Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

What happens when a medical student gets diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given three months to live? In this episode of Extend, Dr. Dawn Mussallem joins me to share her incredible journey from near-death to becoming a leading integrative oncologist at Mayo Clinic, proving that lifestyle interventions can dramatically improve cancer outcomes. We discuss how 42% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes, why ultra-processed foods increase cancer risk by 16%, and the shocking truth about soy and breast cancer. We also share her evidence-based protocol combining conventional treatments with integrative modalities. Dr. Dawn Mussallem is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine at Mayo Clinic, where she designed the integrative breast oncology program. A cancer survivor who received a heart transplant in 2021, she combines personal experience with rigorous science to help patients optimize their health during and after cancer treatment. We Also Discuss: Why 75% of Cancers Are Caused by Lifestyle Factors (Not Genetics) How Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Cancer Death Risk by 30% The Shocking Truth About Soy and Breast Cancer (It's Actually Protective) Why Half Your Plate Should Be Vegetables or Fruits at Every Meal The 30 Diverse Plant Foods Per Week Rule for Optimal Gut Health Low-Dose Naltrexone's Immune-Boosting Effects for Cancer Patients Why Exercise During Chemotherapy Actually Improves Outcomes How Fermented Foods Support Cancer Prevention and Treatment The Mayo Clinic Protocol for Maintaining Vitality During Treatment Why Skipping Breakfast Increases All-Cause Mortality Risk Thank You for Our Sponsors: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nexthealth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/ Learn more about Dr. Dawn Mussallem: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdawnmussallem/?hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dawn-mussallem-do-dipablm-2b360b57

Ben Greenfield, a biohacker and bestselling author of "Boundless," reveals his journey from elite athlete to understanding metabolic health. He discusses the vital distinction between fitness and health, sharing how blood tests transformed his wellness approach. He emphasizes the role of biomarker testing, wearables, and the significance of cycling supplements for optimal results. Ben also explores the concept of hormesis—how controlled stressors can enhance resilience—and raises awareness about the dangers of microplastics in our bodies.

Dr. Eric Verdin, CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, joins to debunk myths around longevity supplements and highlight the reality of aging. He discusses the pivotal role of the immune system in aging and how lifestyle changes can significantly enhance healthspan. Topics include epigenetic reprogramming, the limitations of self-experimentation, and the potential of digital twins in precision medicine. Dr. Verdin emphasizes that while no anti-aging supplements are proven effective, adopting healthy habits could add 30 years of vitality.

What if the blood tests you're not getting are more important than the ones you are? In this episode of Extend, Dr. Jeremy London joins me to explore the three lifestyle modifications that prevent most cardiac disease. We dive into how a continuous glucose monitor revealed his own pre-diabetes despite feeling perfectly healthy. We also share the blood tests your doctor isn't ordering, why vaping may be more dangerous than cigarettes, and how functional medicine filled the gap that traditional surgery couldn't address. Dr. Jeremy London is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his general surgery residency at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, followed by a vascular and thoracic surgical fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center. Dr. London's mission is to provide accessible health information through his newsletter, podcast, and social platforms. We Also Discuss: Why Vaping Is More Dangerous Than Cigarettes According to This Heart Surgeon The Three Blood Tests Your Doctor Isn't Ordering How a Continuous Glucose Monitor Revealed Pre-Diabetes in a "Healthy" Surgeon Why 50% of Americans Have High Blood Pressure and Most Don't Know It The Calcium Score CT Scan That Reveals Hidden Heart Disease Risk Why VO2 Max Is the Most Powerful Predictor of Longevity How Functional Medicine Saved This Surgeon from Career Burnout The Walking Desk Hack That Gets 10,000 Steps During Work Hours Thank You for Our Sponsors: Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/ Timeline: Claim 10% off your first order now at https://www.timeline.com/partners/darshan-shah Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/ Learn more about Dr. Jeremy London: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjeremylondon / Website: https://www.drjeremylondon.com/

After spending years at a monastery, meditation expert Scott Schwenk discovered the way most people approach meditation is exactly what keeps them from succeeding. The myths around emptying your mind, sitting in painful positions, and chasing mystical experiences sabotage practice before it begins. In this episode of Extend, Scott and I discuss the 4-lens framework that transforms meditation from mystical pursuit to practical life skill. We explore his signature 6-point body softening technique that works in 30 seconds, why he stopped teaching fire breathing after becoming trauma-informed, and how to build a sustainable practice that integrates into real-world challenges. Scott Schwenk is a meditation teacher, breathwork facilitator, and consciousness coach who has spent decades studying both Eastern spiritual traditions and Western psychological approaches. He lived at a monastery, teaches internationally, and helps individuals and businesses integrate contemplative practices into daily life. We Also Discuss: Why "No Thoughts" is Meditation Mythology That Sabotages Your Practice The 6-Point Body Softening Technique That Works in 30 Seconds Why Your Hips Must Be Higher Than Your Knees for Proper Meditation Posture The Secret Taoist Water Meditation Scott Discovered by Accident Nadi Shodhana: The Daily Breathwork Practice That Changes Everything Why Scott Stopped Teaching Fire Breathing After Becoming Trauma-Informed How Mirror Neurons Transfer Meditative States Between People The 4 Lenses Framework: Waking Up, Growing Up, Cleaning Up, Showing Up Why Gurus Fall: Advanced States vs. Psychological Development Open-Eyed Meditation and Why Peak States Can Become Addictive The 3 Questions That Build Meditation Confidence in 30 Days Why You Should Stop While the Practice Still Feels Good Thank You for Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. Function Health: The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah or use gift code DRSHAH100 at sign-up to own your health. Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/ Learn more about Scott Schwenk: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescottschwenk/ Website: https://www.scottschwenk.com/

