Finding Genius Podcast

"My knowledge outpaced the proliferation of the cancer," says Dr. Nasha Winters. After numerous, debilitating health challenges including an ovarian cancer diagnoses at nineteen, she collected information from around the world for healing methods beyond Western medicine. A doctor and cancer survivor, she tells her story, sharing How she faced a dire ovarian cancer diagnosis at a young age, Why her early cancer symptoms were hidden within other health issues like celiac disease, What imaging alternatives she's discovered that don't involve kidney-damaging dyes, and How her diet and self-treatment methods evolved over time and solidified into a healthful therapeutic diet and approach that she shares with patients. Physician and author Nasha Winters has faced a twenty-seven year journey alongside cancer. She calls it the "classic pain-to-purpose story," and it begins with her teen years, when she suffered from numerous debilitating conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and undiagnosed ovarian cancer. Everything hit a breaking point and she found herself in the hospital with a substantial bowel blockage. As doctors began to uncover illness upon illness in a time without early cancer detection options, she was about to face several months with nausea and pain so severe she couldn't eat. But that's when she began to walk multiple roads toward healing. It turns out that by fasting, she later learned that she was relieving some of the cytotoxic burden. Through various experiences over the following years such as world travel and medical school, she accrued a wealth of avenues to answer not if can cancer be cured, but how can one live with cancer and change the narrative. She shares details of her story and amazing ways she's helped her patients, describing innovative imaging like Prenuvo that leaves out the damaging dyes. Her journey included a new understanding of childhood trauma and illness. She comments, "you cannot heal from the soil in which you got sick unless you pluck out all those weeds." She now trains other physicians around the world to approach cancer treatment in these fundamentally new ways. Listen in to hear about her new book and her amazing experiences. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Food poisoning, pollution, infection, radiation: cell damage is happening in our bodies on an almost continuous basis, from so many sources. If the damage doesn’t result in cell death, then the cell will adapt to the damage. But what happens when, in the process of adapting, a cell creates its own insult, becoming a “victim of itself”? Saverio Gentile, PhD, explains this and more, including: What differs between the vascularization of tumor tissues and vascularization during normal development Where the inhibition of cell proliferation comes from Whether cancer is a maladaptation to chronic insult, random, or both Why cancer cells which recur after chemotherapy are particularly dangerous Gentile is a research assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine who joins the show to offer insight on a number of compelling questions about cancer, and share his research findings on the manipulation of ion channels in treating different tumors. According to Gentile, cancer is nothing more than a normal cell that has lost control of specific parameters, like the ability to stop proliferating when a normal cell would, and the controlled use of biochemical inputs and outputs. He explains when and how an otherwise normal cell, while trying to adapt to an insult, can actually worsen the problem, leading to additional uncontrolled and improperly regulated cellular pathways. Once there are enough of these cells, they may form a tumor, and begin creating an environment in which their growth is favored, such as by redirecting blood vessels toward the area of the tumor. The larger the tumor, the greater the signaling for the promotion of tumor growth. Gentile discusses the heterogeneity of tumors, three primary categories of breast cancers and how they differ in appearance, behavior, and response to therapeutics, the difference between neoplasms and cancer tumors, speculation as to why some cancers re-localize in certain areas and not others (e.g. brain versus skin), the relationship between tumors and microbiomes, the connection between viruses and cancer, and his research on ion channel manipulation in the treatment of cancer. Tune in for all the details, and visit https://cancer.uillinois.edu/member/saverio-gentile-phd/ to learn more.

Think you're a supinator? Well, you might be wrong. Dr. Dombroski says that people are actually poor at predicating the mechanics of their own gait and foot type. That's where he comes in. He shares What causes plantar fasciitis and some solutions he recommends, Why he performs gait analyses and individual training for patients,  What are some simple, effective foot exercises, and What he thinks about orthotics, toe spreaders, and other common treatment methods. Foot Specialist Dr. Colin Dombroski is the author of The Foot Strength Plan and The Plantar Fasciitis Plan. He has a PhD in health and rehabilitation science and practices in London, Ontario. When he was young, a disorder called vascular necrosis led to hip replacement surgery, which in turn caused a two-inch leg length discrepancy and resulting back pain. But a design-trained pedorthist fitted him with a heightening orthotic that changed his life by eliminating the pain. The impact was so profound, he decided to spend his life bringing relief to others. He shares his practicing philosophy with listeners, describing the vast array of causes, from foot shape and mechanics, to effects of wearing shoes to small, to sticking to only one pair of shoes. He works with patients on foot strengthening exercises to address some of these issues. Foot stability exercises can take the pressure of the injured tissue, helping the foot and leg work together more efficiently. "But I'm really a fan of being dynamic and seeing how someone's responding," he adds, describing his ability to keep front and center the custom needs of each patient. Listen in as he shares some of his secrets and resources for a better feeling foot.

