, organs-on-chips, and stem-cell based assays—microphysiological systems that when used as models for drug testing can more accurately reflect the effects that a substance will have in the human body than non-human animal models.
So, why haven’t these technologies already been adopted? Dr. Berg gives many reasons for the slow-to-adopt mindset of product manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, one of which simply comes down to a lack of or access to validation and predictive data of these assays.
But the current situation in animal testing isn’t much better—in fact it’s arguably worse, considering that much of in vitro animal data is kept within silos in the pharmaceutical industry, thus keeping hidden the lack of predictivity of animal testing.
The Alto Predict platform will provide easily accessible integrated validation data, specialized analytics, and data visualization tools in order to simplify the process of adoption for the benefit of humans and animals alike. Press play for a detailed description of how it will work, the challenges that need to be overcome, and the successes they’ve already seen. The team at Alto Predict is currently working on the beta version of the platform and several in vitro assays relevant to cardiovascular toxicity. Learn more by visiting altopredict.com.
Adrian Bejan, J.A. Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Duke University, delivers a thought-provoking analysis of the mechanics of life, energy, and the science of our natural world.
Bejan is world renowned for his pioneering work in engineering and applied science. Specifically, his extensive research has delved deep into multiple areas of science—engineering and applied physics covering thermodynamics, heat transfer and convection, as well as design and evolution in the natural world. Bejan has been celebrated for his work, receiving 18 honorary doctorates from prestigious universities around the world, and he has authored 30 books and in excess of 650 articles on various subjects in his many areas of expertise. His recent book, The Physics of Life The Evolution of Everything, is considered a must-read for the scientific community and anyone who is interested in practical science and the origin of living things.
Professor Bejan delivers a robust overview of the areas of practical science that are misunderstood, and some that are simply incorrect. Bejan lists a few of the commonly held theories that are inaccurate: that nature is complicated, that we cannot predict nature, and that we are threatened by a population explosion. He cites specific examples that prove his theories about the aforementioned. He states that many of those who speak about science publicly are not actually trained in science. As such, ideas can float around in the public discourse that may not be based in hard science.
The engineering and science professor discusses thermodynamics, which is, as he describes, everything that has to do with movement—movement that comes from power, with the power coming from burning fuels, etc. Two things are certain: thermodynamics is about everything, and changes are occurring continually in science. The physics of evolution is constantly pushing all life and manufacturing to become a better version of itself. Changes occur, and science is the reason. Professor Bejan talks about the details of the physics of evolution, touching on the topic of power, as he states that nature is full of engines. He details the structure of the greatest engines of Earth. The earth, as an engine, drives our atmosphere and heating from the sun and cooling by the sky drive the earth engine. And this immense power delivery drives all the things on Earth.
Bejan explains energy within animals and life in general. He talks about the elements of life and predictable design in nature. He states that much in science is recognizable and easy to draw, and all too often we overcomplicate the basic elements and structures of life. Bejan talks about the meaning of the word evolution, and how it is used in every language in western civilization and was certainly not invented or coined by Darwin. Bejan speaks of evolution as a ‘moving forward’ that assures us that tomorrow will be different than today—the future will be different than the past.
Professor Bejan talks about the laws of physics as they relate to evolution, and how the laws of physics help us to see oneness in nature as opposed to blinding complexity. Further, Bejan discusses our organic preference for certain forms in nature, such as the golden ratio. As he explains, there is a globally accepted preference for forms due to the fact that certain shapes are the easiest to be perceived and scanned by the human eye. From business cards to flags to computer screens, we have shaped our world with the shapes that the physics of our humanity prefers.
Professor Bejan continues to explore his interests in thermodynamics and applied physics, as well as evolution in nature, and his work is pushing the scientific world forward, advancing the understanding of life itself.
Kenneth M. Weiss, Evan Pugh Professor Emeritus, Penn State Department of Biology, discusses his work and research studying the role of genetics in biological variation.
Dr. Weiss has earned a reputation of excellence in his long career in the field of biology. His passion for understanding disease pathways has put him at the center of biological research. Dr. Weiss has a particular interest in the complex effects of genetic variations on cardiovascular disease, and he has worked extensively on the study of diabetes susceptibility in Amerindians. Dr. Weiss has a thirst for scientific understanding. His work has led him to search for answers in multiple areas such as morphological traits in vertebrate evolution and biodemography, which is concerned with understanding the basis of complementary biological and demographic determinants of, as well as the interactions between, the birth and death processes as they relate to individuals, populations, longevity, and fitness.
Dr. Weiss discusses the role of genes in the development of complex traits (blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) and biological variations. His work poses many questions and looks at the relevance of the study of genes and its impact on human health and the future of medical science. He states, for most traits, the genetic aspects are extremely complex. He explains that the widely held concept of precision accuracy in genetic prediction, in regard to mapping out an individual’s future health (and potential health problems) is actually misleading because it is much more complex with individual variability. He recounts how science got off track in this regard because we as a society are impacted by history. And regarding history, many assumptions were made based on historical genetic variance research done by Johann Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics who discovered the fundamental laws of inheritance.
The genetics expert lays out some of the problems with precision genomic medicine. As he states, one person’s genome can be vastly different than the next person’s. Thus, with countless variations of the human genome, and with a finite amount of samples being looked at, accuracy and precision in predictive genomic medicine iaremore difficult than some might think. Dr. Weiss underscores that there are so many factors that come into play such as what we eat, where we live, the climate of our local environment, our occupations, etc.
Dr. Weiss discusses gene issues and the concept of using CRISPR to repair problem genes. CRISPR technology is a tool for editing genomes that allows researchers to alter DNA sequences and thereby modify gene function.
Dr. Weiss is active in worldwide organizing efforts to sample and study the human genome, for the primary goal of answering important anthropological and biomedical questions.
“If people knew institutions were hoarding their data, they would be shocked,” says Sharon Terry, CEO of Genetic Alliance. That’s right—what many people don’t know is that some academic institutions retain patient data information and avoid sharing it with other institutions until they’re able to roll out a solution first. Many people would agree that this type of competition is not only inappropriate for the field, but detrimental to the health of individuals and communities.
Things are done quite differently at Genetic Alliance, where every individual in the system is allowed to make decisions about where their data and samples will go. In most cases, they’ll go straight to patient registries and biobanks, which are comprehensive collections of tissue samples, information about disease progression and drug therapies, and information about the correlation between genotypic and phenotypic data as it relates to diseases. These resources are accessible to anyone—not just powerful institutions that may stand to gain from them.
Genetic Alliance has been around for 32 years now, and continues to evolve with the needs of the communities and organizations they work for. They are currently helping about 2,000 other non-profit advocacy organizations gain the tools and information they need, as well as work more efficiently overall.
Information on any of the 10,000 diseases can be located by visiting diseasinfosearch.org. To learn more about Genetic Alliance, visit geneticalliance.org.
For nearly 20 years, Günther Witzany searched for agents that are able to edit genetic code in living organisms, and for 20 years, he couldn’t find them. But in 2005 he read a book by Luis Villarreal called Viruses and the Evolution of Life, which is an account of how viruses do exactly this—edit genetic code. “The main life motive for the life of viruses is not disease-causing; the most prominent motive of viruses is to infect organisms and install themselves in the genetic code of host organisms,” explains Witzany. As opposed to the common conception of viruses as enemies, Witzany places viruses in a new light, under which they are seen as regulatory tools for host gene expression and replication, defenders against invading parasites, and adaptive agents that can actively change the genome when necessary.
Witzany also discusses his concept of life as a communicative structure, what his original expertise—the philosophy of language—has to say about the mechanistic use of certain terms often used in biology, the role of epigenetics in the production of proteins, and more. Press play to hear the full conversation, and visit biocommunication.at to learn more.
“If you don’t correct insulin, no matter what you do for weight, you will not be successful in the long run,” says Dr. Adam Nally, who for the past 15 years has treated a large number of his patients by removing the starch from their diets and replacing it with fats and proteins. As a result, he’s completely reversed over 50 cases of diabetes, and written a book—The Keto Cure: A Low Carb High Fat Dietary Solution to Heal Your Body and Optimize Your Health—about his experience treating 16 other diseases with this same dietary focus. There’s also an entire chapter on sugar substitutes—which ones to avoid, which ones are the least harmful, and which ones are essentially equivalent to a tablespoon of sugar.
Dr. Nally joins the podcast to discuss the personal journey that led him to explore this avenue of medicine, how to estimate your own insulin levels, triggers for false sensations of hunger, why some people may be holding on to weight despite seeming to do everything right, and his take on intermittent fasting. He’s a wealth of information, so tune in for the full conversation and check out his website at docmuscles.com.
In this podcast Christopher Barrett, PhD, will provide an introduction to his extensive work in the field of biocomplexity. Barrett is executive director of the Biocomplexity Institute & Initiative at the University of Virginia.
Barrett discusses the ways in which they study massively interacting systems, systems that are built of very large numbers of interacting heterogeneous pieces, and he outlines his theories on the subject while discussing his expectations for the future. Barrett’s Biocomplexity Initiative will be primarily focused on practical applications in the areas of epidemiology, bioinformatics, and public policy. Ultimately, their hope is that this important work will be beneficial to the advancement of science and improvement of human health.
Barrett explains how population factors and various social determinants such as sanitary practices can directly affect the spread of some diseases. And he details how infrastructure and health modeling, as well as economic variables are studied to get an assessment of possible future outcomes.
Their Biocomplexity Initiative will assist with advanced computing capabilities that can give researchers the edge as they study the relationships between human genomics, behavioral aspects, and environmental issues, in regard to how diseases present. By understanding how diseases spread their hope is to find solutions and keep the scientific and medical communities best prepared for combating health issues and more.
In this informative podcast, James A. Shapiro, distinguished professor of microbiology at the University of Chicago, will discuss biological changes observed in organisms.
Shapiro has spent a lifetime considering bacterial genetics and he is one of the leading figures in the study of natural genetic engineering. His outspoken discussions and reporting on non-Darwinian evolution have created a buzz in the scientific community. In our podcast, Shapiro relates his extensive thoughts on the traditionally held theory of evolution. He provides thoughts on the concept that random mutations as well as natural selection are the core elements of evolution, and interestingly he breaks with some in the scientific community to go so far as to label this reductive thesis as decidedly incorrect. Shapiro confirms that active biological functions are taking place continually, and that organisms literally produce their own process of evolutionary change when they are in need of it.
Shapiro details processes with symbiotic organisms. He provides an overview of the microbiome and discusses cellular activity that motivates change in organisms and influences our biological world. He delves into the specifics regarding mitochondria and DNA sequences and talks about how differing organisms within our bodies can be of the same genome, yet have divergent characteristics.
Lastly, Shapiro talks about epigenetics, the intensive study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not require specific changes to the DNA sequence. His celebrated book, Evolution: A View from the 21st Century, covers many interesting topics within the area of biological discovery and is available now.
Quality sleep deficiency has become more than a nuisance that can be corrected by an extra cup of coffee: it’s become an epidemic. About 30% of Americans report sleeping fewer than six hours per night, and almost 70% of Americans—nearly 245 million people—say that they simply don’t get enough sleep. At the same time, most people put sleep low on their priority list, brushing it off as something they just need to work through while reaching for a second cup of coffee. But studies show that getting fewer than six hours of quality sleep per night raises the chances of developing all kinds of diseases, from heart disease to stroke to diabetes. In addition, failing to get enough healthy sleep lowers quality of life and puts others in danger. Consider, for example, that going 24 hours without sleep renders someone just as impaired as they would be with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1%, which is over the legal limit.
Clinical Chief and Medical Director of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham Women’s Hospital, Dr. Stuart Quan, joins the podcast to discuss what he and his team are doing to address this problem. To start, they’ve developed the Sleep Matters Initiative through which they visit organizations and companies to give presentations about sleep health, administer questionnaires designed to identify sleep disorders, and help people get in contact with the healthcare providers who can truly help them achieve better sleep, better physical health, and a higher quality of life.
Interested in hearing more? Press play, and learn more by visiting www.brighamandwomens.org and www.understanidngsleep.org.
Approximately 50 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide capture is done by ocean photosynthesis, and approximately 50 percent of ocean photosynthesis occurs in cyanobacteria. This means that about 25 percent of global carbon dioxide capture is due to the presence of cyanobacteria. It’s also true that cyanobacteria generally have a negative connotation and are viewed as problematic due to the blooms of toxins they produce. Dr. Ben Long has spent much of his time studying the components of these blooms, and has recently began to investigate the potential use of cyanobacteria compounds as sources of fuel. Now working at the Australian National University College of Science, he’s also investigating how the mechanism of carbon dioxide fixation could make crop plants more efficient.
There is a lot to be discovered about cyanobacteria, and Dr. Long has made this mission his life’s work. He brings a wealth of information to today’s conversation, discussing the biochemical reactions present in cyanobacteria, the key differences (and similarities) between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the production of mysterious toxins called microcystins, the potential ability to use cyanobacteria as sources of fuel, and the photosynthetic efficiency of C4 plants. To learn more about his work, press play, read about RIPE photosynthesis on the web, and visit http://photosynthesis.org.au.
Kamal Obbad has an insatiable curiosity when it comes to the genome. In this podcast the co-founder of Nebula Genomics (nebula.org) provides a wealth of information on the secrets that the genome may reveal for scientific and medical research.
Obbad’s company, Nebula Genomics, seeks to make genomic data actionable, to make it accessible for medical researchers. Obbad recounts the early work he and his cofounders began back at the Harvard Medical School lab of the father of synthetic biology—George Church. He talks about sequencing genomes, and explains how a genome can be read, and studied. Obbad details how genomes are used for disease research, and he discusses the many barriers to attaining the right genomic data. He provides some hard truth about 23andMe and other genomic data companies, revealing how they resell genetic data and offer the provider of the data no real compensation.
The genomic data expert states that Nebula Genomics is a different kind of company. Nebula Genomics allows users to be a part of important medical breakthroughs, but they also get rewarded for the effort. Obbad affirms how crucial it is for everyone to have access to their genomic data and to understand it. And through the use of blockchain technology and other innovations, Nebula Genomics is providing users access to their data for the sake of understanding it and its potential impact and allowing researchers to utilize the data more easily and efficiently, as they work to discover the secrets of the human genome.
In this informative podcast, Dr. Sandeep Jain, pulmonary and sleep medicine expert and founder of ListenMD, will discuss the technological advances that can help us all to take an active role in our health maintenance.
Dr. Jain talks about ListenMD, an intelligent health care communication platform for physicians, caregivers, and patients that can improve care, lower costs, and reduce wasted time. ListenMD is a HIPAA compliant, high-performance messaging app that is simple to use and gives patients the power to control and view their upcoming appointments with doctors and healthcare staff. And by using the platform, patients can be directly engaged with data collection, and take a more proactive role in their own health maintenance.
Continuing his discussion on health, Dr. Jain delves into the area of sleep, discussing sleep disorders and other issues. He talks about CPAP devices that can vary the pressure and deliver better breathing for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
Additionally, Dr. Jain delivers some basic information for listeners who may be concerned they have or are developing, a sleep disorder. As he explains, getting the right amount of quality sleep can help us to perform activities safely, and live better lives.
Trevor Morin, PhD, CSO biochemistry, and William Dunbar, PhD, cofounder and acting CEO, of Two Pore Guys, Inc., provide an interesting overview of nanotechnology as it applies to scientific advances.
Morin and Dunbar’s company, Two Pore Guys, Inc., is literally transforming human and environmental health by bringing nanotechnology and precision science together to detect and quantify biomolecular targets.
The science and technology entrepreneurs discuss their products and advances in nanotechnology in regard to agriculture, human, and animal use cases. They discuss nanopores, which are sort of like tiny gateways that allow only one molecule to proceed through at a time. As they explain, this ‘passing through’ process allows for information to be gathered in detail. The sweet spot for their technology, as they explain, is identifying pathogens based on their DNA or RNA-specific sequence.
Specifically, Morin and Dunbar’s, Two Pore Guys, Inc. is a team of biochemists and engineers who work together to develop groundbreaking technology. Their innovative single-molecule-sensing platform can provide the precision, accuracy, and sensitivity of reference lab equipment while saving time and money.
The scientific pathology tech guys elaborate on how they solve problems built into field-deployable products. With singe molecule counting using an electrical output they find that their accuracy is heightened, with extremely sensitive reagents. Their breakthrough technology allows for superior detection of multiple infectious agents. Their device differentiates among a whole suite of infectious diseases with improved time performance. Additionally, as they explain, the Two Pore Guys’ platform eliminates the need for complex instrumentation and chemistries, and again, is more cost effective than traditional methods used currently. And in regard to quantifying genetic variants, their outstanding platform can detect and quantify cancer variants from liquid biopsies with the precision of droplet digital PCR, and again, at a faster rate and reduced cost than traditionally used methods.
The science innovators discuss their timetable for revealing more of their product line. As they explain, their beta unit will be available in less than two years. Morin and Dunbar are excited about the possibilities and their continual advancement of products that can enhance scientific and medical innovation.
Up to 75% of the cells in bone marrow are fat cells (adipocytes), which interact very closely with multiple myeloma tumor cells. In addition, as the concentration of bone marrow cells increases with age and obesity, so too does the incidence of multiple myeloma. Why, then, are these cells and this interaction so understudied? What remains to be discovered about the underlying mechanism of multiple myeloma and how might it lead to better ways of managing and treating it?
These are the questions being asked and investigated by Michaela Reagan, PhD and her team at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. She explains the biochemical and physiological processes involved with the development of multiple myeloma, including the pre-metastatic niche and something referred to as the chemokine gradient, the connection between cancer and osteoporosis, how combination therapies can be used to determine why drug therapies are effective for some and not for others, epigenetic changes in tumors, and ultimate goals of her ongoing research.
Tune in for the full conversation and learn more by visiting mmcri.org and clicking on Dr. Reagan in the faculty list.
“The future of plastic surgery and innovation is in changing the educational process…if we’re harming celebrities who are by definition the celebrated people of our culture…if we can’t even do that right, then we’re doing a very poor job,” says Dr. Howard Stupak, board-certified member of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Specializing exclusively in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck, he is best known for his delicate technique and natural-appearing results—which seem hard to come by, as evidenced by the many “botched” plastic surgeries experienced by even the wealthiest celebrities. What’s going on here?
Dr. Stupak provides his answer to this question, sheds light on the world of plastic and reconstructive surgery, offers his opinion on what’s gone wrong and why, and discusses how the future of plastic surgery needs to be redirected. Among other topics, he also discusses the most common reasons people seek plastic surgery, how to manage patient expectations, and the relationship between sleep problems and functional rhinoplasty.
Tune in and reach out to Dr. Stupak’s Connecticut-based private practice at 203-227-1826.
While 3D bioprinting has been one of the latest and most talked about strategies in the generation of 3D structures, the team at the Stoppel Lab is doing something quite different: using the cocoons of silkworms to design a completely natural material that can be used to surgically repair injured or diseased tissues in the human body.
Whitney Stoppel, Ph.D. has brought her post-doctoral studies from Tufts University to the Stoppel Lab at the University of Florida, which opened its doors just a few months ago. She joins the discussion today to explain the biochemical engineering aspects of this work, the details of how this natural material is prepared and used, the most challenging problems to overcome, and how the acellularity of the material they’re designing will lend itself very well to the surgical environment, benefiting patients and surgeons alike.
Dr. Stoppel is a wealth of knowledge with a big task ahead of her. Don’t miss out on the full conversation, and stay up to date on the latest by visiting www.stoppellab.com.
Some of the greatest athletes of our time will tell you that quality sleep is the extra edge they’ve needed in order to prolong their careers, viewing it equally as important as nutrition and physical training. But for many others, sleep is one of the last things on the list of priorities, and they'll reach for another cup of coffee before seeking help from a sleep doctor. Some might not think their sleep challenge is all that serious, while others might simply think it’s just “them,” and that there is no fixing it. But what if all they needed was some knowledge and a better understanding of the underlying issues at play?
Dr. Michael Howell has been practicing sleep medicine for years now, and as the co-founder of Sleep Performance Institute, he aims to show people the importance of quality sleep and unveil the steps necessary in obtaining it. It’s certainly not a one-for-all solution, and he joins the podcast to discuss why and how to go about understanding your own natural sleep chronotype. He dives into the details of what happens during sleep, including lymphatic clearance, the “pruning” of unimportant memories, the amplification of emotional memories during REM sleep, why we sleep under blankets, and why melatonin may be helpful for some and not for others. Interested in hearing more? Press play and check out sleepperformanceinstitute.com.
BIO: Dr. Charles Samuels is the Medical Director of the Centre for Sleep & Human Performance in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada who has served as the Vice President Clinical of the Canadian Sleep Society and is the Chairman of the Alberta Medical Association Insomnia Clinical Practice Guideline Committee.
Dr. Samuels is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. He is a well-respected medical educator who speaks internationally on topics related to sleep health and human performance. Dr. Samuels is a member of the Institute of Population Health at the University of Calgary; his research focus is the relationship of sleep to recovery, training and performance in Elite Olympic Athletes.
Dr. Samuels is regarded as an expert in the area of sleep disturbance and health consequences of shift work based on his work with the Calgary Police Service Health and Human Performance Research Initiative, which was a ten-year research project exploring the impact of rotating shift work on the health and performance of police officers. He is also a co-investigator on a similar project that will run from 2015-2017 with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Dr. Charles Samuels, M.D., CCFP, DABSM, is devoted to a good night’s sleep—for everyone. He has committed many years to the study of sleep and recovery and in this podcast, he outlines the importance of sleep and what to do when our sleep is suffering.
Dr. Samuels is a board certified sleep medicine expert, certified with the American Board of Sleep Medicine, as well as the medical director of the Centre for Sleep & Human Performance in Calgary. As a top researcher he has been a primary player in multiple clinical trials from Phase II to Phase IV, and he has worked with some of Canada’s extraordinary athletes on their sleep and recovery.
Dr. Samuels talks about his motivation for getting into the sleep research area, and he recalls a particular night in which he was driving on a low amount of sleep and nearly drove into a lake. From that brush with danger, he was alerted to the true power of sleep and the dangers of inadequate sleep in regard to performance. He decided to dig deeper and began to research more, which led to his development of a passion for sleep science.
Dr. Samuels’ lab, The Centre for Sleep & Human Performance, offers study and consultation for sleep apnea, sleepwalking, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep phases, movement disorders, sports performance, etc. The sleep guru provides an overview of occupational medicine, and makes a point about workweeks, stating that companies should limit employees’ workweeks to the 40 to 48 hours per week range to ensure their greatest chance for safety and good health. Dr. Samuels outlines proper training and recovery for professional athletes, and great options to help them recover, and maintain better overall health and extend their professional careers in their chosen sport or competition. As president of the Canadian Sleep Society, Dr. Samuels has a responsibility to public health and he works tirelessly to provide the general public with valuable information on sleep and recovery to help them help themselves—and achieve the best health
How did life begin? How do new species emerge? How might viruses be shaping our genetic makeup? These are just a few of the questions explored in this intriguing and eye-opening episode featuring Perry Marshall, author of Evolution 2.0: Breaking the Deadlock Between Darwin and Design, creator of the Evolution 2.0 podcast, and electrical engineer. “The whole notion of how evolution happens is being completely re-worked right now,” says Perry Marshall. The conversation touches on topics ranging from the mysterious properties of water which—once thoroughly understood—could lead to an understanding of the origin of life, to CRISPR gene editing and epigenetics.
Press play for the full conversation and learn more at https://evo2.org/evolution/.
In this informative podcast, Dr. Martin Scharf, Ph.D., FABSM will discuss sleep research, sleep disorders, and drugs utilized for treatment of illnesses, with a particular interest in fibromyalgia.
Dr. Scharf is the research and development consultant at Cleveland Sleep Research Center. He holds a Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in Hershey. The sleep expert has had a notable career and has spearheaded much of the relevant research regarding the treatment of disorders of sleep and wakefulness. Dr. Scharf provides a detailed overview of fibromyalgia, perhaps one of the most misunderstood medical conditions of all. As Dr. Scharf presents, fibromyalgia syndrome can lead to a long list of possible symptoms, especially chronic musculoskeletal pain. Dr. Scharf discusses the connective link between fibromyalgia and binding of gamma. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a chemical found in the body that can be synthetically manufactured as well. GHB is commonly used for weight loss, depression, and many of the difficult to treat fibromyalgia symptoms (pain and fatigue, sleep problems, etc.). Dr. Scharf also discusses the controversy around GHB that made its wide release to the medical community so difficult and delayed.
Dr. Scharf recounts the many and various clinical trials that helped with the advancing developments and provided new information for treatment solutions. As a lifelong student of science, Dr. Scharf continues to be emotionally connected to the incredible stories of patients whose GHB treatment has profoundly changed their lives for the better. The compound was so successful as a treatment for some that during an official proceeding regarding the use of GHB, many patients who testified recounted how painful their lives were before GHB and how the compound has helped them to retake their lives.
Perhaps there is nothing more important than nutrition as it is what keeps our bodies going strong. John O’Connor is passionate about food and he is the founder of Gene Food (mygenefood.com). In this podcast, he will discuss nutrition and genetics.
John O’Connor’s company, Gene Food, has designed a custom algorithm that can analyze someone’s genetic data and assign them to a specific foundational diet category (of about 20 in total). O’Connor talks about diets and nutrition and gets into some specifics on various diets from paleo to vegan, etc. As there is a code that is unique to every one of us, it can inform us about the kind of diet that will work best for our individual bodies. And results can be seen as someone tailors their diet and lifestyle to match their overall genetic makeup.
The nutrition expert delves into genetic variants and he talks about how diet plays an important role for everyone, especially those who suffer from medical conditions or are predisposed genetically to future medical issues. O’Connor discusses various issues that relate to nutrition and diet such as inflammatory responses, how certain diets affect those who have a greater risk for certain kinds of diseases, SNPs which are single nucleotide polymorphisms, fats that people take into their diet, and so much more.
Lastly, O’Connor outlines how physical environments can have a dramatic impact on how people react to food, regarding histamine intolerance and other issues. O’Connor and his team are hopeful that the future will bring better health through getting specific with our diets and letting genetics lead the way.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that’s becoming increasingly common, but the experts are still struggling with diagnosing it, treating it, and maintaining patient compliance. Delta Waves was founded in 2005 with the goal of treating sleep apnea through various forms of cutting-edge technology, including the latest continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) machines. But sleep apnea isn’t all they’re focused on: by running sleep studies six nights a week, the team at Delta Waves is collecting huge amounts of important data that is enabling them to identify two-thirds of every sleep disorder currently recognized.
Joe Schulz, Dale Moseley, and Adam Moseley join the podcast today to discuss their respective roles in the company and how each contributes to the overall collaborative effort of improving the quality of the lives and sleep behaviors of people around the country. The expert trio in sleep science offers an interesting discussion that touches on a variety of topics, including the difference between obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea and how the treatment differs between the two, what happens during REM sleep, and why people are more likely to experience apnea during REM sleep.
Tune in for all the details and learn more by visiting deltawaves.org.
When Daniel Gartenberg, Ph.D. created the Sonic Sleep Coach app, he had a vision: within the next three to five years, people who are struggling with sleep problems will go to their doctors and walk away not with drugs that haven’t even been validated for long-term use and that come with numerous side effects, but with legitimate psychologically-based assessments of the root causes of their sleep issues, as well as tools that can be used for treating them in a sustainable way.
In order to make that vision a reality, Gartenberg and his team at Sonic Sleep Coach has created a software platform that uses the best IoT devices out there to manipulate light, temperature, and sound in the environment in order to produce better sleep results than the major pharmaceuticals on the market. It will also provide people with personalized cognitive behavioral therapy assessments in order to identify the underlying causes of their sleep disorder and offer simple solutions to improve their sleep and overall quality of life.
It’s currently offered only on Apple devices, but the app will very shortly be available on all Android devices. Stay tuned for the latest news and visit sonicsleepcoach.com.
What can the study of the biological body tell us about the impact of different lifestyles and stressors on our overall states of health? What can the tracking of immune cells and senescent cells tell us about the aging process or our susceptibility to disease? How might the environment be affecting gene expression? Are certain emotional processes driving biological variations between individuals, and if so, what can we do once armed with that information? These are just a few of the questions Aric Prather is investigating in his role as clinical health psychologist and assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Psychiatry.
If he’s not in the field working one-on-one with people struggling with chronic stress and/or insomnia, developing new interventions, and gaining insights on the behaviors that contribute to different biological outcomes, then he’s in the lab alongside other researchers and geneticists collecting data and contributing to the growing body of literature in this exciting and burgeoning field.
Tune in for the full conversation, including discussion about the biological affects of acute versus chronic stress, childhood trauma and long-term stress responses, the possibility of heritable stress behaviors, and the surprising nature of their findings. Follow Dr. Prather on Twitter and stay up to date on his latest research by visiting the UCSF website.
“B.E.S.U.P.E.R” is the acronym that denotes seven actions meant to help families through what can be the most challenging, heart-wrenching time of their lives: dealing with a child cancer diagnosis. MaxLove Project was founded by Justin Wilford and his wife after their four-year-old son Max was diagnosed with an unclassified brain tumor, leaving them in terrifying, unfamiliar territory with no clear plan for the future.
Throughout their journey, which included emergency brain surgery, a month of recovery in the hospital, and long periods of out-patient chemotherapy, Wilford and his wife met many parents who were going through the struggle with them, wondering how they could improve both the day-to-day quality of life for their child and the long-term outcome. Wilford, having recently graduated with a doctoral degree in Geography, reached out to as many physicians and researchers as he could in order to answer this question, and it wasn’t long until he began asking how he could go about sharing what he'd learned with others who were taking a similar journey.
Founding MaxLove Project was his answer; aspects of the program have been implemented into several hospitals and become an enormous source of support and information for parents and children alike. Press play for an inspirational conversation that details every aspect of the program, how it has taken shape over the years, what’s on the horizon, and for an update on how Max—now in the sixth grade—is doing. Visit maxloveproject.org to learn more and get involved.
Rebecca Jarvis, Chief Business, Technology & Economics Correspondent for ABC News provides interesting details on her long career in journalism and specifically the amazing story of disgraced entrepreneur, Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos.
