Saving Lives In Slow Motion

In this episode I look at Functional Medicine, a movement which started in the USA and is practised predominantly by non-medical practitioners but also increasingly medical doctors. It comes under a lot of fire from doctors and I want to explore why this, including that is isn’t ‘medicine' and what the differences and similarities are between functional medicine and conventional allopathic medicine.Links:Intro to functional medicine by IFM: https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicineA review of functional medicine by Jeffrey Bland: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9173848/Methylation explained: https://www.healthline.com/health/methylation#takeawayMethylation, a view from a functional medicine practitioner: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/2016/08/01/methylation-whats-fuss/The British College of Functional Medicine: https://www.bc-fm.org/Patient story from The Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patient-stories/196-functional-medicine-helps-woman-regain-her-life-after-44-years-of-chronic-painAn allopathic doctors view: https://www.doctormather.com/blog/redflagsLimitations of Evidence Based Medicine: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109716331370 Evidence Based Medicine: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/11/e067268

In this episode I look at a quick and easy way to take stock of your health quickly and easily to re-orientate yourself whenever you need to.It’s a great way to lay out your story, turn 'what into why', and maintain your health and head off problems before they set in. My IDEAL framework for habit change: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-health-fix-dr-ayan-panja-new-years-resolutions. (There is a separate episode on this: episode 26)Yoga with Adriene on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadrieneJet lag tips: https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/how-to-get-over-jet-lagSleep tips: https://somneesleep.com/blogs/post/matt-walker-sleep-tipsInfections: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20241119-long-fatigue-the-exhaustion-that-lingers-after-an-infectionVitamin D deficiency: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults/BUY THE HEALTH FIX and transform your health:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Protein is one of our three macronutrients and increasingly getting traction as being really important to our long term health. In this episode I look at why it’s so important to make sure we get enough and the right type.Sugar equivalent chart for carbohydrates: https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/what-is-a-low-carb-lifestyle/dr-unwins-sugar-infographics/Leptin and ghrelin: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/leptin-101Macronutrients: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/ask-the-expert/macronutrientsTrans-fats: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/trans-fat/art-2004611410000 proteins (our proteome): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4889822/Sarcopenia: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23167-sarcopeniaNitrites and cancer: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/27/too-much-nitrite-cured-meat-brings-clear-risk-of-cancer-say-scientistsProtein and reduced cognitive decline: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protein-intake-associated-with-less-cognitive-declineDoctors Kitchen protein calculator (Dr Rupy Aujla): https://www.thedoctorskitchen.com/protein_calculator.php

Air pollution is a huge cause of death killing 8 million people worldwide each year. Its effects are damaging to most of our body systems yet is an ‘invisible’ threat to us. In this episode I look at what we can do to minimise our exposure to air pollutants in and out of the home.WHO guidelines: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228Pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32919961/Air pollution and non-communicable diseases: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6904854/Smoke control at home: https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rulesCarpets and health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5858259/Mould and illness: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231651/Plants and air purification: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8279815/My report for the BBC from Hong Kong on air pollution comparing types: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-35885569

Magnesium is an important mineral for our health and in this episode I look at why it has become a silent public health issue in recent years. I cover where magnesium comes from, why deficiency has become so prevalent and what to do about it. Food sources of magnesium: https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/magnesium/Sublinical magnesium deficiency: https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000668Getting enough magnesium and why blood testing is often inaccurate: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6316205/An old study about CO2 and plant mineralisation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24867639/The decline of plant nutrition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36336557/Vitamin D and magnesium: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900722000867A campaign for remineralising soil: https://www.remineralize.org/Examine.com - evidence based information on supplements 

In this episode I go back to the basics of how to get themes out now your GP appointment beyond the obvious. Medicine is increasingly complex and time is often short with the doctor. Here are my tips for an effective use of appointments in 2025.Links:Why men don’t gp to the doctor - https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/latest-news/why-dont-men-go-to-see-their-doctors/Hello My Name is: https://www.hellomynameis.org.uk/Continuity: https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/workload/continuity-of-care-more-productive-than-access-driven-gp-models-study-suggests/Giving the doctor a good history: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolynmcclanahan/2019/01/19/how-to-give-a-good-medical-history-to-get-better-health-care/Reasonable adjustments: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/disability-discrimination/reasonable-adjustments/

Infections of the urinary tract are a daily occurrence but there is much more to them than meets the eye. In this episode I go through some of the conditions that affect the kidney and bladder and what we can do to keep them healthy.Cystitis: https://www.healthline.com/health/cystitisBenign prostate enlargement: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-enlargement/Urethritis: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264903Bladder cancer symptoms: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-i-knew-i-had-bladder-cancer---3-survivors--first-symptoms.h00-159701490.htmlKidney stone diet: https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-stone-dietChronic kidney disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/Bladder and pelvic muscle exercises: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14611-kegel-exercises

Wellness is big. But it really divides opinion. Some think of it as extreme aesthetic procedures or unnecessary fad diets whereas others regard it as essential maintenance.I explore what wellness really means in this episode.——Links:The GWI and wellness definitions: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/Wellness vs wellbeing: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/340202/wellness-wellbeing-difference.aspxKelp and the thyroid: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6750240/When wellness goes wrong: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/31/the-wellness-instagrammer-who-learned-to-let-goBBL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-66798236Gluten antibodies and neurological disease: https://www.sth.nhs.uk/news/2020/11/23/new-breakthrough-diagnostic-test-leads-to-earlier-detection-of-neurological-damage-caused-by-gluten-sensitivity/Stress and heart rhythm issues: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.032414

In this episode I look at a huge study from the USA which looked at over 700,000 people to find which habits lead others to increased lifespan.I discuss the limitations of the study but also some universal habits we could all potentially benefit from.The study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652366280X?via%3DihubStudy summary: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38065710/Exercise benefits: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exerciseAll Trials (Ben Goldacre): https://www.alltrials.net/The latest on the opioid crisis: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65764307. (The dramatisations of this story, Painkiller and Dopesick are both available to watch on Netflix)What is an observational study?: https://www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/patients-public/about-clinical-trials/what-is-an-observational-study/O Sleep (by Handel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJr5Uvi7fM4 Plant-based diets: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-023-00877-2A framework to help create or break habits:https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-health-fix-dr-ayan-panja-new-years-resolutions