Can the human species begin to unravel the cosmic mysteries our planet is surrounded by? Physics may give us a peek behind the curtain of the universe. Listen in to learn: How humans define life outside of our planet If species can re-evolve Whether extraterrestrial life can be expected to have features similar to humans Associate Professor at The Australian National University, Charley Lineweaver, discusses the possibilities and implications of life outside of our universe. To begin understanding the origin of life, we cannot keep the definition tethered to a human's understanding of our lives and history. Opening the constraints allows for an examination of time or life before our species was present. By loosening the criteria for a specific trait, species-specific characteristics are removed, which can broaden the possibilities for life. This may open the path to trace all of life back to a single organism. For more information, search for Charley Lineweaver on Google or your search engine of choice. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

“…Science progresses one funeral at a time, and…in another 10 to 20 years, people will look back on this time…and say, what were they thinking?” So, what ideas will be in the next coffin of science? Tune in for a compelling answer, and to learn: How the historical periods before and after behaviorism differ greatly, and impact the way we view cognition today How and where an understanding of cognition and cancer overlap   To what degree an individual cell has freedom in decision-making Dr. Pamela Lyon is a visiting research fellow at Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity in Adelaide, Australia. Her research into this topic began as a result of a cross-cultural comparison of philosophical propositions grounded in accounts of the mind. Much to her surprise, she discovered that in western cognitive science, cognition has been relegated to the realm of the human brain and machinery (robots, missiles, etc.), without any attention given to the idea of cognition as integral to all biological function.   In order for a biological system to persist, it must accomplish so many tasks in terms of physics, chemistry, and its interactions with the environment; it must exchange matter and energy, sense, remember, learn, make decisions in the face of uncertainty and conflicting messages, and value experiences as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ All of these are cognitive functions. “The view I came to is that you can’t stay alive and do what we do in being alive without cognition,” says Lyon, before explaining the history of this view since it emerged around the time of Darwin. How did we get to the state we’re in today? What choices have been made about the characterization of cognition, and why? Lyon explores her viewpoint with listeners, revitalizing an old yet very pragmatic understanding of all life on Earth. Press play for the details of this and more. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

                                  Mary T Newport, M.D.                                    Brief Biography and Links  Mary Newport, M.D. was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated from Xavier University (humanities and pre-medicine) and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.  She completed her training in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in neonatology at the Medical University Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, and is board certified in pediatrics and neonatology, the care of sick and premature newborns. She practiced neonatology for thirty years and was founding medical director for two newborn intensive care units in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.   More recently, she has gained experience at the opposite end of the spectrum while making home visits to people with a variety of chronic illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other dementias and neurological conditions.  In 2008, she implemented a ketogenic nutritional intervention with coconut and medium-chain triglyceride oil that dramatically helped her husband Steve Newport, who had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.  In 2010, she guided her husband through the first pilot study of the betahydroxybutyrate/butanediol ketone ester in a person with Alzheimer’s and co-authored a case report published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia in 2015 with Dr. Richard Veech and others. Her husband lost his battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body dementia in 2016 and Dr. Newport carries on his legacy as an author of three books and international speaker on ketones as an alternative fuel for the brain.  Her latest book is entitled The Complete Book of Ketones: A Practical Guide to Ketogenic Diets and Ketone Supplements.  Dr. Newport is a Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist through the American Society of Nutrition and is currently working on a new book focusing on ketogenic strategies and lifestyle modifications to help prevent or slow down progression of Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions.   Books: The Complete Book of Ketones: A Practical Guide to Ketogenic Diets and Ketone Supplements (2019)    Amazon Books: https://amzn.to/2AxBcLp  The Coconut Oil and Low Carb Solution for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Other Diseases (2015)  Amazon Books: https://amzn.to/2BaClJE  Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?  The Story of Ketones. (2011, 2nd Edition 2013)  Amazon Books: https://amzn.to/3d4n0HP Can oils found in household cabinets be used in the management of Alzheimer's Disease? Studies may suggest that notable improvements can be gained with consistent use. Press play to learn: How MTC oil can benefit the brain Why studies involving oil are difficult to conduct How ketones can be converted and used in the body Author Mary T. Newport shares her story of success with treating the effects of early-onset Alzheimer's with MCT and coconut oil. Ketones can significantly impact brain function and can be found in oils you may already have lying around your house. As similarly used in newborn baby formula, MCT oil, concentrated from coconut oil, can lead to a sustained improvement in brain function. Through anti-inflammatory properties and many other benefits, MCT and coconut oil show promise in deciphering some of the mysteries surrounding dementia. New research is aimed at further delaying cognitive impairment or preventing it altogether. For more information, visit coconutketones.com. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

