Degrees of Health

What if the root of mental illness isn’t all in your head but in your cells?Dr. Ana Andreazza is leading one of the most exciting shifts in psychiatric science: away from neurotransmitters and towards the mighty mitochondria. In this episode, she and Ben explore the metabolic foundations of mood disorders, how lactate and ketones impact the brain and why most psychiatric medications only form part of the picture.From bipolar disorder and inflammation to mitochondrial transplants and brain organoids, Ana is at the forefront of rethinking how we treat, prevent and understand mental illness.We cover:🧬 Why mitochondria might be the missing link in mental illness🔥 How lactate and inflammation can trigger mania and mood swings🥦 Why nutrition is still missing from most psychiatric care⚡ The link between energy metabolism and neurotransmitters🥼 What mitochondrial transplants could mean for brain health🥑 The promise of ketones in bipolar and mood regulation💊 Why we need both meds and metabolic interventionsFind Ana: More about Ana's work - https://mito2i.caPapers & Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana-Andreazza--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant 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This episode's information revealed just how much of our 'regulated' nutritional information is either completely outdated or incorrect.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 parentsℹ️ 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 Books lilynickelsrdn.comFree 1st Book Chapter - Real Food for Pregnancy https://lilynicholsrdn.com/free-chapter/Instagram   / lilynicholsrdn  Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

Explore cheeky petes here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cheeky-Petes-Kids-Breakfast-Cereal/dp/B0GNCQWCC9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=360KB906ZLHPO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pKMapNxuhSrnD7bbtxuCHXTqDd52QkzVUUOgV8O52v1IMIUYsCaRVoxo29T7ZYrrCy6gxf_7plmscfKhz9U3M5pdiByZJXVkO1HJ6HlTq4MJahSHEHkbALrklvWZcJBdXbYZNOWmvaUasCVaONgiig.5ZUUpMWog4gVQoTBYbvdSWCqUXONHXgGr1tv0QrOBEE&dib_tag=se&keywords=cheeky+pete%27s+cereal&qid=1776801101&sprefix=cheeky+pete%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1 Thomas Seager joins us again for a conversation challenging the conventional understanding of cancer. Thomas argues that the war on cancer, launched over 50 years ago, has failed to make significant strides in combatting the disease due to a fundamental misunderstanding of its origins.With scientific clarity, Dr. Seager explains:🔬the theory of cancer as a metabolic disease, beginning with defects in mitochondrial DNA, rather than the previously believed nuclear DNA🍯 how glucose metabolism plays a crucial role in cancer growth💧 ketosis and cold exposure therapies in inhibiting tumour growth🏆 inspiring case studies using cold water to combat cancer (see episode with Dean Hall)⚠️ the limitations of traditional cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation) and the need for more research and openness towards alternative and/or adjunct therapies focused on metabolic health, mitochondrial function, and lifestyle choices.If you know of someone with cancer at the moment, share this with them. Or better yet, read the papers and books mentioned below and entertain the possibility that there may be additional things you can do to revolutionise their cancer care and improve the prognosis for a loved one. Surely that's worth a read.Find Thomas:Substack - https://seagertp.substack.com/Twitter & Instagram: @seagertp Email: thomas.seager@asu.eduMentioned in this episode:Book: Uncommon Cold by Thomas Seager - https://www.morozkoforge.com/product-...Ice Bath and Cancer Science - https://www.morozkoforge.com/ice-bath... Study - Cancer as a metabolic disease: implications for novel therapeutics - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... Study - Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...Book - Cancer As A Metabolic Disease by Thomas Seyfried - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Revised-Tran... Study - Brown-fat-mediated tumour suppression by cold-altered global metabolism - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...DNA repair and anti-cancer mechanisms in the longest-living mammal: the bowhead whale - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.11...Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

Why are so many people sick and why does so much of modern medicine still miss the root cause?In this episode, Dr Campbell Murdoch shares why metabolic health may sit at the centre of today’s chronic disease epidemic.From insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes to fatty liver, high blood pressure, inflammation, kidney dysfunction, and energy crashes, this conversation explores how the body starts to break down when it loses metabolic flexibility and how quickly things can improve when the right levers are pulled.We cover:metabolic health explained simplyinsulin resistance and blood sugar regulationreversing type 2 diabeteswhy mainstream medicine has been slow to changepractical lifestyle interventions that actually move the needlewhy better health can happen faster than people thinkA grounded and eye-opening conversation on root causes, real change, and what healthcare should be focusing on.If you want, I can also turn this into short reel captions and thumbnail quotes pulled from the strongest clips in the episode.Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

What separates elite ultra endurance athletes from everyone else?In this episode, Paul Booth breaks down the reality of fueling for performance — including carbohydrate intake, hydration, caffeine, gut training, race-day strategy, and recovery.This conversation explores both the science and the practical side of endurance nutrition, including what athletes get wrong, what actually works, and how small decisions can make a huge difference over long distances.We cover:• ultra endurance fueling strategies• caffeine and performance• hydration and electrolytes• gut training for racing• carbs, GI distress, and race-day mistakes• elite athlete preparation behind the scenesA great episode for anyone interested in endurance, performance, and how to get more out of training and racing.Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

What happens when a ketogenic approach doesn’t just change your diet but changes your quality of life?In this episode, Dyane Harwood shares her deeply personal story of living with bipolar disorder, navigating postpartum bipolar onset, and discovering ketogenic therapy as part of her path toward greater stability and resilience.We talk about the nuance often missing from online conversations around keto and mental health, including medication, sleep, metabolic psychiatry, and why this approach is not about simplistic “cure” narratives, but about finding tools that genuinely help.We also explore:bipolar disorder and postpartum onsetketogenic therapy for mental healthvegan keto and practical implementationsleep, CPAP, and quality of lifehope, nuance, and second chances through metabolic psychiatryA thoughtful and honest conversation about mental health, metabolism, and what it means to find something that truly helps.Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

Is sunlight really as harmful as we’ve been told?In this episode, Pelle Lindqvist explores the nuanced science of sun exposure, challenging conventional narratives around skin cancer and health.We discuss:Sunlight and all-cause mortalityThe role of vitamin D and nitric oxideWhy location and skin type matterSun exposure vs modern public health adviceThe difference between overexposure and avoidanceThis is a conversation about rethinking sunlight, not as something to fear, but something to better understand.Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Erin Bellamy to explore one of the most important and overlooked topics in modern health.. the connection between metabolic health and mental health.We discuss how ketones may impact the brain, why nutritional ketosis can create a sense of calm and resilience, and how ketogenic therapy is being used in cases ranging from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.Dr. Bellamy also shares real patient case studies, her own journey from psychology and NHS work into metabolic psychiatry, and the most common mistakes people make when trying ketogenic therapy on their own.We cover:how ketosis feels subjectivelyketones, anxiety and emotional “buffer space”metabolic psychiatry and mitochondrial healthbipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and PTSDtherapeutic ketosis vs weight-loss ketoelectrolytes, keto flu and common mistakesketone tracking, GKI and exogenous ketoneswhy food may be one of the most powerful tools in mental healthA fascinating conversation on the future of mental health treatment.Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer