Biohacking - a path to longevity or waste of time and money?

Big Pharma gets a lot of bad press, yet most of us have needed to take medication for something at some point in our lives. How do we minimise the risk of our coming to harm from drugs and what can industry do to work more openly with us?Diuretic drugs: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-79565-7_4Ben Goldacre - a review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3635613/Evidence Based Medicine: https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/ebmLorcainide story: https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.g7717/rr-1Anti-arrhythmic drugs: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/anti-arrhythmicsDrug reps and doctors: https://www.npr.org/2024/04/19/1245972805/pharma-reps-have-visited-doctors-for-decades-what-impact-does-it-have-on-patientThe opioid crisis and Oxycontin latest: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60610707PHQ-9 for depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3416649/#Monoclonal antibodies: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/114311.stmALLTRIALS: alltrials.netThe NHS and big pharma: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/08/its-naive-to-think-this-is-in-the-best-interests-of-the-nhs-how-big-pharmas-millions-are-influencing-healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The evidence is compelling. Clutter can be harmful to our health in many ways from poor sleep, stress, anxiety and even physical pain. Why is this the case and what can we do about it? Graham Hill - less stuff, more happiness: https://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness?subtitle=enMarie Kondo and her work: https://konmari.com/Attention and the visual cortex: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228167/Fals risk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735369/\\Eating behaviours and hoarding: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25440599/Procrastination and clutter: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36767429/Decluttering challenge: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-10-100-decluttering-challenge-37394185Clutter, sleep and fatigue: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9616259/ADHD and clutter: https://www.additudemag.com/making-peace-with-your-clutter/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I got thinking about this recently whilst on holiday recently where I was having a lot of lie-ins anddoing a lot of daydreaming. Coffee: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffeeChewing and alertness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449949/Chewing and effects on the immune system: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/research-reveals-surprising-health-benefits-of-chewing-your-food/Fidgeting and NEAT: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/fat-loss/a36287384/neat-exercise/Eating bogies - benefits?: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25344244/Lie-ins: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/13/dream-on-the-surprising-health-benefit-of-a-weekend-lie-inMissing breakfast: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-skipping-breakfast-badAlcohol and cognitive health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4866612/Daydreaming: https://time.com/6256541/why-daydreaming-is-good-for-you/Bottling up anger: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8374519.stmBouts of anger: https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/new-study-bouts-of-anger-can-take-a-toll-on-your-heartHow to process anger (Dr Gabor Maté): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh1-y3TzSO4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have role models but do they impact our health?As the Olympics were taking place recently I started to think aboutthis and in this episode I look at some studies and reveal their interesting findings.Role models (an alternative view): https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-problem-with-role-models/Smoking in popular culture: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/tobacco-pop-culture/why-smoking-still-being-glamorized-media-and-pop-cultureStudy 1: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380209172_Health_Motivation_in_the_Influencer_Era_Analyzing_Entertainment_Personal_and_Social_Media_Role_ModelsStudy 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9421350/Study 2 questionnaire: https://redcap.ctsi.psu.edu/surveys/index.php?s=4L973C8FFLThe importance of mentoring: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2352144/Chasing your hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2cVhC-63I Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a topic close to my heart and is important to address for patients and medical staff.Race is a sociological construct and differs from ancestry. It has a surprising impact in medicine, both in terms of care and outcomes for patients. In addition racism needs stamping out in the medical profession in all corners.Prostate cancer risk in black men: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9826514/Maternal mortality in black women during and after pregnancy : https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/maternal-mortality-rates-in-the-black-community/#South Asians and type 2 Diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/12895Black people and stroke risk: https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/why-do-african-americans-have-a-greater-stroke-riskJames Sims: https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slavesAbuse during COVID: https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/about/staff-stories/racist-abuse-against-asians-during-the-covid-19-pandemicHead injuries and race in sport: https://apnews.com/article/health-nfl-race-and-ethnicity-sports-066d9fd6bd85f5b5023207467701fde4#Dr Arora and the GMC: https://www.bmj.com/content/379/bmj.o2619Beta Thalassemia: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/beta-thalassemiaTay-Sachs Disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tay-sachs-disease/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breathing is a basic function we all need in order to survive but doing it correctly can have benefits to our health and the opposite is true - breathing in a sub-optimal way can pre-dispose to certain illnesses.Mouth breathing - could it predispose to allergies, asthma and impaired immunity?: https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/mouth-breathingNasal breathing