Jarvis is a seasoned journalist. In addition to her prominent work with ABC News, she serves as host and managing editor of the popular podcast No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis, as well as host and managing editor of Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis. Her extensive work for ABC News includes critically acclaimed shows such as World News Tonight with David Muir, Nightline, 20/20, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and Good Morning America. Throughout her impressive career she has regularly interviewed innovators and visionaries such as Warren Buffett; Sheryl Sandberg; Richard Branson; Diane von Furstenberg; and GM’s first woman CEO, Mary Barra, just to name a few. From presidential elections to the Great Recession, the Madoff scandal and the crash of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers, if it’s important business news, Jarvis has covered it.
Jarvis discusses the riveting story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. Jarvis’ work on The Dropout, a documentary podcast by ABC Radio & ABC News Nightline that covers the story of the aforementioned Holmes, has received critical praise. The Dropout explores the ambition and fame that went awry for the world’s youngest self-made woman billionaire. It seeks to unravel the story of Holmes and get to the bottom of how a woman at the top of her game, who was often referred to as ‘the next Steve Jobs,’ could lose everything and face severe criminal charges. Theranos was a health technology corporation that experienced a meteoric rise in the medical technology industry with what was then heralded as breakthrough technology—a means to perform blood tests with extremely smaller amounts of blood than had been historically possible. However, if it sounds too good to be true it often is, as Holmes was later exposed for making false claims about the company and the tech, and was indicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Jarvis explains how she became intrigued by not only the technology Theranos was proposing but also the scores of big-dollar investors who jumped on board early stage to back the so-called groundbreaking technology. Jarvis comments at length about how amazing it is that time after time so many truly smart people can be fooled by swindlers like Bernie Madoff, Elizabeth Holmes, and others like them. She describes it as “affinity fraud” in that people tend to trust those whom their friends and associates have already placed trust in. Jarvis goes on to say that Holmes was truly a brilliant woman to accomplish all that she did in high school, college, and beyond and that everyone who knew her was aware of her incredible aptitude in many areas. Unfortunately, she took a very wrong turn.
Further, Jarvis talks in general about business and investments. She explains that sometimes it is necessary to fight one’s own nature, and she cites examples of how some people have lost greater by quickly pulling their money out of the market when there is a slight shift. The lesson, she states, in terms of business and investment, is to always ask questions and get answers, and those who do often get it right.
Thomas J. King, businessman, television producer, filmmaker, and author, delivers an interesting overview of the ketogenic diet, keto products, sugar alternatives, and healthy living. King leads the successful healthy food company known as Icon Foods. Icon Foods supplies the health food industry with various natural alternatives to sugar. Icon Foods will be appearing soon at the Metabolic Health Summit.
King received a BA in environmental studies from Chadwick University and attended graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied law. King founded Stevia Brands as a company that delivers an alternative to the sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup used in so many food products and food preparation. Stevia Brands Inc. is now one of the largest importers, manufacturers and distributors of truly clean-label sweetening systems as well as natural sweeteners. Thom has been passionate about food and nutrition for a long time, and this passion led him to the ketogenic diet, of which he is a devoted fan.
King discusses his background and early years growing up in Colorado and Arizona. He talks in-depth about some of the people who were influential in his journey of discovery, such as Jim May, who was a pioneer in the discovery of herbs and compounds in Central America. This important meeting of two minds was what led to the eventual birth of Stevia, a product that we all know today and see on our grocer’s shelves regularly. Thom King continues with his discussion of all things ‘sweet’ and delves into other sugar alternatives on the market such as aspartame and sucralose, which King carefully points out, do not exist in nature and thus may confuse the body and trigger an insulin response. King talks about their custom sweetening solutions and the various compounds that his company utilizes in their products that manufacturers then use in theirs.
King’s new book, Guy Gone Keto: How to Lose Weight, Feel Great and Achieve Lifelong Fitness is an insightful literary journey into the world of keto. The essential guide and how-to book delivers a wealth of information on the topics of good health through diet, losing weight (and keeping it off), and fat burning. As someone who struggled with weight loss for years, Thom understands the frustration many may have as they try to lose weight unsuccessfully. Guy Gone Keto explains the details of how fat is burned and how a high-fat, low-carb diet can produce amazing results for most people if they stick to it and are dedicated. The book elaborates on diet and nutrition, explains how to understand food labels, and includes many recipes to help people get started on their journey to good health.
King talks about some of the success stories that people report after having major transformations in health and weight, and how they inspire him to keep moving forward delivering products and information that help people reach their personal goals. Continuing the discussion of his company’s vision, King describes some of the biggest challenges he faces when trying to make certain foods into keto-compliant versions. And he tells the story of his own personal desire to have keto-approved condiments to replace the non keto ones on the market, and how his own taste buds pushed him to create these products that later he found many others wanted as well.
Lastly, King talks about the upcoming Metabolic Health Summit that he is enthused about and the many products and events that will be there for everyone to enjoy and experience in this 4-day immersive health summit.
Carlos Olguin, co-founder, and CEO, LogicInk (logicink.com), provides an overview of the current state of wearable sensor technology that can help us to monitor our bodies and protect our health.
Olguin holds an MSc in information networking from Carnegie Mellon. Olguin discusses the range of conditions that we experience in our bodies throughout the day. He explains that wearables tend to be expensive, bulky, with high learning curves, and often require other devices to work with them, in tandem, and thus are not practical. Olguin’s company seeks to change all this, and they have with the launch of their tattoo-style wearables. Their products are placed on the skin and can deliver important information to the wearer about what is going on in their body or even alert them about environmental conditions, from alcohol-intake to hydration levels, and eventually glucose, to environmental contaminants, sun exposure and more.
Specifically, regarding sun exposure, LogicInk can help people to stay within daily recommended UV limits, as well as reveal the irreversible accumulation of UV on your skin. How does it work? The outer circle and bar will turn completely pink when someone reaches their daily UV limit for sensitive skin. And it’s all based on verified data from the World Health Organization. And the inner circle and dot show current UV exposure, in real-time. Olguin talks about the progress of their product development. Many products are currently in process and his team is working to deliver them to the marketplace, but currently, they have shipped 25,000 units of their premier product, LogicInk UV. Other electronic-based products require a smartphone—LogicInk does not. LogicInk has been developed with changing shapes and very bold colors so a user can see their UV status with a quick glance. And if they like, there is an optional mobile app to track UV exposure patterns across extended periods of time.
Olguin details how their sensors work and the data that their products deliver. He talks about the kinds of skin cancer that people develop, and the benefits of controlling your exposure to excessive, harmful sun exposure. He gives an overview of their environmental sensors and explains how they can alert users to potentially harmful pollutants in the environment. And with so much expansion and development, Olguin talks about their partnerships and investors, and his hopes for further product releases in the near future.
Mary T. Newport, MD is a physician, caregiver, author, and international speaker. Her website is packed with useful information and can be viewed at (coconutketones.com). Dr. Newport delivers an insightful overview of nutrition for health. Dr. Newport became a ketone enthusiast and nutrition advocate after seeing the benefits in her husband. She provided ketones as alternative fuel for the brain to Steve Newport, her husband, to help with his early-onset Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed at the age of 54. Her books are considered to be invaluable for those who are seeking answers about health. Dr. Newport is the author of Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones as well as The Coconut Oil and Low-Carb Solution for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Other Diseases: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Diet and a High-Energy Food to Protect and Nourish the Brain.
Ketones can be an alternative fuel to sugar for your brain and body. The ketogenic diet and ketone supplements can offer incredible benefits to almost everyone for their general health and may also provide specific help for those who suffer with diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, MS, cancer, and epilepsy. The nutrition expert talks about coconut oil, MCT oil, and ketone esters, and their many various benefits for the body. Dr. Newport recounts actual experiences with her husband that showed incredible improvements in his condition after initiating treatment, such as his ability to read again without the words, as he stated, “shaking on the page,” looking pixelated, moving about.
Dr. Newport talks about how she and her husband transitioned to a more Mediterranean style of diet with lower carbs and more unrefined whole grains. Additionally, she talks about the benefit of Omega 3 and other supplements that could produce real results. She refers to her husband’s recovery as a light that truly came back on in his brain. She discusses her book in detail and how her husband’s story, as recounted by him, made a significant impact in the Alzheimer’s community. She provides extensive details about the ways people can utilize nutrition to improve health, and she provides an overview of her world travels, speaking about disease and treatment via nutritional supplementation and diet. As she states, Alzheimer’s is on the rise all over the world, and even in countries where diets are traditionally very good. She points to sweets and carbs as possibly being the reason for the rise in disease. Additionally, she talks about the toxicity of trans fats that are used again and again for cooking. Ultimately, as she states, the trend is not a good one, as healthy nutrition is less than exemplary in many nations around the world.
Wrapping up her discussion, Dr. Newport discusses some simple things that all of us can do to improve memory and cognition, such as eliminating sugary drinks, reducing starchy foots, and lowering carbs.
Meir Kryger, MD, FRCP(C), author and professor of medicine (pulmonary) and clinical professor of nursing, Yale School of Medicine, delivers a thorough analysis of the current state of sleep medicine and sleep disorders.
Kryger’s book, Principles, and Practice of Sleep Medicine, now on its 6th edition, is considered a must-have guide on sleep medicine, and is basic reading for everyone in the field. The essential read provides an overview of every aspect of sleep disorders, which gives physicians important information to use for their patients who are suffering from sleep-related issues.
Dr. Kryger discusses his entry into the interesting world of sleep medicine. He recounts the treatment of one of the first patients he diagnosed with a sleep disorder and his shocking revelation that, at the time, hardly anyone knew anything at all about sleep. Over the years his intensive research on sleep has evolved, from his early study of what later became known as ‘sleep apnea,’ which affects approximately five to ten percent of men and up to two to five percent of women, to other sleep-related issues.
Dr. Kryger discusses sleep apnea in detail and emphasizes the impact that being overweight has on sleep. But he stresses that tonsil size, jaw structure, and many other issues can cause sleep apnea in normal weight people quite often as well. He details the breathing process during sleep and outlines the breath stoppages that occur for those who suffer from this common disorder.
The sleep doctor details the various treatment devices on the market today, for treating sleep disorders. He discusses CPAP in detail. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy and it is a common treatment for a type of sleep apnea known as obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine contains a hose and mask, or a nosepiece, and delivers a constant and steady air pressure, which regulates proper breathing. The doctor talks about other medical issues such as hypoventilation, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), and narcolepsy—a chronic sleep disorder that is characterized by intense daytime drowsiness and sometimes even sudden attacks of sleep.
Dr. Kryger’s research has literally covered every area of sleep. He has published over 200 research articles and book chapters. Notably, Dr. Kryger was the first to establish a functional laboratory to study patients suffering from sleep breathing problems in Canada, and first to diagnose and fully report on obstructive sleep apnea in all of North America. Dr. Kryger’s laboratory created awareness for the interaction between heart failure and sleep respiration and the lab published the first systematic study of oxygen in this particular condition. His important and extensive research has received generous funding from various government and industry sources from Canada, France, and the United States.
“The harder you try to sleep, the more elusive it is,” says Alisha L. Brosse, author of End the Insomnia Struggle. This is a sentiment most of us would probably identify as true, but it can be hard NOT to try hard to sleep—especially once you’ve developed certain patterns of thought, feelings, and behaviors associated with a lack of sleep. As a cognitive behavioral therapist, this is precisely what Brosse aims to address in her patients—many of whom come to her after more than a decade of struggling with insomnia.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be applied to a range of conditions but has shown to be the best treatment for insomnia, tremendously improving people’s quality of life in a relatively short period of time. Brosse explains the basics of what CBT entails, the specific strategies and importance of individualized approaches to the treatment of insomnia, the general length of time it takes before people start seeing improvement, and how to deal with the association between mental illnesses and insomnia. Press play to hear the full conversation, check out her book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble and visit her website at bouldercbt.com.
“We feel responsible and passionate about keeping the conversation accurate and evidence-based,” says Victoria Field, with regard to the ketogenic diet and metabolic therapies, and the team who’s made the Metabolic Health Summit into what it is today: a collaborative, popular, informative, and exciting experience that’s empowering people to take control of their lives and make informed decisions about their health.
It’s set for January 31st through February 3rd of this year, and will feature 40 of the top experts from around the world who will discuss the latest developments and findings in metabolic health and research, reflect upon personal stories and the successes of others in achieving a state of metabolic and overall health, and emphasize practical applications of the information provided (including cooking demos!).
Field discusses just a handful of the speakers she’s looking forward to hearing, which includes the first psychiatrist out of Harvard who is replacing medications with keto and low-carb nutrition in the treatment of certain mental conditions, and a veterinarian who’s treating his canine cancer patients with metabolic therapies.
Tune in for all the details.
Dr. David Heath, founder, and CEO of Cutitronics (cutitronics.com) provides an overview of the skincare industry and his company’s mission to revolutionize the way we care for our skin.
With a thirst for knowledge, Heath set out on a journey to better understand science and engineering. His long academic career awarded him degrees in physics and engineering. Throughout his Ph.D. and post-doctoral research, Dr. Heath has continually targeted specific areas of interest including transdermal medical technology. Dr. Heath’s research led him to discover that transdermal medical technology could be utilized to solve some of the significant challenges facing the cosmetic skincare industry. His innovation in the area garnered recognition from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the ERA Foundation.
Dr. Heath discusses his extensive background in biomedical engineering and the development of medical devices. He talks about his work that involved research to better understand the dynamic nature of skin, and how it led to his motivation to bring digital technology and engineering together to work with chemistry and formulation to ultimately improve skin and skincare. Dr. Heath explains microdermabrasion and other techniques that are common in the multibillion-dollar skincare industry today. He explains that the dynamic nature of skin needs to be understood in detail in order for products to be successful and that in and of itself is a challenge, as skin is somewhat complex. He discusses fat-soluble and water-soluble solutions, the benefits versus potential issues, as well as how products and technology used on the skin affect the microbiome. It is important to maintain balance he states, and we need to all be conscious of the products we use on our skin.
The skin expert discusses clinic trials, and how people may not be disciplined enough to use products in a manner such that clinic trial results can be achieved during home use. Dr. Heath discusses how they have achieved a way for their devices to dispense the amount of product that a particular user needs to see progress and eventually—results. By using progress bars or by gamifying it, users may be more motivated to keep working toward their goal. He details other technology aspects of the industry, and as he states, consumer compliance is critical in order to get consumers to use products properly, such that they will see benefits.
The skincare doctor provides some information on the prevalence of skin specialists and diagnostics in the US versus Europe. He states that their handheld devices help to extend specialized care into the home, to make it easier for individual users to take care of their skin in the proper way, as their specialist would recommend.
The Cutitronics team seeks to continue launching disruptive technology into the skincare market, to help everyone achieve better results in their quest for healthier skin.
Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf, senior research officer, National Research Council of Canada, delivers a detailed analysis of her intensive research at the cellular level of life sciences.
Cuperlovic-Culf earned her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from UC Santa Barbara and her postdoc in biophysics from the University of British Columbia. Cuperlovic-Culf is extremely interested in the development of applied research collaborations in all the life sciences. She has tremendous experience that has yielded patents and publication of her work in biomarker discovery and (clinical) validation, metabolomics, cheminformatics, as well as bioinformatics.
Cuperlovic-Culf discusses the ways that she and her team use machine learning in their research within the life sciences. Specifically, she details how they collect data and use machine learning to analyze it. She discusses disease development, and the methods they use to dig deeper into this area of research. Their work delves into the metabolic analysis of cell cultures, and has many potential applications and advantages to the currently used methods for cell line testing. Research shows that metabolite concentrations represent important, sensitive markers of both genomic and phenotypic changes. Cuperlovic-Culf discusses their research of potentially deadly brain tumors. As cancer is known to have an appetite for glucose, and other specific energy sources, Cuperlovic-Culf studies metabolism within cells to better understand genetic changes.
The biophysics expert gives an overview of the various metabolic signatures of cells. Specifically, cancer cells have several detailed metabolic features, which have been explored for targeted therapies. She talks about the unique characteristics of cancer cells, such as their lactic acid content, etc. which is not typically seen in normal cells. And by utilizing simulations, Cuperlovic-Culf and her team can get a better idea of where the cell is going so to speak, to learn more about its development in hopes to find new ways to treat disease. The PhD discusses other diseases that have important metabolic components as well, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and type 3 diabetes, etc. Dr. Cuperlovic-Culf states that once we understand the relationships we can develop better, more-focused drugs for treatment.
Cuperlovic-Culf speaks about the incredible wealth of data that is unfortunately still missing, and as such much more research needs to be done. She discusses microorganisms in soil and how they interact, in regard to biodegradability. Cuperlovic-Culf states that she wants to further her research, to look at metabolites beyond metabolism, how cellular processes are being inhibited, why, and what it all means for disease development, and hopefully drug development as well.
Are you concerned about your risk of developing cancer or Alzheimer’s disease? Do you wonder whether you might be more likely to pass on potentially harmful genes to your children? Curious to know if you have genetically-based sensitivities to certain types of medications? Do you ultimately just want the power to make better, more informed decisions about your health?
Until recently, obtaining this type of information—which is done via whole genome sequencing—would cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, making it nearly impossible for the majority of individuals. The team at Veritas Genetics, however, has figured out a way to do this for under $1,000, equipping individuals with information that could truly change or even save their lives. For example, by knowing that you are at an increased risk of developing a particular disease, you can begin taking preventative measures today and know what to look out for in the future.
The team at Veritas Genetics is also using machine learning tools to analyze thousands of genomes in order to learn more about the different relationship between human genes and the genes in the environment. The Chief Marketing Officer at Veritas Genetics, Martinez Rodrigo, offers exciting insight on the potential of genomic sequencing and what lies ahead in the field. For all the details on how to have your DNA sequenced, hit play and visit veritasgenetics.com.
Aspect Biosystems is a biotech company based in Vancouver, CN that’s working towards the creation of on-demand human tissues using 3D bioprinting technology. Drug development, tools for therapeutic discovery, and transplantation are just a few of the use cases of the tissues being engineered.
Tamer Mohamed, CEO of Aspect Biosystems, provides a compelling discussion that touches on a variety of topics, including the development of a muscle portfolio composed of intestinal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissue, a program focused on the development of a liver drug testing platform, and a pancreatic tissue program for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. He also discusses innovative strategies to vascularize tissues, which has been a major challenge in the field of tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting, as well as Aspect Biosystems’ microfluid technology that allows for the creation of multicellular, multi-material tissues.
The team at Aspect Biosystems works closely with academic partners around the world in the development of other applications of engineered tissues, referring to their platform as an “innovation pipeline.” For example, they have partnered with UCLA in the development of new vascular technologies. Interested in learning more? Tune in and visit aspectbiosystems.com.
When using ketones as fuel, the body produces 45 times less free radicals than it does when using glucose as fuel, which, according to Gary Millet, is just one piece of evidence indicating that ketones are the body’s preferred fuel source. As the founder of Kegenix, Millet discusses the range of products they offer—all of which contain exogenous ketone salts that are bio-equivalent to the ketones our body’s produce.
By combining MCT oil and ketone salts, Kegenix products can help you achieve ketosis while simultaneously allowing you to avoid all the symptoms of “keto flu” and stimulating your body’s own ability to produce ketones. Interested in losing weight? Increasing and sustaining your energy? Kegenix is in the process of producing products targeted specifically toward people’s individual goals. But that’s not all: they’ve also created the first-ever keto meal replacement containing all of the essential macro-nutrients and vitamins. Check out realketones.com for recipes on turning this replacement into a plate of waffles, biscuits, or pancakes.
Toddlers exist at an awkward stage of development: they can’t really express themselves, they don’t know what’s best for their health, but they enjoy a sense of budding independence, leading them to challenge and test their parent’s limits. Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician and author of The Toddler Brain: Nurture the Skills Today that Will Shape Your Child’s Tomorrow, discusses the challenges of parenting and raising children, the importance of creating and maintaining nighttime routines, multiple reasons why the use of technology before bed prevents kids from falling asleep, and the most common parenting mistakes that you might be making without even knowing it.
Tune in for the full discussion and check out the following resources for more information:
Healthychildren.org
Kidshealth.org
Drlaurajana.com
Ron Spence, MBA, noted research scientist, and Barbara Turner, celebrated holistic health coach and author, discuss the amazing quantum energy mobile app that is impacting lives and creating a swirl of excitement due to its incredible potential.
Turner discusses her broad background in nutrition and health, including her early writing of e-books that dealt with health issues that her personal family members or friends had experienced. Upon discovering a particular email that gave an overview of an energy biofeedback app, she became intrigued to dig deeper into the nexus of health, and app technology. She outlines the Limbic Arc, touted as one of “the world’s first quantum-energy wellness products managed with the click of an app.”
Turner gives an overview of how users subscribe and access the Limbic Arc that gives them access to 150 unique, quantum-energy wellness products, including valuable training from leaders within the Limbic Arc system. The 15-year-old parent company that is the source of origin of Limbic Arc works with literally thousands of physicians and healthcare professionals around the world and seeks to take this groundbreaking new technology to the public for the first time ever.
Spence, who is a master affiliate at Limbic Arc, elaborates on how their technology offering is centered on quantum theory. He recounts some previous remarks by Tesla that speak about a non-physical phenomenon, and underscore the value of Limbic Arc. Spence explains the origination of Limbic Arc by Dr. Vaughn Cook and his early experiences with the platform. He talks about the ear-ringing (tinnitus) problem that he has had for many years, and how the Limbic Arc platform helped him to access energy that eliminated the problem almost immediately. Spence details the biochemical exchange and how information energy exists at the subatomic level. He gives an analysis of his theory about cellular receptors as they relate to disease and illness, and explains the many problems with blockages within the body, sometimes brought on by toxins and other agents that block micronutrients.
The Limbic Arc has two major parts: a library of valuable information fields that exist in the internet cloud—logarithmic expressions assigned a link with items in the physical world as done by a specialized, proprietary system; and the other part is the app in which users can access and then manage their unique library of Limbic Arc products, called InfoBoosts.
The energy expert, Spence, details how the quantum field works, and the specifics of the limbic system. He states that many of our problems are related to a deficiency in something. He details the importance of breaking blockages and how the app can immediately connect users to energy that can sometimes provide dramatic changes in their lives. Ultimately, Spence states, there are many things that live in our subconscious mind that can be very beneficial to our lives and well-being if we learn how to harvest them.
Azizi A. Seixas, Ph.D., assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine, in the Department of Population Health and the Center for Healthful Behavior Change, provides an interesting overview of the power of sleep, and the problems we could face when sleep is low quality or we simply don’t get enough.
Dr. Seixas has devoted his career to understanding and addressing the sociocultural and environmental determinants of chronic diseases. Dr. Seixas received an MA from Fordham University and was an advanced doctoral candidate in clinical psychology there. Additionally, he received an MS in clinical psychology from The University of Dallas, and a BA in philosophy and pre-med studies from College of the Holy Cross.
Dr. Seixas discusses the four behaviors that he considers the pillars of health: physical activity, diet, stress management, and sleep. He states that of the four, sleep has been shown to be implicated in cardiovascular disease, metabolic health conditions, brain health, daily function, and overall quality of life.
Dr. Seixas’ research focuses on three areas: multilevel determinants of sleep and cardiovascular disease disparities; the long-term health results of cardiovascular disease (CVD) disparities; and developing adaptive, group-tailored, specific and personalized behavior modification interventions, incorporating machine learning analytical tools, to improve overall health and general well being. Dr. Seixas addresses the important sociocultural and environmental determinants of various chronic diseases and behaviors, that often prevent access to basic care in certain disadvantaged communities that are burdened by adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a disproportionate manner. Dr. Seixas‘ work looks at the barriers that hinder diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders within racial/ethnic minorities and seeks to evaluate the efficacy of behavioral models targeted at improving a commitment to sleep and CVD recommended types of therapies.
Dr. Seixas talks about the ways they reach out to the community, by literally going to retail community shops, such as barbershops and hair salons, to talk to people and work with them. He discusses the sleep education and social support that they offer to at-risk individuals. By introducing a home-based sleep study, and allowing people to avoid going to a clinic for the study they have found a way to offer more significant help to communities, targeting at-risk individuals, testing them, and helping put them on a path toward better health.
Dr. Seixas was awarded a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) career award to research as to whether inadequate sleep and/or obesity could possibly explain a notable proportion of CVD risk disparity between blacks and whites, through secondary data analysis of the Sleep Heart Health Study.
Dr. Seixas details how simply getting more quality sleep can affect so many areas in our lives, from sex drive to mood, functioning to mental clarity, and so many other serious health issues.
In addition to his work that focuses on population health insights, he is also working on developing precise and personalized behavioral medicine solutions that use artificial intelligence to optimize behavior change and adherence to pro-health behaviors.
Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD, world-renowned ketogenic authority and lecturer, nutritional coach, and consultant for The Charlie Foundation, delivers a truly impressive and thoroughly thought-provoking overview on the power of nutrition and the ketogenic diet.
Zupec-Kania is a registered and certified dietitian and nutritionist and has spent over 25 years coaching medical professionals, patients, and families on the myriad benefits of nutritional ketosis for neurological disorders, specific types of cancers and many other metabolic-based conditions. Zupec-Kania is the primary consultant for The Charlie Foundation where she continues to spread her message and vision for health and hope. As she is a respected authority on nutritional issues, over 250 medical centers worldwide have participated in her advanced training seminars and workshops for medical professionals with The Charlie Foundation.
Zupec-Kania’s primary area of focus is ketogenic diet therapy for children with inherited metabolic disorders, and anyone else who may require a blenderized diet, which is a diet composed of foods and liquids that are thinned in a blender or food processor and strainer, for enteral nutrition. Zupec-Kania works with her patients individually to evaluate them and develop a personalized plan tailored to their specific needs, considering their existing conditions, medications, and comprehensive medical history.
Zupec-Kania talks about her personal background, and motivation for devoting her professional life to nutrition and wellness. While her father suffered through cancer she saw how brutal the chemo and radiation treatments were, and in spite of their severity, they still provided no improvement. She felt there had to be more that could be done for patients. At college prep school she declared nutrition as her area of study. After her studies were complete, Zupec-Kania began focusing on nutrition as a means to improve health implementing her research into keto for epilepsy and eventually keto for cancer.
Zupec-Kania discusses the birth of the ketogenic diet at the Mayo Clinic as a means for treating epilepsy. And interestingly, Zupec-Kania states that keto was being studied simultaneously in Germany as a potential treatment for cancer. She talks enthusiastically about the amazing benefits of the ketogenic diet, and states that it is good to see the medical community finally embracing keto as a method of treating cancer. Zupec-Kania provides a detailed overview of the many beneficial mechanisms of the ketogenic diet. As she states, cancer is an inflammatory process, and the ketogenic diet has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. She delves into the ways cancer progresses. As it is known that glucose feeds tumor cells it is important to cut off cancer cells’ energy supply. The metabolic therapy of keto can certainly offer another option to individuals who are looking for ways to fight their cancer. She discusses specific patients with whom she has worked who have seen improvement after implementing a ketogenic diet. Unfortunately however, many doctors and healthcare professionals are still unaware of not only the importance of keto for fighting inflammation and disease, but also the incredible power of food and nutrition in general.
The nutrition expert talks specifically about the process she goes through with patients as they map out a strategy for their degree of ketosis, which takes into account all their medical factors, goals, and particular issues. She discusses the types of exogenous ketones and their various benefits. From coconut oil to MCT oil, Zupec-Kania explains the various medium-chain fats that are ketotic producing, how they work, and why they work. She talks about how tastes change when on a ketogenic diet, and how people no longer need sweet tastes; the craving stops.
Zupec-Kania recounts the ways keto has impacted cancer patients she has worked with and others she has observed. While some have seen dramatic improvements, such as a stoppage of the proliferation of their cancer, others have ultimately still succumbed to the disease, though even these individuals have attested to a general improvement in the way they feel, proving that there really is no downside to keto for these patients. She recounts an amazing story of a woman who decided to forego traditional cancer therapies and instead turned to a ketogenic diet upon diagnosis. The woman had to find a new doctor who would work with her on her terms, and wonderfully, six years out, she is cancer free. Unfortunately however, many only seek out a ketogenic diet as a last resort, so it is often implemented too late to take full advantage of its incredible nutritional power.
Zupec-Kania is a frequent lecturer on nutrition and keto specifically, and she chairs many global ketogenic symposiums and medical conferences. She has authored numerous publications and abstracts covering the various issues in her field of expertise.
Dr. Xi (Charlie) Ren, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, delivers an in-depth discussion about regenerative solutions to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs, and his lab’s efforts to engineer advanced organ transplantation options for patients.
Xi Ren was a student of biology during his graduate study, particularly interested in vascular and hematopoietic systems. Dr. Xi Ren earned his BS in biological science and a Ph.D. in cell biology from Peking University. Dr. Xi Ren joined the Laboratory for Organ Engineering and Regeneration at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was selected to be a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. In 2016, Xi Ren was awarded the position of Instructor in Surgery at Harvard Medical School. He developed complex strategies for engineering practical, working vasculature based on decellularized organ scaffolds. He joined the faculty at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in 2017 and continued his research in the area of biomedical engineering.
Dr. Xi Ren talks about his team’s work at the Ren Lab. The Ren Lab is interested in the interface of biomaterial and stem cell engineering with an ongoing goal of successfully providing advanced regenerative therapeutic solutions to repair or replace damaged or flawed tissues and organs. Dr. Xi Ren states that there is a significant shortage of lungs and livers available for transplantation, thus his lab’s primary mission is to find ways to bioengineer lungs and livers with extremely similar structure and composition for transplantation into patients in need. Dr. Xi Ren discusses the minute details of organ structure and he explains some of the most challenging problems they face when seeking to develop biomedically-engineered working models of human organs.
The biomedical engineering scholar and researcher talks about some of the problematic issues that they must face in their research. He discusses how cells are selected for lung reconstruction, and the importance of stem cell biology, and how cells are used in regard to regeneration. He gives an overview of how they work with purified cells, and how multiple cells are utilized within a specific organ.
Dr. Xi Ren presents his thoughts on the vasculature in regard to transplantations and the critical importance of blood in all systems. He talks about the vasculatures of different organs and explains how their specific characteristics define how they function. The vascular network is essential for every tissue and organ. The Ren Lab’s detailed and extensive research is focused intently on understanding the molecule profiles behind organ-specific vascular phenotypes, maintaining a primary objective of engineering organ-specific vasculature, and impacting the future of organ transplantation.
Exosomes: we’ve known about them for decades now, but the recent discovery that they contain epigenetic information could have huge implications for our current understanding of genomic effects, epigenetic inheritance, and disease processes.
