Degrees of Health

Are you struggling with hair loss and not sure where to start? Or perhaps you have a hormone profile back that you want to work to improve? Whether you’re dealing with hair loss, want to optimise your hormonal profile towards a specific goal, or just want to feel at your best, this episode is packed with a science-backed medical perspective to provide you with the information to make decisions that support your journey to better health.James O'Hara, a nurse practitioner with a keen specialisation in preventative medicine, explores the science behind hair loss, hormonal balance, and how lifestyle choices impact these areas, and our overall well-being. If you’re seeking practical solutions for improving both your vitality and appearance, this episode is for you.Key Discussion Points:🔍 Root causes of hair loss – from iron deficiency to hormonal imbalances in men and women⚖️ Balancing hormones and hair loss treatments – exploring total testosterone, DHT, dutasteride and finasteride📚 Stacking for regrowth – combining lifestyle changes with other interventions e.g. microneedling, nutrient optimisation, red light🥗 Diet and testosterone – how fat, carbs, and supplements can influence hormone levels🔄 Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) – who might benefit, and the risks involved🧠 Cognitive Performance – Enhancing brain function with caffeine, Modafinil, and other low-risk toolsJames emphasises the importance of a holistic approach, reminding us that no single treatment fits all. It’s about personalisation according to the individual, stacking therapies, managing lifestyle, and optimising nutrition for desired health outcome and long term well-being. Find James:InstagramGillet Health PodcastWebsiteMentioned in this episode:Study - Acute administration of roflumilast enhances sensory gating in healthy young humansStudy - Acute administration of roflumilast enhances immediate recall of verbal word memory in healthy young adultsStudy - Acute treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast improves verbal word memory in healthy old individuals---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PART 2! If you or someone you love is affected by Alzheimers, this is for you. If you believe you’re at risk genetically or you want to prevent your own cognitive decline, this is also for you. If you’re curious about the role of ketones and the ketogenic diet in brain health, this is absolutely for you.Find Mary Newport:Website and BooksMentioned in this episode:Use of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in subjects with Alzheimer's diseaseStudy of the ketogenic agent AC-1202 in mild to moderate Alzheimer's diseaseDr Stephen Cunane. Can Ketones Help Rescue Brain Fuel Supply in Later Life?Low-fat versus ketogenic diet in Parkinson's disease:Study due 2025: Refueling the post COVID-19 brain: potential role of ketogenic medium chain triglyceride supplementation: an hypothesisA short history of saturated fat: the making and unmaking of a scientific consensusLauric acid promotes neuronal maturation mediated by astrocytes in primary cortical culturesMetabolical by Robert LustigCancer as a Metabolic Disease by Thomas SeyfriedRavenous by Sam AppleWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PART 1! If you or someone you love is affected by Alzheimers, this is for you. If you believe you’re at risk genetically or you want to prevent your own cognitive decline, this is also for you. If you’re curious about the role of ketones and the ketogenic diet in brain health, this is absolutely for you.Dr. Mary Newport, neonatologist, author and certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist, shares her personal story of using a ketogenic diet to support her late husband, Steve, in his battle against early-onset Alzheimer’s. She explains the science behind ketones and how they serve as an alternative fuel for the brain. This episode doesn’t only offer insight into how ketones can improve cognitive function, mood, and overall quality of life, it also provides a very valid explanation for how they can be used to improve already existing cognitive decline. We cover (but so much more too):🧠 The brain-energy gap – how ketones bridge the gap🥥 MCT oil and coconut oil – their structures and unique role in producing ketones🍼 The connection between MCTs in breast milk and infant brain development🔥 Ketones: anti-inflammatory, appetite-suppressing, and brain-protective properties🩺 Can ketones prevent Alzheimer’s in high-risk individuals?🔬 Research on ketone esters and future treatments for cognitive declineDr. Newport also touches on the need for more research into the use of ketones for Alzheimer's, the impact on inflammation and cerebral blood flow, and the challenges to traditional low-fat dietary guidelines. She emphasises the potential of ketogenic diets to improve brain health both in slowing the development of Alzheimer's and as a preventative measure, and discusses her upcoming book on dietary guidelines and brain ageing.Find Mary:Website and BooksMentioned in this episode:Reference list on Mary Newport's websiteFull reference list can be found in Part 2Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you feel like life is slipping by and you're unsure how to live with purpose or intention, this episode is for you. William B. Irvine - author, philosopher, teacher and practicing Stoic - shares profound insights on how Stoicism offers a coherent framework for living a fulfilled life. Bill encourages us to embrace discomfort, fail forward, and live authentically—not for social approval but for personal fulfilment. Whether you're new to Stoicism or a seasoned practitioner, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you master the art of living well.🧠 The psychology of Stoicism: controlling negative emotions, not avoiding all feelings⚖️ Hedonic treadmill: why chasing happiness may not lead where you think or want🎯 Living by your values: how Stoicism and Zen Buddhism align in focusing on what truly matters🌀 Negative visualisation: a Stoic practice for cultivating gratitude and perspective🔄 Reframing challenges: using a positive mindset to turn obstacles into opportunitiesListen in here if you are interested in carefully rethinking the assumptions of everyday life and how they affect all realms of your health.Find Bill:Website Mentioned in this episode:Book - A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. IrvineBook - On Desire by William B. IrvineBook - The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient by William B. IrvineBook - Walden by Henry David ThoreauWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health - we all have it. Yep, even you.We are all getting so good at looking after the various aspects of our physical health - nutrition, types of exercise, light exposure, cold baths - whatever your bag is, we're here for it. And many are catching on that the same approach can be used to look at aspects of our mental health. There are things we know make us feel great and then things we do that make us feel... well, not so great. We're human and we have and will continue to get that balance wrong a lot. But we believe part of getting it wrong a little less is being aware of what those things are. Enter the world of therapy that can help us with this process of discovery, identification and support in understanding our rationale behind behaviours that no longer serve us present day and illuminating a world in which we might be able to make differences choices. Here, we're speaking with Dr. Mitesh Patel discussing mental health and psychiatry. Mitesh talks about the pyramid of sound foundational principles - what we can do to foster sound mental health - and offers a unique perspective of what this field of work is highlighting at the moment. We cover:💭 Mistruths around what it means to mentally well💛 Emotional language mapping for young children in schools🚫 Social media diets🥽 The future of psychiatry - in-person, telehealth therapy, VR therapy🛠️ Psychedelics for positive change - micro dosing, assisted therapies, guided tripsFind Mitesh:LinkedInMentioned in this episode:*Study - Interconnected Dynamics of Sleep Duration, Social Media Engagement, and Neural Reward Responses in AdolescentsFilm - HerFilm - Ready Player 1Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Glen Jeffery, a Professor of Neuroscience at UCL, as he sheds light on the fascinating connection between light and cellular health. Discover how red and near-infrared wavelengths can rejuvenate mitochondria, potentially reducing aging and inflammation. Glen discusses the surprising applications of light therapy in hospitals, aiding recovery, and even influencing insulin regulation. He emphasizes the urgency of sharing this crucial information for public awareness, blending science and practical health into an illuminating conversation.

