Saving Lives In Slow Motion

In this episode I answer some of the many questions that land in my inbox.I tackle both common and interesting questions from listeners over the last year or so. There’s something for everyone here and remember to cross reference with other episodes! Intermittent fasting (review article): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10005873/Hypoglycaemia: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/blood-and-lymph/hypoglycaemia-low-blood-sugar/#Elimination diets: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-dietHypothyroidism: https://www.healthline.com/health/hypothyroidism/symptoms-treatments-more#symptomsHashimoto’s Disease and gluten (a meta-analysis): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37554764/Problems with T4 to T3 conversion: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/biological-sciences-articles/2018/november/genetic-flaw-causes-problems-for-many-with-hypothyroidismThe Galleri-trial: https://www.nhs-galleri.org/The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Sight is one of our special senses. At least 2.2 billion people have some kind of visual impairment.In this episode I look at common eye presentations, why they occur and how we can prevent them.Trachoma - a leading cause of preventable blindness: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trachomaGlaucoma: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372839Cataracts: https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/cataracts/Retinopathy: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathyDry eyes: https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/dry-eye/Diet and supplements for eyes: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321226 Lutein: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164534/Free radicals: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318652AMD: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/agerelated-macular-degeneration-amdSmoking: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/smoking_can_lead_to_vision_loss_or_blindness.htmBlue light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32F24gboCacEye strain: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/symptoms-causes/syc-20372397OCT test: https://eyeguru.org/essentials/interpreting-octs/Blocked tear duct - common in babies: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-ductPlease nominate me for The British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting

B12 deficiency affects up to 20% of people over the age of 60. It is often left undiagnosed but can presentin many ways. In this episode I look at the nuance involved in making the diagnosis and treating it appropriatelyso that people do not come to harm.NICE guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239B vitamins: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-b-complex#What-is-vitamin-B-complex?Dr Casimir Funk: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418743-casimir-funk-the-scientist-who-gave-us-the-word-vitamin/Beri-beri (B1 deficiency): https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000339.htmPernicious anaemia: https://www.healthline.com/health/pernicious-anemiaB12 food sources: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-b12-foodsDrugs that affect B12: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6054240/Thyroid eye disease: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17558-thyroid-eye-diseaseMMA testing: https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/methylmalonic-acidActive B12: https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib40/chapter/introductionA decent explanation of methylation and why not all types of B12 and folate are the same for all: https://drkellymccann.com/beginners-guide-to-methylation-and-b-vitamins/Caution with B12/folate fortified foods if you have a methylation issue as they can be in the wrong form: https://zoe.com/learn/fortified-foods#Sublingual B12 vs oral vs infection: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11845-023-03602-4#THE HEALTH FIX - the best health book in the world?! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326

Biohacking is essentially optimising your biology to improve your health and longevity. It was popularised in Silicon Valley by the tech community and is now, and is a market that is growing by about 10% a year. But is it worth it and more importantly is it safe?Silicon Valley and biohacking: https://www.theneweconomy.com/strategy/biohacking-the-controversial-trend-thats-taking-over-silicon-valleyA summary of biohacking: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/biohackingVitamin D VDR mutation: https://medlineplus.gov/download/genetics/gene/vdr.pdfOura ring - a view: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/i-want-to-love-the-oura-ring-but-i-cant/Biohacker extraordinaire: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/sep/21/extreme-biohacking-tech-guru-who-spent-250000-trying-to-live-for-ever-serge-faguetHeart-rate variability: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heart-rate-variability-new-way-track-well-2017112212789What are infrared saunas?: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/nov/04/sweat-equity-infrared-saunas-are-suddenly-everywhere-but-what-do-they-doIs filtered water better for us? https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240417-is-filtered-water-healthier-than-tap-waterKelp products and potential iodine toxicity: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/iodine-overdoses-lead-to-kelp-product-recall-1.374402Data overload?: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2024/04/24/the-problem-behind-the-problem-data-overload-part-one/Buy or share my book THE HEALTH FIX - the only health manual you'll ever need: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

This week I look at hormones and how they are crucial to our health. From our adrenal glands to our thyroid through to our sex hormones, they are important to keep in balance much like instruments in an orchestra. Endocrine overview: https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-endocrine-systemSteroid pathway diagram: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41435-021-00139-3Oxytocin: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/oxytocin-the-love-hormoneSleep and hormones: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065172/Exercise in menopause: https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/2021/february/why-you-should-exercise-your-way-through-menopauseHRT benefits: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/benefits-and-risks-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/Meditation and hormones: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453097000036Magnesium, yes, but zinc is also important: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468694/Plastics and their effect on our hormones (as a toxin): https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-chemicals-in-plastics-impact-your-endocrine-system/THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Yoga has been practised for thousands of years but as many people are cynical about trying it as there are huge fans of it.In this episode I share my own experiences and the benefits yoga can confer to our health. Links:Barriers to yoga (Nepalese sudy): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8039334/Yoga effects on brain health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6971819/The warrior positions: https://www.yogawitholivia.co.uk/blog/transitions1Yoga and inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8842003/Yogic breathing benefits: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7336946/Summary of benefits and starter guide:https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/yoga/a706996/benefits-of-yoga/Yoga courses and learning: https://ukyoga.co.uk/courses/Sacropenia and how to prevent it: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sarcopeniaDean Ornish and heart disease reversal: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/188274

Perfectionism has risen in the workplace in recent years. It can be a huge positive in terms of work standards but also predisposes people to stress, anxiety and burnout.In this episode I look at ways to capitalise on its strengths and mitigate any negatives. Not sure if you are one? Take the quiz below.Links: Take the quiz - are you a perfectionist?: https://www.livewellwithsharonmartin.com/qsm_quiz/perfectionist-quiz/Perfectionism in younger generations: https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/unreasonable-demands-lead-to-substantial-rise-in-perfectionism-among-young-people/Downsides of perfectionism: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180219-toxic-perfectionism-is-on-the-riseDSM-V - classification of perfectionism: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886914001354Mindfulness: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

This is an argument that rages on in the world of nutrition and medicine. In this episode I look at what food is, what it does to us in terms of our health and the mechanisms behind it and give you my verdict on whether I consider it to be medicine or not.Ultra processed foods - review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10899807/Protein benefits: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-to-eat-more-proteinBlue Zones diets: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-is-the-blue-zones-dietHerbs and spices with health benefits: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-healthy-herbs-and-spicesAkkermansia mucinophilia in IBD: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1089600/fullT Reg cells - what are they?:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.878382/fullApples and their in vitro benefits: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490512/The all important Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (now a therapeutic target for big pharmaceutical companies): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221323172300023XShort chain fatty acids and heart disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24388214/#

High blood pressure is the biggest modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is still the leading cause of death worldwide.It’s often called a silent killer because it has usually has no symptoms.This episode give you the lowdown on high blood pressure (also known as essential hypertension).Links:WHO page: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertensionNICE guideline for hypertension: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/11/NICE-NG136-Visual-Summary.pdfA summary of high blood pressure: https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertensionVitamin D and blood pressure in African-Americans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775458/Salt and potassium: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7697211/Low carb diets and blood pressure: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695889/Potassium enriched salt and blood pressure: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10863666/Salt substitutes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9532913/Measuring blood pressure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwBpBXUYHsWhy blood pressure matters: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure/health-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure#Resperate - the evidence is mixed, the effects small and it is not a substitute for any medication:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/resperate/faq-20057998#https://northyorkshireccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NYCCG-Resp-Devices-Hypertension_v1.0_01.07.2021.pdf