Denis Noble, biologist, researcher, former Chair of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Oxford, and contributing author of an up-and-coming book called Exosomes in Health and Disease offers an eye-opening and compelling discussion about the world of exosomes. For example, since every exosome—which is a mere fraction of the size of even the smallest bacteria—is cell-specific, bone exosomes contain different information than heart exosomes, and heart exosomes contain different information than liver exosomes, etc. Why is this so important? It means that exosomes have the ability to provide important, cell-specific information on specific disease states that affect specific areas of the body, which make them strong diagnostic tools.
He also discusses the techniques for extracting exosomes from blood plasma, explains how they have the ability to control the genome of other cells, and provides a glimpse of the content he’s contributing to the soon-to-be-released book, which focuses on the transmission of epigenetic information through the germline.
Press play to learn more.
“I compare it to being on top of this mountain my whole life, as a trainer or coach, being fit, and my clients are at the bottom of the mountain, and from the top, it looks so easy…there’s the path, you just follow it one step at a time…then for the first time in my life, I was at the bottom, and that journey up was so much harder than I ever imagined it would be,” says Drew Manning, who decided to truly put himself in the shoes of his clients in order to experience the journey to health and fitness himself. What he learned was invaluable: mental and emotional factors are entirely inextricable from the process of achieving a state of health and fitness.
He has since founded the Fit2Fat2Fit website and authored Fit2Fat2Fit: The Unexpected Lessons from Gaining and Losing 75 lbs on Purpose, and continues to support people through the journey of achieving health and fitness—he’s just doing it from a different, more fundamental angle guided by a newfound understanding.
Drew Manning will be speaking on this topic at the 2019 Metabolic Health Summit slated for January 31-February 3 and has recently finished his second book, Complete Keto, which is a compilation of the latest and greatest keto research. It includes a 30-day program that emphasizes lessons from his Fit2Fat2Fit journey and is available now for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Tune in for the full conversation and check out fit2fat2fit.com for more.
An estimated 2,000 Americans and three million people worldwide have narcolepsy, but according to Ellen Wermter, a board-certified family nurse practitioner working in a sleep medicine clinic, it’s quite possible that it simply hasn’t been identified in 50 percent of the people who have it. Diagnosis is a big challenge, which is evidenced by the fact that on average, patients make six visits to a doctor or sleep specialist and experience a five to ten-year delay before receiving the correct diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Aside from it being difficult to diagnose and therefore underrecognized, Wermter explains how it’s also misunderstood by many people; rather than presenting as the sudden inability to stay awake and a dramatic collapse into a deep slumber, the primary complaint of those suffering from narcolepsy is “excessive daytime sleepiness,” which is identified in her sleep clinic using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
She also discusses a variety of other sleep disorders, many of which are commonly encountered in her clinic, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy. Tune in for the full conversation, and find resources by visiting the Narcolepsy Network, Project Sleep, the National Sleep Foundation, and local support groups.
Metabolites: there are tens of thousands of them in the human body, and metabolomics is an attempt to study all of them, including how they interact with the human body and what role they play in the biochemical processes of specific diseases. There are many processes in which metabolites play a crucial role, and according to Martin Giera, Ph.D., the most interesting aspect of metabolites is the plethora of cell-specific signaling functions they have, resulting in different levels of control, intertwined processes, and an immense level of complexity.
As an associate professor at Leiden University, Dr. Giera’s research is focused on clinical metabolomics, and he joins the podcast to offer an insightful conversation about current research and the latest changes in the field, including big pharma’s interest in the metabolomics approach to diagnostics and treatment, the role of the microbiome in metabolism, and how the case for personalized cancer therapy is bolstered by the metabolic profiles of different cancers. Press play to learn more and hear the full conversation.
Eric C. Westman, MD, MHS, chief medical officer of HEAL Clinics (healclinics.com), specializing in diabetes remission and weight loss, delivers a thorough analysis on the nutritional and medical significance of carbohydrate reduction.
Dr. Westman has a deep level of experience in medicine with a specialization in lifestyle-related conditions and illnesses, such as obesity and diabetes, as well as other medical issues, treatments, and research. He is the co-founder and chief medical officer of HEAL Clinics. Dr. Westman’s clinics are the creators of HEALcare, a comprehensive treatment plan for obesity, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes that integrates personalized keto dietary and nutrition coaching with group behavioral coaching, as well as any needed medical care. HEALcare is a non-medical weight-loss program implemented by specialized counselors who have already brought about dramatic, significant changes in their own lives by adapting ketogenic lifestyles. HEALcare is medically supervised and thus offers complete obesity and diabetes treatment program.
In addition to his intensive work at HEAL Clinics,Dr. Westman is also the director of the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, and medical director of the Duke Center for Smoking Cessation. Dr. Westman is a board certified doctor in internal medicine as well as obesity medicine. He is the co-editor of, Obesity: Evaluation and Treatment Essentials, and co-author of The New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great, and Cholesterol Clarity: What the HDL Is Wrong with My Numbers?
Dr. Westman discusses his intensive research as an internal medicine and obesity doctor focused on the body’s ability to create its own ketones by cutting out carbohydrates. He explains the difference between exogenous and endogenous ketones, and some of the fallacies and breakthroughs in nutrition-based research. Dr. Westman talks about his early work at Duke University and experimentation in clinic trials that motivated him to devote more time to studying how nutrition impacts the body. He states that over the last few decades, research has demonstrated that cutting carbs has a significant impact actually. By cutting out the carbs, the body begins to burn its own fat. The big shift in thinking came when the medical community began to understand that the governmental guidelines issued in the 70s promoting carbohydrates were not truly the best advice. The outdated guidelines promoted avoiding fats and eating healthy carbohydrates, neither of which was based in evidence.
Dr. Westman talks in-depth about the specifics of keto, and how the reduction of sugar, eating healthy fats, etc. is good for the body. He talks about the impact of keto on the body and the importance of still considering calories in regard to weight loss. It’s possible to ingest too much of a good thing, meaning that even if the foods and oils are extremely healthy, a very high caloric intake can certainly prevent weight loss from occurring. As everyone has their own metabolism, individuals will experience variations as they work toward finding their perfect diet for great health. Dr. Westman discusses Harvard research and Duke University studies that deal with weight gain, metabolic rate, etc., as well as the importance of caloric deficits for losing weight. But ultimately, most people can probably eat more and still lose weight when on a keto diet, as opposed to other diets.
Dr. Westman details how he works with patients, outlining his preferences such as beginning work with diabetes patients before they are put on a medication regimen. Dr. Westman states that all patients should be given a choice, and that diet and lifestyle changes can reverse the condition without medications. He talks about metabolic rate in regard to eating habits, such as intermittent fasting, etc. Regarding keto, and carb-cutting success, Dr. Westman discusses the early studies and trial and error approaches to cutting carbs such as were developed by Dr. Atkins, and others. And he adds that proper carb intake amounts for individuals seeking to achieve optimum health and weight loss/management are certainly related to age and activity level. Younger, more active people, as you would expect, can eat more carbs daily and still see results. Older and/or more sedentary individuals may need to restrict carb intake more significantly.
Dr. Westman is currently the president of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, and a fellow of the Obesity Society and the Society of General Internal Medicine. His extensive clinical research includes more than 45 peer-reviewed papers on the efficacy of ketogenic diets and lifestyle in the management of type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity.
David Korsunsky, founder and CEO of Heads Up Health, delivers an important overview of the current state of health information and steps we can all take to organize our health data.
For more than 15 years Korsunsky has been a business leader, leading technology firms and forming strategic alliances. Recently, Korsunsky served as Director of Technical Alliances at VMware, Inc. where he led partnerships with global EHR companies such as GE, EPIC, Cerner, McKesson, Allscripts, and others. Korsunsky is active and believes in a healthy lifestyle, and it was his passion for good health that inspired him to find a new way to innovate in the healthcare space. Korsunsky sought to create a means for everyone to take charge of their health, by accessing important markers that elucidate where they are on the path to optimum health.
Korsunsky talks about his sources of inspiration, from nutritionists to select nonconventional health advocates, who introduced him to a trove of information that was not always the go-to for traditional medicine practitioners. Realizing how his own personal medical information was literally scattered all over the place from healthcare office to office and patient portal to portal, Korsunsky knew there had to be a better way. He had a tremendous desire to find a way to connect his lifestyle choices with the blood work that would bear out his theories on diet and exercise, etc. Korsunsky founded Heads Up Health, a company that seeks to empower people, helping them to transform their health through the use of state of the art tracking tools. His team of experienced and knowledgeable health-conscious technology experts wanted to clean up the current system fraught with confusing medical records, underutilized health-tracking technologies, and poorly managed health data. Korsunsky saw a way to implement a software solution to clean up the mess and get to the heart of the matter—improving health for everyone by connecting them to their own data.
The healthcare tech expert discusses how important trend lines can be totally missed by physicians when health records are scattered and unorganized. And when physicians cannot see the full picture over a long period of time, they are unfortunately less aptly equipped to make the best decisions on long-term care plans for treatment or general health advice. Korsunsky states that the onus is upon the patient, in most systems, for them to be their own advocate and investigate deeply into their own personal medical issues. He details how these markers of our health, the look into our blood work and body chemistry, are essentially our longevity numbers and it is important for individuals to know where they stand, to understand what needs work or improvement.
Korsunsky outlines how their platform works and how users can enter their medical data and get active right away at tracking their health and making improvements. He discusses some of the important aspects of their system, such as tracking HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) scores, which as he states is significantly better than simply looking at blood sugar. He explains how their platform actually collects data while we sleep, from heart rate to core temperature and beyond, to calculate a score and overall assessment of our recovery during sleep. Additionally, he elaborates on public data sets and useful information that he wants their users to have access to through the platform, to allow them to be notified about pharmaceutical news and more that could affect them.
Korsunsky discusses their growth as a small company on the rise. He details how it is important to build out their system slowly and organically. Currently, they have tens of thousands of users and are growing via word of mouth. As their product is an intricate product its pace of growth is carefully controlled by Korsunsky and his team of developers.
Korsunsky enthusiastically discusses the personal fulfillment he experiences when he hears stories of users who have learned to successfully manage or reduce certain chronic health problems by getting a handle on their data and working toward solutions to improve health. Based on his team’s core belief that superbly organized data is a critical key to improving and optimizing health, Heads Up Health has created a central space where anyone can manage and explore the important information that is crucial to maintaining great health or improving their health issues
Elle Russ, wellness advocate and author of The Paleo Thyroid Solution, provides a wealth of knowledge on thyroid issues and explains how millions of people remain undiagnosed and suffer needlessly.
Elle Russ is a sought-after guest on many wellness-oriented shows and interviewee of wellness-related blogs and magazines. Her celebrated book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, is a bestseller on Amazon and has made her a noted voice in the paleo, primal, and ancestral health movement. Russ is also the popular host of The Primal Blueprint Podcast, a top-ranked health show created by food blogger, former distance runner, triathlete, and well known New York Times Bestselling author, Mark Sisson.
Russ discusses her serious bouts with hypothyroidism, how it impacted her life, and how none of her doctors were offering much help. With over 30 symptoms, Russ started digging deeper to discover the root of her health maladies. She details how so many common issues from depression to cholesterol problems to high blood pressure are directly related to the thyroid. As she states, the thyroid is the master gland of the human body, without a doubt. From metabolism to production of hormones, the thyroid is the source from which many bodily functions and systems are maintained or regulated. Brain fog, exhaustion, inability to lose weight, etc., the list goes on and on, and the thyroid is the key to so much in our body and its systems.
Russ elaborates on the many and various antibody tests, and others, that help to define potential thyroid issues. As she states, over 20 million people in the US suffer from thyroid-related issues, but sadly 60% are undiagnosed and struggle with symptoms from which they can find no relief. Her book covers many important topics such as paleo protocols for preventing and reversing low thyroid function, the correct blood tests to diagnose hypothyroidism and how to treat it, how to diagnose and treat Reverse T3 issues, how to lose weight gained because of hypothyroidism, and much more.
She discusses the importance of nutritional experimentation and elimination of foods that contribute to problems, as well as many other issues that have a direct impact on health. She talks about brand name versus generic pharmaceuticals and details some specific drugs in which the generic version could be contributing to more or other problems or symptoms. She outlines the specifics of T3 and T4 drugs and hormone replacement therapy. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are the two major hormones produced by the thyroid gland. There are many factors that are important, but one particularly important issue is to make sure your drug choice is suited for you, and that your lab work provides proof that whatever combination therapy you are on, that it is working for you. She discusses the many inaccurate assessments the healthcare industry has made regarding thyroid and thyroid drug issues.
The thyroid health guru talks about fluctuating signals and lab indicators, and the importance of seeing the big picture when interpreting results and implementing treatment and drug plans. And importantly, she underscores that physicians need to look at multiple test results and not just one or two to properly diagnose these issues. Russ relates how her struggle to find the answers to her own health problems really motivated her to help others, and that is just what she does day in and day out.
Michael A. Tompkins, Ph.D., ABPP, co-director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy (sfbacct.com), delivers an informative overview of mental health issues and contributing factors that play a significant role in how we sleep and the quality of our sleep.
Dr. Tompkins is an experienced licensed psychologist, board certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology. He is an accomplished author and outspoken advocate for mental health. Dr. Tompkins has held and currently holds, significant leadership roles with various, important mental health centers and educational institutions. He is co-director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy, assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Berkeley, as well as Diplomate and Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Additionally, Dr. Tompkins works as a trainer and consultant for the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior.
Dr. Tompkins discusses his nearly 30-year career in mental health, treating primarily anxiety and mood disorders. He states that most people with these kinds of disorders do experience difficulty with sleep. He details CBTI (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) and his work with teens who have anxiety and sleep disorders. Insomnia is defined as a difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep, which limits the amount of restorative sleep that we all need. He explains how sleep disrupters, such as stress or travel, impact the sleep cycle. Further, he states that those who struggle to get quality sleep often worry about it, which increases anxiety and exacerbates the problem, or they try to adjust their sleep schedule, which often does not work because regularity of a sleep schedule is critical for the body to get into a working pattern such that restorative sleep can flourish.
Dr. Tompkins’ book, The Insomnia Workbook for Teens, lays out a step-by-step process for achieving better sleep, proven-effective strategies to help the sleep deprived get to sleep and stay asleep. The book explains the many and varied reasons we experience insomnia and offers advice on how to target and deal with sleep disrupters such as caffeine and sugar. Teens especially need quality sleep as their lifestyles today are fast and furious, and it is difficult to rise to the challenges of each day when we’re sleep deprived and left feeling exhausted, grouchy, and unprepared for daily tasks. Dr. Tompkins coauthored the book with his esteemed colleague, Dr. Monique Thompson, also a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Thompson holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. She is a certified cognitive therapist and also a Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She treats a myriad of mental health issues such as depression, various anxiety disorders (social anxiety, phobias, and panic), and sleep disorders, as well as attention problems, life transitions, and more.
Dr. Tompkins provides an overview of one of their primary goals: focusing on sleep efficiency, which is entirely different than simply looking at quality or quantity of sleep. He discusses various stimulus control strategies and other methods that people can utilize to help get them back on track with their sleep. He states that nearly 80% of the individuals they help with primary insomnia can often benefit from sleep restriction, essentially getting them to stop trying to catch up on sleep, but to focus on having consistent go to bed, and get out of bedtimes. Additionally, he discusses other effective techniques such as breathing exercises, mindful meditation, muscle relaxation, and more. Dr. Tompkins talks about wind-down routines and relaxation in general and the importance of getting one’s body and mind to a state in which all systems are ready to fall asleep willingly.
The sleep specialist and mental health educator discuss the particular issues that teens face, as they are literally going through an organic change in brain development that causes them to want to begin sleep later in the evening and then sleep in later come morning. And with elevated stress in teens’ lives and the use of social media, all can keep teen minds activated, which leads to sleep disturbances or a general difficulty with falling asleep or staying asleep. He details the types of skills that they teach in CBTI to help teens with their various sleep issues.
Dr. Tompkins discusses melatonin and other supplements, but he stresses that chronic insomnia sufferers may not benefit from melatonin, etc. Ultimately, insomnia sufferers must find a way to focus on the wind-down time and a consistent schedule of sleep. Additionally, he talks about genetic inheritances that may contribute to sleep problems, such as chronotype (when we feel like sleeping naturally) and mental arousability, which many insomniacs tend to be prone to.
Dr. Tompkins is the author of multiple scholarly articles, chapters on cognitive behavior therapy, and books covering related subjects. He treats adults, adolescents, and children with anxiety disorders, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder, health anxiety, stress, insomnia, repetitive behaviors, elimination disorders, Tourette’s and tic disorders.
Before becoming a full-time and successful writer, Som Bathla worked as a corporate lawyer for 17 years. Realizing it was time for a change, he set his sights on a new goal and began figuring out what it would take to get there. He did the same thing just a couple of years ago when he decided to do something about the fact that he was overweight: he began by making a decision to run 10 kilometers within 12 weeks, and then started figuring out how much preparation he would need to do, how he’d need to change his daily routine, and how he’d need to change his diet. Perhaps most importantly, he had to remain disciplined, and strike a balance between preparation and recuperation.
Bathla joins the podcast to discuss the main themes of his book, The Science of High Performance: Develop Mental Toughness, Boost Willpower, Master New Skills, and Achieve Your Goals Faster and offer the audience insight on his personal journey, the challenges he’s faced, and how he’s overcome the greatest obstacles. He also discusses the psychological concept of “flow” and the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic value.
Tune in for some inspiration and check out his book on Amazon.
Everything is skewed—whether in the businesses we own, the places we’re employed, the groups of friends we hang out with, or our daily routines, and achieving success can be as simple as locating those skews and learning how to capitalize on them. That’s the idea behind the 80/20 principle and the subject of this mini-episode with Richard Jacobs.
He explains how he’s applied the principle through an analysis of his business and various product offerings, which has resulted in higher profits, improved efficiency, simpler procedures, and perhaps most importantly, happier clients. Along the same lines of thought, he explains how to use this principle to guide you toward the experts of the experts—the “superhumans”—in any given profession.
Established just two and a half years ago, the Human Data Commons Foundation aims to address two primary questions: how do we make the best decisions around the best and most powerful sources of data available to us, and how do we put structures in place that encourage people to share their data in a way that protects their privacy and places them at the center of agency in how that data gets used?
“Companies realize that the more data they have, the better machine learning algorithms they can produce…and that brings with it enormous power…and enormous peril…there’s a lot of systemic injustice that can be perpetuated through these…and our intention at the foundation is to bring more attention to that,” says Scott Nelson, founder, and chair of the Human Data Commons Foundation.
One way in which they’re doing this is by publishing annual “report cards” that review data usage, privacy policies, terms of service, and the amount of agency given to users by the top companies in wearable technology such as Fitbit. The ultimate goal is to democratize, make more transparent, and advance human consciousness and conscious evolution through the responsible and ethical use of data.
Nelson touches on a variety of topics, including the main challenges to the implementation of new structures and processes in established company cultures, the role of blockchain technology in personal data protection, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and how a couple of German projects could pave the way for the implementation of open-source, ethical data platforms in the U.S.
As the medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics In New York City, Dr. Dyan Hes specializes in what’s become an epidemic over the past several decades: pediatric obesity. According to the CDC, approximately 19 percent or 13.7 million children in the U.S. are obese, and while it’s true that genetics can contribute to this in some families, as a whole the genetics of the human population has not changed enough to account for it. And it’s not just the U.S.—it’s a first-world problem that’s quickly spread to third world countries. So, what’s the deal?
Dr. Hes makes for an insightful and eye-opening conversation by sharing her expertise on the subject and the experiences she’s had with her patients, who range from infants to young adults suffering from one or more conditions due to obesity, including pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, insulin resistance, irregular menstrual cycles, and joint pain. According to Dr. Hes, kids are being given too much of the wrong types of food and not enough of the right types, especially from school cafeterias.
On top of that, many school districts don’t have enough funding to provide physical education beyond 45 minutes per week. Add to the mixture an overall increase in sedentary lifestyles and reliance on technology, and you have the ingredients for this current epidemic.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn how to take the steps to start turning this around. For resources, visit the Obesity Action Coalition and American Board of Obesity Medicine websites and seek out local wellness programs in your area. To learn more about Dr. Hes’ work, visit gramercypediatrics.com.
According to David Moore, PhD and faculty member in the Psychological Field Group at Pitzer College, there’s good reason to believe that “genes” as we’ve come to commonly understand them don’t actually exist; they aren’t segments of DNA which start and stop at discrete points, they don’t fulfill just one role in one context, and their expression or lack thereof is not immune to environmental influences. In fact, most molecular biologists would say that there is no single agreed-upon definition of a gene.
Dr. Moore joins the podcast to explore the topic of epigenetics: the phenomenon by which our experiences and environmental factors influence our genes and contribute to our characteristics. These environmental stimuli include the food we eat, how we exercise, the drugs we consume, our experiences in childhood, the level at which we socially interact as adults, and socioeconomic status. For example, a 2004 study conducted by Michael Meaney and Moshe Szyf showed an association between the level of grooming a pup receives from its mother and reactivity to stress in adulthood: the more grooming a pup received, the less reactive it was to stress stimuli as an adult. This finding, labelled by the authors as “epigenetic programming,” has been challenged by many, yet evidence that supports it continues to grow.
This is just a snippet of the fascinating conversation Dr. Moore offers, which touches on topics such as in utero epigenetics, whether epigenetic states can be changed or reversed once they’ve been established, how the most common antidepressants have been shown to produce epigenetic changes, and the controversial idea that epigenetic changes are inheritable. He also discusses his most recent research, which involves studying mental rotation in human infants—an ability considered the single biggest sex difference in cognition that’s unrelated to reproduction.
Tune in for the details and visit http://pzacad.pitzer.edu/~dmoore/ to learn more.
Approximately 120,000 people in the U.S. alone are waiting for an organ transplant, and there are many more who could benefit from one but haven’t made the list because there simply aren’t enough organs available. But what if the supply could be increased by utilizing the organs of another species? The process is called xenotransplantation, and its what Dr. Joseph Tector and his team have been working on for years now.
As the director of the University of Alabama Xenotransplant Program, Dr. Tector explains the main roadblock to xenotransplantation: rejection by the receiver’s antibodies. However, he and his team have genetically modified pig organs in a way that—in conjunction with immunosuppressant drugs—will decrease or eliminate the human antibody response, thereby preventing rejection. Ten people on the waitlist have already been tested and shown to have no detectable antibodies to the pig cells, making them candidates for transplant.
Press play for all the details
Imagine visiting your primary care doctor and receiving a whole read out of your genomic data within 10 minutes for as little as $10, equipping your doctor with the information needed in order to deliver you individually tailored medical treatments and therapies. Thanks to the work being done at Roswell Biotechnologies, this is well on its way to becoming a reality.
As the founder, president, and CEO of Roswell Biotechnologies, Paul Mola realizes the need to sequence genomes at scale in order to obtain the level of understanding and interpretation needed for making precision medicine a reality. What we really need, he says, is a “genomic encyclopedia” of genetic variances and corresponding phenotypic descriptions, treatments, and drug therapies. Until now, the high cost and slow process of genomic sequencing has stymied this development and kept enormous amounts of useful information largely inaccessible and unaffordable for the average person.
Mola has discovered a viable solution by merging nanochemistry with CMOS technology (which is the same technology that’s used to manufacture computer chips), which allows for direct electronic monitoring of the process by which DNA is copied. It’s time-saving, cost-effective, and scalable, and there’s nothing else like it out there. Rather than taking 24 hours and costing $1,500 to sequence a genome, the Roswell solution will take just an hour and cost $100, and packs a ton of opportunities for improvement down the road.
Tune in for all the details and visit roswellbiotech.com to learn more.
Having practiced medicine for over 20 years now, Dr. Sandeep Jain has witnessed firsthand how the increasing predominance of electronic medical records has lowered the amount and damaged the quality of communication that occurs between doctors and patients and between members of a patient’s health care team. He argues that electronic medical record keeping has not only made communication across systems impossible by limiting doctors to their organizations or hospitals but also subtracted from the patient experience by forcing providers to document excess data rather than simply listen to the patient. The problem is only worsened by the fact that doctors are monetarily incentivized to document through this system in a particular manner.
“Important, essential insight becomes a needle in a haystack, and doctors have to hide needles of information in a lot of hay because that’s how they make their own hay…money,” says Dr. Jain. But what if the needles could be shared without the hay and across systems so that a patient’s entire care team could be on the same page at the touch of a button? These were the ideas that compelled him to found ListenMD, a secure, HIPPA-compliant app that allows patients and every member of their treating team to communicate with one another in real time, sharing those essential bits of information that would otherwise get buried in the excess. The app also allows providers to delay less important messages and prioritize urgent ones, which keeps disturbances to a minimum and lessens the barrage of data doctors already deal with.
There are many other features and perks of the app designed to simplify, streamline, and improve patient care. Tune in for more information and download the app to try it for yourself.
Dr. Daryl Gioffre, celebrity nutritionist, author, alkaline and ketogenic diet expert, gives a detailed presentation on the power of good nutrition and how everyone can make improvements for increased energy, better health, and longevity.
Dr. Gioffre has a lot of interests. He is a sought-after speaker and educator, a certified raw food chef, live blood microscopist, and reiki master. And as a former self-described sugar addict, he has found a way to lead a healthy life and has a passion for sharing his knowledge with everyone. Dr. Gioffre is particularly interested in the root causes of inflammation and chronic illnesses. His method involves moderation, using cutting-edge nutrition practices to achieve and maintain the best health possible. Dr. Gioffre is the founder of the Gioffre Chiropractic Wellness Center, as well as the popular brand and website, Alkamind. His celebrated book, Get Off Your Acid – 7 Steps in 7 Days to Lose Weight, Fight Inflammation, and Reclaim Your Health & Energy has been attracting a lot of attention and intensifying the dialogue about good health and nutrition.
Dr. Gioffre discusses his path to good health, including his past issues with weight and nutrition, especially sugar. He states that as he followed the evidence, to understand his addiction to sugar, that that evidence led him to acid—acid was inflammatory to his body. He describes how he integrated nutritional elements into his diet, such as green juices, and reclaimed his energy, life, and lost weight dramatically, not to mention eliminating his sugar addiction in the process.
The nutrition expert discusses specific green juices, which are comprised mostly of vegetables and are highly alkalizing. He states that all green juices are certainly not created equal, so it is important to understand what makes a green juice healthy. In order for green juices to be alkaline they must be high in minerals, high in fiber, and low in sugar. He talks about the benefits of highly concentrated powders comprised of organic greens, which is an easy way to get a large amount of the right kinds of organic greens into your body without a lot of effort. Dr. Gioffre explains how taste buds can shift about every two weeks, so what you are putting into your body will affect how you respond to new foods and beverages. Thus once you make the switch to healthier options, your body’s taste buds will come on board and begin craving the good stuff. Dr. Gioffre states, shockingly, that research has shown sugar is literally eight times more powerful than cocaine. Therefore it is a powerful addiction to overcome, but once you start to put the good foods into your body in a larger volume than the bad foods, your body will help you make the shift, as cravings will adjust to the new good nutrition.
Dr. Gioffre underscores the importance of balance. He states that the first step toward better health is a changing of one’s diet, but it is equally important to reduce stress as stress can create acid, and finally… it is important to find a way to make the new changes sustainable. He talks about Alkamind, and the many products they provide for people who want to take charge of their health, and improve their well being. He details how anyone can implement a new nutritional program, and utilize healthy minerals to neutralize acid. He states that the more healthy minerals we can put into our bodies, such as kale and avocados, etc., the better chance we have to neutralize the acid in our body.
Dr. Gioffre talks about his daily and nightly regimens, and how he personally supplements for improvement of health. He discusses the importance of oxygen, and improvement of our breathing. He details the 3-6-5 power breath method, which is essentially breathing in through the nose for 3 seconds, holding it for 6 seconds, and then exhaling out the mouth for 5 seconds. He stresses the importance of doing this every morning to oxygenate, alkalize, and energize our blood. Dr. Gioffre states that hydration is equally important, and that “the solution to pollution is dilution.” Drinking more water is something most everyone needs to do daily. Additionally he describes other important healthy additions to our lives such as particular types of exercise, and he reiterates the critical importance of eating the right foods and letting green goodness, healthy minerals, begin to repair the body.
The successful nutrition advocate talks about his program for good health and some of the people who come to him for specialized input. He discusses the importance of making the transition to good health with an advocate on your side as it is sometimes difficult when the body starts to detoxify—help is a good thing. A support network or person can help people maintain their program and have a better chance for success.
He discusses the pros and cons of the keto diet, and notes how keto is an acid forming diet, and is not sustainable. Thus Dr. Gioffre’s program pulls from the keto diet, only its best elements— the healthy fat component. Avocados, raw nuts and seeds, healthy oils, etc., are all excellent healthy fat elements that anyone can introduce into their daily diet to help achieve optimum health. Good fats are essential, but too much animal protein turns to sugar, and can be acid forming. By combining vegetarian elements and keto, Dr. Gioffre’s program can boost energy, create better health, and help prevent disease. And he triple underscores one critical point, that it is never too late to begin, and that everyone, literally everyone, can find ways to improve their health by making simple changes and working toward their goal.
As an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, Dr. Steven Y. Park sees many patients with chronic issues, but it wasn’t until he started ordering sleep tests that he discovered many of these patients were also suffering from sleep apnea. Since then, he’s continued to collect data on the connection between sleep issues and chronic ENT conditions, high blood pressure, anxiety, diabetes, and digestive problems.
According to Dr. Park, breathing problems can be brought on by and contribute to a variety of factors, many of which could help us better understand, manage and treat common illnesses. He joins the podcast to discuss variations of apnea, how exactly it’s diagnosed, what happens physiologically during episodes of apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), fragmented sleep that involves restless legs and teeth grinding, how simple snoring can lead to apnea, and tips for handling different levels and types of sleep disturbances.
Tune in and check out his book Sleep, Interrupted: A Physician Reveals the #1 Reason Why So Many of us are Sick and Tired for more.
Michael Breus, PhD Clinical Psychologist, Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, author of several books on sleep disorders, and regular guest on The Dr. Oz Show joins the podcast to discuss the latest in what nearly half of the country has some sort of struggle with: sleep. He fell in love with clinical sleep medicine just a couple days into the rotation during his medical residency and has since been established as what many would call the ultimate sleep expert.
