Degrees of Health

LJ Amaral dives us deep into the world of metabolic therapies and the ketogenic diet as a potential treatment for cancer. LJ shares valuable insights into the promising intersection of diet and cancer care and her pioneering research in the field makes this a must-listen for anyone interested in personalised cancer treatments and improving quality of life through dietary changes.We cover (but so much more too):📖 The Warburg theory - understanding a cancer cells’ glucose dependence🥑 Getting the fat equation right - omega-3s, whole fats, and tips for sticking to a high-fat diet. And why fat matters more than protein here...🫒 Keto vs. Keto for cancer - dramatic tumour reductions and improved patient-reported outcomes in fatigue and cognition💡 Future research - ketosis thresholds, 428 ongoing clinical trials, and personalised metabolic therapies🩺 Patient-centered care in cancer treatment - respecting choices while providing evidence-backed support🌟 BHB and inflammation - how ketones stabilise damaged cells and improve outcomesLJ Amaral’s commitment to extending healthspan and improving quality of life shines through. Her belief in the importance of maintaining hope and collaboration between patients and clinicians is inspiring.Find LJ:Research Gate Mentioned in this episode:Keto Nutrition.org - also see our episode with Dom D’AgostinoCharlie FoundationKeto Mojo by Miriam KalamianTools of Titans by Tim FerrissUntethered Soul by Michael SingerWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

What if the way we think about mental health is due for a revolution? Maybe we don’t need to suffer and to 'try to' live well with the big challenges that mental illness can bring - maybe we can actually...live well. In this deeply personal and groundbreaking conversation, Lauren Kennedy-West shares her experience of living with schizoaffective disorder - and historical diagnoses that included depression, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and an eating disorder - to living symptom-free and off psychiatric medications. What she did? After years of psychotic episodes, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics, Lauren made a decision not centred on treating the symptoms but on improving her underlying metabolic health. Lauren adopted a strict medical ketogenic diet and metabolic therapies that healed her brain and transformed her life.What if we removed the dogma on how we currently understand mental health - for just a moment - and were to ask 'what if we are wrong?' - what might we be able to see? Heads you win big, tails you don’t lose much. And in Lauren's case, she won bigWe hope this episode serves as a safe space to explore ideas that may challenge the status quo and offer immense hope for anyone thinking "there must be something more I can do". There is. Lauren's story provides powerful insights into what is possible when we address the root causes of mental illness, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration as to what is possible for a better tomorrow. Find Lauren:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramOnline peer support communities:Metabolic Therapies for Mental DisorderSchizophrenia Peer Support CommunityAdditional resource for Metabolic Therapies for Mental Health:Metabolic Mind websiteMetabolic Mind YouTube channelMentioned in this episode:Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBrideBrain Energy by Chris PalmerChronometer AppDr. Guido FrankWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

Dr. John Mulhall doesn't just treat erectile dysfunction (ED), he's also on a global mission to demystify its causes, highlight its complexities, and offer an alternative to how we currently think about sexual health.This is for you if you’re wondering: what can I do today to ensure better sexual health tomorrow? Even if it's good today, don't you want to ensure it'll be good in your later years? And if it's not where you want it to be today, perhaps you've not spoken to anyone about it yet - you're not alone here. There are answers out there and support to be given. But you've got to ask for it.We cover:🏃 Exercise and erectile health - getting it up (your heart rate)📈 Durability and frequency - it matters, but it should only matter to you👨‍⚕️ Exogenous testosterone - risk of transference and its impact on fertility💦 Premature ejaculation: lifelong vs. acquired - and what to do about each💉 Navigating treatment options - pills, patches, and injectables and caution over the the ‘Wild West’ of supplements💊 PDE5 inhibitors - how they work, their cardiovascular benefits, and their limitations🧠 The psychology behind ED - how placebos enter in and integrating psychological and medical approaches for effective treatment🔬 Emerging therapies - shockwave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and penile botox injections - do they work?His ultimate advice? Don’t wait to bring it up. Whether you’re a patient or a physician, empowering conversations can make all the difference. Find John:Twitter (@SaveYourSexLife)Dr John's BookWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

Just how judgey are we when it comes to sex? With ourselves, with our partners, with friends, when listening to others online... Be honest. What benefit does it serve? Or a better question to ask perhaps is what damage might it be doing?❗Whether you’re navigating your own relationship challenges or seeking deeper insights into your own sexual exploration, listen here to Dr Kate because it's a rich and honest conversation that might just reshape how you think about and experience intimacy, equality, and desire.Dr. Kate, who has spent thousands of hours with individuals and couples in private practice, shares with us the complexities of sexual struggles that are often silenced. And what's most sad to Dr Kate is just how many people tolerate dissatisfaction in their relationships, and never experience the full potential of their intimate capacity. We unpack a lot in this episode:🤨 Can we trade out judgement for curiosity when it comes to ... well everything, but sex in particular?🪝 Hook up culture - what happens when we only focus on individual rather than shared pleasure?🖋️ Better sex education (not excl. anatomy + pleasure) and pleasure equity👨 The challenges men face in being emotionally present balanced with still proving that they check all the boxes of 'what it means to be a man'‍🍼 How intimacy evolves and changes (!) over time, the inequities of emotional labor and discrepancies in desireSome tougher topics to face: --Why do happy people cheat? --How do trauma and dissociation impact intimacy? --What does it take to create the psychological and emotional space necessary for genuine connection? Dr. Kate is relentlessly positive in her regard and nothing is off the table to explore. She shares actionable advice on how couples can work at building shared realities, breaking down barriers to arousal, and cultivating a sense of safety and play.Mentioned in this episode:She Comes First by Ian Kerner (see previous episode with Ian)Come As You Are - Emily NagoskiKate Mann - Down Girl; EntitledThe Patriachs by Angela Saini Everyday Sexism - Laura Bates Yes, Mistress by Alicia ZadigFind Kate:ModernIntimacy.comInstagramPodcast: Get Naked with Dr Kate Book release Feb 2025 - What Happened To My Sex Life?Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

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

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

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

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