Stay ConnectedDr Ayan Panja puts health into context. A lifestyle medicine expert, author and family physician with over 25 years of experience, his unique blend of candour, perspective and knowledge make for a mind-expanding essential weekly bite-sized listen.
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Copyright: © Dr Ayan Panja
Migraines are common cause of debility worldwide. In this episode I look at the causes of migraines and other types of headaches, what we can do about them and how to detect and manage them better.
Links:
The theories behind migraine and its mechanism: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/how-a-migraine-happens
Triptan drugs: https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/healthcare/treatments/triptans/#page-section-1
MSG headaches: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38079074/
Sphenoid sinus disease (confused for migraine): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16213927/
Functional scoliosis: https://www.healthline.com/health/scoliosis/functional-scoliosis#summary
Migraine as common cause of disability: https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-020-01208-0
Daith piercing: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7075511/
Acupuncture: https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/healthcare/treatments/acupuncture/
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In this episode I look at Functional Medicine, a movement which started in the USA and is practised predominantly by non-medical practitioners but also increasingly medical doctors.
It comes under a lot of fire from doctors and I want to explore why this, including that is isn’t ‘medicine' and what the differences and similarities are between functional medicine and conventional allopathic medicine.
Links:
Intro to functional medicine by IFM: https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine
A review of functional medicine by Jeffrey Bland: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9173848/
Methylation explained: https://www.healthline.com/health/methylation#takeaway
Methylation, a view from a functional medicine practitioner: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/2016/08/01/methylation-whats-fuss/
The British College of Functional Medicine: https://www.bc-fm.org/
Patient story from The Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patient-stories/196-functional-medicine-helps-woman-regain-her-life-after-44-years-of-chronic-pain
An allopathic doctors view: https://www.doctormather.com/blog/redflags
Limitations of Evidence Based Medicine: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109716331370
Evidence Based Medicine: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/11/e067268
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.
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In this episode I look at a quick and easy way to take stock of your health quickly and easily to re-orientate yourself whenever you need to.
It’s a great way to lay out your story, turn 'what into why', and maintain your health and head off problems before they set in.
My IDEAL framework for habit change: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-health-fix-dr-ayan-panja-new-years-resolutions. (There is a separate episode on this: episode 26)
Yoga with Adriene on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
Jet lag tips: https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/how-to-get-over-jet-lag
Sleep tips: https://somneesleep.com/blogs/post/matt-walker-sleep-tips
Infections: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20241119-long-fatigue-the-exhaustion-that-lingers-after-an-infection
Vitamin D deficiency: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults/
BUY THE HEALTH FIX and transform your health:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
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.
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Protein is one of our three macronutrients and increasingly getting traction as being really important to our long term health. In this episode I look at why it’s so important to make sure we get enough and the right type.
Sugar equivalent chart for carbohydrates: https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/what-is-a-low-carb-lifestyle/dr-unwins-sugar-infographics/
Leptin and ghrelin: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/leptin-101
Macronutrients: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/ask-the-expert/macronutrients
Trans-fats: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/trans-fat/art-20046114
10000 proteins (our proteome): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4889822/
Sarcopenia: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23167-sarcopenia
Nitrites and cancer: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/27/too-much-nitrite-cured-meat-brings-clear-risk-of-cancer-say-scientists
Protein and reduced cognitive decline: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protein-intake-associated-with-less-cognitive-decline
Doctors Kitchen protein calculator (Dr Rupy Aujla): https://www.thedoctorskitchen.com/protein_calculator.php
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.
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Air pollution is a huge cause of death killing 8 million people worldwide each year. Its effects are damaging to most of our body systems yet is an ‘invisible’ threat to us. In this episode I look at what we can do to minimise our exposure to air pollutants in and out of the home.
WHO guidelines: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
Pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32919961/
Air pollution and non-communicable diseases: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6904854/
Smoke control at home: https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules
Carpets and health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5858259/
Mould and illness: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231651/
Plants and air purification: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8279815/
My report for the BBC from Hong Kong on air pollution comparing types: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-35885569
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.
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Magnesium is an important mineral for our health and in this episode I look at why it has become a silent public health issue in recent years. I cover where magnesium comes from, why deficiency has become so prevalent and what to do about it.
Food sources of magnesium: https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/magnesium/
Sublinical magnesium deficiency: https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000668
Getting enough magnesium and why blood testing is often inaccurate: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6316205/
An old study about CO2 and plant mineralisation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24867639/
The decline of plant nutrition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36336557/
Vitamin D and magnesium: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900722000867
A campaign for remineralising soil: https://www.remineralize.org/
Examine.com - evidence based information on supplements
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.
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In this episode I go back to the basics of how to get themes out now your GP appointment beyond the obvious. Medicine is increasingly complex and time is often short with the doctor. Here are my tips for an effective use of appointments in 2025.
Links:
Why men don’t gp to the doctor - https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/latest-news/why-dont-men-go-to-see-their-doctors/
Hello My Name is: https://www.hellomynameis.org.uk/
Giving the doctor a good history: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolynmcclanahan/2019/01/19/how-to-give-a-good-medical-history-to-get-better-health-care/
Reasonable adjustments: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/disability-discrimination/reasonable-adjustments/
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.
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Infections of the urinary tract are a daily occurrence but there is much more to them than meets the eye. In this episode I go through some of the conditions that affect the kidney and bladder and what we can do to keep them healthy.
Cystitis: https://www.healthline.com/health/cystitis
Benign prostate enlargement: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-enlargement/
Urethritis: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264903
Bladder cancer symptoms: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-i-knew-i-had-bladder-cancer---3-survivors--first-symptoms.h00-159701490.html
Kidney stone diet: https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-stone-diet
Chronic kidney disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/
Bladder and pelvic muscle exercises: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14611-kegel-exercises
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.
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Wellness is big. But it really divides opinion. Some think of it as extreme aesthetic procedures or unnecessary fad diets whereas others regard it as essential maintenance.
I explore what wellness really means in this episode.
——
Links:
The GWI and wellness definitions: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/
Wellness vs wellbeing: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/340202/wellness-wellbeing-difference.aspx
Kelp and the thyroid: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6750240/
When wellness goes wrong: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/31/the-wellness-instagrammer-who-learned-to-let-go
BBL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-66798236
Gluten antibodies and neurological disease: https://www.sth.nhs.uk/news/2020/11/23/new-breakthrough-diagnostic-test-leads-to-earlier-detection-of-neurological-damage-caused-by-gluten-sensitivity/
Stress and heart rhythm issues: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.032414
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.
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In this episode I look at a huge study from the USA which looked at over 700,000 people to find which habits lead others to increased lifespan.
I discuss the limitations of the study but also some universal habits we could all potentially benefit from.
The study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652366280X?via%3Dihub
Study summary: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38065710/
Exercise benefits: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise
All Trials (Ben Goldacre): https://www.alltrials.net/
The latest on the opioid crisis: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65764307. (The dramatisations of this story, Painkiller and Dopesick are both available to watch on Netflix)
What is an observational study?: https://www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/patients-public/about-clinical-trials/what-is-an-observational-study/
O Sleep (by Handel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJr5Uvi7fM4
Plant-based diets: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-023-00877-2
A framework to help create or break habits:
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-health-fix-dr-ayan-panja-new-years-resolutions
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.
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