There are three major areas at the forefront of current research on sleep medicine: the connection between sleep and cannabis, the connection between sleep and the gut microbiome, and the relationship between sleep and school-aged children. Dr. Breus touches on each one, as well as a range of other topics, including the role of genetic chronotypes in sleep, five steps to getting the best sleep, and why a high-carb snack before bed might actually benefit you.
Interested in hearing more? Press play and visit thesleepdoctor.com for a range of articles on a variety of topics on sleep.
Dr. Rosalyn Abbott, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, provides an insightful overview of her research into cell and tissue engineering and the potential for diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs.
As a Ph.D. in bioengineering, Dr. Abbott has a keen interest in cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, adipose microenvironments, disease modeling, and tissue regeneration. In her Carnegie Mellon lab, human adipose microenvironments are developed and tested for responsiveness to stimuli hypothesized to alter disease mechanisms, for example, the transition of obese tissues to insulin resistant type II diabetic tissues; metabolic behavior; and therapeutic potential. Dr. Abbott and her skilled team of researchers focus on integrating biomaterials with tissue engineering techniques and perfusion bioreactors. Interestingly, silk is used as an organic biomaterial to aid long-term culture of adipose microenvironments in vitro. The team’s long-term goal is to use these selected adipose tissue systems to inform preventative as well as therapeutic measures for patients who are affected by the metabolic syndrome. Dr. Abbott’s lab is particularly interested in the utilization of tissue engineering to study metabolic dysregulation during the complicated transition of obesity into insulin resistant type II diabetes.
In addition to running her lab and being an assistant professor in biomedical engineering with an additional appointment in materials science and engineering, Dr. Abbott has been an active member of many important research and academic environments. She received her BS and MS degrees in biomedical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. And her Ph.D. in bioengineering was achieved at the University of Vermont. Additionally, she was a postdoctoral fellow in the biomedical engineering department at Tufts University, where she gained recognition for her work in the development of adipose tissue engineered models.
Dr. Abbott discusses her lab’s history, and work—engineering fat. She talks about the major challenge of designing drug therapeutics, which is the fact that our basic understanding of human disease mechanisms is based on animal models or simplified cell culture models. She informs us that fat, or adipose tissue, has long been thought of as a passive organ with the sole purposes of storing energy or insulating the body, but recent research has discovered that fat plays a more dynamic role in the body in regard to disease. Specifically, fat communicates with other tissues, and obesity is a chronic state of inflammation that causes stress on the rest of the body.
The bioengineering PhD talks about chemicals that affect the body, such as those we ingest from packaging, etc. She discusses the impact of bisphenol S, commonly known as BPS, that we take into the body when using containers for drinks and food made from some plastics. She recounts some experimental evidence that was revealed by testing exposure to certain chemicals, and how it related to accumulation of additional adipose tissue.
Dr. Abbott discusses the process of lipolysis, and specific proteins. Lipolysis is the breakdown of lipids and it involves the hydrolysis of triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. The process occurs in adipose tissue and lipolysis is the means to mobilize stored energy during periods of fasting or exercise. She states that adipocytes (cells that are specialized for the storage of fat that are found in connective tissue) can last for up to ten years in the body, so the rate of turnover is dramatically slow indeed. She explains how adipocytes communicate with each other, and gives an overview of some of the other cells in the system. She discusses adipose-derived stem cells that are often located near the stromal vascular fraction, a heterogeneous collection of cells that are contained within adipose tissue.
The PhD talks about the work her lab engages in to understand the transition of obesity into insulin resistant type II diabetes. They seek to understand how this expansion in adipose tissue relates to larger systemic changes within the body, and how it all affects other diseases. Their question is what is being communicated that is causing all these detrimental problems within the body, and Dr. Abbott hopes to find more answers that will lead to solutions and treatments by understanding fully the pathways to certain diseases. Additionally, she is hopeful that their research will also lead to better drugs for treatment. As their mission states, there is a crucial need for monitoring physiologically relevant, sustainable, human tissues in vitro in order to better understand the development and causes of metabolic diseases.
Dr. Timothy Chase, NY cosmetic dentist, delivers a detailed overview of modern dentistry, oral health, and good home practices we can all benefit from.
Dr. Chase has over 25 years of experience in cosmetic and restorative dental treatments. He specializes in natural tooth preservation and oral health. He is celebrated for his unique ability to provide dental work that looks natural and organic, not overdone or clearly ‘worked on.’ Dr. Chase’s dental office, SmilesNY, has been featured in numerous magazines and on popular TV programs. At SmilesNY, Dr. Chase works with his patients to restore both the aesthetic appearance and functionality of their bright smiles. He provides a myriad of treatments, services, and procedures such as porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, smile makeovers, dental bonding and contouring, and the popular, Cosmalite. He is skilled in all types of restorative treatments including inlays and onlays, implants, bridges, dental fillings, metal-free porcelain crowns, and even full mouth restorations.
Dr. Chase earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, and he completed his general practice residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and the Veterans Administration Hospital. His innovative work has made him one of the top cosmetic dentists in New York.
Dr. Chase discusses his practice and unique approach. He details the many ways that oral health is overall health, in that what happens in the mouth can impact the entire body. He stresses the importance of taking care of teeth and gums and making regular appointments for care. Specifically, he discusses the various diseases that can arise and the treatments and procedures that can be implemented to combat them. He states that bleeding gums when we brush or floss can be an indicator that something is going on, for it is not natural for bleeding to occur. Additionally, he says that sensitivity issues to cold, etc. are a possible indicator, and should be considered for further review. Odors and bad breath are also indicators that perhaps one should schedule an appointment right away, or simply increase the regularity of their appointment scheduling.
The cosmetic dentist provides an overview of the technical aspects of reviewing teeth, specifically x-rays and a newer process called transillumination. A dental transillumination test can reveal problems in teeth that could be difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye or even with x-rays. Decay will appear in the image as cloudy shadows. Healthy tooth structure will appear lighter because light shines through it more easily. A dental transillumination might also expose fine cracks within the teeth. He explains how some of the newer viewing options provide greater detail and more accurate information, whereas traditional x-rays may sometimes make it difficult to clearly tell whether something is a cavity or just a shadow.
Dr. Chase discusses new scientific discoveries that show that bacteria in the mouth varies greatly between people, and how some bacteria is extremely more destructive than other bacteria. He details how some newer mouthwashes can directly impact the flora in the mouth and make it less destructive. He stresses the importance of using a mouthwash that contains no alcohol because alcohol dries out the mouth, and can reduce saliva, which is a natural protector of the teeth.
The dental expert answers questions about his particular approach to dentistry. He talks about the increasing frequency of visits, and how the increase can help curb potential problems. Additionally, he discusses products such as electric toothbrushes and more advanced mouthwashes. He underscores the importance of brushing for at least two minutes, which may seem like a long time but it is necessary for thorough cleaning. The benefits of electric toothbrushes are many, but some of the top points he discusses are thoroughness of cleaning and proper time allotment. Dr. Chase points out that electric toothbrushes tend to give their users a better cleaning overall, and some of the models have timers that allow the user to know when it is time to move on to another section of the teeth. Further, he talks about teeth whitening and the products that have been proven to be safe, as well as those products that are questionable in regard to safety.
Dr. Chase served as a clinical instructor at New York University Dental School where he was responsible for the training of undergraduate dental students, as well as doctors from many countries around the world, on the current techniques in restorative dentistry. Dr. Chase is a faculty mentor at Spear Advanced Dental Education Center in Scottsdale, AZ. He is a proud member of The American Dental Society, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, The Academy of General Dentistry, and The Spear Faculty Club.
Dr. Natasha Lilly, DVM, CVA, animal diet expert and founder of the Royal Animal Health University (royalanimalhealthuniversity.com), delivers an interesting overview of pet nutrition and the importance of a well-balanced diet for our furry friends.
Dr. Lilly has a profound passion for animal well being and care. She attended California Polytechnic State University on the pre-veterinary track studying animal science and completed her DVM work at UC Davis with a concentration in equine medicine. Dr. Lilly has extensive experience in equine sports medicine and animal acupuncture. Frustrated by traditional methods of treatment, Dr. Lilly sought new ways to provide care. She began working for an established acupuncturist and complementary medicine DVM in Chicago—Dr. Barbara Royal. Dr. Royal’s approach to animal health combined conventional and holistic medicine practices. Holistic veterinary medicine is a branch of veterinary medicine that implements alternative medicine in the treatment of animals that strongly stresses the importance of empathy and very minimal invasiveness. Dr. Lilly worked at Central Coast Pet Hospital and Emergency, where she practiced acupuncture services. She has knowledge and training in Chinese herbal medicine through the Chi Institute.
Dr. Lilly discusses their diet software for dogs and cats. Based on the groundbreaking work and diet analysis of Steve Brown, Dr. Barbara Royal and Dr. Natasha Lilly have incorporated his unique Animal Diet Formulator into their care plan. (Steve Brown is a revered nutritional researcher and formulator of the first commercially available fresh-raw pet food in the United States.)
The animal diet expert talks about the kinds of foods people feed their pets, and surprisingly, home-prepared food is often the worst because it is extremely out of balance for the pet’s nutritional needs. Though with recalls and commercial pet food problems, she came to the conclusion that home-prepared food could be balanced and healthy… if pet parents could learn how to balance it for maximum nutritional benefit. She discusses the importance of considering the biology and physical traits of the species in regard to their optimum nutritional intake.
Dr. Lilly details how their formulator works, and how it can be set up to comply with American or European guidelines. She discusses how her team at the Royal Animal Health University works with clients to educate them on the software, so they get a comprehensive understanding of what it offers and how to utilize it.
The animal care educator discusses their website and the benefits that it offers to pet owners. She talks about some of the problems with animal diets, and mistakes some pet owners make when attempting to feed their pets. She elaborates on animal diets, and how it is important to incorporate things that many of us don’t eat, such as spleens, livers, kidneys, etc. because our pets are biologically designed to eat whole animals. And animals enjoy this type of organ meat and it is natural for them. Additionally, she discusses how smell is a factor in pet food, and the ways that smell can be enhanced to entice your pet to eat their food. She talks about the ways pet owners can add butter, or lightly sear the food, to enhance the meal and get pets excited to eat.
Dr. Lilly discusses weight issues with pets and the importance of getting weight under control to avoid health issues. Additionally, she discusses some of the absolutely unacceptable foods for dogs and cats; she stresses that pets should never be fed chocolate, onions, or grapes. When formulating fresh foods, Dr. Lilly states that carbohydrates can be lowered, which makes a big difference in pet diets. She also states that all carbs are not created equal, and some sources for carbs are far better than others.
Dr. Lilly describes their upcoming commercial software that provides a wide variety (over 1500 ingredients) for commercial companies who want to utilize the formulation software when preparing pet food brands for market. She discusses individual recipes as well, and consulting services for pet owners whose pets have specific conditions. Dr. Lilly is passionate about pet health and the Royal Animal Health University is steadfastly dedicated to a holistic, common sense approach to contemporary animal care
Robert S. Rosenberg, D.O., FCCP, sleep medicine and sleep apnea specialist, discusses sleep apnea, CPAP compliance, and CPAP care.
Robert S. Rosenberg, D.O., FCCP, has more than three decades of experience in sleep medicine. Dr. Rosenberg is board certified in sleep medicine, pulmonary medicine, and internal medicine. He has served as the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona, as well as the sleep medicine consultant for Mountain Heart Health Services in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dr. Rosenberg is a sought-after speaker on the subject of sleep and other medical topics and is a regular guest at medical conventions. He is a published author and columnist whose work has appeared in many top periodicals such as O, The Oprah Magazine, Women’s Health, Prevention, Woman’s World, Parenting, and Ladies’ Home Journal, as well as many others. His books Sleep Soundly Every Night, Feel Fantastic Every Day, and The Doctor’s Guide to Sleep Solutions for Stress & Anxiety are in wide release and are considered by many to be must-reads for doctors and patients alike.
The sleep expert discusses sleep apnea and the solutions to the problem. As he states, obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea, is when your airway basically collapses during sleep. So for those who are predisposed to sleep apnea either due to obesity, large tongues, heredity, etc., the problem could exist. Dr. Rosenberg mentions that of the nearly twenty million with sleep apnea, only about twenty percent of those have been diagnosed. And with sleep apnea, the oxygen drops, carbon dioxide levels rise, and the sympathetic nervous system (known as fight or flight) is triggered which constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure. This unfortunate chain of events puts extra strain on the heart, brain, and other areas of the body. He delves into a detailed analysis of the areas of the body that could be affected by obstructive sleep apnea and the ways it can be prevented or treated.
Dr. Rosenberg’s opinions and findings on the subject of sleep have made him a frequent guest on television and radio shows. Additionally, he publishes a monthly newsletter for healthcare professionals that condenses the most current research in sleep medicine, as well as an informative monthly newsletter on a myriad of sleep topics for the general public. Dr. Rosenberg is an affiliated professor of sleep medicine at Midwestern College of Osteopathic Medicine and he is on the board of directors for the American Sleep Association. In this discussion, Dr. Rosenberg details the health problems that sleep apnea can contribute to, and how sleep apnea is highly underdiagnosed.
The sleep doctor talks about the new CPAP offerings on the market and their benefits. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP is a positive airway pressure ventilator that applies mild air pressure on a continuous basis to keep airways open in people who have difficulty breathing spontaneously on their own. As he states, the new offerings are smaller and quieter, and many people find that they are much more comfortable than the large cumbersome devices of the recent past. He discusses how the pressure is variable and changes based on a person’s specific requirements. He also talks about the various ways someone can delay the functioning of the device if they want to fall asleep without it intruding on them, and then it will begin after they have had time to begin resting. Additionally, he talks about the heated tubing that new systems offer to help prevent dryness, providing quality moisture into the air.
Dr. Rosenberg discusses maintenance of the machines and systems and hoses. He talks about the benefits of the SoClean sanitizing product. SoClean is an efficient and effective way to clean CPAP machine equipment. The SoClean system kills 99.9% of CPAP germs and bacteria in the mask, hose, and reservoir and does not require disassembly or chemicals.
The sleep health expert details oral appliances, which are devices designed to adjust the jaw, bringing the lower jaw forward which in turn brings the tongue forward, and in many cases, this is enough to prevent some people’s problem of sleep apnea. Oral appliances are designed specifically for individuals. Dentists will make molds of their patients’ upper and lower teeth in order to tailor the oral appliance for individuals. The oral appliances are adjustable, worn at night, and for many people, this specially crafted device is a great option to prevent sleep apnea and avoid CPAP.
Additionally, Dr. Rosenberg discusses some of the patients he sees, and their stories of past frustration with their care and devices. Dr. Rosenberg’s goal is to find ways for these patients to be healthy and enjoy their sleep, with whatever device or system or method is necessary, and he works with people individually to ensure they get the best quality care.
Dr. Thomas O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, and author of You Can Fix Your Brain: Just 1 Hour a Week to the Best Memory, Productivity, and Sleep You've Ever Had, provides a scintillating overview of the mind to body connection and how we must sometimes question conventional medical wisdom in order to find real solutions.
Dr. O’Bryan has spent his life focused on promoting good health for everyone. He is an internationally recognized, celebrated keynote speaker who covers important topics such as food sensitivity, environmental toxins, the development of autoimmune diseases, and wellness. Dr. O’Bryan works with patients to understand their history and make changes that will improve health. His intriguing docuseries, Betrayal: The Autoimmune Disease Solution They’re Not Telling You is an investigatory series that delves into why our immune systems attack our own tissue (autoimmunity). The successful, critically acclaimed series has garnered much attention and has been viewed by many people from all walks of life as individuals struggle to find answers in a complex medical world.
Dr. O’Bryan talks about his early medical education back in the 70s, and the influences on his life that pushed him toward his career goals. He discusses his first introduction to neurological switching and the ways that electromagnetic pollution can affect the brain and nervous system. He recounts his experiences with acupuncture, which he refers to as early AI, and what acupuncture points can reveal regarding overall health. He tells stories of specific patients who experienced remarkable discoveries that greatly impacted his medical path.
Dr. O’Bryan discusses the four categories of health that he describes as a pyramid of health. He describes the pyramid’s base, which is comprised of the basic structure such as chiropractic, pillows, massage, how we sit, how our shoes wear down, etc. He discusses the other sides, such as biochemistry, which is essentially what we eat, what we breathe, the drugs we take, etc.; the emotional/spiritual; and the electromagnetic. Dr. O’Bryan states that every medical problem needs to be looked at through all these lenses, to fully understand it, and to solve it. Interestingly, he says that difficult-to-solve medical problems are often connected to the emotional or spiritual realm. He cites specific examples of patients who have done their best to take actions to get healthy, but sometimes the emergency brake, as he describes it, is on, meaning underlying electromagnetic pollution or emotional issues could be blocking the path to good health.
The mind to body connection expert discusses paradigm shifts. He states that while the United States is annually, without fail, ranked either number one or two in the world for leading health technology, that the US is also ranked in the bottom five out of 58 industrialized countries in healthcare effectiveness. Thus, as he states, our healthcare system doesn’t work. He stresses the importance of challenging the prevailing dogma, to question the things we were taught to believe about healthcare. With a prepared mind, and tenacity, Dr. O’Bryan states that we can all challenge conventional wisdom and find new avenues to improve our health. Dr. O’Bryan’s book, You Can Fix Your Brain: Just 1 Hour a Week to the Best Memory, Productivity, and Sleep You've Ever Had speaks to this very issue. To those who are concerned about any type of brain ailment or issue, ranging from chronic conditions to the more common, brain fog, or perhaps brain fatigue, the book outlines a path to combating specific issues through prevention as well as treatment. Regardless of the brain issues, one is dealing with, for most issues, Dr. O’Bryan’s book provides a plan that can make a difference in brain clarity, vitality, and energy. The methods provide a process to improve memory, decrease fogginess and exhaustion, etc. It’s an overall guide to improving a cognitive function that helps the reader to consider what they eat, what’s in the environment, and how to take better care of themselves, and it only requires about one hour a week to begin seeing improvements that could be drastic after six months of regular work.
Dr. O’Bryan recounts his connection with celebrity actor and comedian, Fran Drescher, author of Cancer Schmancer. He discusses her work and commitment to the cause of helping people find a path to better health and how it overlaps with his own personal work in the field. He states that they both agree that in regard to health problems, you must always consider the big picture in order to find your way to a solution. Dr. O’Bryan states that once you identify which side of the ‘pyramid’ you need to explore in order to address your health issue, then you determine which biomarkers you need to check, to find out where your imbalances may be. And he stresses the importance of taking whatever drugs you need for your current issue, but that it is critically important to also dig deeper into how you got there, to find the underlying issue or issues. We must discover what happened, what created the dysfunction originally, to get to the source of the problem.
It’s easy to tell when we haven’t gotten enough quality sleep—we’re groggy in the morning and sluggish throughout the day—but it’s not nearly as easy to identify why. Is it stress? Lack of exercise? Could it be related to diet? While any one of these factors might be to blame, Ronald M. Bazar suggests a different player in the game—one that may not have occurred to you: your cell phone.
Over the past few decades, electronic devices have become ubiquitous, leading to an unprecedented amount of exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Meanwhile, more and more research is showing evidence of how this is negatively impacting our sleep and health. If you find that hard to believe, consider the fact that most insurance companies refuse to insure manufacturers of cellular devices against liability since there is no way to ensure that the radiation they emit won’t cause health problems down the road. So what’s the solution?
Having worked in the sleep industry for decades and having dealt with his own sleep issues, Ronald M. Bazar has become a sleep expert by researching almost every topic on the issue of sleep, reading articles and books, and trying all the tips and tricks. He’s decided to aggregate all the data and information he’s acquired over the years and put it into a single book called Sleep Secrets: How to Fall Asleep Fast, Beat Fatigue and Insomnia and Get a Great Night’s Sleep. Now those who just can’t get a good night’s sleep finally have a chance at finding a solution that works. Tune in for more.
Dr. W. Chris Winter, MD, renowned sleep specialist, author of The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How To Fix It, and founder of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine (cvilleneuroandsleep.com), delivers a delightfully interesting overview of humans and our sleep patterns, including some practical advice on how to fix our sleep problems.
Dr. Winter knows sleep, so much so that celebrated journalist and media personality Arianna Huffington dubbed him "The Sleep Whisperer." With over twenty-five years in the field, Dr. Winter has been fully devoted to assisting people, helping them attain better sleep via his clinic, as well as private and/or group consultations. Dr. Winter is an in-demand sleep expert who has been contracted by professional athletes and noted personalities all over to assist with sleep, which is vital for our good health. His book, The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How To Fix It received rave reviews around the globe, considered by many to be an extremely helpful guide to understanding sleep and figuring out how to correct sleep issues. The book received the sought-after accolade badges of ‘#1 New Release’ and ‘#1 Best Seller’ for sleep books on Amazon.
Dr. Winter discusses his early interest in sleep research that developed back during his undergraduate days. From university sleep studies to studies centering on circadian rhythms and light, to how sleep affects astronauts traveling to Mars, etc., there are so many possible areas of study, diverse and interesting, and Dr. Winter states he has a great interest in all of them.
Dr. Winter acknowledges that insomnia is not really an inability to sleep, but in fact is a state of hyperarousal or hyper fear. Patients with insomnia, as Dr. Winter explains, have a sense of this hyperarousal or fear as they move closer to the time for sleep. They may doubt their ability to sleep or feel aggravated, and worry about the possibility that they will simply just lie there and not experience sleep. However, biologically speaking, insomnia is theoretically impossible, for the body will force sleep onto individuals, at least 5 or 6 hours per 24-hour cycle. Dr. Winter speaks about reframing the problem from a different perspective in order to solve it, and he details the various types of so-called insomnia that people report. Regarding insomnia, Dr. Winter explains that there has been an exponential explosion of writing on the subject of neuroscience and the importance of sleep. He discusses the current high-energy world we live in and how it impacts our sleep, and our ability to get the kind of sleep we need.
Dr. Winter discusses the media’s understanding of sleep issues and how there is a lot of confusion out there regarding the subject. And he states that many of us don’t truly understand how we sleep or have a sense of the kind of sleep we are getting. The sleep doctor states that consistency is what our brains enjoy most, so the idea that everyone needs to sleep from 11pm to 7am is fallacy. Regardless of our sleep schedule, as long as it is consistent and regular, the brain can process that in a healthy way. It is the constant changing of sleep schedule, such as staying up late some nights, but going to bed early others, and doing that on and on, that can create a problem.
The sleep expert talks about the importance of understanding how we feel each day, to get a sense of how sleep is impacting our overall feeling. He discusses fatigue and why it is different from sleepiness. Thus the concept of ‘more sleep’ is not the answer; fatigue is the issue often. He cites specific examples from the many people he has helped, and discusses how some are simply given drugs by their physicians to help them sleep, but that the problem is not being addressed at its core. And he debunks many of the trendy sleep theories that do not follow scientific findings.
Dr. Winter outlines ways that people can take 20 or 30 minute rest opportunities during their days. Putting away the devices, turning out the lights, and finding a horizontal position are the basic steps toward inserting a rest break into our day. And as Dr. Winter states, whether you sleep or just lie there during these breaks, it doesn’t necessarily matter, for it is still a period of relaxation in which you are giving your body an opportunity to sleep if it wants to.
The sleep doctor relates some of the book reviews he has received, and how even the occasional bad review is something he appreciates, for his expectation is that those reviewers might mention his book to their doctor and that will start a dialogue that just might get them on a track to finding better sleep in their lives.
Dr. Winter is board-certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Additionally, he is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (under the American Board of Medical Specialties) specifically as a sleep medicine subspecialist. And he is a prominent member of multiple sleep and sleep research societies, and respected groups. Dr. Winter is an Echols Scholar graduate of the prestigious, University of Virginia and received his medical degree from Emory University. Upon graduation, Dr. Winter completed his neurology residency at the University of Virginia. As Chief Resident, he won a national American Academy of Neurology Teaching Award. Finally, Dr. Winter completed his Sleep Medicine fellowship at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Steve Griffiths, Ph.D., MS, chief operating officer, and SVP, Enterprise Analytics at Optum (optum.com), outlines the many changes and improvements that his company, Optum, seeks to bring to the healthcare industry.
Griffiths has a long history of leadership as a health IT executive and his passion is firmly rooted in actionable health care intelligence that brings innovation and change to the increasingly complex health ecosystem. Griffiths uses his experience in the health industry to assist providers as they push to improve practices to value-based care. Griffith believes it is important to treat people, not symptoms, and this care philosophy is the cornerstone of his work. Griffiths has many years experience in the health industry, most recently with Optum, but before his tenure there he was the director of healthcare informatics at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Griffiths holds a BS in Mathematics and Statistics from St. Olaf College, an MS in Biostatistics from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration from the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities.
Griffiths provides an overview of Optum, a health services company within United Health Group. He explains the various divisions of Optum and its main branches: Optum Health, Optum Rx, and Optum Insight. As Griffith explains, Optum provides health services across the entire health care system. Their health branch assists individuals and families, helping them attain the high-quality care they deserve, as well as assisting with the management of their prescriptions and health care finances. And Optum works with industry organizations, health plans, and providers as well, tackling the many and diverse challenges in modern healthcare. Their OptumRx branch acts as a pharmacy care services company that seeks to improve and maximize efficiency in pharmacy benefit management. The Optum system allows doctors to make informed decisions, staying current on all the latest developments. And their Data and Analytics branch utilizes the latest groundbreaking technology in artificial intelligence including natural language processing, machine learning, and neural networks to tailor healthcare solutions for specific needs. Optum essentially helps to transform hard data into insights. Griffiths refers to their data analytics as Optum IQ, as that is the center of the intelligence that drives all of their businesses, through the use of data, analytics, and expertise—all supported by technology.
The technology guru delves into the applied spaces that they see AI advancing, across the spectrum of healthcare industry entities. He discusses the predictive nature of technology that may direct a course of action, such as identifying diabetes patients sooner, predicting possible opioid usage, predicting probabilities for heart failure, and more, essentially assisting doctors, helping to provide a clearer, fuller picture of patients’ health profiles. Additionally, Griffith adds, the data can provide for more efficiency in the overall healthcare process as well, which helps everyone to get the care that they need faster.
Griffiths outlines the specifics of using AI to additionally verify patient information and identity, to ensure safety by helping to avoid human error in records and processing, etc. The AI healthcare technology expert talks about the future advances that are coming in the industry as the tech develops further. From advances within cloud services to clinical programs and clinical prediction of disease, prediction of future costs, and more, the many possibilities for improved care are exciting and Griffith expects Optum to be at the center of innovation within the industry.
More than 60 million Americans have been prescribed some type of psychotropic drug; many of these Americans are children who have shown trouble focusing in school, motor or vocal ticks, obsessive-compulsive behavior, or a range of other signs of varying intensity. Doctors generally aim to treat the symptoms, but what about the underlying cause of the symptoms? And if the cause could be identified, would a psychotropic drug still be the preferred form of treatment?
Craig Shimasaki, Ph.D., joins the podcast to discuss surprising new discoveries on this topic. He’s currently the CEO of Moleculera, a company that opened its doors in 2013 after five antibody targets were discovered in the central nervous systems of children who developed sudden-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after a strep infection. When antibodies attack our joints, we call it rheumatoid arthritis, when they attack our pancreas, we call is diabetes type I, but what do we call it when they attack our brain? According to Dr. Shimasaki and the team at Moleculera, we should call it an infection-triggered autoimmune response known as “molecular mimicry,” which applies not only to OCD but to a subset of ADHD and autism diagnoses as well.
Moleculera has created a blood test that can identify specific markers which, in conjunction with a patient’s clinical signs, indicate whether or not a case of ADHD or autism has an immune-related cause. The patients who fall into this category have improved or seen total resolution of their symptoms after a course of anti-infectives and immune modulatory treatment. Over 1,200 doctors have already ordered the test, 7,600 patients have been tested, and Moleculera continues to accept blood samples from anywhere in the world.
Dr. Shimasaki offers compelling and informative insight on a range of topics, including how the treatment works and what exactly it consists of, whether or not immune dysregulation could also be involved in schizophrenia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic depression, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and all the details of what Moleculera has in the works, such as the use of machine learning to develop a predictive algorithm for treatment efficacy, and a pharmacoeconomic model that would demonstrate the cost savings of this new method of testing for and treating neurological and psychiatric conditions. Tune in and visit www.moleculeralabs.com to learn more.
At one point or another we’ve all dealt with it: being unable to fall or stay asleep, or just waking up feeling absolutely exhausted in the morning, wishing we had the energy to do the things we love. For some of us, these problems are chronic and seriously disrupt our quality of life by leading to failing social lives, poor productivity, and even depression.
Danny Flood was one of those individuals until he decided it was time to do something. He experimented with a variety of tricks and techniques to see what worked best, and then compiled them all into a book so that others could benefit from what he’d learned. He joins the podcast to discuss some of the main highlights of Hack Sleep: How to Fall Asleep Faster, Increase Your Energy, and Wake Up Refreshed,which include the importance of keeping the circadian rhythm in sync (and some tips on how to do so), the role of adenosine and adenosine triphosphate in sleep, biphasic and polyphasic sleep schedules, foods that naturally boost melatonin, and recommendations for power napping.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a lack of sleep, Danny Flood is likely to have at least a few tips that'll help. Tune in for more and look for his book on Amazon.
Global CO2 concentrations have risen from approximately 270 to 400 ppm over the past 150 years with no signs of slowing, and at the current rate, the planet is expected to warm by roughly five degrees Celsius by the end of the century. This will lead to a number of detrimental effects on the environment and human society, not the least of which is a major impact on our current system of agriculture. At the root of this system is the process of photosynthesis, which is the best understood process in all of plant biology, but has always functioned outside of human influence…at least until now.
Donald Richard Ort is a professor at the University of Illinois whose area of expertise lies in the area of photosynthesis and the ability to reengineer it to be adapted for global climate change and to improve its efficiency in agricultural situations. This will be no easy task, considering the fact that CO2 concentration and temperature play competing for roles in a plant’s ability to photosynthesize and survive.
Professor Ort joins the podcast for an informative and compelling discussion on a variety of topics, ranging from mechanistic computer models used to predict how to optimize photosynthesis under certain conditions, artificial photosynthesis via biomimicry, why breeders have selected for upright leaf angles in grasses over the past several decades, the modulation of chlorophyll concentration in leaves, and SoyFACE, a research facility at University of Illinois where CO2 concentration and temperature are being raised in a controlled environment to learn more about and prepare for what’s coming in the near future.
