2026 - the year of discernment and choices

It’s a new year and that can feel overwhelming.In this episode I look at what the year is likely to bring in terms of health and medical trends, our own personal goals and how to generate ideas for them if you are feeling a bit stuck.Links: The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja-ebook/dp/B0B2VTFFVSMed tech in 2026: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2025/10/27/the-8-biggest-healthcare-technology-trends-to-watch-in-2026/Misinformation - how to spot it: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2024/02/16/sorting-fact-from-fiction-a-guide-to-spotting-health-misinformation/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links:AI in medicine: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-on-the-use-of-ai-enabled-ambient-scribing-products-in-health-and-care-settings/Various wearables: https://uk.wellnesspulse.com/lp/best-fitness-trackers/?campaignId=23304304009&adgroupId=&adId=&targetId=&device=c&gunique=CjwKCAiAmKnKBhBrEiwAaqAnZ4MBo1x_tOV7RB1FPjSEqiYWae8AyeixJJsGEVTlbapiaEWJL7D8cBoCYs8QAvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23300097782&gbraid=0AAAAAqKJRpkXwMKHsYb3EhuFeRzIdPUV2Health Check on BBC World Service: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct6vk0Elinzanetant for menopause: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-approves-elinzanetant-to-treat-moderate-to-severe-vasomotor-symptoms-hot-flushes-caused-by-menopauseThe new weight loss drugs (GLP-1 agonists): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/13901-glp-1-agonistsExperimental Alzheimer’s Drug: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251222080119.htmSave your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is my 200th episode and I reflect on where medicine is at in terms of precision medicine and what it means for us.Links:Please take this 10 minute survey to help keep this podcast going: http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyGenome sequencing: https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/blog/what-happens-when-i-go-for-whole-genome-sequencingMepan Syndrome: https://umdf.org/mepan/Ketones in dementia: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8734638/London Bus study: https://cardiachealth.org.uk/the-london-busmen-study/Drumming - physical and mental therapy?: https://melodics.com/blog/mental-health-benefits-of-drummingSave your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Traditional medicine has been around for thousands of years. In this episode I look at what we can learn from it and how it compares to modern allopathic medicine in its approach. Please take this 10 minute survey to help keep this podcast going: http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyLinks: WHO TCIM summit: https://www.who.int/teams/who-global-traditional-medicine-centre/global-summit-and-collaborations/second-traditional-medicine-global-summitWHO — Global strategies and WHO TCIM topic pages (authoritative overview of WHO’s stance and the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034). World Health Organization+1WHO feature: World Health OrganizationNIH/NCCIH pages on Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. NCCIH+1African medicinal plants - a review: PMCPrunus africana: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5327751/Four sacred medicines: https://aihschgo.org/four-sacred-medicines/Ayahuasca: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ayahuascaIcaros: https://www.nimeakaya.org/how-icaros-help-heal-participants-in-ayahuasca-ceremonies/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anti-ageing means different things to different people. In this episode I look at what it means and what works to slow down the ageing process.Reactive oxygen species: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circresaha.117.311401Mitochondria and ageing: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-021-00626-7Inflammation (inflammaging): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-018-0059-4Epigenetic drift: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12487821/Protein misaggregation: https://www.buckinstitute.org/blog/unraveling-aging-how-protein-misfolding-relates-to-aging-and-disease/Dietary patterns: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fasting-like-diet-may-help-reverse-biological-aging-2-5-yearsGut microbes: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-022-00605-xRapamycin - an experimental drug for anti-ageing: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(23)00258-1/fulltextSenolytics: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7405395/Stem cells: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10276889/NAD / NAD+: https://www.today.com/health/aging/nad-benefits-rcna180800Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

80% of us go online to look up health related content. Many of us look up symptoms which is natural but how do we know we are doing it safely? Here I look at the pros and pitfalls of doing this and how to decide when to see a medical professional. Links: Peripheral neuropathy: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/Internet vs GP 2013 (me on BBC1): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p019px0xDigital triage: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/digitally-enabled-triage/Trust in doctors: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/why-we-dont-trust-doctors-like-we-used-to-79784b56Depression questionnaire: https://patient.info/doctor/mental-health/phq-9National Back Pain pathway: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/back-pain/national-low-back-and-radicular-pain-pathway/Ada Health - on of the leaders in symptom checking: https://ada.com/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting our cartilage and joints causing pain and debility. In this episode I look at what it is, prevention strategies and the latest treatments. Please take this 10 minute survey to help keep this podcast going:  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyOA overview: https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-new-study-reveals-most-common-form-arthritisNeck stretches: https://www.csp.org.uk/conditions/neck-pain/video-exercises-neck-painLectins: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024155028Ultra-processed foods and OA: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11990240/Apos Therapy (biomechanic therapy): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg76/informationforpublicGlucosamine and chondroitin: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-latest-on-glucosaminechondroitin-supplements-2016101710391Chondrocyte implants: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/preplanning/the-future-of-joint-repairOmega 3: https://fjps.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43094-024-00667-5Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do superfoods exist? What makes a food a superfood and how does it relate to everyday life? In this episode I take a broader look at this ever popular topic.Links: Survey about this podcast:  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyA list of ‘superfoods’: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/true-superfoodsFibre benefits: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261561423003631The Hadza: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/08/24/545631521/is-the-secret-to-a-healthier-microbiome-hidden-in-the-hadza-dietLow fibre benefits: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9268622/Pica: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-picaApples: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/11/4025Flax seeds; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/flaxseedsExtra Virgin Olive Oil: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11430205/Lectins: https://www.next-health.com/post/what-are-lectins-are-they-bad-for-everyone-do-i-need-lectin-sensitivity-testingGremolata: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/gremolataHerbs and spices: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6532192/The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It seems that the mental health crisis is never ending and although awareness is much better, spotting the signs can be hard as there are so many factors. In this episode I look at how we approach mental health. This information does not replace professional advice and if you feel you need support then please reach out to a qualified health care practitioner.Depression as an inflammatory condition: https://www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2021/may/inflammation-is-a-core-feature-of-depression-new-evidence-from-large-scale-study/Methylation and mental health: https://foodforthebrain.org/methylation-why-is-it-important-for-mental-health/Talking and checking-in campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX8TgVR33KMHugs: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/26/hugs-science-airport-minutesTalking to yourself and inner child work for beginners: https://www.innermelbpsychology.com.au/what-is-inner-child-work-and-how-to-get-started/Circle of control: https://positivepsychology.com/circles-of-influence/Help and stats: https://www.mind.org.uk/My book, The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I cover a range of symptoms that I have seen recently, what they may mean, how to handle them as well as what I am noticing in primary care.Links:Silent reflux: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15024-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lprTietze’s syndrome (chest pain): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23565-tietze-syndromeCostochondritis: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22167-costochondritisPanic attack symptoms: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/health-essentials/heart-attack-vs-panic-attack-how-to-tell-the-differenceSilent pneumonia: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15744-pneumonia-atypical-walking-pneumoniaHair loss: https://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/alopecia-male-and-female-pattern-alopeciaPhases of hair growth: https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-hair-growth#maintaining-hair-healthHair loss and DHT: https://www.healthline.com/health/dht#testosteroneAI and medicine - chatGPT vs GP: https://substack.com/@drayanpanja/note/p-177463006?r=2efcdx&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=webSave your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.