Dr. Izabella Wentz, a clinical pharmacist and expert in autoimmune thyroid disease, shares her insights on Hashimoto's in this engaging discussion. She reveals that over 90% of hypothyroid cases are autoimmune, often overlooked by standard tests. Wentz uncovers how artificial sweeteners can trigger thyroid issues and discusses the connection between gut health and thyroid function. Learn about essential tests for early detection and lifestyle strategies, like the power of Epsom salt baths and elimination diets, to reverse thyroid dysfunction.

What if the most basic safety research on childhood vaccines has never actually been done? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Joel "Gator" Warsh, an integrative pediatrician who's asking the questions about vaccine safety that medicine has avoided for decades. We explore why vaccines are studied against other vaccines instead of true placebos, the shocking absence of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated research, and how financial incentives shape medical recommendations. Dr. Warsh also breaks down his approach to informed consent with parents. This isn't anti-vaccine rhetoric—it's a call for better science. Dr. Joel Warsh is a board-certified pediatrician based in Los Angeles. After completing his residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, he became one of the few pediatricians to openly discuss vaccine safety concerns. He's the author of "Between a Shot and a Hard Place" and founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City. We Also Discuss: Why Most Vaccines Were Never Studied Against True Placebos The Missing Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Research That Could End the Debate How Financial Incentives Drive Vaccine Recommendations The Autism Research That Doesn't Actually Exist MMR vs. Individual Protection: Why All Vaccines Aren't the Same The Hepatitis B at Birth Controversy for Low-Risk Babies Why Whooping Cough "Cocooning" Might Actually Increase Risk The Cleveland Clinic Flu Shot Study That Changed Everything mRNA Technology: What We Know vs. What We Don't After 4 Years Ultra-Processed Foods and the Real Driver of Childhood Illness Screen Time Strategies: Educational vs. Dopamine-Engineered Content The Social Contract Debate: Individual Rights vs. Public Health Thank You for Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/ Learn more about Dr. Joel Gator Warsh Newsletter: https://raisingamazingplus.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjoelgator/?hl=en Website: https://raisingamazingplus.com/inner-circle/

What if the device in your pocket is secretly sabotaging your metabolism, sleep, and longevity? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Rupy Aujla, a medical doctor turned lifestyle medicine pioneer who reversed his own heart condition through food and lifestyle changes alone. We explore the "cocaine phone vs. kale phone" strategy for digital wellness, why fiber maxing on TikTok is backfiring, and how to get 10 servings of vegetables daily without thinking about it. He also reveals his three-pillar framework for optimal health. Dr. Rupy Aujla is a medical doctor with over 15 years of experience, bestselling cookbook author of "Healthy High Protein," and founder of The Doctor's Kitchen app. After reversing his own atrial fibrillation through lifestyle medicine, he left the NHS to help millions of people worldwide cook their way to better health through evidence-based nutrition and functional medicine principles. We Also Discuss: The "Cocaine Phone vs. Kale Phone" Strategy for Digital Detox Why Fiber Maxing on TikTok Is Making People Sick The Three-Pillar Framework: Protein, Gut Health, and Anti-Inflammatory Eating How Dr. Rupy Reversed Heart Arrhythmia Without Surgery The "Just One More" Philosophy for Adding Vegetables Why 5-a-Day Was Completely Made Up (And What You Actually Need) Core Protein + Plant Partner + Topper: The New Protein Formula Silent Retreats: Resetting Your Dopamine in 3 Days Morning Light and Movement: The Ultimate Energy Hack Why Your Kitchen Is More Powerful Than Your Medicine Cabinet The Virtual Dr. Rupy AI Coach Revolution Thank You for Our Sponsors: Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/ NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/ Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/ Learn more about Dr. Rupy Aujla: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctors_kitchen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctors_kitchen/?hl=en Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-doctors-kitchen-podcast/id1316938642

Kristin Weitzel, a breathwork expert and cold plunge coach, shares her innovative approach to nervous system optimization. Discover how just three minutes in cold water can boost your confidence and mental resilience more effectively than therapy. Kristin introduces her 'ICE' method (Intentional Cold Exposure) and explains why women shouldn't shy away from cold plunging. She also highlights the benefits of breathwork, tips for overcoming the fears associated with cold exposure, and explores the fascinating interplay between cold plunging and emotional control.

Dr. Sara Szal, a Harvard-trained gynecologist and bestselling author, unveils why 80% of women face brain fog during perimenopause. She critiques traditional treatments like birth control and antidepressants, advocating for her 'hormone therapy plus' approach. The conversation touches on overlooked perimenopause symptoms, the importance of proper hormone testing, and the differences between bioidentical and synthetic hormones. Dr. Szal emphasizes the need for personalized care to empower women navigating this transition, ultimately redefining aging and health.