Tune in for the full conversation, and stay up to date on the latest research at soyface.illinois.edu.
As the co-founder and president of LunaDNA, Dawn Barry shares a vision of creating the first ever community-owned human health database comprised of donated DNA, medical, and environmental information, resulting in a scope and scale of data that’s never before been possible. The aim is to provide donors with control, privacy, and transparency over their data, which means that every donor will know where and to what type of research their information is going, and will always maintain the right to delete their data at any time.
Aside from the intrinsic value of empowering research, giving back, and contributing to new discoveries that could enhance all of our lives, donors will acquire shares in the company and receive compensation in the form of dividends with each donation made. The ultimate goal is to reshape research and accelerate breakthroughs in health and quality of life by aggregating and organizing data from a variety of sources, not the least of which are understudied populations.
The team at LunaDNA is patiently awaiting qualification by the SEC; once received, the platform will be open to the public. They’re thinking long-term, with a plan to implement additional portals for sharing electronic health records, and lifestyle and fitness information through APIs such as Fitbit. Interested in learning more?
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Jason Andrew is the CEO of Limelight Health (limelighthealth.com), and a health and technology innovator and visionary. Andrew discusses Limelight Health’s goal to deliver the most efficient, compelling quoting and underwriting platform for the employee benefits industry.
Andrew’s extensive background as an agent in Silicon Valley where he was engaging daily with game-changing technology motivated and inspired him to launch innovative tools for the health insurance industry. He is an experienced startup entrepreneur with a passion for solving problems in health insurance, health education, and wellness industries.
Andrew is a recognized health insurance and health reform expert and sought-after leadership advisor in the industry who excels at bringing key individuals together to solve complex problems and innovate. Notably, Andrew served as CEO and founder of Stone Meadow Benefits & Insurance Associates, CEO and co-founder of Coverage Partners, VP business development and co-founder of PK4Tech, and as VP and managing producer of Lawson-Hawks Insurance Associates.
The healthcare and technology expert discusses the current state of operations in his industry. He states that many facilities are utilizing systems and platforms that are 20 or 30 years old and are simply antiquated, unable to keep up with the changing times and technologies. He discusses some of the problems in the industry, and underscores how communication between industry players is critical. And he explains the importance of using API data. API, which stands for application programming interface, allows a service or product to talk to other services or products. Therefore, an API allows data and functionality to be introduced or opened up to other developers and businesses, and it is a common way in which companies exchange their data and services.
Andrew discusses the stage of their production and funding, and his expectations for the future. He states they have customers using their products and more and more companies are coming forward to overhaul their outdated systems, which increases efficiency for companies and consumers alike. He discusses the ratings of various plans from dental to life to health, and how their platform allows for a better grasp of products that are available.
Limelight Health’s mission and primary goal is to deliver ongoing industry innovation and provide time-efficient, current, accurate data to the industry and health community at large. Through their work with comprehensive quoting and decision support, Limelight Health is able to generate successful, fluid end-to-end integrations with the most current technologies.
Jane Antony, postdoctoral researcher, Stanford Medicine, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, delivers an important and thorough overview of the current state of cancer research and methods that may lead to promising new discoveries.
Antony worked toward her Ph.D. through a unique joint program of the National University of Singapore and Imperial College London to bolster her study and understanding of cancer cell biology. She has been an active member of various research groups in Singapore and the UK that focus their efforts primarily on cancer biology, ovarian cancer, metastasis, signal transduction, and therapeutics. Her current work pertains to the identification of innovative therapeutic targets in invasive breast cancer illuminating differential signaling schemas in tumor heterogeneity. Antony is constantly curious, with a passion for understanding the link between metastasis and cancer stem cells.
Antony discusses her current cancer research. She states since cancer is an intrinsic disease, whatever you use to target it will impact the normal healthy tissue as well. Generally, a disease's etiology, or cause, can be classified as intrinsic, extrinsic, or idiopathic. Antony’s particular interest is in regard to metastasis and how cancer spreads. Antony states that many cancers can be removed surgically and can utilize therapies that shrink the cancer cells, but if it spreads to other organs it becomes more difficult to treat. Antony gives a detailed analysis of what is currently known about DNA as it relates to cancer growth. She describes the different types of cancers, how they metastasize, and typically where they travel to, or could. Additionally, she provides an in-depth overview of the current therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy. In regard to radiation therapy, it certainly has an effect on normal cells as well, and chemotherapy, unfortunately, becomes less effective over time and multiple treatments.
Antony talks about some of her work and areas of particular interest such as tumor suppressors. Understanding how tumor suppressors are involved in the development of cancer, specifically genes that regulate Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) can quite possibly provide some important answers. A gene of great interest is the OPCML, which is present in healthy, normal cells but is switched off in cancer, which makes treatment very difficult with lowered chances for recovery. Understanding how this gene functions in cells is a critically important issue. Targeting genes that regulate RTKs can lead to possible gene-based cancer therapies for patients.
Antony details other important developments in research, such as limiting dilution assays (LDA). LDA is designed to define an undetermined frequency of effector cells within a population. They are dose-response assays that enable detection of a positive or negative immunoresponse in each unique culture within replicates that vary in the number of actual responder cells tested. By calculating stem cell frequencies researchers can study how stem cells are evolving throughout treatment.
Antony describes her findings in regard to stem cells and various types of cancers. She states that in blood cancers, the methods are somewhat different, in that bone marrow is removed and then reinstated after treatment has flushed out the affected area. Obviously, this is a treatment advantage of liquid cancers, for solid tumor cancers cannot benefit in the same way due to their form. And she talks about an assortment of other interesting trials that are underway that may provide further answers of great benefit to science and medicine.
Antony is a postdoctoral member of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), as well as a member of the EMT International Association, and an associate member of the American Association for Cancer Research. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the National University of Singapore, a Bachelor of Engineering from the National University of Singapore, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine.
Dr. Sabrina Leslie, Associate Professor of Physics and Quantitative Life Sciences at McGill University, leads listeners on an interesting journey into the complex and important world of molecule imaging and research.
As an experienced researcher and respected university leader at McGill, Dr. Leslie founded her single-molecule imaging laboratory in 2012. The lab was instrumental in the development of novel techniques to discover and explore complex interactions and dynamics of macromolecules. Dr. Leslie has pursued doctoral studies in optical physics, has completed extensive research on biomolecules in liquids, and explored her passion for imaging in a health sciences context. She is a recipient of a Mary Fieser Postdoctoral Fellowship, and her work at Harvard led to the invention of a single-molecule imaging technology known as Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC). And it was this groundbreaking work in the field that thrust her onto the international stage as a noted pioneer in single-molecule investigations with a broad range of applications. Dr. Leslie earned her Ph.D. in Optical and Atomic Physics at the University of California at Berkeley
Dr. Leslie discusses her lab’s intensive work deconstructing molecular interactions to answer questions in biology and develop new drugs for medical and therapeutic applications. She talks about the importance of time scales, speed of camera, and resolution, in their work as they seek to visualize the interactions in real time. By using cameras they are able to watch molecules for a long time and deconstruct the methods of operation.
Collaborating with biochemists and cancer scientists, as well as applied mathematicians, the Leslie Lab’s single-molecule investigations of protein and DNA interactions, have provided significant new information about gene regulation mechanisms. Specifically, Dr. Leslie’s work has also been focused on exploring a wide range of interactions and dynamics of proteins and DNA, as well as other macromolecules, and with regard to molecular shape and environment.
The macromolecule researcher details her lab’s groundbreaking work with the imaging technology known as Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC). As she explains, the process works by essentially squeezing the tiny molecules into little traps so that the essence of the molecule is completely held in focus, viewable from all angles. And by utilizing fluorescent labels they are able to closely track them for observation.
She details some of their current research regarding DNA binding with a focus on applications and therapeutics, etc. As they continued their experimentation they began introducing other molecules and polymers, to fill up space and then observe how DNA probes find their target sites. As she states, they have a particular interest in the nexus between the physics and the biology, where structural elements can have an impact on the biochemical reactions. Further, she talks about some surprising discoveries regarding proteins and droplet formation simulation.
In concert with biochemists in Montreal, Dr. Leslie’s team is instigating CLiC studies of non-membranous organelles (NMOs). Liquid droplets form when proteins and nucleic acids phase-separate from cellular material, similar to how oil separates from water. Importantly, there is significant evidence suggesting that misregulation of MMOs is associated with select diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Lastly, Dr. Leslie expounds upon some of the areas of research they are most excited to dig into, such as gene editing, and she gives an overview of their collaborations with pharmaceutical companies on oligonucleotide therapeutics. (Oligonucleotide therapeutics is an inventive class of biopharmaceutical products composed of short strings of synthetic nucleotides that resemble the actual building blocks for DNA.)
Michael A. Grandner, PhD, Arizona College of Medicine, provides an overview of the many aspects of sleep, how it impacts functioning, and the ways we can improve the quality of our sleep.
Dr. Grandner is an experienced researcher, noted speaker, and respected colleague at many prestigious institutions. He serves as the director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, and as director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the Banner-University Medical Center. Additionally, Dr. Grandner is an assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and medicine in the UA College of Medicine, assistant professor of psychology in the UA College of Science, as well as an assistant professor of nutritional sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is certified in behavioral sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Grandner discusses the connections between sleep and health and how it plays an important role in many and various areas of functioning. He states that a lot of their research focuses on finding ways to help with sleep improvement. He looks at quality and quantity of sleep, timing, when people are sleeping, and why. He gives details on the range of ways they study sleep in their laboratory. He talks about the various types of emerging technologies that can assist them with measuring the aspects of sleep. As sleep exists deep in the brain, it is impossible to perfectly measure sleep, thus Dr. Grandner states that they must measure around it, guessing at other measures such as movement and brain wave activity, etc.
Achieving healthy sleep is crucial for great overall health, cardiovascular health, and is also an important factor in obesity, diabetes, and psychological well being. And as such, when we don’t get enough of it, or the quality level is low, functioning can be impacted in many ways. Interestingly, Dr. Grandner points out that many people actually degrade their own opportunity to achieve quality sleep by reinforcing periods of insomnia. As he states, the best thing to do when you’re in bed and can’t sleep is to get up. Lying in bed and trying to fight it only reinforces the state, essentially teaching your brain that bedtime is a time for brain activity and thought. Thus getting out of bed and taking on some sort of activity till you feel ready to sleep could prove helpful.
Dr. Grandner outlines some of the research and interesting studies his team is involved with currently as well as other studies on the horizon. Current research focuses on the ways sleep and sleep-related behaviors could be connected to cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, neurocognitive functioning, mental health, and even longevity. Their projects have been funded by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the American Heart Association (AHA).
Their community-based studies consider a vast swath of issues from social environment, access to care, stress, diet, and exercise, as well as aspects of cardiometabolic functioning, to look at the ways sleep is related to each. Dr. Grandner seeks to develop new tools to help people gauge the kind of sleep they are getting and how to improve it. In regard to sleep, Dr. Grandner states, it is not something that you can command. We need to give ourselves the right environment, mentally and physically, that will allow sleep to happen. He discusses the quality versus the quantity, and the ways to evaluate that, as well as the importance of regular sleep patterns.
Dr. Grandner discusses the internal body clocks that govern function, and the various types of personalities and genes that play a role in sleep schedules. He discusses the sleep-wake system versus the circadian system, which relates to the biological process that displays an endogenous, entrainable oscillation of approximately 24 hours. He explains how hormone shifts and rhythms can be changed, shifted, and blunted, and how light can help with making adjustments, in regard to the winter blues, seasonal affective disorder, etc.
Dr. Grandner has published over 100 articles and chapters on myriad issues relating to sleep and health. His significant work in the field has been cited over 2,500 times. Dr. Grandner is associate editor of the recognized journal, Sleep Health, and he serves on the editorial boards of various other journals: SLEEP, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and others. He is a sought-after speaker on the connection between sleep and good health and as such has been invited often to the National Institutes of Health, and has presented for the US Congress.
It’s true: we’re wired to eat, but what should we be eating? Is there a one-for-all holy grail of diets that we just haven’t found yet, or is an “appropriate” diet something that varies from person to person? How much should we be exercising, and does stress really contribute to weight gain? The answers you get will probably depend on who you’re asking. Today’s podcast focuses on Robb Wolf’s opinion on these and a variety of other topics.
As one of the world’s leading experts in paleo nutrition, author of two books on The New York Times Best Seller list (The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet and Wired to Eat), and former research biochemist, it’s safe to say his opinions carry a lot of weight. Tune in for an intriguing and eye-opening conversation that touches on the role of diet, lifestyle, genetics, epigenetics, socialization, and the gut microbiome in overall health and quality of life.
Visit robbwolf.com to join his newsletter and access a plethojump-start materials that’ll help jump start your journey to health.
Here is the article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2679460
Troy Hickerson, global nutrition activist and co-founder of Active For Good (activeforgood.com), delivers an important, informative overview of the crucial work that needs to be done, and what we can all do, to save malnourished children globally.
Troy Hickerson is a passionate business leader. For nearly twenty years Hickerson has applied his in-depth knowledge of problem-solving and opportunity creation to help small to mid-sized companies utilize technology to succeed. As a cloud services expert, Hickerson wanted to find a way to merge his technology experience with his personal goals of serving those who suffer from extreme poverty and malnutrition. As Hickerson states, one-quarter of children in the developing world are malnourished.
Hickerson splits his time between assisting startups and established businesses with service business operations, positioning and strategy, business model analysis, and problem-solving, and pushing his organization, Active For Good, forward on its mission to assist in the global nutrition problem. Hickerson explains the connection his organization makes between the world’s populations, between those who want to lose calories and those who need calories. Through a series of programs Active For Good runs, for every calorie someone burns when they are working to stay active can equate to a calorie of food given to a malnourished child. By creating activities and teams, users of the platform are motivated to help themselves while simultaneously helping others in the world.
Making a difference is what Active For Good is all about. Hickerson talks about the important issues that Active For Good tackles in its mission to create change and help people globally. Active For Good was initiated by the founders of MANA Nutrition, a non-profit organization that manufactures RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) used to combat severe acute malnutrition and childhood death. Hickerson explains how MANA ships over 500,000 packets of RUTF per day as they provide life-saving therapeutic food via partners such as Save the Children, World Vision, Doctors without Borders, UNICEF, and USAID.
Through the Active For the Good app, wellness teams, individuals, and employee groups can take the challenge, sign up online, and get started with healthy activities that will not only improve their health but will generate much-needed revenue so life-saving nutritional foods can be delivered to those in need. Activity is tracked through Google Fit, Apple’s HealthKit, or similar tracking tools, and company employees, friends, or whomever, can engage in competition that keeps it fun while working toward personal goals, and goals for humanity. Through the point system, points count toward meals for children. And the app shows you what the process is like and creates an educational opportunity to learn about the areas of the world where people are truly in need.
Hickerson discusses the enthusiasm he sees in people when they get a sense of how their small actions can make an enormous impact on children’s lives globally. As he states, nutrition is critical in a child’s developing years, and there can be severe consequences if a child is malnourished, even if they survive. Thus the Active For Good mission provides an opportunity for companies, groups, and individuals to lend a hand to those who need it, which is a vital part of the human experience.
Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, MD, founder, and CEO of Diet Doctor (dietdoctor.com), delivers an informative presentation on the nutrition to health connection.
Dr. Eenfeldt is a Swedish medical doctor who specializes in family medicine. As founder and CEO of Diet Doctor, Eenfeldt leads a team of forty coworkers. For more than ten years, Dr. Eenfeldt has maintained the biggest health blog in Sweden with a tremendous following, and he is the author of a best-selling book on nutrition that is now available in eight languages. Throughout his extensive career as a family physician, he has treated many patients with low-carb, high-fat diets and has helped many people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. With a sense of urgency to get his message to a larger audience, Dr. Eenfeldt sought new opportunities to spread the word thus Diet Doctor was born. Diet Doctor is growing daily and is the largest low-carb and keto website in the world, now with more than 350,000 visits daily.
Dr. Eenfeldt discusses how nutrition is not really a major focus of study in medical school curriculums, and as such medical students interested in the nutrition to health connection must largely study it on their own. He talks about the effect of nutrition and diet on individuals as they age. With conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure, diet becomes even more important he states.
As their mission states, taking back your good health in an often-unhealthy world requires some critical thinking, and acting differently. We must put our trust in science and nature and avoid the fads and quick fixes. Changing lifestyle choices and increasing good nutrition can truly make an impact almost as quickly as you begin, but it takes dedication. Diet Doctor seeks out the most credible, trustworthy science and practical knowledge about health, and provides it to readers and subscribers in an easy, interesting manner. Their goal is to make low carb an option for anyone who wants to give it a chance and see a difference, to empower people to tune into their health and make positive changes. For as they state, regardless of any attempt to do so, you cannot outrun a bad diet.
The Diet Doctor CEO talks about successes he is proud of, as many patients are able to decrease or discontinue certain medications when their test results show that his methods have brought their lab levels back into normal ranges. Dr. Eenfeldt talks about the many ways that his website provides valuable information and options for individuals, and he discusses some of his hopes for the future in healthcare and nutrition, including a possible clinic that can offer direct community outreach.
Dr. Eenfeldt discusses some of the current trends in the diet and nutrition area. He talks about the fallacy of fats, and how avoidance of natural fats is not a good thing. He discusses the trend of moving back to natural fats such as real butter and eggs, and the trend of moving away from the concept of calorie counting. He states that calorie counting doesn’t work. But with a low carb diet, when you remove the sugar and remove the starch, people tend to eat less spontaneously, and the benefits naturally occur. And with a low carb diet that drives insulin levels lower, the body burns excess fat more easily.
The Diet Doctor discusses hormonal changes and how it affects a low carb diet. He cautions against empty calorie drinks and foods that offer no nutritional value. Additionally, Dr. Eenfeldt provides his analysis on aging and hormonal issues that can certainly make the challenge of maintaining the weight of our youth a bit more difficult. But Dr. Eenfeldt is a firm believer of the view that as long as our health is good and we feel great, it may be best to accept that our bodies have changed outwardly somewhat. Our health is the most important thing of all, and nutrition is the key to reaching optimum health. Ultimately, diet and lifestyle are the essential key elements to achieving good health, and Dr. Eenfedt is dedicated to the mission of bringing quality health education and methods to everyone.
Emeran A. Mayer, MD, PhD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, delivers an informative overview of the brain to gut connection. Dr. Mayer serves as director,G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience (CNSR); co-director, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center; and is an experienced professor of medicine, physiology, and psychiatry.
Dr. Mayer attended the Ludwig Maximilian’s University in Munich, Germany where he received his MD/PhD. Dr. Mayer completed his residency at the Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, Canada and his GI fellowship training at the UCLA/VA Wadsworth Training Program. With a lifelong fascination for research, Dr. Mayer has applied his extensive knowledge toward a career studying the clinical and research aspects of brain body interactions, with a particularly intensive focus on bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut in regard to health and disease.
Dr. Mayer discusses his long career and findings that led to the decision to write his new book, The Mind-Gut Connection. He details particular studies that influenced the material that is discussed in-depth in his book, such as one study that involved testing of individuals who were given a probiotic cocktail and then observed regarding their symptoms and brain function. His surprising findings in this study pushed him to include the gut microbiome in all of his studies thereafter.
Dr. Mayer is considered to be one of the world’s top expert investigators of the many brain gut microbiome interactions in GI disorders, with specific regard to functional and inflammatory bowel disorders as well as obesity. Dr. Mayer’s exceptional work has been noted worldwide and as such he has enjoyed continual funding for his important research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 1989.
The digestive research expert reveals his findings on multitudinous studies of microbial function. He details the use of interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in his studies, specifically regarding gastrointestinal maladies such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and others. His findings indicated that the CBT was instrumental in improving symptoms for IBS significantly. Dr. Mayer’s work concluded that the brain has incredible influence on microbial composition. Dr. Mayer relates how the autonomic nervous system affects the environment of the gut, thus stressors in our lives have a direct impact on our digestive system’s functioning, from secretions, to peptides, to blood flow, and beyond.
Dr. Mayer speaks about causality and the models that they have studied to explain microbiome disorders. He discusses the circular process in which the brain sends signals to the gut, the back and forth signaling that impacts functioning. Further, he discusses in detail gene expression profiles, proteins, metabolites, etc., and the connections between various elements of his research, as well as the collective research being done globally in regard to these brain/gut issues.
The neurobiology researcher provides some background on other studies that focus on teaching the brain to send different signals, as well as diet in regard to gut microbial function. Dr. Mayer states that plant-based diets are by far the best diets for functioning, and the microbiome in general, according to epidemiological studies. He discusses how metabolites are affected by diet, and how gut function will revert when special diets are changed or discontinued. He provides detailed information on specific diets and his thoughts regarding them. As Dr. Mayer states, exposure to antibiotics and dietary patterns of pregnant mothers, etc. all impact microbiomes. He explains the differences that exist in the microbiomes of various and diverse populations of people, and how diet can impact our gut functioning rather quickly once changes are made, for example switching from fast food to a Mediterranean diet, etc.
Dr. Mayer is the director of the Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer Family Center for Neurobiology of Stress, and is currently PI of a NIH Center grant on the sex differences in functional GI disorders, on a consortium grant of brain bladder interactions, and a RO1 grant on brain imaging in IBS. As a leading expert in microbiome studies, Dr. Mayer seeks to continually dig deeper into the connections between the brain and the gut in his quest to find new ways to improve health for everyone.
“A little west goes a long way,” says Andrew Walker, echoing the slogan of the company he and his wife founded about six years ago. With just one brick and mortar shop in Los Angeles, California, Little West is a favorite among those seeking a variety of superfoods alongside the company’s main focus: locally-sourced and nutrition-packed juices. The menu includes 14 different no-sugar-added, cold-pressed juices packed with minerals, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory roots with varying levels of sweetness to meet anyone’s preference. They also offer a variety of cleanses and kits, some for beginners and some for those seeking more advanced, “master” cleanses.
Walker discusses the details of the Little West juice-making process, the differences between each cleanse offered and why one may be better suited for some individuals than others, the importance of preparing for and coming off of cleanses, the benefits of small-batch cold pressing versus the methods used by most other juice bars, and the connection between food sensitivities and gut health.
Interested in trying it for yourself? Tune in and visit littlewest.com to order from anywhere in the nation.
Organ failure is the ultimate cause of almost every death, and while organ transplantation can be a successful option, the need for organs significantly outweighs the supply. For the past 50 years or so, efforts have been focused on immunosuppression strategies and the development of mechanical devices capable of mimicking the function of biological organs and processes. However, even when available, these solutions aren't permanent or without the risk of complication. Now there's a new solution in the works, one with a lot more promise: bioengineered organs.
As an associate professor and member of both the Next Manufacturing Center and Bioengineered Organs Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University, Adam W. Feinberg joins the podcast to discuss how living cells and tissue components can be designed for implantation into the human body, allowing for tissue regeneration with the use of the body's own cells. Though it'll still take years to get there, the grand vision is to 3D bioprint partial or entire organs for transplant, which is a technology that's recently received funding from the FDA.
Tune in to learn more about the current projects Dr. Feinberg and his team are working on, the successes they've already had, and the challenges they plan to overcome. Keep up to date on the latest developments at regenerativebiomaterials.com and engineering.cmu.edu/organs/index.html.
Author Survivor and former chartered physiotherapist
Jane McLelland, physiotherapist, alternative cancer treatment expert, and author of How to Starve Cancer expounds upon the wrong turns that many people, unfortunately, take when they set out to fight their cancer. She provides a thorough and extremely important overview of the steps that anyone can take to dramatically improve their chances for survival when faced with a dire diagnosis.
Cancer survivor, Jane McLelland, talks about her background as a physiotherapist and her diagnosis back in 1994 with cervical cancer. McLelland tried all the traditional cancer treatment drugs and methods but made no significant progress. She recounts that it was not until her mother died of secondary breast cancer just two years later that she began to dig into the science of metabolism and get to the root of what was really keeping cancer alive and thriving. She states that when her own cancer moved to her lungs and she advanced to stage four cancer, that her time was considered to be limited, and thus she accelerated her research to find a solution. And as more chemotherapy was not going to help, she knew it was time to try another approach entirely. She discusses some of her research and many of the cancer-fighting regimens she put into place, such as intravenous vitamin C infusion, which some research has shown to be very effective at blocking glycolysis, the metabolic pathway that cancer cells use to thrive.
McLelland’s groundbreaking book, How to Starve Cancer, is an incredible testament to the power of the human spirit. In her book, McLelland breaks down the steps she took to literally starve her cancer of the elements it needed to prosper. McLelland discusses her long journey back to health and the many crucial topics her book covers such as the varying fuel pipelines that must be blocked for each type of cancer. She talks about supplements that can be added to accelerate the cancer fight, and the low-toxicity drugs that exist to fight cancer, many of which have been all but forgotten as researchers tout the newer ‘game changers’ and put all their eggs in that basket.
McLelland details the nature of cancer and how it exhibits incredible determination to flourish, for example, if cancer cells are no longer able to fuel on sugar, they will literally rewire themselves to survive on alternative fuel sources to create more protein and thus create more daughter cells. By preventing the cancer cells from gathering more fuel, patients can put the brakes on the system. McLelland discusses the sections of her book that provide specific detail on proteins, fats, glucose and the cancer cell’s fuel supplies that must be cut off in order to fight the disease. She provides very detailed information on the science behind the metabolic cocktail options that individuals can tailor to their specific cancer. McLelland’s book will help people to find the key metabolic pathways they need to understand in order to fight their cancer. Using herself as a testing laboratory, she experimented to find the best drugs and supplements to starve her own cancer and has gathered this information into a map of sorts that individuals can use to guide their own journey and fight.
McLelland talks about the importance of drugs in the fight against cancer. She states that diet is crucial, but diet alone rarely can achieve the best results, and that it is a combination of diet, supplements, and low-toxicity drugs that provide the proper combination of ingredients. She goes into depth about protein, fat, and carbs, the three essential elements of the human diet. She explains the ways that cancer cells use each to further their survival and the production of daughter cells.
She discusses how the pharmaceutical industry’s testing process is flawed, in that it works on one solution at a time, which is a slow process that needs to be accelerated. She states that her cocktail approach is a means that individuals can begin to implement now, to fight their individual cancers. Additionally, she provides information on the alternative drugs that can be used to fight cancer. These drugs are considered to be ‘alternative’ because they are drugs that were created for different diseases and conditions other than cancer, but McLelland states they can be used as part of a successful cocktail to combat cancer. McLelland talks about the keys to combatting the disease, rethinking the traditional methods somewhat and using all the existing methods together in a more intelligent manner. She mentions that reducing the traditional chemotherapy to much lower doses actually stimulates the immune system, which would not happen with the high doses that traditional cancer treatment recommends in most situations.
McLelland states that the wealth of research she offers in her social media and in her book provides critical information that is backed by science and evidence. McLelland’s method as described in her book takes on the common misconceptions that exist in the theories of cancer treatment. The book delves into the mystery of cancer and answers important questions that can elevate anyone to a higher level of understanding as they forge ahead on their own journey to beat cancer.
Remarkably, McLelland states that in her opinion there is almost no cancer, even at stage four, that cannot be reversed with the proper alternative treatment and protocols. Hope exists!
Gastric bypass surgery is the most effective form of treatment for morbid obesity and a familiar term to most of us, but until recently, the underlying mechanism that makes it so successful has been largely misunderstood. Most people—including health professionals—attribute the weight loss that follows from this surgery to reduced stomach size and therefore reduced food intake and malabsorption, but the evidence is pointing elsewhere: to the changes in gut microbiota that occur after the surgery.
Hasan Celiker is the founder and chief executive officer of Xeno Biosciences, a company that’s using what they’ve learned about the effectiveness of gastric bypass surgery to develop an alternative and significantly less invasive form of treatment for obesity: an oral pill that mimics the changes in gut microbiota that occur after the surgery, allowing for weight loss and a significant reduction in conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Celiker delves into the details of digestive mechanisms, the differences between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and the role of each in the microbiome, how and where in the body Xeno Bioscience’s pill takes effect, and the metabolic changes brought about by both the pill and the surgery. Hit play and visit xenobiosciences.com to learn more.
Cavin Balaster, founder of Feed a Brain (feedabrain.com) and Adventures in Brain Injury (adventuresinbraininjury.com), author, and sought-after speaker, delivers an informative and important discussion on brain function and the nutritional protocol that can deliver dramatic results.
Cavin Balaster made a miraculous recovery from an accident that could have easily taken his life instantly. In 2011, he survived a two-story fall and was comatose for twelve days. Balaster was diagnosed with a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and his chances for recovery were not good, bleak actually, at less than 10%. Emergency medicine and the work of many skilled, truly outstanding healthcare professionals and specialists saved his life, without a doubt. Balaster acknowledges that he would absolutely be dead if it were not for their incredible work over a long period comprised of many crucial moments in his recovery. But after he began to wake from the severe brain fog, and recover somewhat from the memory loss, double vision, infections, etc. when he was able to begin doing some research on his own, he started on a mission, a goal to take back his life to the best of his ability. He states that once he was cognizant of his predicament and the gravity of it, he felt he was faced with a choice: to wallow in despair considering the impact of his injury or consider it to be an adventure. He chose the latter.
Balaster recounts the early months of his life after the fall and subsequent severe brain injury. As he describes, the entire ordeal, as we can only imagine, was overwhelming to say the least. He talks about the extreme, and frightening, brain fog that he experienced early on and how he actually had no memory of what happened and no way to understand where he was or who the white lab coat people were. His brain fog was so intense that he imagined he might have even been kidnapped and the lab coat people were using his body to test and experiment on. Clearly, it was not a good time for Balaster. But slowly, his brain fog began to clear so he could begin to understand where he was, and what was happening to him.
