Saving Lives In Slow Motion

This is a super hot topic in health care in some parts of the world at the moment. In this episode I look at how these drugs work and the pros and cons of taking them for weight loss purposes. Obesity, in some instances, is in essence a form of ‘malnutrition’ because of the nature of food consumed and how rates have increased rapidly over the last 40 years. Body Mass Index definition: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-21264134Heart disease risk reduced by weight loss jab: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd188m73vn1oUltra processed food and your brain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/junk_food_brainSupersize Me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Size_MeObesity health risks: https://www.healthline.com/health/obesity/how-obesity-affects-bodyThe genetics of obesity: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-021-00414-zThe story behind semaglutide: https://www.vox.com/22553793/gila-monster-lizard-venom-inspired-obesity-drug-semaglutideWeight loss stats on semaglutide: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486455/Semaglutide can stop working and even if it works it may need to be taken forever: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-weight-loss-drugs-stop-working-how-to-break-past-ozempic-plateau#Hitting-a-weight-loss-plateau-after-a-year

CGM has changed lives for the better people with Type 1 Diabetes but nowadays people without diabetes use it as a tool. In this episode I look at the pros and cons of CGM and how it can be used as a lens into our general health and how it is linked to our gut microbiome amongst many other systems.Links:CGM early days review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4717493/Prof Partha Kar: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/girft-diabetes-lead-awarded-obe-in-new-year-honours/Red meat and gut bacteria: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/gut-microbes-affect-harmful-compound-red-meat#Akkermansia Muciniphilia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8726741/Gut bugs and metabolic disease: https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/248/2/JOE-20-0473.xml#Alcohol and blood glucose: https://blog.supersapiens.com/3-ways-alcohol-affects-your-glucose-levels/Exercise and blood sugar: https://www.sugarfit.com/blog/workout-spikes-exercise-induced-gluconeogenesis/Glucose spikes - the dangers?: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7530333/#:The view of Harvard on CGM without diabetes:https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-blood-sugar-monitoring-without-diabetes-worthwhile-202106112473Walking after meals: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/walking-after-eatingAdvanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10401445/#THE HEALTH FIX - the ultimate health manual tailored to you: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=25wktvbz

In this episode I look at smart phones. They have changed the way we live beyond imagination but are they doing us any harm in terms of the way we think and behave?Links:Life before smartphones:https://medium.com/be-unique/before-smartphones-were-a-thing-87208717b8d7Teenage brain: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Whats-Going-On-in-the-Teenage-Brain.aspxTeenagers and smart phones: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-smartphones-really-destroying-the-lives-of-teenagers/Alpha brain waves: https://www.healthline.com/health/alpha-brain-waves#bottom-lineMultitasking and switching focus: https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/why-multitasking-does-more-harm-goodPhones and attention: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-36256-4#Alpha waves: https://www.healthline.com/health/alpha-brain-wavesDopamine fasting: https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/dopamine-fasting-smartphone-addiction

Addictions can ruin lives but why do they occur in the first place and what can we do to acknowledge them better?In this episode Iook at why they can be so hard to conquer and touch on different aspects of addiction.Links: How the addicted brain works:https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/how-an-addicted-brain-worksSugar - why most of us could easily have a sweet tooth: https://theconversation.com/a-taste-for-sweet-an-anthropologist-explains-the-evolutionary-origins-of-why-youre-programmed-to-love-sugar-173197Addiction and childhood: https://www.jkacap.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5765/jkacap.2017.28.1.4#Heroin detox in Thailand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-13674101Dr Gabor Maté on trauma: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/12/the-trauma-doctor-gabor-mate-on-happiness-hope-and-how-to-heal-our-deepest-woundsGambling addiction: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/A personal story: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/30/studied-neuroscience-understand-addictions-not-cure