We all have that tendency to go against our own better judgement when it comes to making decisions for our health - but why do we do it when we know there’s a better option there for us? The frustration it incurs! Not to mention the time wasted… and the guilt. It most certainly isn’t a lack of information available on how to be happy and healthy - that’s abundant. So, why is it that we often don’t actually do the things we know we should?We ask this and more with psychologist and coach, Dr Karen Doll. Karen practices what she preaches in supporting high performers with tools for psychological fitness. She asks the million dollar question - is it possible to be challenged, strive, achieve and grow without unnecessary anxiety and distress? Karen believes it absolutely is. The key? We have to be intentional about it. We dive into:⚖️ Sweet spot of energy and vitality without unnecessary anxiety and distress💗 You’re never the only one struggling🌎 “Not Enough” - a universal of human experience🎯Why we self-sabotage and challenging core beliefs💼📊Comparison, workaholism and successism - external to internal acceptance📱Smart phones for psychological fitness - generative or destructive?A big thought point for us was the following question and we’d love for you to explore it too and see how it applies in your own life. If we don’t know ourselves or what we want to be different, how will we even start the process of change? Find Karen:WebsiteLinkedInHarvard University Flourishing at Work NetworkMentioned:Book - Building Psychological Fitness by Karen Doll Book - The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtRoulette - Addiction by Design by Natasha Dow SchullBook The Good Life by Robert WaldingerBook Fallen Leaves by Will DurantWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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:SubstackTwitter & Instagram: @seagertp EmailMentioned in this episode:Book: Uncommon Cold by Thomas SeagerIce Bath and Cancer ScienceStudy - Cancer as a metabolic disease: implications for novel therapeuticsStudy - Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory?Book - Cancer As A Metabolic Disease by Thomas SeyfriedStudy - Brown-fat-mediated tumour suppression by cold-altered global metabolismDNA repair and anti-cancer mechanisms in the longest-living mammal: the bowhead whaleWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can all talk a good game - but how often do we actually deliver on the goods? If we know what we need to do to feel good, to attain and maintain good health, and achieve our goals and desires - why is that we find ourselves not doing the things?! Professor John Parkinson and Ben dive head first into the theories of behavioural psychology behind these patterns in us - where they come from, why they develop and what we can do to change them.Here we cover:🎯 The Intention-Action Gap 💡 The need for specificity in setting and achieving goals🧠 Optimists and pessimists - do you believe you can or you can’t?🏆 Fear of failing - we all know it, so what do we do with it?🎲 Gamifying life - “how would you live differently if you viewed life as a game?”👫 Gender differences in achievement, and optimism. 💪 Self-determination theory and 3 core motivating categoriesListen in to John and Ben's open discussion on how to stack the deck in your favour through understanding what is driving our behaviour, self-awareness and optimising your environment for goal achievement. Find John:Google ScholarPublic Health Wales - Behavioural Science Unit WebsiteWales Centre for Behavioural Change blogMentioned in this episode:Psychology Students’ Marathon Achievements Book - Super Better by Jane McGonigalStudy - Motivation and Behaviour Change in Parkrun ParticipantsBook - Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanBook - Determined: Life Without Free Will by Robert SapolskyWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. James Kinross, a leading consultant surgeon and lecturer at Imperial College London, isn’t just at the forefront of gut microbiome research—he’s also written the book on it. Dark Matter delves into the vital role micro-organisms play in our bodies and the profound impact their balance (or imbalance) has on our health. Dr. Kinross’ research explores how the gut microbiome seemingly influences everything about how we interact with our environment and the impact it has on our health and our life as we age.Here, we discuss:👤 The symbiotic relationship between humans and their microbiome🚨 Bowel cancer: Why 95% of cases Dr Kinross operates on are preventable💊 The global misuse of antibiotics and its consequences💩 Fecal microbiome transplants—yes, it’s a thing!🧠 The crucial link between gut health and mental health🔬 The challenges of modern medicine working in silos📊 The future of microbiome science as a tool for population healthDr. Kinross is shaping our understanding of the hidden world within us, and this conversation might just change the way you think about looking after it.Find JamesInstagramBook - Dark MatterWebsiteMentioned in this episode:Fecal microbiota transplant overcomes resistance to anti–PD-1 therapy in melanoma patientsSweaty T-Shirt ExperimentAre single odorous components of a predator sufficient to elicit defensive behaviors in prey species?The Human Gut Microbiome as a Potential Factor in Autism Spectrum DisorderThe Age of Surveillance Capitalism - Shoshana ZuboffWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealth Tik Tok @degrees_of_healthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.