After defying death through the help of his incredibly wonderful team of intelligent and supportive healthcare providers, and waking from the coma, Balaster dug deep into functional nutrition, functional neurology, neuro optometry (developmental optometry), physical and occupational therapy, and other targeted therapies. And it is these methods and practices that he attributes to his incredible recovery, at such an accelerated pace. Balaster talks about his first discovery of the nutritional connection, and how his nutritional protocol was restoring his clarity. And he describes the technical aspects of how the intestinal process is coordinated with the brain. Balaster discusses his hunger for education on the various subjects that were affecting his life and recovery. He began taking online courses at multiple universities to further understand how the brain works, and how it is fueled—neurometabolism. He details some of the many and various nutritional supplements to his diet from bone broth, to licorice, to L-glutamine, as well as fruits and vegetables, etc., and how he began to see incredible improvements right away. Balaster discusses the details in his book, covering ketogenic metabolism, color charts for fruits and vegetables, and the carbohydrate ratings of foods.
Balaster documented his process to neuro-rehabilitation in an attempt to more fully understand and heal his body and brain. He discusses his blog, Adventures in Brain Injury, and the international attention he received from his postings and research. Balaster talks about the work he has done with clients who have severe injuries, and the nutritional coaching he provides to the patients and their doctors that has led to many remarkable changes and improvements. As Balaster recounts, his work with patients is tremendously rewarding.
As the author of How to Feed a Brain: Nutrition for Optimal Brain Function and Repair and as a successful podcast host on the related subjects, Balaster has now devoted his life to helping others who are struggling with health issues, sometimes very severe ones as his was. Through Balaster’s journey he has gained incredible knowledge regarding the optimization of brain function and he seeks to share his experiences, information, training, and services with the community.
The ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, whether or not you should skip that first meal of the day...you’ve probably heard a lot of arguments for and against each, so how do you know what’s “right”? What will provide YOU with healthful longevity? Valter D. Longo is a biogerontologist, cell biologist, and author of several books, the latest of which is The Longevity Diet. He joins the podcast to discuss his views on these issues and shed light on some of the main arguments in his book, each of which is based on the scientific evidence that’s available today.
The Longevity Diet is divided into two sections: the first utilizes an approach that’s based in part on findings of epidemiological and clinical studies to decide how best to eat on a daily basis, and the second discusses the benefits of the fasting mimicking diet. He’s a proponent of diets rich in legumes and vegetables, 12-hour daily fasts, and making time for breakfast each morning.
While he admits that the ketogenic diet may benefit some individuals with particular health issues or diseases, he references a Harvard study that followed 120 subjects over a 30-year span and drew conclusions about the long-term effects of high fat, high protein, low carb diets: significantly shorter lifespans, and higher rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease. He also discusses how daily fasts that exceed 12 hours lead to a mechanism by which the body essentially begins eating itself, and how the concept of “irrational exuberance” is largely at play in many people’s devotion to diet fads.
Ageing: it’s an inevitable part of life, it affects us all, and there’s just no way around it. Or is there? “Ageing is a major societal problem that we’re turning our attention to in the biotechnology industry as something that’s treatable...and that we can modify biologically to improve the health span of people in our country and worldwide,” says Dr. Joshua Hare, co-founder, and chief science officer at Longeveron. Founded four years ago after receiving a technology license from the University of Miami Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Longeveron is a biotech company bringing over 20 years of clinical research and 40 years of basic research to address the problem of ageing.
The team at Longeveron proposes that allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells can be used to treat ageing frailty, a condition that affects 50 percent of people over the age of 65. Dr. Hare discusses the evidence in support of his hypothesis, the regenerative and reparative potential of these stem cells, how to determine the best method of delivery, why ageing frailty is a condition that’s particularly likely to respond positively to these types of stem cells, roadblocks to the development of research in this field, and what he thinks will happen over the next few years.
Tune in for the full conversation, and visit longeveron.com to learn more.
Dr. Stuart Williams, founder of Bioficial Organs (cvregen.com), delivers an interesting overview of the future of bioengineered organs and tissues, and the medical advances that we are seeing daily. Williams has extensive experience in the areas of biomedical engineering, surgery, physiology, as well as materials science and engineering. He is the former director of research for the Department of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College, former faculty at the University of Arizona, and founder of the University of Arizona Biomedical Engineering Program. In 2007, Williams was appointed as the scientific director of the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, a collaborative partnership between the University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital. Williams received a Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Delaware and did his postdoctoral training in pathology at the Yale School of Medicine. His strong interest in medical devices and regenerative medicine paved the path toward his development and patent of one of the first methods to use fat-derived stem and regenerative cells for therapeutic use.
Dr. Williams discusses the Bioficial Organs Program and their work to create human tissues and organs for clinical therapeutics and in vitro drug efficacy and toxicity testing by utilizing a patient’s own cells. He gives a detailed overview of the fascinating process of creating organs and tissues from biological parts. As Williams explains the human body has at least eleven different types of organs and tissues, some that are extremely complex, but some that are simpler, that can be created via the Bioficial process. He explains how the complexity is often based in the number of specific cells that are used to perform functions. As he states, the liver and the kidney are perhaps more difficult to bioprint than other organs, but that parts of tissues, such as skin, are easier to tackle successfully in regard to regenerative medicine. He discusses work they are very excited about, including their active lab program to use 3D bioprinting to create an artificial pancreas, in order to produce insulin on demand in a patient.
The biomedical engineering expert discusses specific organs that can regenerate, and those that cannot. Unfortunately, for example, the heart does not have cells within it that will repopulate a damaged area, but it may be possible to put organoids into a damaged part of the heart such that they may take up residence and begin to create a functional part. Williams discusses his extensive work focused on developing new and successful ways to remove patients’ cells and build new blood vessels from those cells that can be reinserted into the body. He cites examples of some specific work with patients that helped to advance the regenerative medicine field.
Dr. Williams discusses their exciting new plan to move bioprinting to the international space station, which will allow them to avoid the effects of gravity that can adversely impact some of their work. He relates how the fetus is formed in amniotic fluid, and thus is somewhat defying gravity as it can move about freely in its environment. And this study of those conditions, in fact, creates more questions as well as answers to how growth happens regarding organs, and the conditions and mechanisms that are involved in that complex process. Further, he discusses the shapes of organs, and how it may not be necessary to recreate organs in the same shape in which they naturally occur in the body. Additionally, he muses about regeneration, and why some organs will regenerate, but others will not, and he states that he is very interested in studying all of these issues in detail to find the answers.
Dr. Williams has authored more than 300 scientific publications and his work has generated 22 issued US patents with nearly countless patents pending. He’s the founder of six biotechnology companies and is a fellow of the American Heart Association as well as the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.
Most women who’ve been pregnant are familiar with the strong, sometimes strange food cravings that occur to them—cravings that might not always be for nutrient-dense, healthy, and unprocessed foods. As a mother herself, Erica Mock is all too familiar with the battle between satiating those cravings and eating healthy during pregnancy, but she has an interesting take on the matter, stating, “Our bodies have an incredible innate intelligence. I craved sushi every day, started supplementing high-quality omega-3 supplements, and the cravings went away…the body knows what it needs.”
And what does the body need before, during, and after pregnancy? High-quality, nutritious, individually-curtailed, and of course deliciously mouth-watering foods. This is exactly what Erica Mock set out to provide for women when she founded twenty-fiveEIGHT. Customers can simply visit the website to choose from several subsections and menu options, including foods that increase the volume and quality of breast milk, vegetarian foods, homemade black sesame almond milk, bone broths made from 100% pastured animals, a dairy-free chickpea noodle macaroni and “cheese” dish, and a flourless seed bread that’s excellent for digestion. All foods on the menu are organic and local, and Mock has been mindful enough to opt for the most sustainable packaging materials so you can feel good about your purchases.
The company is still in the beginning stages, with a launch party scheduled for just after the holidays this year. Tune in for all the details—including a sweet story that explains how she came up with the name of the company. Visit twenty-fiveeight.com to learn more.
Rachel Burke, the ketogenic enthusiast and founder of Aussie Keto Queen (aussieketoqueen.com), discusses the ketogenic diet and lifestyle. Burke’s journey to better health was a long one, as she spent many of her earlier years battling weight, feeling uncomfortable with her body, and being unhappy about it all. From the tender age of just 10 years old, she began weighing herself and struggling with her weight issue. She spent a significant amount of time, unfortunately, experimenting with this diet plan and that diet plan, magic diet shakes and pills that really weren’t so magical, along with massive amounts of exercise, but nothing seemed to work for the long haul. It was all of these years of frustration that finally brought her to nutritional ketosis—which was a game changer. After she made the decision and stuck with it, keto transformed her life. Burke describes how she reached her goal weight even sooner than she expected, and how she has more energy than ever before. In addition, when checking with her doctors through the process she found that the ketogenic lifestyle was not only helping her to lose weight but that her overall health markers were improving too. Burke is living proof that you are what you eat.
Burke recounts how she was so satisfied with her results that she wanted to share all that she had learned, through her exhaustive research, with everyone. She began posting her favorite recipes and helpful tips online, which led to the site she currently inhabits, aussieketoqueen.com, which is full of helpful information for those who want to find their own success. With tens of thousands of visitors to her site on a regular basis, it’s clear that there is a keen interest in the ketogenic diet and lifestyle. She discusses the importance of mindset. As Burke states, changing one’s mindset is perhaps the most important step, and it is not something that happens for everyone immediately. For some, it takes time, a gradual change, but committing to the nutritional life change pays off in the end for those who are ready to make a difference in their diet and health.
Burke talks about how, in Australia, that doctors and nutritionists are now beginning to advise patients and clients about the possible benefits of switching to a ketogenic diet. She discusses the options people have when eating out and trying to stay focused on their ketogenic diet. And she expects that perceptions will continue to change as ketogenic options become more widely offered everywhere.
The nutrition and health advocate states that it is really all about finding what works for you as an individual considering your own body, lifestyle, work, and timetable, etc. Burke provides an overview of her site’s recipes, the types of foods she prefers, and also what she recommends. From the basic meat and veggie options to sweeter options, her website offers something for every keto-conscious eater. And while she does not recommend many sweets, she includes some sweets recipes as the keto community appreciates a full range of food options. However, as Burke states, when people really take on the keto nutrition lifestyle and are eating ketogenic regularly, they often find their taste buds change a bit and begin to taste the natural sweetness in foods more obviously. Some have found that this effect is so pronounced that they no longer crave traditional sweets.
Burke discusses her future plans for ketogenic consulting and what she is excited about. She states that the ketogenic lifestyle’s impact on her friends and family has been so profound that she is determined to bring all that she has learned to a wider audience, and help everyone reach their personal goals for health and wellness.
An estimated 10 percent of all people have some level of kidney disease--a disease that’s most commonly associated with diabetes and high blood pressure. The numbers are only growing, but much of the research has been limited in the sense that the progression of kidney diseases in humans is difficult to track.
For example, polycystic kidney disease--a very common one that’s genetic in nature and affects millions of people--is usually diagnosed in the later stages, only once the changes can be visualized via ultrasonographic imaging. At that point, many people are faced with just two options: dialysis, or a kidney transplant. But the team at the University of Washington’s Freedman Lab are doing something that’s never been done before: using pluripotent stem cells to grow kidney organoids which have many of the same properties and characteristics as human kidneys in order to create the genetic mutations that are seen in this disease and to study the origination and progression of it.
The creation of organoids aren’t just limited to kidneys though; given how powerful pluripotent stem cells are, they can be developed into any organ in the body. Just imagine being able to conduct experiments on miniature brain and liver organoids, for example. In the long run, this technology could result in the creation of more complex structures with the capability of replacing functional human organs altogether.
Benjamin Freedman is the head of the Freedman Lab and offers an in-depth discussion on the observations his team has made so far, and hypotheses as to what exactly is at play in the development and progression of common kidney diseases.
Tune in for a compelling conversation and visit freedmanlab.com to learn more.
Just a few years ago, Angela M. Poff noticed that a lot of leading scientists and clinicians were studying ketosis and metabolic therapies for different diseases, but weren’t getting together to share their ideas and have productive conversations; this all changed when she decided to found the Metabolic Health Summit in 2015, which now serves as a hub for those who want to work together to develop ideas and move new information in the field to the next level.
The goal of the 2019 Metabolic Health Summit is to foster a global conversation about the ketogenic diet and how to implement it in the real world and will feature several personal stories from those whose lives have been affected by the adoption of the keto lifestyle. The conference is not just for scientists this year; it’s for everyone. The best scientists and clinicians will lead sessions dedicated to different uses of the ketogenic diet, including for Alzheimer’s, mental health, obesity, migraines, cancer, and longevity.
Poff also works as a research scientist at the University of South Florida, where she focuses primarily on the effects of metabolic therapies on cancer. In particular, she studies how the ketogenic diet affects cancer models, the role of exogenous ketones in the development of cancer, and the role of metabolic targeted agents, such as dichloroacetate and metformin. Poff discusses a variety of topics, including how and why hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be successful in treating tumors and the biggest roadblock to continued research in the field.
If you or a loved one is dealing with cancer, Poff suggests visiting clinicaltrials.gov and working closely with your oncologist.
Visit www.metabolichealthsummit.com for more information about the upcoming Metabolic Health Summit conference.
Stemina Biomarker Discovery was founded about 11 years ago by Elizabeth Donley, who aimed to use the study of metabolism (metabolomics) to understand how the underlying biological and biochemical reactions differ between various disorders. Donley works primarily within the neurological disorders division for NeuroPoint DX and is focused on applying metabolomics for the detection of autism spectrum disorders. The most recent paper on the subject looked at amino acid dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders and showed a strong association between low levels of branched amino acids and concurrently high levels of three other amino acids. The association accurately identified 17 percent of kids with autism and suggests that the outcome for those affected by autism spectrum disorders could be improved with a high protein diet.
The metabolic markers are identified by subjecting a sample of blood to mass spectrometry, which will show whether or not a child is positive for any of the 13 metabotypes that have been identified to date and that describe 30 percent of kids who fall on the autism spectrum. As it currently stands, the average age at which a child will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder is 24 months based on behavioral characteristics, but many children do not receive diagnoses until they are much older, which means that time that could otherwise be spent using valuable behavioral therapies is being lost; it is Donley’s goal to change this.
The team at NeuroPoint DX plans to launch its first panel before the end of the year and has already received lab certification to accept blood samples from children in 45 states. They’re currently raising money to support further testing and validate the second panel, looking for partners for distribution, and exploring options in foreign markets.
Tune in for the full discussion and send your questions to info@neuripouintdx.com.
Tyler Cartwright, founding member of Ketogains, LLC (ketogains.com), shares his incredible journey back to good health and fitness, and the many ways that his keto-focused company can help people reach their fitness and health goals more efficiently. Cartwright is walking proof of the benefits that are available through the Ketogains’ methods for he began his path back to good health at 505 pounds. Together with the support of his wife who had reached 300 pounds herself, they have found success over the past decade, both having reduced their weight significantly through diet and exercise. Cartwright has successfully stayed within 10 pounds of his current weight of 205 pounds and his wife, now down to only 160 pounds, has maintained her new weight for several years thus far.
Cartwright discusses the origins of the ketogenic diet. He and his Ketogains’ partners observed that while keto was not a new concept, as weightlifters and bodybuilders have long been using it to cut weight and meet goals, it was not, however, is properly introduced as a means to better health and fitness for the non-athlete. He delves into the various diets, from paleo to keto, vegan to vegetarian, and discusses their individual merits, frameworks, and strategies to success. Additionally, he discusses micronutrients, the advantages of taking in a sufficient amount of protein, and the benefits of chewing and digestion. And he explains how many have misinterpreted the ketogenic diet, making the assumption that keto means ‘eat as much as you want’ when it simply does not, for as he states, caloric intake still matters.
As the Ketogains team acknowledges, ketosis is a healthy side effect of their general macro and micro recommendations, but it is not the goal. Ketogains is a unified community-driven exploration of the path to physical excellence through ketosis. The team at Ketogains states that a ketogenic diet can assist most anyone to achieve personal goals of better health; increased endurance, strength, or speed; an increase of muscle mass; or the goal of simply sculpting a leaner body. It is an evidence-based path towards one’s ideal body recomposition.
Simply explained, a ketogenic diet is one that causes ketone bodies to be produced by the liver, that then shifts the body’s metabolism away from glucose and on towards fat utilization. He stresses the importance of energy balance and calories, in coordination with a successful ketogenic diet. He discusses the challenges of rapid weight loss that sometimes perplex people after they feel like they have plateaued, but have often become, perhaps unknowingly, more sedentary. Cartwright explains the methods he and his team use to help those who find themselves gaining weight again, in spite of their efforts to do the right thing in regard to diet and exercise. He states that at this point they begin to look very carefully at exactly what someone is eating, down to the details such as how much is being consumed, their micronutrients, clinical diagnosis, as well as genetic or metabolic factors. Additionally, he discusses various products and supplements, insulin levels, and exogenous ketones. He also discusses ketone esters and their new popularity in the market. He cautions however that exogenous ketones are not a successful way to lose weight, but that successful weight loss is more often through hormonal balancing and caloric intake.
Cartwright’s career focus, which he is passionate about, is in working with clients who seek to change their lifestyle, behavior, and the nagging mental impasses that stand in the way of their success. Cartwright has experience working in bootcamp environments and individually with those just starting their journey, as well as others who have had some success and want to go further, and also those who feel they need to change what they are doing altogether, to find a new approach. He is keenly interested in biochemistry and bioenergetic factors, as well as the psychology of change and non-surgical fat loss through various methods including the ketogenic diet. Cartwright is recognized as a Specialist in Fitness Nutrition (SFN), a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT), and a Specialist in Bodybuilding (SB) by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).
Dr. Charlton Woodly, founder of Woodly Foot & Ankle (woodlyfootankle.com), delivers an informative overview of the many problems, injuries, conditions, and treatments for feet and ankles. Dr. Woodly is a seasoned, board-certified podiatrist with over 14 years of experience in surgical treatment, a sought-after specialist in minimally invasive procedures and a HyProCure Master Surgeon. Dr. Woodly treats a vast array of foot and ankle conditions, including common injuries, sports injuries, neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, toenail fungus, and more. And he has additional specialization in HyProCure, which has been proven to have an impact on the condition of flat feet by increasing motion and distributing weight throughout the entire foot. Dr. Woodly is an expert in platelet-rich plasma therapy to combat heel and ankle pain, as well as with dermal fillers that can replace natural foot cushioning that has been worn and degraded over time.
The foot and ankle expert discusses his early work in open surgical procedures that utilized large incisions, then screws and pins for holding bone in place. While the procedures worked effectively, Woodly was concerned that heal time was often long and that his patients experienced pain. He sought a better way and was motivated to begin bringing minimally invasive procedures to his patients, procedures that only required small incisions that could be performed during an office visit and were cost reducing as well. He discusses the techniques used for remodeling joints, anesthesia, and recovery times. With less cutting, less swelling, and less pain, the advantages are significant and patients are very pleased to have these more advanced surgical techniques as an option for them for a wide variety of foot and ankle problems and injuries.
Woodly explains the advantages of HyProCure, which is a minimally invasive procedure. HyProCure can be placed in the naturally occurring space between bones to immediately realign and stabilize the hindfoot. The procedure utilizes a titanium stent that helps to prevent foot rolling and hyperpronation that causes pain. He explains that the HyProCure procedure offers a successful alternative for people that can offer long-term improvement. He details the importance of stretching and proper shoes to further increase mobility and decrease issues.
Woodly provides insight into plantar fasciitis and the laser treatments that can provide relief by relaxing muscles in the back of the leg and decreasing inflammation. Additionally, the process reduces the need for cortisone injections, which as Woodly explains can be very painful for patients.
Woodly talks about his practice and how he tries to treat all patients the way he would want to be treated himself, thus he prides himself on thinking outside the box to provide techniques and procedures that allow his patients to have multiple options to solve their foot and ankle problems.
Dr. Woodly has a medical degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Gouverneur Healthcare Services and the Jacobi Medical Center, both within the city of New York. He is currently on staff at Weatherford Regional Medical Center in addition to his extensive work at Woodly Foot & Ankle, and he is a member of both the Texas Podiatric Medical Association and the American Podiatric Medical Association
Sleep: we all know we need it, but many of us don’t realize how badly. Missing just a night or two of quality sleep can increase our susceptibility to the common cold, and chronic sleep loss can lead to much more serious conditions. With 60-70% of the global population failing to get the right amount of sleep, sleep deprivation is now considered an epidemic—one that’s affecting people across the age spectrum. However, seeking the right type of treatment is expensive, time-consuming, and often hard to come by.
Dayzz is a mobile app that aims to tackle this problem head-on by providing individuals with personalized sleep training programs while collecting data that will ultimately contribute to a greater understanding of the myriad sleep disorders affecting people.
Mairav Cohen is a clinical psychologist and the chief science officer at Dayzz, and she joins the podcast today to discuss a variety of interesting issues on the topic of sleep, such as how to know what the “right” amount of sleep is for you, how exactly the Dayzz app gathers information from its users, whether or not there are health benefits to being a “night owl” versus a “lark,” the impact of cortisol and melatonin on sleep, and what’s in store for Dayzz. Press play for more.
When an obese, arthritic, 12-year-old dog walked sluggishly through the doors of her hospital with a cancer diagnosis and a life expectancy of about four months, Dr. Barbara Royal wasn’t discouraged, or saddened, or intimidated by the work ahead of her; she was enlivened by an opportunity to grab from death’s door a life that had living left to do. The dog managed more than to merely hang on for four months; he lived vibrantly and energetically—running, playing, jumping…doing all the things dogs should do—for four more years. But this is really only half of the story. Similarly inhibited by their failing health and missing out on life while facing a murky future, this unexpected transformation encouraged his human companions to pause and ask, “Why not us too?” Within just a few months, the two had dropped over 100 pounds between them, hiked the Grand Canyon, and visited their grandchildren four states away—something which their health had never once allowed them to do. What’s the secret? It turns out there’s not much of one at all.
The impact of a species-appropriate diet and an integrative approach to medicine became powerfully evident to Dr. Royal not through years’ worth of education and the tens of thousands of dollars she spent on it, but by virtue of her own research and through her experience as a zoo veterinarian. The typical veterinary school curriculum in the U.S. includes only a minimal amount of education on nutrition and is taught by biased parties—representatives from major pet food companies—who stand to gain by pushing their product as the only proper diet for domestic animals. “The companies are trying to sell their food and judging things based on money, and I understand that, but my job is really different; my job is to judge things based on health,” says Dr. Royal. “Food really should mean something to us...we’re putting it in our bodies...people say, for $30 they can buy a bag of kibble and feed their Great Dane for a month...but what are they feeding them, and how can that possibly be good? If it’s that cheap, then someone’s cheating somewhere.”
Nutrition is the fulcrum of every choice Dr. Royal makes as a veterinarian, but she’s not blind to the fact that many people simply can’t afford everything she recommends. She reflects on that reality, stating, “Most of my patients say that I save them money in the end, because...every bit of the food is worth what they’re paying for; they’re not buying a bag of food where 50 percent…is sugar, or chemicals, or carcinogens…and that’s going to decrease the amount of medication and the number of times they’ll have to go to a veterinarian.” When it comes to nutrition, a little can go a long way, and she’s willing to work with every client who walks through the doors with their eyes open to the options that lie outside the confines of conventional Western veterinary medicine.
At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive that the booming, multi-billion-dollar pet industry would be churning out such high rates of illness and disease. When Dr. Royal graduated veterinary school, cancer was more or less a rarity, and now one in two dogs will receive the diagnosis. On top of that statistic, arthritis, obesity, allergies, and diabetes are at an all-time high. Why are our pets getting so sick? Driven largely by pet food corporations, the pharmaceutical industry, and expensive surgical procedures, this industry thrives off the structure of Western veterinary medicine—a structure designed to maximize productivity, leaving practitioners and technicians racing the clock and relying on generic treatments and medications in the absence of thorough, holistic, and individualized evaluations.
It’s a different story at The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center, where the literal structure reflects the interests of the animals; there are no exam tables, half doors divide sections of the hospital, and the walls are lined with the natural defenses of antimicrobial tree bark. At least 30 minutes are spent at the beginning of each consultation addressing every aspect of the animal’s diet, which equips Dr. Royal with the foundation she’ll need in moving forward with treatment, whether that means acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal, metabolic, laser, massage, or rehabilitative therapy. She pays keen attention to the behavioral characteristics and preferences of every animal, watching and speaking their language—a skill she honed out of pure necessity while working with wild animals in captivity. If a particular form of therapy is not well-suited for a particular patient, then she’ll reassess and try another. It is this method that has rendered Dr. Royal such an immensely successful veterinarian. “If I were a conventional practitioner and I didn’t have the tools I have...I would be feeding food that’s inappropriate for the species, and I would be seeing diseases chronically come back...and that would be very hard on my soul,” says Dr. Royal.
The interplay between the human-animal bond and the way we view the health of our animals versus the health of our own bodies will frame the core of Dr. Royal’s discussion at the 2019 Metabolic Health Summit: cancer. How can we help an animal use their own metabolism and ancestral cleanup tools to fight cancer, when should we avoid putting them through multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy, and in what way might these answers parallel those in human medicine?
Tune in to hear this enlightening discussion and visit www.royaltreatmentveterinarycenter.com to learn more about the services offered by Dr. Royal and her team. For resources in your area, visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website at www.ahvma.org and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society website at www.ivas.org. For reading on the subject, check out Dr. Royal’s book, The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets on Amazon.
Dr. Tro Kalayjian is a board-certified internal medicine physician and weight loss expert who has passionately devoted his life to bringing good health and wellness to everyone. Dr. Kalayjian delivers an interesting and useful overview of his methods to achieve weight loss and health improvement.
Dr. Kalayjian has a medical degree from Touro Medical College and he completed his internal medicine residency in the Yale New Haven Health System at Greenwich Hospital where he served as a chief medical resident. A prolific publisher, Dr. Kalayjian has released a wide variety of important case reports and findings in the areas of binge eating disorder, food addiction, and achalasia— a rare disorder that makes it very difficult for foods and liquids to pass into the stomach. His therapeutic focus includes obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Dr. Kalayjian recommends a combination of intensive lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, stress management, and mental health care to many of his patients seeking improved health.
Dr. Kalayjian discusses the emotional and metabolic issues that could make weight loss more challenging for some. He recounts stories of patients who have run into difficulty losing weight even after undergoing dramatic procedures such as gastric bypass surgery, etc. As Kalayjian explains, there are many reasons why weight loss can be difficult and he works with patients that have diverse issues that present challenges for them.
Kalayjian provides a basic overview of his four-month program, starting with comprehensive lab work, an initial ninety-minute session and weekly follow-ups for up to eight weeks. Additionally, lab work is redone to assess changes, and subsequent consultations follow. Kalayjian monitors weight, body fat, blood pressure, body/fat/water mass, heart rate, glucose and more, to get a complete picture of a patient’s body and how it is functioning. He states his average weight loss for the program is about 35 pounds, with extremes of as little as four pounds lost, and 120 pounds as the maximum lost. Kalayjian discusses how his process first begins with figuring out what is causing the obesity in a patient, and only after reaching his conclusion can he then get them started on an appropriate diet, such as low fat, or low carb, ketogenic, etc., that will yield the results they are seeking. And while his patients are working toward their goal, Kalayjian also offers opportunities for them to socialize in various ways with others who are also seeking weight loss, to create a sense of community, one that provides support. He details the process as patients move into months three and four that may involve some fasting, dietary restrictions, time-restricted feeding, and exercise. Additionally, he talks about the problems people have when they plateau and some options, such as intermittent fasting and hunger assessments that may help them get past it and begin losing weight again.
The diet and nutrition expert details the important role that metabolism plays in weight loss. And he explains how some of the TV show weight loss programs that push fast weight loss have permanently damaged participants’ metabolism by approaching weight loss the wrong way. As he states, weight loss is a process and he advises one pound per week for most patients, to ensure a safe, effective, long-term strategy that can provide lasting results.
Kalayjian explains that the vast array of ‘eat more, move less,’ ‘count calorie,’ and other conventional programs and ideas really do not work for most people. Kalayjian’s goal is to provide a better way for his patients to find success in their weight loss plan, to lose the weight and keep it off for life. He recounts how his wife offered encouragement that nudged him to embark on his own personal weight loss journey, an experience that has helped him to better understand how to help others. He takes his patients’ journeys very personally and feels that if they fail, he has failed, so he makes it a point of never letting them fail, even if they have specific metabolic difficulties that may make their path to success a bit of a longer one. Kalayjian explains that diet and nutrition have been proven to not only impact weight loss, but also many other diseases and pre-disease conditions, and he is incredibly passionate about helping patients improve their health and be well.
As a traditional internal medicine physician, John Limansky began to notice that many of the most common and chronic diseases suffered by his patients were based around diet and lifestyle, and he soon acknowledged the importance of not just treating the symptoms of any particular illness, but understanding the underlying mechanism that contributes to so many of them.
Dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes...the list goes on...but what do they all have in common? They’re driven at least in part by dysfunctional mitochondria, which is due to lifestyle factors, environmental toxins, and nutrition. With this understanding, Dr. Limansky began to realize the necessity of treating people one-on-one, which means starting with an extremely detailed questionnaire and assessment, gathering information on an individual’s genetic and metabolic profile, and then creating a tailored plan based on that patient’s current state of health and overall health goals. In order to share the knowledge and insights he’s gained over the years with people worldwide, he founded biohackmd.com, a website that allows anyone to access resources for learning biohacking techniques and implementing the optimal diet for leading longer and more healthful lives.
Dr. Limansky touches on a range of insightful topics, including the problem with the standard treatment for prediabetes and diabetes, the effect of exercise and sleep patterns on insulin sensitivity, tools for achieving and maintaining health goals, and the surprising benefits of sitting in a sauna for just 20 minutes a day, four times a week. Hit play for the full conversation, visit biohackmd.com, visit him on social media, or reach out with questions at john@biohackmd.com.
Gillian Szollos had always struggled with obesity, but it wasn’t until she began having seizures in 2014 that she realized something was really wrong, and that something needed to be done about it. The medications she was prescribed did nothing but worsen the seizures and produce unbearable side effects; she was at the end of her rope, and willing to try anything. That’s when her husband stumbled upon a seizure support group that introduced him and Gillian to the ketogenic diet. One of her doctors laughed it off as being effective only for children, while her other doctor had never heard of it; after just two weeks of adhering to a keto diet, Gillian was completely seizure-free and has remained so for four years now.
Unlike the pharmaceuticals she’d been taking prior--which caused horrific side effects--the ketogenic diet came with a 90-pound weight loss, increased energy, and the resolution of her pain associated with fibromyalgia. To this day, Gillian remains an outspoken proponent of the ketogenic diet, aiming to share her story and what she’s learned through her website, Keto for Life, which can be found at www.ketoalldayeveryday.com.