That yawn could be telling you more about your health than you realize. Innovator Jeff Kahn believes lack of quality sleep may be the most underappreciated health concern in society, and his company is working to change that through sleep behavior modification. He tells listeners Why sleep is the "biggest lever you have in your control," How he ties sleep problems and effective sleep to relationships and solving some of the world's biggest challenges, What's the two-factor model of sleep and wake regulation, and How the Rise Science app for sleep works for technology-enabled sleep behavior. Jeff Kahn is a cofounder and CEO of Rise Science, a company that harnesses technology for better sleep. He studied science, design, and engineering in graduate school and his own struggles with sleep brought him into the university's sleep department; that's where it all began. Since then, research has only increased on the side of the importance of sleep. He shares some of this research with listeners as well as better sleep tips and available resources for more information. He explains how the two-factor model of sleep works in terms of our empathy, cognitive abilities, and other skills throughout our waking hours. These factors are known as "sleep debt," or how sleep deprived someone is, and circadian rhythm. The Rise Science app addresses both of these factors, measuring and suggesting modes of improvement. He explains how and addresses other sleep issues such as the "sleep hangover," the role of napping, different sleep stages, chemicals released in sleep like adenosine and what it does, and whether it's possible to get too much sleep. Feeling sleepy yet? Well, for some tips about how to address your sleep needs, listen in. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

How can you ensure the health of a baby before even considering conception? Saliva can hold many answers and insights into a child's future. Listen in to learn:  If a predisposition is the same as a diagnosis The aspects which can be determined about the health of a child before they are born If certain predispositions are more common than others CEO and founder of Orchid Health, Noor Siddiqui, stops by to share her experience in preimplantation genetic testing. Understanding genetic risk can drastically impact one's lifestyle or choices and may change the course of any possible ailments. Testing before a child is conceived gives the best chance of mitigating risk. Many parents are motivated to help their children avoid suffering from similar conditions they have dealt with during their lives. By enabling parents to be more confident in limiting as many risk factors as possible, more couples can feel able to have their children with a renewed peace of mind. To learn more, visit orchidhealth.com. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

"A tumor grows out of what's, at default, a state of cooperation," says researcher Carlo Maley. His research interest centers on the intersection of cancer and evolution and ways to use that understanding to treat cancer. He shares fascinating studies and theories with listeners, exploring How growing a tumor in vitro into a spheroid allows researchers to study it as an organism, How cancer cells transitioning from epithelial to mesenchymal tissue enables mobility, What the "Big Bang" hypothesis means in cancer research, and Why understanding the low cancer rate in whales might help our own treatment. Carlo Maley is an associate professor with the Biodesign Institute in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University and is the director of the Arizona Cancer and Evolution Center. He specializes in cancer, evolution, and computational biology. He explains that cancer and evolution intersect on two different levels. First, within our bodies, cells are evolving and competing, mutating and surviving or failing. These processes can lead to the beginnings of cancer. Second, when doctors treat cancer with methods like chemotherapy, selective pressures again determine evolutionary forces, leading to resistance. Professor Maley explores both of these levels in imaginative detail, explaining for example how bone marrow cancer growth and lung cancer may have different pressures and mechanism to progress through natural selection and competition. It's this competition of cells that creates phenomena such as removing a tumor leading to increased metastases. He explains that, in "many of these mutations. . .  that affect the biology of a cell, actually, are going to be advantageous for the cell, but ultimately bad for the body." Yet, cancer cells are able to coopt cellular machinery that leads to cooperation. He touches on numerous puzzles, including the role of bacteria and microbiomes in some cancers, and shares some exciting research into adaptive therapies. Listen in for an enlightening and hopeful view into cutting-edge cancer research. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

You can tell a lot by someone's cortisol rhythm," says chiropractor Stacey Smith. She noticed that some of her patients improved and some didn't despite the same treatment and wanted to understand why. The answer centered on adrenal fatigue and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). She discusses this and how to achieve stress recovery, explaining How stress-related dysfunction actually starts upstream from the adrenal glands in the brain and nervous system, Why this stress cascade affects everything from blood sugar control to circadian rhythms via the HPA axis dysfunction, and What four key stressors she identifies and how their Lifestyle Matrix Education System addresses these issues. Stacey Smith is the SOS Clinical Brand Manager of Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center and is a practicing chiropractor. After observing the variety of recovery efficacy among her patients, she started researching stress-related dysfunctions and our HPA axis. This brought her to functional medicine and a better understanding of the stress recovery adaptation cycle. She explains the roles cortisol plays in many facets of our physiology, from blood sugar control and our sleep patterns and immune system function to our baseline energy.  She says that patients need to "get into a routine of something that's going to activate their passion," and in turn, their parasympathetic nervous system. She describes their mostly saliva-based testing, what it indicates, and how they treat patients accordingly. Their recommendations include lifestyle management, diet, and nutrition support, and "adaptogens," which help the body return to a state of homeostasis and balance. She also explains why too much cortisol can be harmful, from tissue breakdown that weakens the immune system to excess blood sugar. While most of her work is local, she adds that they offer their training and program guide to other practitioners. Listen in to find out more about their program.