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Degrees of Health

The Preventative, Social and Emotional Health Podcast


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  • 45. Lily Nichols, RDE, CDE | The Fertility Factors: Blood Sugar, Protein, and Nutrient Density

    01:03:29||Ep. 45
    This episode's information revealed just how much of our 'regulated' nutritional information is either completely outdated or incorrect. Here with Lily Nichols, a renowned dietitian and author who is not afraid to speak on the controversial dietary topics, we discuss where current nutritional guidelines on protein and micronutrients impact overall health and hold us back, particularly for those looking to optimise fertility and metabolic health.Tune in to get the latest on:🤰 Nutritional foundations for maternal and child health - pre-pregnancy, pre-natal, and post natal🍩 Blood sugar regulation and nutrient-dense diets for prospective parents ℹ️ The actually essential roles of non-essential amino acids 👶🏻 A protein-forward, nutrient dense intake for maternal health and fetal development 🌾 Supplementing vs real foods - the synergies 🧬 How nutrients (like choline, vitamin D, and B12) influence genetic expression from the womb onwardThis conversation is a must for prospective parents, and anyone seeking to understand how optimal nutrition intersects with fertility, energy, and lifelong health.Find Lily:Website, Blog Posts and BooksFree 1st Book Chapter - Real Food for PregnancyInstagramWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

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  • 44. Dr Casey Peavler, MD | Cancer, Ketosis, and Control: Taking the Driver's Seat in Treatment

    01:06:40||Ep. 44
    A powerhouse of knowledge, we're joined by Dr. Casey Peavler who invites us to address 3 impending needs: 1. for medicine to become less siloed 2. for doctors never to stop learning or being curious and 3. for patients to not lose their autonomy and agency in health treatments and decisions. Here, Ben and Dr Casey delve into the evolving understanding of cancer treatment, contrasting the traditional somatic mutation theory with the emerging metabolic theory of cancer. The conversation highlights the intricacies and nuances of new and promising routes to understand cancer and its treatment to remission. As with many of our conversations and guests, Casey emphasises the importance of patient agency and the need for informed decision-making in collaboration with healthcare providers. We discuss:🥼 Somatic vs. Metabolic Theories of Cancer - why our understanding of cancer needs to evolve and where they both have merit 🤏The Press Pulse Protocol - “starving” cancer cells while strengthening the body🥥 Exogenous Ketones, Glucose, and Glutamine — Targeting cancer cells’ energy sources for effective treatment🔅 Chronic low-level sun exposure for Vitamin D - crucial for both cancer prevention and treatment 💊 Dosing strategies - daily dosing of certain medications may be more effective than intermittent dosing for cancer treatment but context is key🙋 The Power of Patient Agency — Moving from passive recipient to active participant in cancer careDr. Peavler urges patients to 'take the wheel' in their health journey. This conversation we hope will inspire you to explore all the avenues available to us when it comes to health, emphasising that you never lose the opportunity to be an agent within your own care - get information, learn, gather resources and identify what looks like a path to health for you. And we'd love to hear from you if you do. Find Casey:Integra MedicineYouTubeMentioned in this episode:Books by Dr Fung - The Cancer Code. The Obesity Code.Study Douglas Wallace Study Press-pulse: a novel therapeutic strategy for the metabolic management of cancerBook Defeating Cancer!: The Biological Effect of Deuterium Depletion by Gabor SomlyaiBook The Plant Paradox by Stephen GundryBook Keto Fast by Joseph MercolaBook - Cancer as a Metabolic Disease by Thomas SeyfriedWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer
  • 43. Dr Brendan Egan, PhD | Promise or Hype? Natural and Exogenous Ketosis for Performance & Recovery