benefits: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00148.2023?utm_source=AJPRegu&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_campaign=1.17.2024Breathing and stress: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230113/Review-and-meta-analysis-suggests-breathwork-may-be-effective-for-improving-stress-and-mental-health.aspxJamie Clements, breath coach: https://thebreathspace.co.uk/breathe-with-meTest your own breathing: https://www.thebreatheffect.com/test-your-breath/Smoking and breathing techniques: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7064378/#Sleep apnoea awareness: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apneaTHE HEALTH FIX: https://amzn.eu/d/5D6lJlm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know that how we live affects how we age, and in this episode, rather than focusing on longevity per se, I look at the biology of ageing and how we can adopt simple daily habits to positively affect the factors that age us. I also talk about my Health Loop and your 'typical day’ to help lay out your unique needs for a lifestyle prescription.Links:The fear of ageing: https://www.forbes.com/health/medicare/fear-of-aging-survey/Causes of death by country: https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/whats-the-leading-cause-of-death-in-each-countryTelomere length: https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/telomeres/Telomere length and habits: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6316700/Epigenetics basics: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/epigeneticsDNA methylation: https://www.whatisepigenetics.com/dna-methylation/Proteostasis - how our bodies handle and house protein: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4539002/Mitochondirlal dysfunction: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-024-01839-8Stem cells: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117#Dr Michael Mosley’s Just One Thing: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09by3yy/episodes/downloadsStanding desks: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45819203Healthy anger: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/overcoming-destructive-anger/201608/what-constitutes-healthy-angerTHE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=Protein and ageing: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/high-protein-fewer-calories-safest-way-for-older-people-to-lose-weight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I answer some of the many questions that land in my inbox.I tackle both common and interesting questions from listeners over the last year or so. There’s something for everyone here and remember to cross reference with other episodes! Intermittent fasting (review article): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10005873/Hypoglycaemia: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/blood-and-lymph/hypoglycaemia-low-blood-sugar/#Elimination diets: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-dietHypothyroidism: https://www.healthline.com/health/hypothyroidism/symptoms-treatments-more#symptomsHashimoto’s Disease and gluten (a meta-analysis): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37554764/Problems with T4 to T3 conversion: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/biological-sciences-articles/2018/november/genetic-flaw-causes-problems-for-many-with-hypothyroidismThe Galleri-trial: https://www.nhs-galleri.org/The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sight is one of our special senses. At least 2.2 billion people have some kind of visual impairment.In this episode I look at common eye presentations, why they occur and how we can prevent them.Trachoma - a leading cause of preventable blindness: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trachomaGlaucoma: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372839Cataracts: https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/cataracts/Retinopathy: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathyDry eyes: https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/dry-eye/Diet and supplements for eyes: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321226 Lutein: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164534/Free radicals: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318652AMD: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/agerelated-macular-degeneration-amdSmoking: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/smoking_can_lead_to_vision_loss_or_blindness.htmBlue light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32F24gboCacEye strain: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/symptoms-causes/syc-20372397OCT test: https://eyeguru.org/essentials/interpreting-octs/Blocked tear duct - common in babies: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-ductPlease nominate me for The British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

B12 deficiency affects up to 20% of people over the age of 60. It is often left undiagnosed but can presentin many ways. In this episode I look at the nuance involved in making the diagnosis and treating it appropriatelyso that people do not come to harm.NICE guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239B vitamins: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-b-complex#What-is-vitamin-B-complex?Dr Casimir Funk: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418743-casimir-funk-the-scientist-who-gave-us-the-word-vitamin/Beri-beri (B1 deficiency): https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000339.htmPernicious anaemia: https://www.healthline.com/health/pernicious-anemiaB12 food sources: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-b12-foodsDrugs that affect B12: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6054240/Thyroid eye disease: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17558-thyroid-eye-diseaseMMA testing: https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/methylmalonic-acidActive B12: https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib40/chapter/introductionA decent explanation of methylation and why not all types of B12 and folate are the same for all: https://drkellymccann.com/beginners-guide-to-methylation-and-b-vitamins/Caution with B12/folate fortified foods if you have a methylation issue as they can be in the wrong form: https://zoe.com/learn/fortified-foods#Sublingual B12 vs oral vs infection: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11845-023-03602-4#THE HEALTH FIX - the best health book in the world?! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.