Gillian touches on the importance of remembering that we are individuals with different epigenetic and metabolic expressions, stressors, and lifestyles and that these factors impact how any one individual will respond to the keto diet--even she’ll admit that it’s not for everyone.
Visit her website to learn more, and look for her at KetoCon this June in Austin, TX.
There are a variety of exogenous ketone products on the market today, many of which are consumed by athletes and people looking for a natural source of energy to increase their endurance and physical performance. Most of these products, however, have to be consumed in relatively large volumes and have high quantities of artificial sweeteners. That’s not the case with HVMN Ketone--the world’s first ketone ester sports drink shown to increase endurance, athletic performance, and cognitive ability.
Brianna Stubbs, Ph.D., is a research lead at HVMN Ketone and joins the podcast today to discuss the difference between the ketone salt products that have been on the market and the ketone ester used in the HVMN Ketone drink, and why ketone esters are far superior to ketone salts. By virtue of the fact that ketone esters are more potent than ketone salts, the drink can be consumed as a quick shot, rather than an unpalatable 16 ounces of liquid filled with artificial sweetener and a salty undertaste.
Research on the benefits of ketone esters and the ketogenic diet, in general, has shown that beyond the ability to improve cognitive and physical performance, increased ketones in the body can boost brain metabolism and slow or prevent the progression of cognitive deficits such as Alzheimer’s.
Interested in learning more or trying it for yourself? Tune in and visit hvmn.com.
For over 10 years, Ross Taylor tried to stick to a high-quality ketogenic diet while travelling the world for work; he quickly realized that accomplishing the two simultaneously was no easy task. “It’s easy when you’re not home to find proteins or vegetables...but getting enough fat--if you want to make fat your primary source of calories--is not always easy when you’re not home,” says Taylor. It was from this idea and this idea alone that Taylor and his wife decided to found a company--uniquely named DropAnFBomb--with the goal of producing natural, high-quality, low-carb, high-fat snacks well-suited for the individual who’s constantly on the move and determined to stick to a healthy ketogenic diet.
DropAnFBomb sells nut butters and six different oils, each conveniently packaged in a pouch for easy portability. Free from fillers, artificial sweeteners, and really anything you can’t pronounce, these products just made sticking to the keto diet a whole lot easier. They started the company from the ground up, with no background experience in the food industry whatsoever. Taylor discusses the challenges they’ve faced, the successes they’ve had, what’s on the horizon, and how to try out these snacks for yourself. Tune in for all the details and check out www.dropanfbomb.com.
The average prosthetic leg cost thirty thousand dollars, it takes several weeks to make and wears out in less than 5 years. TriFusion can make a custom prosthetic device in hours instead of weeks that fits better and costs far less than anything on the market today.
They’ve developed a novel carbon nano-tube-coded printer filament and a microwave welding process to fuse 3D printed parts together making them super strong and durable. Combined with their advanced 3D scanning capabilities they can go from scan to device in less than 48 hours.
Trifusion’s micro world process is a disruptive technology due to an enormous competitive advantage in both price and production time. They can print prosthetics, orthotics, wearables, sporting equipment, protective devices and so much more all using their unique 3D printing materials and welding process. TriFusion serves the unmet needs of both amputees and prosthetics by simplifying and expediting the process of manufacturing a custom prosthetic device through their unique, technological breakthrough.
Listen to this fascinating interview with CTO of TriFusion, Brandon Sweeney. Make sure to subscribe, share and review the podcast.
3DBio is researching and bringing to market bio printing technologies for the generation and transplantation of tissues, including multilayered skin, bone, vascular grafts, tracheal splints, heart tissue and cartilaginous structures. Yousef Hesuani, co-founder of 3DBio, explains how bio printing is becoming a viable opportunity to generate patient-specific tissue for the development of accurate, targeted and completely personalized treatments.
Yousef shared an experiment where they successfully transplanted a 3D Printed thyroid into mice that performed well and kept the mice functioning for weeks of time! Bioprinting is a fascinating technology poised to transform the whole medical industry and this interview is a must listen.
Listen, review, subscribe… and while you’re at it, donate bitcoin to Future Tech Podcast to keep our roster of upcoming guests flowing and our listener base growing! [public key listed on our website]
Co-founder and CEO of BioBots, Danny Cabrera, joins us to talk about the technology and advancements in 3D bioprinting and the future of this fascinating industry.
BioBots is building tools to design and engineer life. Their goals are to cure disease, eliminate the organ waiting list, reverse climate change, and live on other planets. Their first products are 3D bioprinters, software, and bioinks that print 3D living tissues one layer at a time.
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Xabian tech specializes in designing and 3D manufacturing prosthetic lower limbs and sockets. Xabian works by analyzing a 3D scan of the residual limb and then designing the best fitting prostheses for that amputee. Traditionally it is an enormously challenging problem, but Xabian’s 3D scanning and printing of a matching socket to an amputee’s residual limb makes the process simple, faster, and more customized.
Ben Hayward, CEO of Xabian Tech talks about prosthetic limbs’ attachment and the designing complications as well as about the psychological challenges of wearing a prosthetic.
Treating people remotely and developing low powered bionic legs are something that they have planned for the future. This is the first step in a long journey ahead in the field of biotech and something you don’t want to miss.
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Chris Berka of Advanced Brain Monitoring talks to us about how they have challenged the orthodox thinking by creating advanced medical devices that provide a superior patient experience, lower healthcare costs, and improved quality of care.
Talking about some of their successful experiments she explained how they were able to predict from the teams’ brains states which team had more cardiac synchrony & brain coherence and which team will be able to solve a given problem successfully by measuring non-invasively from body and brain. They can track when the team moves from novice to expert and which member of the team will emerge as a leader.
She also explains how a Pre-Shot Peak Performance (PSPP) profile was identified in experts in marksmanship, archery, and golf to provide the basis for real-time feedback to trainees. Preliminary data indicated that marksmanship learning trajectories improve significantly when novices train with the APPT as compared to controls.
Advanced Brain Monitoring is also working on EEG based diagnostics and better treatments and they also have multiple sleep medicine devices to help people sleep better. This is an exciting new technology that is going to change our lives. So make sure to listen to this podcast, subscribe and share. To fuel our interviews keep donating Bitcoins to Future Tech Podcast.
Cynata Therapeutics is an Australian stem cell and regenerative medicine company that is creating a therapeutic stem cell platform technology, Cymerus™, using discoveries made at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Kilian Kelly, Vice President, Cynata talks about Cymerus™. A platform for stem cell technology based upon extremely important and versatile stem cells known as mesenchymoangioblasts (MCAs). MCAs are a predecessor of mesenchymal stem (or stromal) cells (MSCs) which are being examined for such diseases such as osteoarthritis, Crohn’s disease and heart disease.
Kilian talks about utilizing iPSCs originating from an adult donor as the preliminary material for producing MCAs and in turn for manufacturing the MSC therapeutic product. This opens up a wide range of therapeutic and manufacturing possibilities for the Company.
The Cymerus™ technology has numerous features that makes it perfect for the growth of cell-based therapeutics. This has the potential to create a new standard in the emergent arena of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapeutics and provides Cynata with both a unique differentiator and an important competitive position.
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Tiffany Vora an Educator, Writer, Research Scientist, and Entrepreneur who is excited to bring her diversity of experience to Singularity University as Principal Faculty in Medicine and Digital Biology. Tiffany explains what Digital Biology is and how living things can be “programmed” to do things they could never do previously.
Tiffany discusses Gene Editing & CRISPR/Cas9, a technology that allows for fast, precise & permanent changes to DNA. Through this cutting-edge technology, it may be possible to make people immune to HIV/Aids and also treat tumors at a very early stage (earlier than certain cancers have ever been discovered before, allowing for more and better treatment(s)).
Listen to this exciting interview where we discuss cutting-edge technology that’s going to change how we live. Subscribe and perhaps donate bitcoin to keep us interviewing!
John Donahue, head of marketing at Cirrus Healthcare, who explains how their product Migraine X is fighting and controlling migraines. Around 38 million people in the US suffer from a migraine. In 78% of the cases, what triggers migraines is changes in barometric pressure, (in aeroplanes or weather changes). MigraneX has a free App that alerts the users to changes in the pressure. Users put in special earplugs created by Migraine X that prevent migraines.
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Dina Zielinski from NY Genome talks about storing data using DNA – not traditional hard drives – and it’s amazing what nature can do that human engineering (until now) can not. Losing data stored on flash drives, hard disks, USBs and on computer servers may become a thing of the past with DNA storage.
At NY genome, Dina has successfully managed to encode and decode data stored onto a strand of DNA. Incredible, but true. This project has the possibility of storing 215,000 times more data in 1 gram of DNA, compared to a 1 Terabyte Hard Disk.
Unfortunately, the process is not ready for commercial use, and encoding costing roughly $7,000. Decoding plus reading the data costing about $2,000, and a $9k price tag isn’t viable. Will DNA storage ever be cost effective and retrievable quickly? That is for you to decide but don’t forget how the first computer was even larger than the room you are in right now.
The future holds great secrets for us to explore so stay in the know about future tech at futuretechpodcast.com.
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Imagine having a spinal cord injury that prevents you from performing everyday tasks without assistance. Though your brain is still intact, you can’t hold and sip your morning coffee or even grip your bagel and raise it to your mouth.
Now imagine, after living that way for nine years, a computer chip in your brain makes it possible to feed yourself again.
That is exactly what the clinical trial, Braingate has achieved. Tune in to hear Dr. AjiBoye explain. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll discover:
- What “functional electrical stimulation” is and how it’s being used to bypass injured spinal cords to restore movement.
- How algorithms are learning to read people’s minds.
- The true-life story of the quadriplegic man who fed himself mashed potatoes after being paralyzed for nine years.
*If you like what you’re hearing on “Almost Here: Round-the-Corner Future Technology,” donate bitcoins to keep us going.
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. This, especially in the aging population: you reach a certain age, and you can’t see as well as before. Up until this point, there has been no cure for macular degeneration. In the late stages of the illness, people are declared legally blind.
Enter BioTimeInc.
Francois Binette, head of product development, explains. “The cells that are keeping the photoreceptors healthy and happy are called the ‘retinal pigmented epithelial’ (RPE) cells.” With aging or disease, these cells can degenerate. Without RPE cells, the eye can’t maintain its photoreceptors, and a person’s vision blurs and fades. “We have a very robust process of making these [RPE] cells,” explains Binette.
Listen now to find out how BioTimeInc. creates and employs RPE cells to cure blindness in aging adults.
Bio:
Dr. François Binette is Head of Global Development for Biotime Inc. Dr. Binette has over 20 years of experience driving innovation in regenerative medicine therapy development. During his first industry appointment at Genzyme Tissue Repair in Cambridge, he helped pioneer Carticel™ for cartilage repair, the first FDA BLA-approved cell therapy product for human use. He then led R&D for Biosyntech, a startup biomaterials company in Montreal applying its proprietary platform for various tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. His systematic approach to demonstrating proof of principle in various indications brought numerous corporate partnership deals helping Biosyntech through a public offering. Dr. Binette then joined the DePuy Franchise of Johnson and Johnson, the second largest orthopedic business worldwide. Dr. Binette led several innovative regenerative medicine combination product development initiatives from bench top to approved clinical trials in US and Europe. Following JNJ, Dr. Binette joined the Spinal and Biologics business unit of Medtronic, the world’s largest medical device company, developing biologics, active devices and combination products for interventional spine procedures for back pain. Dr Binette received his Ph.D. from Laval University in Québec City, followed with post-doctoral training at the Sanford-Burnham institute in La Jolla, and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Previously, the only way to see cells inside brain matter was to dissect a corpse’s brain and put it under a microscope. Not so useful if you’re a brain disease patient seeking to stay alive. But, what if doctors could look at your living brain through a microscope without making a single incision?
That’s just what Brainvivo has made possible with brain imaging software that transforms MRI’s into virtual microscopes.
Listen in as Brainvivo’s co-founder Yaniv Assaf discusses some of the endless possibilities.
Here’s a sampling of what you’ll learn:
- Why diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis takes 4 ½ years but it doesn’t have to anymore
- How Brainvivo will cut down on misdiagnoses of brain disease
- How this new imaging will help improve early treatment medications for Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosi
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Susan Stevenson, executive director, and Craig Mickanin, director, of the Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company, Novartis, based in Basel, Switzerland, deliver an informative overview of the incredible advances in gene therapy and transformative technologies that are rapidly changing the techniques medical professionals utilize to fight disease. Sue Stevenson is an experienced director with an extensive history in the pharmaceuticals industry. Her focus is in biologics, life sciences, validation, and cell biology. She holds a BS in chemistry from Western Maryland College as well as a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the distinguished Wake Forest University.
Craig Mickanin holds a BS in biology and history from the prestigious William & Mary University, the second oldest college in the nation, and a well-respected cutting-edge research university. The Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) is the innovation engine and the NIBR team collaborates across various scientific and organizational boundaries, working for therapeutic breakthroughs for all patients.
Novartis’s stated mission is to utilize science-based innovation to address the world’s most challenging healthcare issues. Novartis seeks to discover and develop breakthrough treatments and successful ways to deliver them to the world’s population in need of care. Research and development (R&D) are at Novartis’s core and a key component to their primary strategy. Stevenson describes Novartis’s mission goal as it relates to disease treatment and prevention, specifically regarding cell and gene therapy. She discusses a few of their gene therapy methods, including the process of removing some of a patient’s cells, to modify those cells to, in essence, fight a particular tumor type, and then reintroducing the cells into the patient’s body so that the cells can get to work destroying the tumor. This cell therapy is an example of ex vivo therapy. Stevenson also outlines some of their early development on injectable options for cell delivery and the clinical studies that are going on currently.
The biochemistry Ph.D. details their exciting work that she hopes will bring truly amazing medical advancements to patients worldwide, such as restoring blindness, restoring hearing, and curing cancer, as well as some other in vivo studies that are showing promise.
Mickanin discusses his early work and provides some insight into how technology advances have helped buoy the transformative aspect of the field. He discusses current stem cell studies and the extent of their use in the industry. Mickanin details some of the aspects of the CRISPR technology, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. Mickanin states that the system allows researchers to induce double-stranded breaks into virtually any genome with specificity, and Novartis has been investing significant resources into the research. And Stevenson adds how their use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology will aid them in the process of introducing cells that can prevent disease or disease complications. She lays out the intricacies of the CRISPR/Cas9 and her hopes for its use ongoing, in future discovery and delivery of treatment options for patients.
Mickanin provides an overview of how ex vivo strategies and in vivo strategies are determined, and the issues that are involved when making a choice as to how to move forward with either for treatments. Stevenson discusses the expectations for the future and MIT studies that indicate perhaps as many as forty new gene therapy medicines may be released by the year 2022.
Dr. Vincent “Ben” Bocchicchio, doctor, author, and health-oriented fitness expert delivers an interesting and important analysis of the body, exercise, and diet connection, and how we can all make positive changes that will improve our health significantly. Bocchicchio has over 40 years of experience in the fitness and health industry. He is a sought-after expert whose practical methods for achieving optimal health combine science with effective body conditioning and technology for top results in weight loss, and fitness. Dr. Bocchicchio was the pioneer developer of slow resistance training, a fitness technique that literally revolutionized the way people exercise.
Bocchicchio’s book, Fifteen Minutes to Fitness: Dr. Ben’s Smart Plan for Diet and Total Health, outlines a sensible and rational approach to diet and exercise. Bocchicchio’s method produces significant results by working with physiology and it is a must-read for fitness and health professionals. Bocchicchio discusses his early years as a serious athlete and the fitness experts who influenced his journey. He talks about the history of health and fitness and the struggle to bring good fitness ideas into mainstream consciousness.
The fitness guru discusses the development of his celebrated slow resistance training techniques known as ‘smart training.’ He describes his program as high intensity and it has garnered successful results for many of his clients and followers, from elite athletes to the average health-conscious person. As he details, his program requires just two 15-minute sessions per week to see a real impact on health and energy, as well as increase of metabolism. Bocchicchio provides insight on his thoughts behind the development of the smart training techniques. Bocchicchio states that he wanted to look at how our earlier ways of living impacted good health. He talks about how early humans did not have carbohydrates but had to exist on fish and fowl that required humans to hunt, which was an intensive workout.
Bocchicchio provides some detailed information on insulin resistance and the negative impact of carbohydrates, and how our bodies truly don’t need them. He describes the process of fat cell storage, and how the prevalence of sugar in so many of our foods is leading to health problems. Essentially, Dr. Bocchicchio states that the consumption of carbohydrates is akin to ingesting insulin. And while a full diet and exercise plan is the best option, simply cutting carbohydrates is one step that everyone can take for their health. And Bocchicchio goes in-depth about the methods our bodies use to burn fat and sugar, and how fasting can provide an opportunity for the body to initiate an intensive energy burning process. When we eat, as Bocchicchio states, we are sending a metabolic signal to our bodies to store energy, and when we fast we are telling our bodies to burn energy. He outlines how intermittent fasting can be an option for people who want to stimulate their burn.
Bocchicchio details the many types of exercise and workout plans that people invest their time into, and he stresses the importance of high-intensity exercise because it releases adrenaline, which in turn forces the body to release stored fat. He explains that steady state cardio exercise is good for overall health but that it will not change one’s metabolic status or make the body leaner. He states that in order to achieve the best results for metabolic purposes, essentially pushing the body to burn more energy, that we must work harder at a high-intensity level, which can only be done in short blocks of time due to the intensity it requires.
The diet and fitness expert delivers an intensive overview of other factors that drive insulin resistance and the dangers of sugar loading. He talks about exercise techniques and gives specific examples of methods that everyone can use to improve their exercise regimens and general health. He discusses safe, productive, and intermittent exercising and the benefits of keeping a regular routine. Bocchicchio explains his personal workout routine and the advantages of working each set of muscles to failure, thus pushing the workout to a high-intensity level that maximizes the metabolic benefits. And he wraps up his thorough analysis of health and fitness by discussing some of his partnerships with various fitness groups and brands, as well as the tools one can use to exercise efficiently and intensely, for optimum health.
Siegfried Hekimi is a professor of biology at McGill University and head of The Hekimi Lab where he and his team specialize in the study of aging. Hekimi delivers an informative overview of the complex, and often unknown, processes that produce aging, and the work his lab is involved with to try to uncover the mechanisms that accelerate, and retard aging, and why they do.
Hekimi studied biology at the University of Geneva. After Geneva, Hekimi began work at the celebrated Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) of the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, UK, where he developed his method for using 'the worm' for translational studies on the biology of aging. While at Cambridge Hekimi identified the first mutants that supported the theory that aging could be manipulated genetically and that the process of inducing mild mitochondrial dysfunction can slow down the aging process of animals. Hekimi has worked and taught at McGill University for many years and is intensely focused on the important work his team is doing in the lab.
Hekimi discusses their laboratory work in genetics and the study of aging, as well as the process of drug development to combat aging. By using mutants of the microscopic worm Caenorhabditis elegans as well as the mouse to study aging, Hekimi hopes to develop new methods for medical intervention on the aging process. The Hekimi Lab focuses on gene activities that have a direct effect on mitochondrial function, and they are particularly interested in the biosynthesis and function of ubiquinone (UQ, Coenzyme Q, CoQ), the obligate, diffusible relay in the complete mitochondrial electron transport chain. The lab’s mission is to develop drugs that can alleviate diseases linked to ubiquinone deficiency.
Hekimi discusses some of the surprising outcomes of his research, one major point being that free radical increase actually fights aging and prolongs lifespan, contrary to past scientific thought. He talks about his correlation between this study and research to mitochondrial damage, etc. He explains that free radicals are only potentially toxic because they are produced by various processes, and there are mechanisms within the cells that defend against this potential damage. As Hekimi explains, free radicals are in fact signaling messengers, which ultimately help cells stay in homeostasis by talking between compartments, etc.
Hekimi states that the consumption of antioxidants has actually been shown to have no beneficial effects, contrary to widely accepted public opinion. He discusses his research with calorie restriction and metabolism, and the effects of mitochondria functioning at a slower rate. Some studies suggest that increased lifespan may actually be achieved by decreasing energy expenditure. By producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy carrier in all living organisms, more slowly, lifespan may possibly be increased. He talks about naked mole rats that live incredibly long lives, and yet their base level of free radical damage is exceedingly higher than mice or some other animals, which is further demonstrable evidence that the nature of free radicals is greatly misunderstood in the public consciousness. He explains that the same amount of damage happens in the mutant species but it happens over a greater span of time. Why this is happening in some and not others is one of the many questions that brilliant minds like Hekimi pose in their extensive laboratory research.
The molecular biology expert explains the complexity of their research and how there are still very many unknowns in the general understanding of why aging occurs, why cellular damage happens and cannot be repaired, etc. He details some of their methods utilizing CRISPR and other work on drug development for mitochondrial diseases. Asking questions and searching for answers is precisely what Hekimi and his team focus on daily, and they hope to find causative links to explain why we age and how to slow the process in regard to disease and overall longevity.
Mark Stephens Meadows developed his first simple chatbot in 2001, but what he’s working on now is much more than that: as the CEO of Botanic Technologies, he’s working on designing multimodal bots for conversational interfaces with several use cases, including gaming and healthcare.
Designed as a combination of multiple AI systems, these bots have the ability to exhibit different facial expressions and use different tones of voice, thereby creating a more meaningful, human-like interaction for the user. Meadows explains what it is about bots that produce both trust and mistrust in humans, why people are likely to provide more information to and take advice from a bot than a human, and the single biggest design concern--how to avoid the uncanny valley effect.
He also discusses what he believes to be the three primary ethical issues arising from the use of artificial intelligence, which formed the basis of Botanical Technologies’ venture called Seed. “...Because we have these ethical questions in front of us, we make a system that is completely transparent, completely open-source...and allows people to authenticate bots...Seed is a Marketplace for developers and the users of the bots to ultimately democratize artificial intelligence. We need to democratize artificial intelligence because we see a lot of things that could go wrong if we don’t,” says Meadows. So, what exactly could go wrong? Tune in for specific examples and an overall compelling conversation.
According to the American Cancer Society, over 1,600 people in the United States die from cancer every day, many of whom were receiving the current standard of care, which is radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of both. Thomas Seyfried is a professor in the biology department at Boston College and strong proponent of using metabolic therapy as a form of treatment for every type of cancer, arguing that it’s more effective and less toxic than radiation and chemotherapy.
So, what exactly does metabolic therapy entail? It’s based on a simple concept: growth requires fuel, so in order to stop the growth of cancer cells, their sources of fuel--namely glucose and glutamine--must be reduced or eliminated. Reducing the availability of glucose and glutamine results in an increase in ketones, which can be effectively used by the body’s normal cells but not by cancer cells. Seyfried explains how the primary difference between cancer cells and normal cells makes this an effective form of treatment for cancer, discusses how to achieve a state of therapeutic ketosis, and describes what to do once a state of therapeutic ketosis has been achieved.
He also explains what’s standing in the way of widespread implementation of metabolic therapy in modern medicine, and the main problem with the gene theory of cancer and personalized targeted therapy for cancer. “The whole paradigm has to change, the whole concept of what people view cancer as has to change before we understand how much more effectively we can build therapies that don’t harm anybody,” says Seyfried. Tune in for the full conversation, and check out his book, Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer.
What’s the ultimate cause of cancer? It’s not an easy question to answer, and according to Travis Christofferson, author of Tripping Over the Truth: The Return of the Metabolic Theory of Cancer, there’s no single cause, but a series of complex interactions and events that depend at least somewhat on our environment. Christofferson explains this in terms of epigenetic responses, which result in the turning off or on of certain genes–allowing some to be expressed and blocking others from being expressed. Diet, toxins, medications, and even loneliness are just a few of the factors that could trigger epigenetic responses and ultimately contribute to the determination of whether or not someone will develop cancer.
Christofferson offers an insightful conversation that touches on a range of topics, including the benefits of using metabolic therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation, the therapeutical differential between cancer cells and healthy cells that’s produced by the ketogenic diet, the use of aerobic glycolysis by cancer cells as opposed to oxidative pathways (the Warburg effect) and how this can be taken advantage of in the treatment of cancer, how and why the repurposing of drugs–in particular Metformin–holds promise as a form of cancer treatment, and why brain cancers seem to be most responsive to metabolic therapies.
Click play to hear the full conversation, and check out his book to learn more.
Early land plants didn’t have leaves. At a certain point, they evolved. In fact, the anatomy found in C4 leaves evolved 60 times, and leaves themselves evolved at least twice but probably no more than 6 times, essentially independently from one another. Now, this is a complex genetic change we’re talking about. How did this happen? That’s what Jane Langdale is trying to figure out.
The whole of Jane Langdale’s research is about shoot development in plants. When a shoot develops, it can either turn into more stems or into a leaf. The leaves then, more or less efficiently, convert sunlight into usable energy. The interesting thing is this: a small minority of plants have a specialized anatomy that allows them to convert sunlight more efficiently. The goal is to engineer that anatomy into crops like rice or wheat. “And if we could do that, then it’s predicted that we could increase yield by about 50%.”
Hit play to hear more about Jane Langdale’s research. Subscribe, review, and if you can, consider donating some BitCoin. Every little bit helps.
In today’s world, all the data from medical imaging is handled at a local level—the hospital level. For physicians, and especially radiologists, this is a constrained environment. There aren’t enough resources at the local level to get everything done. Much has to be done manually and is (maybe, therefore) less accurate. These constraints were identified by Arterys and improved with faster, more accurate automation, using the cloud and A.I. along the way.
“We’re really trying to enable data-driven medicine,” says CEO and co-founder Fabien Beckers.
Tune in to learn more about Arterys. Subscribe, review, and consider donating some BitCoin to the podcast. Every little bit helps in producing content like this for listeners like you.
Since the 80’s, Jan Vijg has been fascinated with the process of aging. This, having heard a fascinating talk on the subject back when he was a student at the University of Leiden. The speaker, then, “actually mentioned the possibility that we age because the damage is accumulating in our DNA—the DNA of our cells and tissues. And I never forgot that,” says Vijg.
As soon as he could, he started his own research.
Tune in to learn more about how and why we age from Jan Vijg. Subscribe, review, and if you can, consider donating some Bitcoin to the cause.
She explains how chronic inflammation is a double-edged sword and that research has uncovered surprising results on mice and how cell senescence impacts their existence. Studies have found that exercise and diet may benefit cell senescence in mice; it’s thought provoking even as the process is not fully understood.
Finally, she gives a prediction on the expected lifespan of humans two or three decades from now. Is it even possible to increase it? And if so, how?
Dr. Campisi also discusses:
- Why humans are impacted by cell senescence now more than ever in our history
- The two parts of the immune system – the innate and adaptive subsystems – and their roles in aging
- The effect of the FDA’s refusal to classify aging as a disease
- Which type of diet has shown the most promise in blunting the effects of cell senescence
- The impact of personality on brain activity – and the overall effect on health and cell senescence
More effective prevention and management of common diseases, better overall health care at lower costs, fewer visits to doctor’s offices, and earlier discharges from hospitals: how can we make this a reality? Matthew Holt, co-chairman of the Health 2.0 Conference, believes that the answer lies in the application of new emerging technologies to the field of health care. Whether it’s a virtual visit to the doctor from the comfort of your home, a sensor that continuously monitors your blood pressure and blood sugar concentration, or a form of artificial intelligence that compiles and helps us make sense of the data, these technologies hold promise for the future of human health care. “There’s no reason why we can’t deliver better care for lower cost. The vast majority of the cost in health care gets spent on a very small number of people…The idea of technology is that you can do this stuff at scale- so you can give these things to everybody,” says Holt. So, why isn’t it already here? Hit play to learn.
Holt also discusses:
- Three reasons why the medical industry has been slow to adopt new technologies
- Which of the common conditions and diseases may be most beneficially impacted by the adoption of new technologies
- What to expect at the upcoming Health 2.0 conference, which is scheduled to take place on October 1st and 4th of this year, in Santa Clara,
Imagine having a source of low-cost, basic nutrition growing indefinitely on your own countertop. “Think of it like a Keurig for nutrition…way more nutritious than the fruits and vegetables in your garden, and it takes a lot less space,” says Elliot Roth, founder of Spira.
With the use of a specific type of algae called spirulina-one of the most nutrient-dense food sources on the planet, composed of 60% protein by weight, 13 vitamins and 8 minerals-Roth aims to put the power of nutrition in the hands of the people.
Spira emerged from very humble beginnings, as Roth recollects, “For a period of a couple of months, I was dumpster diving and looking for different ways to provide for myself. I think that a lot of people are in a very similar situation across the United States, so I took that problem and wanted to figure out how to turn it into an opportunity to solve it for everyone.” Despite the immensity of its returns, spirulina requires very little to flourish: air, water, light and salts. Press play to learn more.
Roth also discusses:
- How to purchase a spirulina kit from livespira.com, what’s included, and how to see your first harvest come to fruition
- Why store-bought, processed forms of spirulina are inferior in terms of taste, nutrition and cost
- How Spira can cater to individual nutritional requirements by providing specific types of salts that enable the growth of spirulina
- The best and tastiest ways to consume spirulina, how long it can be stored, and the prospect of developing spirulina-based bars and breads
BioNyfiken, which means “bio curiosity” in Swedish, is a community of bio-hackers who are interested in exploring how technology and biology can interact in the modern world. They are perhaps most famous for their implant parties, where individuals implant NFC microchips into their bodies and discuss the various ways that they can be used. Some of the more mainstream use cases for NCF microchips are to replace badges for offices, to log in to personal devices, or to hold information on library cards, or loyalty program and discount program cards.
Chips are about the size of a large grain of rice, and easily removable, should you no longer wish to have it. Implants are done with groups, as it fosters a sense of community and allows people to discuss and bond over shared experiences. Other use cases could include to collect and hold different types of personal health data, such as a diabetic’s blood sugar levels, though this would necessitate a data control revolution.
Chips can also be implanted that allows you to feel magnetic fields, earthquakes around the world, or listen in to the search for extra-terrestrial life. Sjoblad and BioNyfiken will appear as part of a bio-hacking conference in Stockholm in May 2018.
To learn more about bio-hacking, or to chat directly with Hannes Sjoblad, follow him on Twitter @hsjob or on Facebook at BioNyfiken.