    59:25||Ep. 43
    More keto! We're interested in everything keto at the moment. The different ways to get into ketosis, how the body and brain respond to a ketogenic state, the complexities of exogenous ketones, and what possible benefits and drawbacks a state of ketosis has.Dr. Brendan Egan this week helps us to dissect the current literature of ketones within the field of exercise performance and recovery, and offers a suggestion to look past ketones as a one-size-fits-all solution. Brendan also shares insight on the future of ketone research and the importance of focusing on foundational health practices.We cover:🥜 Natural ketosis - fasting and/or a ketogenic diet🧪 Exogenous ketones explained: ketogenic precursors (MCTs), salts, esters, and dosage🔬 The current data on ketosis and performance / recovery - the promising and the no-shows😟 The potential value of ketosis when the body is really stressed💪 Muscle protection - mitigating the effects of bed rest 💊 Placebo Power: Impacts performance and supplement perception.If you're interested in using keto as a dietary intervention for exercise performance, recovery, or as a protective mechanism with reduced mobility or bed rest, have a listen. It certainly could be worthwhile seeing if shifting your body's fuel source helps you in your endeavour. We'd love to hear from you - have you had any personal results that demonstrate anything similar to or contrary to the current literature?Mentioned in this episode:Study Nutritional Ketosis Alters Fuel Preference and Thereby Endurance Performance in AthletesStudy Ketone Bodies Attenuate Wasting in Models of AtrophyBook Outlive by Peter AttiaBook Surely You’re Joking and What Do You Care What Other People Think? by Richard Feynman Herology Women's Supplements Find Brendan:EmailGoogle ScholarWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Disclaimer
  • 42. Ian Kerner, PhD | Let’s Talk About Sex (Seriously, It’s Important)

    55:52||Ep. 42
    Why are we scheduling dentist appointments but not sex? How do we tackle desire discrepancies—when one of us is in the mood while the other is wondering what’s on Netflix? And why is "performance anxiety" such a thing?!Ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of what really makes relationships tick? We sit down with Ian Kerner - he’s got the answers to all those questions you probably didn’t ask at your last dinner party. From how common it is for couples to be inches apart physically but miles apart emotionally, to the very real consequences of deprioritising sexual attraction, this conversation is a masterclass in sex and intimacy.We go into:📢 Why sexual compatibility should be a top priority in relationships🪜 Bridging the gap in desire differences⏰ Performance anxiety and the male obsession with "lasting longer"👑 The clitoris as queen: closing the orgasm gap📅 Scheduling sex: Unsexy or genius?👴👵 Keeping the flame alive in long-term relationshipsWe see all of you out there experiencing this and not asking the questions. So we did it for you. You're welcome! Watch, listen, take note, maybe even try a new approach. Whether you're in a relationship, looking for one, or just curious, this conversation might start you thinking that there's another way to think about sex for your relationship health - and it could just be better than what you've got now...And let us know - what do you think? What other questions do you have? "Is it normal that...?" Has it helped? Are there more obstacles?Find Ian:WebsiteMentioned in this episode:She Comes First by Ian KernerSo Tell Me About the Last Time You Had Sex by Ian KernerThe Erotic Mind by Jack MorinStudy - More Than Just Sex: Affection Mediates the Association Between Sexual Activity and Well-BeingWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Disclaimer
  • 41. Dr Dom D'Agostino | Augmenting Cancer Outcomes: Ketogenic Diets, Caloric Restriction & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