Becoming a parent is a gift but it has its challenges. In this episode I look at some factors to be mindful of including the difference between the child and adult brain plus micro tips to help navigate your way through the maze of parenthood. Links: Parenting styles: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/style/parenting-styles-explained/Brain development in children: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/early-childhood-brain-development-and-health/Parenting styles and psychological complaints: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4873100/Hoffman Process for understanding how early life connects to your adult behaviours: https://www.hoffmaninstitute.co.uk/about-the-process/Unconditional love: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201504/how-give-unconditional-love-your-child-and-yourself?ampSteve Biddulph’s advice: https://www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au/blog/steve-biddulph-key-takeawaysThe Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Skin - it’s known as our largest ‘organ’ and most of us have had some kind of skin issue. This is my 101. Enjoy!Guttate psoriasis: https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-guttatePitiryiasis rosea: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/pityriasis-rosea-symptomsScarlet fever: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176242Slapped cheek syndrome: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slapped-cheek-syndrome/Omega 3 and skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7892455/Probiotics and skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9386980/Acne: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/ss/slideshow-acne-dictionaryPCOS: https://www.healthline.com/health/polycystic-ovary-diseaseRosacea: https://www.rosacea.org/patients/all-about-rosaceaNon IgE cows milk protein allergy: https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/allergy-in-childhood/cows-milk-allergy/Dermatitis herpetiformis: https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/dermatitis-herpetiformis/Elimination diets: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-dietAtopy: https://www.healthline.com/health/atopyDemodex: https://www.healthline.com/health/demodex-folliculorumMI allergy: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-methylchloroisothiazolinone-allergiesContact dermatitis: https://www.healthline.com/health/contact-dermatitisMelanoma and ABCDE: https://www.melanomauk.org.uk/the-abcde-ruleSunlight and cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4571149/

Health screening has exploded over the last 20 years. Is it a money making exercise or actually worth it? In this episode I look at the pros and cons and how you can decide what may be worth doing and the reason people decide they need it.Links:UK ethics of health screening: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-ethical-framework-for-screening/uk-nsc-ethical-framework-for-screeningHealth Screening - a recent paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436014/RCGP screening statement around extra work for NHS GPs from screening companies: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/representing-you/policy-areas/screeningKaren Brady’s story: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/apr/20/healthandwellbeing.health1The pros and cons of PSA testing: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/prostate-tests/psa-blood-testGenomic (DNA) testing for propensity to disease (eg breast cancer): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genetic-and-genomic-testing/MTHFR: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326181Our Future Health: https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk/Bill Turnbull's prostate cancer story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62755001My book THE HEALTH FIX - paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="The only health manual you'll ever need..." Dr Rangan Chatterjee. "...lifechanging..." Dr Rupy Aujla

There isn’t a week in practice when I don’t get asked about food intolerances and how to test for them. It’s a contentious topic that needs some deconstructing.In this episode I look at what is and isn't intolerance and how to proceed if you think you have a food intolerance.Links:Food intolerance vs allergy - official guidance: https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/food-intolerance/IgG testing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/Elimination diets: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-dietSIBO and IBS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29761234/Gluten sensitivity: https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease/gluten-sensitivity/Deeper dive on mucosal tolerance: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/mucosal-surfaces-and-immune-tolerance/Milk digestion over the years: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35896667/My book The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Lyme Disease rates have doubled in the last 30 years in the USA and rates are rising across the world in affected areas. In this episode I look at Lyme, other tick-borne illnesses and the mystery symptoms they can give rise to, as well as strategies to treat and prevent them.Lyme disease factsheet:https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/borreliosis/facts/factsheetThe Bullseye rash: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/rashes.htmlThe life cycle of a spirochaete: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro2714B.Burgdorferi - the major cause of Lyme disease: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532894/B.mayonii - another strain causing Lyme disease: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/mayonii/index.htmlDr Horowitz Lyme questionnaire: https://caudwelllyme.com/do-you-have-lyme-disease-the-horowitz-questionnaireDifferentiating arthritis from Lyme Diseases: https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-or-lymeDr Horowitz interview: https://lymeconnection.org/support_and_resources/meet_the_lyme_disease_experts.html/title/dr-richard-horowitz-latest-treatments-in-lyme-disease