Viome was founded on the idea that we should be able to use science and technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, and personal health is one of the biggest problems of today. Viome aims to help people take control of their own health by providing a personalized report of your biome, the collection of microorganisms that live on and in us, that work to keep us healthy.
Biome health is both important, with millions of genes in our biomes that affect all areas of health, including chronic diseases, mental health, and weight loss. This report provides information about all of the organisms in your microbiome, what they are doing, and what elements of your microbiome are missing.
Viome then recommends foods that you should and shouldn’t eat, supplements that you should take, and a pro-biotic, if necessary, to promote better health. One reason that Viome doesn’t sell products is that your biome’s dietary and supplement requirements can change over time, and you need to be able to adapt to your changing health needs. Because Viome uses as AI machine to help read the results, every new sample from clients can help increase the efficacy of results for everyone who uses this service.
For more information, visit www.viome.com.
One of the more overlooked but still highly important parts of the body is the skin microbiome. Though there are less types of organisms present in the skin microbiome than in other microbiomes, it still plays a role in conditions such as acne, rosacea, detgrmatitis, aging, dandruff, and more.
S-Biomedic is currently concentrating their research on the specific part of the skin biome located inside hair follicles, in order to find effective treatments for acne. Because acne is a condition that is impacted by multiple factors, current mainstream solutions are not very effective–most either rely on compounds that are overly harsh, or antibiotics, overuse of which causes antibiotic resistance. S-Biomedic is currently testing a variety of solutions, such as creams and tonics, in human trials for safety and efficacy.
S-Biomedic has other projects that they are working on, in both the same field and in cosmetics, though it is still too early to release further details. Marc also discusses the differences between the microbiome in various parts of the body, and interesting trends and new information they have discovered through their research.
For more information, visit www.sbiomedic.com.
Shivom’s mission is to be the largest genomic data-hub on the planet. Contributors own their genomic data, control the right to access it, and receive rewards is they choose to share it. Co-Founder and CEO Axel Schumacher discusses how Shivom is creating a genomic ecosystem on the blockchain. They offer an open marketplace for healthcare providers to add their apps and services.
Ana Maiques is the CEO of NeuroElectrics. The company’s mission is to change the way we interact with the brain by developing innovative technologies that monitor and stimulate the brain. Ana discusses how the nature of their work allows for faster FDA testing and approval.
She also shares why the company’s initial focus is on epilepsy in children and how this will assist in mass adoption of their technology in the medical space.
Pendo’s overall mission is to make work easier for product managers. Co-founder Eric Boduch discusses Pendo’s product cloud and how it was created. A product created out of pure necessity for his own work became the basis for an entire company.
Eric shares how Pendo integrates easily with other established, popular applications. He also discusses how close proximity to Silicon Valley can actually be a negative when building a company up.
Chris Beaufait, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Sarcos Robotics, discusses robotics and its implications for human health and safety.
Beaufait’s company, Sarcos, is pushing robotics technology forward by merging human intelligence, judgment and instinct, robotic strength, as well as incredible endurance and exacting precision to improve and accelerate employee performance. And of course, Sarcos’s innovation helps to keep human employees safe, allowing robotics technologies to take the physical risk, which significantly reduces occupational injuries. And with work-related back injuries on the rise in past years, expected to exceed $100 billion annually, clearly the innovation is needed. Beaufait talks about some of the company’s exciting developments.
Sarcos is leading the way in job safety tech innovation and helping to reduce work-related occupational death and injury, and increasing overall company efficiency as well. And Beaufait is excited about the many ways that Sarcos is improving work safety for everyone.
In this informative podcast, Clay Guillory and Maddie Guillory, the CEO and CMO respectively of Titan Robotics, discuss their company and its mission to revolutionize 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
The tech entrepreneurs discuss Titan Robotics and its place in the market as a designer and manufacturer of large-scale, advanced 3D printing technology. As they state, they excel in custom 3D printer machine design, the innovative rapid prototyping industry, and bionics/prosthetics. While Titan’s approach is different, they still utilize the same principles used in industrial CNC machinery when fabricating 3D printers. Their sophisticated process uses highest quality CNC components as well as precision-machined steel, and their ultimate goal is to deliver solutions into all areas of differing industries. The CEO and CMO discuss their hopes for the future of this exciting new technology and the strides Titan Robotics is taking to keep pace with changing technology.
In this podcast Ardy Arianpour, co-founder and CEO at Seqster, a consumer driven healthcare technology platform, discusses important tech advances in the healthcare industry.
Technology is clearly changing how we live, communicate, and interact with products, as well as how we organize our information. Today, AI-based tech can be utilized to aggregate electronic health data, genomics, and fitness records. Medical records, specifically, seem to always be scattered and seemingly never efficiently organized. Seqster’s innovative platform steps in to solve this problem. Their unique, forward-thinking platform allows consumers to gain access to their own medical records as well as fitness data, and keep it consolidated for efficient review and control. Arianpour discusses how the platform allows family members to have access to health records and progress, and doctors can easily access your current and vital health information, which is better for overall health management.
Arianpour is a successful, established genomics executive and entrepreneur in the biotech industry. He holds a BS in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine and an MBA from Marshall Goldsmith School of Management.
In this podcast, Allison Berke, respected academic advisor to The Good Food Institute, talks about clean meat and the future of our food supply.
The Good Food Institute is a non-profit organization primarily focused on easing the necessary transition from factory-farmed animal products to better-for-the-planet plant-based and clean meat alternatives. Remarkably, Berke states that lab scientists can create meat products that are identical molecularly to actual animal meat. However the similarity ends there in terms of the impact on the environment as clean meat is environmentally sound and of course doesn’t require animals to be harvested. And the benefits are enormous in terms of human health, world poverty, and efficiency.
Berke talks in detail about the many benefits of clean meat. She explains how scientific solutions to global issues such as these are solving multiple problems at a time, by creating a clean meat source that can allow us to grow many more calories for human consumption on the same area of land used for traditional animal-based meat production. She discusses this growing industry and talks about how big farm corporations such as Tyson are getting into the mix, which will hopefully help to create a massive paradigm shift in the way we think about our food sources and how they are produced.
Skin, many of us don’t give it much thought, but just like the heart and lungs, skin is an important organ too. In fact, our skin has seven layers of ectodermal tissue and it protects our underlying bones, and muscles, as well as all those important internalorgans. It’s kind of a big deal, so maybe that’s why the global skincare market is $100 billion dollars and rising. Come along for an interesting discussion on skin and technology, and what the future may bring, and what it already has!
Dr. Saffie-Siebert, CEO & Founder of Good Science Beauty, a division of the biotech company, SiSaf, will breakdown how to get results with beauty products. And we’ll learn why the method utilized for delivering active ingredients is even more important than the ingredients themselves. This is why technology plays a critical role in the success of active ingredient beauty products. Unlike regular application techniques, Good Science Beauty products can actually decrease toxicity as active ingredients are control-released and specific areas can be targeted. Dr. Saffie-Siebert’s tech company delivers a handful of specialized, technology-backed, patented cosmetic products. She’ll discuss silicon-based drug delivery built on elemental silicon, lipid, and amino acids that she and her team refer to as ‘good silicon plus.’
The technology-based application process is able to provide more successful results with similar base ingredients such as assalicylic acid, etc. by delivering the active ingredients without drying out the skin, without compromising the skin. Thus, products can target blemishes without the negative residual effects produced by traditional cosmetic products. Dr. Saffie-Siebertwill also introduce a topic that might comes as a surprise to many—that sometimes ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ products are not as safe as synthetics.
We’ll gain insight into future developments in the application of hyaluronic acid for hydration, sunscreens for protection, as well compounds for skin brightening and rejuvenation. And the CEO scientist will discuss developing technology that may solve past problems of stability, solubility, and molecular size and thus open the door to impressive new products in the skincare industry.
Kurt Schmidinger, founder of Future Food, an internet-oriented initiative based out of Austria takes us on a lively discussion of the foods we eat and the future of our diets. Future Food’s mission is largely comprised of distributing information about the many alternatives to animal-derived products, and supporting the research and development of in vitro meat, also known as lab-grown, or clean meat.
Schmidinger discusses his organic path, from a geophysics background to food science, toward the development of Future Food’s premise. From an environmental standpoint, the harvesting of meat for food is a major contributor to the destruction of rainforests, pollution, water waste, and climate change. He’ll explain how the confluence of animal welfare, human health, and environmental preservation makes our future food perhaps one of the most important issues we face globally.
The food scientist discusses how the most logical path to moving consumers toward a plant-based, or synthetic-based, diet is through the offering of alternative food choices, as opposed to using ethics or reason as a springboard for change. He’ll provide insight into the methods used to harvest animal cells that ultimately lead to consumer meats, and the challenges food companies face in their quest to bring costs down, and on par with traditional meat products. From a cautionary perspective, Schmidinger details the dangers of industrial livestock farming as it pertains to antibiotics, and how resistance to antibiotics could pose serious risks to human health.
Schmidinger provides an overview of the benefits to human health that may be coming with future foods. He’ll detail how clean meat could be low in cholesterol and saturated fats, but high in the health-boosting omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies need.
Hungry venture capitalists are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into food companies’ coffers for research and development, and the race is on to deliver alternative meat products that pass the taste, texture, and cost tests. And while it is only his best guess, the food technologist estimates that alternative meats may be gracing dinner tables in as little as five years.
Richard Farragher, professor of biogerontology at the University of Brighton, delivers an interesting overview on the process of aging, and why it is important to understand it in order to improve the quality of life in our later years.
As Chair of the British Society for Research on Aging and the International Association of Biomedical Gerontology, Farragher is a sought-after expert on the topic of aging. Farragher talks about his research in the field. According to Farragher there are essentially three primary mechanisms of the aging process that are as follows: the termination of cell division, the gradual decline in efficiency of important nutrient recycling within the body, and of course the limitation of the DNA-based process (commonly known as slicing). Farragher discusses the various ways each can be dealt with to improve health as we age.
Vitor Santo thinks about what you eat; in fact you might just say he is obsessed with it. Santo, senior scientist at JUST (justforall.com), delivers an informative overview of the benefits of sustainable foods.
Santo talks about the exciting things they are doing at JUST, a successful sustainable food company. JUST has devised an ingenious way to utilize healthy plant-based proteins to create nutritious and cruelty-free foods—foods that taste good and do good. Sustainability is the core of what they do at JUST.
Santo talks about the alternative protein revolution that is upon us, and offers some insight into the rise of clean meats. He delivers an overview of the interesting process science has used to collect animal cells and feed them plant protein to create a viable, healthy, cruelty-free meat. Meat, as Santo states, doesn’t have to create an ethical issue, as the future of meat is going to be more focused on clean meats that do not take the lives of the other species existing on our beautiful planet. Additionally, he covers factory farming’s incredible, and disturbing, contribution to carbon emissions and also water consumption. He talks extensively about the future of JUST and his hope to provide access to quality, sustainable, ethical animal proteins that everyone can afford.
Alex Savtchenko is a researcher’s researcher—he never stops digging for answers. As a noted research scientist at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, Savtchenko tests theories and works to find ways to improve medical treatment. In this podcast, Savtchenko discusses graphene and its many uses within the biological world.
As he states, graphene is in line with biology—existing as a two-dimensional crystal of carbon atoms that is heavy metal but also toxin-free, and as such, it can be inserted safely into animals and humans for research. As Savtchenko explains, graphene can enable the optical excitation of tissues for advanced scientific medical research, which they hope will lead to better medical treatments.
Savtchenko breaks down the complex topic and explains in simple terms how graphene’s loose electrons are extremely conductive, and because of the light, photons are able to push these electrons for a brief period of time. This controlled process allows scientific researchers to direct cells to activate at the precise pace and conditions that are needed to study specific drugs and subsequent effects on cells within the process.
In regard to pacemakers, the possibilities are interesting. Over time, the body builds up scar tissue around pacemakers, so the electrical activity may be diminished somewhat. In this case, the pacemaker may need to be moved to reestablish its full functionality, which could be risky surgery for certain older patients. Thus Savtchenko hopes that further research will allow graphene-based pacemakers to be developed and implemented as a less invasive substitution.
Savtchenko talks about some of the other areas of medicine, and medical conditions, that may benefit from graphene, such as macular degeneration of the eyes. He touts the possible advantages of graphene for pain relief, as graphene-based electrical stimulation can direct neurons to stop sending certain kinds of pain signals. Much research has also indicated that graphene as a scaffolding material could benefit transplant surgeries and prosthetic work also.
Arvind Gupta, managing director and founder of IndieBio (indiebio.co), delivers an interesting overview of the important connection between biology and technology.
Gupta knows his way around multiple industries and has worked in genetic engineering as well as industrial design, the latter of which helped him to master the concept of productizing technology. Gupta’s company, IndieBio, is a respected venture capital firm that provides funding to scientists who utilize real-world technology to tackle real world problems. The bigger the problem the more excited Gupta’s team is to solve it.
Gupta gives an analysis of cellular agriculture, an innovative process of producing food in advanced cellular factories. He discusses what intrigued them about this concept and how they stepped in to lend a hand financially. He talks in detail about their move to fund the project and how doing so has literally created a buzz in the business and scientific communities regarding how our food is produced.
Further, Gupta provides an account of the many other exciting, groundbreaking businesses that have created dramatic technology using AI and natural language processing, some that could offer help for cancer patients by aligning them with clinical trials. Additionally, Gupta talks about some of the reasons why a patient may or may not be achieving the desired results for a particular drug they are taking.
To learn more, visit indiebio.co.
Vertical farming is a practice that involves the cultivation of crops on multiple levels in a fully enclosed environment equipped with optimal artificial lighting and an optimal atmosphere. The results? Fresher, better, and healthier crops that are grown without the use of pesticides and are available to those who may otherwise be unable to access them–especially those who live in urban environments.
Gus van der Feltz is the head of member relations at the Institute of Vertical Farming, which works to both promote and advance the industry of vertical farming, as well as look after the interests of its members. This includes ensuring that employees receive quality training and that operations remain compliant with rules and regulations.
The benefits of vertical farming include the ability to closely control the temperature and lighting in various growing systems, and in some cases, increase yield. For example, under the best possible circumstances, a head of lettuce can be grown outdoors in about 60 days; in a vertical farming environment, the same head of lettuce could be grown in about 35 days.
In addition, the taste profile of vertically-farmed crops has been recognized as superior to those grown outdoors in an uncontrolled environment. But at least one challenge remains: lowering the cost of these high-quality crops.
Hit play for the full discussion.
Technology is changing the world; there is no denying that, and now it is changing not only the world around us but also what’s inside us (when we need it to). Biofabrication will meet 3D bioprinting and will produce advances in medicine that will be so innovative and progressive they will astound us. Lorenzo Moroni, a professor of biofabrication in regenerative medicine at the prestigious Maastricht University provides an update on the advances in biofabrication models, and the amazing strides the scientific community is making in the area of drug therapy.
Dr. Moroni’s lab is passionate about understanding the pathology of disease. From a biomedical engineer’s perspective, Moroni talks about biofabrication and explains how it offers an opportunity to test new treatments and drugs in a three-dimensional environment of a specific targeted tissue area or perhaps an organ. Dr. Moroni explains, as the human body is three-dimensional, testing drugs and therapies in a more precise three dimensional environment provides for better results, and increases overall efficiency.
Finally, Dr. Moroni discusses how the new technological advances in biofabrication allow for a better understanding of diseases that impact heart valves and vascular tissue, cartilage, and much more. As he states, 3D processes may lead us to a future in which bioprinting of organs is a viable medical option.
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While we might not yet be able to levitate objects by simply using our brainwaves, the rigorous study of brainwaves has certainly led to some astounding developments. Dr. Christoph Guger, CEO and President of g•tec (gtec.at), a medical engineering product development company, introduces the spectacular technology behind their groundbreaking work that allows an individual to control external devices with their thoughts.
Dr. Guger’s company, g•tec, is a pioneer in the field of brain–computer interface (BCI) technology. BCI creates a direct pathway of communication between a wired brain and a particular external device. Dr. Guger received his education in biomedical engineering at the University of Technology, Graz, Austria. Guger’s Ph.D. work centered around real-time analysis of EEG data for the application into, and development of, brain-computer interface technology.
The medical engineering CEO explains the complex process that BCI uses to allow users who are paralyzed to communicate via brainwaves. While the process is highly advanced, in simplest terms the BCI displays multiple characters and images on a screen and the user responds to the flashing images. Brainwaves are detected in this process and the computer translates the user’s brainwave responses into sentences.
Guger expounds upon the advances in stroke rehabilitation that BCI has enabled by allowing the user’s brainwaves to initiate electrical stimulators such that the brain learns to control the body again. And Guger discusses how BCI, amazingly, allows for select coma patients to actually respond via their brainwaves to yes / no questions. Thus the BCI, in these cases, is not only allowing physicians to gain a better understanding of their patient, but it provides families with renewed hope, and a connection to their loved ones previously thought to have been lost forever. BCI, in some cases, has miraculously given coma patients a new confidence that aids them in their ability to return to a conscious state.
The g•tec CEO gives an overview of some of the exciting new developments coming soon in the BCI technology arena, such as events in which programmers, designers, and artists come together for several days to develop new brain-computer interface applications. Some of the areas being developed are for controlling drones, prosthetics, controls for television and lighting systems, surgical applications, and so much more.
Guger’s company, g•tec developed and launched their first commercially available BCI system back in 1999. Today, their advanced BCI system is in over 60 countries worldwide.
Dr. David Benrimoh, CEO and CMO of Aifred Health (aifred health.com), a mental health AI company, provides an interesting overview of the complexities within the mental health branch of medicine and the challenge to improve mental health diagnoses. Dr. Benrimoh is a physician currently training to be a psychiatrist. He is engaged in neuroimaging research at McGill, where he is completing his residency. Dr. Benrimoh is also pursuing a masters in neuroscience at University College, London.
Dr. Benrimoh’s company, Aifred Health, is comprised of a diverse team of scientists and physicians, from neuroscientists, to computer scientists, biochemists and specialized physicians who work together to solve problems in the field of mental health. Aifred Health’s primary objective is to solve the complex problem of mental health treatment selection.
Dr. Benrimoh details some of the current issues in mental health. The physician explains that while the demand for mental health services has grown exponentially, service providers, mental health professionals, and mental health clinics are at or nearing capacity, which may deprive those in need of the care they are seeking. But beyond the problem of meeting needs, Dr. Benrimoh states that the most critical problem is the simple fact that people do not recover or find relief from treatment fast enough.
As many sufferers can find relief when matched with the proper treatment, whether that is psychotherapy or drug therapy or a combination thereof, it is Benrimoh’s mission to aid in the process of matching people with the appropriate treatment sooner, so they can recover. He expresses the importance of matching people with treatment right away because in some cases, especially regarding depression, waiting to receive treatment simply allows the problem to take hold. Benrimoh’s goal is to match sufferers with the proper treatment 75% of the time, the first time they reach out for help.
The health CEO discusses the many problems that arise in the diagnosis of specific mental health disorders. Unfortunately, the range of symptoms is often so broad that some sufferers are offered improper treatment that may not provide them with the most efficient solution. Traditional questionnaires have long provided the basic information on sufferers to aid in the diagnosis of their mental health challenges. However, Dr. Benrimoh’s team at Aifred Health seeks to use deep machine learning and AI to dig deeper, and pull out more significant data on sufferers to enable proper treatment to be assigned sooner, and hopefully bring a quicker end to the suffering.
By utilizing data from the NIMH (National Institutes of Mental Health) and other sources, Aifred Health’s technological approach using AI is able to predict suicidal ideations with a 70% accuracy, from mental health population surveys. Additionally, their approach is able to consider data in regard to 4 different types of drugs and make assessments with an 80% accuracy as to whether the particular drug will be effective with a specific sufferer. Alarmingly, depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide and is the biggest disease on the planet—bar none. At any given time, 322,000,000 people are depressed, thus Dr. Benrimoh’s primary focus is on the improvement of efficiency and efficacy of depression treatments.
Perry Marshall, noted science author of Evolution 2.0, and electrical engineer by trade, leads us on an interesting journey through the science and theory of life itself.
Marshall states that we are only just beginning to grasp the natural genetic engineering that is literally going on all around us daily. He explains how traditional theories quite often offer that occasional positive changes or mutations have the power to populate the earth with diverse life forms; however, this isn’t accurate.
According to Marshall, cells are actually re-engineering themselves all the time. Many traditional evolutionary theorists push forward their theories of randomness, that nature is stupid and purposeless, but Perry Marshall affirms that their theories are often rooted in an atheist agenda and are simply not true. According to Marshall, cells, plants, and animals are capable of evolving via their own innate intelligence.
Marshall expounds upon classifications of genes, such as select genes that adjust to their environment. In fact, a cell can seek out another cell or cells that may offer the specific DNA that cell needs in order to build structures to advance its growth, or protect it from an intruding outside organism. Essentially, nature is exponentially more sophisticated than we are taught.
But as we consider that nature itself may be intelligent, it brings to mind thoughts of where does this intelligence come from, and naturally this leads to a discussion of God. And the science author provides an interesting discussion on the relationship between science and God as he delves into historic regimes and their political doctrine.
Lenin, Stalin, and Mao, for example, at the core of their dogma was the absence of God, and Marshall states that this was a necessary element of their rise to power. For dictators such as these could never have risen to power or maintained their power if forced to contend with religious scholars and people of faith in general. As such, religion was eradicated, churches were burned, and lives were destroyed in order for these despots to grab hold of the power they sought.
Ultimately, as Marshall states, people who believe in God will never allow the government to even approach the power of God. And this is why regimes such as those mentioned, and others, seek to build their power upon a foundation of which faith is not a structural component.
Error detection and error correction, cells have the capability for this and more. As Marshall states, evolution is essentially a software engineering problem, and when forced to deal with a stressful situation cells can innovate and actually reprogram themselves. And these cells, which function in the same way, control our immune systems and physiology.
A cell in distress will seek out a partner, pull what it needs from that partner cell, and then reproduce daughter cells that solve the problem. In terms of efficiency, one bacterium can perform more programming in twelve minutes than a team of software engineers could perform in twelve weeks.
With the push to advance AI and machine learning reaching a fevered pitch, Marshall states that we could perhaps benefit from simply studying cells. Bio-mimicry, which is the design and production of materials, systems, and elements patterned after biological organisms and their internal processes, is an accelerating field, as scientists have learned that the best ideas often come from nature.
As an engineer, Marshall believes that true understanding cannot come until you can actually build it. With that in mind he relates the example of the creation of life, in that theories exist that arbitrary entities simply banged around against each other and then randomly created a cell.
However, Marshall affirms that until they can produce an environment that can demonstrably create a cell on its own, that their theories of random creation of life simply are stories they’ve fashioned, and are not in any way based in scientific evidence whatsoever.
The engineer discusses some of the various problems and impediments that could arise with gene editing in the coming years and how researchers’ preconceptions can greatly impact advances. As Marshall imparts, in the long run, evolutionists underestimate the power of nature and creationists actually underestimate the Power of God.
Xcellbio has developed a proprietary cell control system for use in research, drug development and regenerative medicine. The founders discuss their work in the control of tumor cells, stem cells, and immune cells.
Xcellbio’s main focus is the growth of primary human cells outside of the body, which can then be trained to attack disease-causing cells, then returned to the body to eliminate the disease. Their technology is currently in use for cancer research.
Dr. Cory Kidd is the founder and CEO of Catalia Health. Dr. Kidd has been working in healthcare technology for nearly two decades. The focus of his work has been applying innovative technologies towards solving large-scale healthcare challenges. His previous company, Intuitive Automata, created interactive coaches for weight loss. Prior to this, Dr. Kidd received his M.S. and Ph.D. at the MIT Media Lab in human-robot interaction. While there, he conducted studies that showed the psychological and clinical advantages of using a physical robot over screen-based interactions.
With over two decades of experience in healthcare technology focused on innovations and solutions to major healthcare challenges, Dr. Kidd is uniquely qualified to make an impact in the patient/user experience. He has successfully launched other health and tech oriented companies as a veteran of the industry. Dr. Kidd received a M.S. and Ph.D. at the MIT Media Lab, specializing in human-robot interaction.
His primary objective while there was to demonstrate how there were obvious clinical, as well as psychological, advantages to using physical robots instead of traditional screen-based methods. While the front end allows for easy patient interfacing, the back end flows to doctors and health professionals who are working to monitor the overall progress of these chronic care patients. From arthritis to kidney issues and more, Catalia Health’s robotic tech products deliver outstanding results for patient and doctor.
As the health technology CEO explains, the robot elicits a stronger long-term engagement with patients. The fact that the robot actually looks at you creates a much deeper psychological connection with patients, which drives them to be more involved with their own health and the management of their condition over long periods of time.
Catalia Health’s robots (know individually as Mabu) are built on a set of artificial intelligence algorithms that draw on psychology to form the conversations with patients. As it is not scripted, but interaction based, the experience feels interactive and real, and, ironically, more human. Much like a physician tailors the needed medical information and delivers it in a way that is best suited for an individual, Catalia Health’s robots also interact and respond with patients in a manner that creates a comfortable experience.
Catalia Health’s platform‘s integrated technology learns about a patient’s overall personality, and their interests, as well as any particular treatment difficulties or challenges they have had over time. This enables the Mabu robot to engage in conversations that are unique to each patient, based on established behavioral models of psychology designed to promote significant behavioral change for improved well-being.
As Mabu communicates daily, patients are much more likely to manage their treatment better. Dr. Kidd gives a detailed analysis on the topics of symptoms, side effects, and psychosocial issues, which are three major components of the AI based care management. And as the old modified proverb says, the proof is in the pudding, and this is certainly evidenced by Catalia Health’s data from their experimentation and market testing. In multiple testing situations in which three groups of patients were told to use either the paper log system to record and manage their care, the Catalia Health software on a computer, or the system integrated into an actual robot, the robot was strongly preferred, by far. Some people even tried to negotiate to keep their test robot longer, which is about as glowing an endorsement as you could hope for. The robots clearly have won.
Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, is an associate professor at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine, as well as the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology. D’Agostino’s focus of teaching is quite diverse as he educates in the areas of physiology, neuropharmacology, biochemistry (medical), cell metabolism, and signaling. D’Agostino’s laboratory tests metabolic-based strategies for battling multiple human health problems such as seizures, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and more.
The associate professor leads a discussion on various metabolic therapies including ketogenic diets, and the benefits of ketone supplements. Remarkably, one’s level of ketosis can be assessed and measured in blood and urine samples. Ketosis is a metabolic state; essentially, when an individual removes carbohydrates from their diet they, in turn, force their body to deplete its stores of glycogen and seek out a new fuel source. As this takes place, ketosis is initiated when the body begins converting fat into ketones as its new, powerful fuel.
While the shift may be a major adjustment for the body, and for individuals attempting to make the push toward a ketogenic diet, the results are obvious for most, with many people reporting a general feeling of well-being with more energy also. As D’Agostino explains, those who suffer from age-related cognitive decline, inflammation, or weight problems, all stand to benefit greatly from the shift to a ketogenic diet and the stimulation of ketosis.
The physiology and cell metabolism professor explain how exogenous ketone supplementation can enhance the metabolic efficiency of the body, which can increase cognition and workflow activity. While many seek to get fully into a state of ketosis, this may not be the ultimate goal, for the goal is simply to feel better, and approximating the state may offer some benefits. Many are aware that ketosis can help with weight loss and appetite control, but as health seekers come for the weight loss they will more than likely also benefit from an advanced mental focus, more energy, and increased levels of HDL cholesterol.
Additionally, ketosis can help to lower blood pressure and aid in the fight against type II diabetes. D’Agostino digs deep into the scientific workings behind variations on ketone supplementation. He discusses MCTs, or medium-chain triglycerides, and ketone salt combinations that can be delivered before low carbohydrate meals that can buffer the rise in glucose.
The professor explains how the ketone benefit works within the body for suppression of appetite and increased cognitive function, and further, he relates how individuals can see improvements across the line with exogenous ketones even without adhering to an absolute ketogenic diet. D’Agostino provides some insight into ketone salts and ketone esters and their affect on the osmotic load in the gut. Ultimately, as D’Agostino explains, the scientific study of ketones is proving that many health issues can be improved by controlling the diet.
Looking to deepen your understanding of the human microbiome or understand how it could be affecting your overall health? Dealing with a chronic gut issue such as IBD or ulcerative colitis? Trying to manage a gluten or lactose sensitivity? uBiome is a biotech company that was established in 2012 with the mission of advancing the science of the microbiome and making products that will allow individuals to understand how the microbiome contributes to their health and wellness, as well as a variety of illnesses and conditions.
Since 2012, uBiome has amassed the world’s largest data set on the human microbiome, having collected over 250,000 samples; that number only continues to grow. They currently offer three kits: Explorer, SmartGut, and SmartJane. Based on a user’s goals and conditions, they will order one or more kits, submit a sample of their microbiome from one or more sites on their body, and complete a detailed survey that addresses their fitness routine, diet, sleep patterns, stress patterns, and daily activity. The team at uBiome will use this information in conjunction with the sequencing data from their sample in order to provide an assessment of how their microbiome changes over time and contributes to their health.
As the Vice President of Product Technology at uBiome, Sara Bird provides an informative and interesting discussion about the ins and outs of everything offered by uBiome, the ways in which the microbiome plays a role in myriad conditions, the increasing use of microbiome data by physicians, and how to get started with your own uBiome kit today. Visit ubiome.com to learn more about each product offered.
Ann Louise Gittleman is a New York Times best-selling author and noted expert on weight loss, diet, and detoxification. Her celebrated book, Radical Metabolism: A Powerful New Plan to Blast Fat and Reignite Your Energy in Just 21 Days is widely considered to be an important read for those concerned with good health.
In this podcast, Gittleman discusses many health issues. She provides an in-depth overview of the gall bladder and its function. After gallbladder removal, many people, unfortunately, experience a wide array of symptoms, sometimes dizziness, radiating leg pain, insomnia, and more. Gittleman proposes that there is a significant connection between the gallbladder, the thyroid, and metabolism. And Harvard researchers were in agreement with her ideas when researchers cited that people who improved overall gallbladder health saw a truly dramatic 53% increase in their sustained metabolism.
The diet and nutrition expert discusses various types of high-fat diets, and the impact on the body from drinking kombucha, tea, and other beverages. Additionally, she talks about ‘electropollution,’ a term she coined for the effect of electromagnetic radiation on cortisol levels.