    01:17:48||Ep. 41
    This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation on metabolic therapies and their potential in cancer treatment, particularly focused on glioblastoma and other glycolytic cancers. Our guest, Dr Dom D'Agostino, a researcher and professor with a diverse background in neuroscience, molecular pharmacology, nutrition and physiology, has a particular interest in metabolic therapies. Dr Dom shares how manipulating the body’s metabolism through the glucose ketone index (GKI), therapeutic ketogenic diets, and redox therapies can improve cancer outcomes by reducing tumour growth and enhancing standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. We also explore the synergies of non-toxic therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen, metformin, and IV vitamin C, and how these could potentially reduce the side effects and overall outcomes of cancer treatment.We cover:🩺 Standard cancer care with and without metabolic interventions💊 Managing seizures with ketogenic therapies - a superior alternative to anti-seizure drugs🍽 The power of fasting and the importance of protein intake in chemotherapy and cancer augmentation🔥 Why certain cancers are more susceptible to metabolic-based therapies🔬 How overall mitochondrial health dictates cancer cell transformationDom also touches on the fundamental relationship between liver health and cancer growth and metabolic strategies to prevent cancer. If you're interested in the intersection of nutrition and cancer or wondering how far we are from keto becoming part of standard care, this is a must-listen episode.Find Dom:WebsiteMetabolic Health SummitMetabolic Health Summit YouTubeMentioned in this episode:Cancer cases attributable to potentially modifiable risk factorsFasting Cycles Retard Growth of Tumors and Sensitize a Range of Cancer Cell Types to ChemotherapyKetones inhibit mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen speciesThe Ketogenic Diet and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Prolong SurvivalKetone supplementation decreases tumor cell viability and prolongs survival of mice with metastatic cancerMetabolic management of glioblastoma ...with a restricted ketogenic dietClinical trials in progressWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer
  • 40. James O'Hara, NP | Hair Loss, Hormones and Health Optimisation

    01:07:14||Ep. 40
    Are you struggling with hair loss and not sure where to start? Or perhaps you have a hormone profile back that you want to work to improve? Whether you’re dealing with hair loss, want to optimise your hormonal profile towards a specific goal, or just want to feel at your best, this episode is packed with a science-backed medical perspective to provide you with the information to make decisions that support your journey to better health.James O'Hara, a nurse practitioner with a keen specialisation in preventative medicine, explores the science behind hair loss, hormonal balance, and how lifestyle choices impact these areas, and our overall well-being. If you’re seeking practical solutions for improving both your vitality and appearance, this episode is for you.Key Discussion Points:🔍 Root causes of hair loss – from iron deficiency to hormonal imbalances in men and women⚖️ Balancing hormones and hair loss treatments – exploring total testosterone, DHT, dutasteride and finasteride📚 Stacking for regrowth – combining lifestyle changes with other interventions e.g. microneedling, nutrient optimisation, red light🥗 Diet and testosterone – how fat, carbs, and supplements can influence hormone levels🔄 Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) – who might benefit, and the risks involved🧠 Cognitive Performance – Enhancing brain function with caffeine, Modafinil, and other low-risk toolsJames emphasises the importance of a holistic approach, reminding us that no single treatment fits all. It’s about personalisation according to the individual, stacking therapies, managing lifestyle, and optimising nutrition for desired health outcome and long term well-being. Find James:InstagramGillet Health PodcastWebsiteMentioned in this episode:Study - Acute administration of roflumilast enhances sensory gating in healthy young humansStudy - Acute administration of roflumilast enhances immediate recall of verbal word memory in healthy young adultsStudy - Acute treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast improves verbal word memory in healthy old individuals---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer
  • 39. Mary Newport, M.D. Part 2 | Brain Fuel: How Coconut Oil and MCTs Can Transform the Alzheimer's Brain

    43:05||Ep. 39
    PART 2! If you or someone you love is affected by Alzheimers, this is for you. If you believe you’re at risk genetically or you want to prevent your own cognitive decline, this is also for you. If you’re curious about the role of ketones and the ketogenic diet in brain health, this is absolutely for you.Find Mary Newport:Website and BooksMentioned in this episode:Use of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in subjects with Alzheimer's diseaseStudy of the ketogenic agent AC-1202 in mild to moderate Alzheimer's diseaseDr Stephen Cunane. Can Ketones Help Rescue Brain Fuel Supply in Later Life?Low-fat versus ketogenic diet in Parkinson's disease:Study due 2025: Refueling the post COVID-19 brain: potential role of ketogenic medium chain triglyceride supplementation: an hypothesisA short history of saturated fat: the making and unmaking of a scientific consensusLauric acid promotes neuronal maturation mediated by astrocytes in primary cortical culturesMetabolical by Robert LustigCancer as a Metabolic Disease by Thomas SeyfriedRavenous by Sam AppleWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer