Dr Karan Explores

💬 “Microbes can influence things like behaviour, mood, cognition. We're starting to see links with things like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease as well.”  ~Dr Jonathan Swann ⚡️ Dr Jonathan Swann from the University of Southampton is one of the UK’s leading experts on the gut microbiome, with a particular interest in the gut-brain axis. ⚡️ In this episode Jonathan and I explain how your brain and gut communicate with each other, and why you might experience IBS, depression and other negative health effects when that connection breaks down. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ How your gut not only talks to your brain, but your brain also talks to your gut ➡︎ Why meditating monks have super-healthy guts. ➡ How you can give a mouse depression by messing with its gut microbiome ➡︎ Whether gut-brain therapies like psychobiotics are any good ➡︎ News about human trials of poop transplants 📕 Chapters (1:12) How the gut-brain axis works (6:22) How many microbes live in the gut? (9:32) What can go wrong with the gut-brain connection? (18:19) Diet and mood (20:07) Gut transplants (21:48) The role of fungi and viruses (24:35) “A gut feeling” (26:11) Psychobiotics (32:22) Antibiotics (33:37) Microbiome’s impact on Alzheimer’s (36:34) Age-related cognitive decline (38:28) Management strategies (43:24) The problem with poop analysis 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Jonathan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-swann-58a83b66/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5y5nsv/doctor-jonathan-swann  🔥 Get my free weekly newsletter filled with easy to action health tips, interesting facts and science to fill your curiosity: https://drkaran.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook 🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

💬 “If you are doing it with too much grit and a snarly face and “I'm really tough”, it's not actually that sustainable and enjoyable. It's not that deep. You're just going for a run” -Tommy Lewis ⚡️ Tommy Lewis is a London based ultra runner with a love of the outdoors. He shares his passion for running with a devoted following on Instagram, in an attempt to inspire people of all fitness levels to enjoy the sport. ⚡️ In this episode Tommy and I explain how running might just change your life, and debunk the myth that running will injure you. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ How to embrace the boredom of running ➡︎ Why running is actually GOOD for your knees ➡ How running deepens your self-awareness ➡︎ From fitness trackers to electrolytes, what gear you really need ➡︎ The best shoes you should be wearing (and what to avoid) 📕 Chapters (1:12) How to overcome the boredom of running (3:47) Running benefits your whole life (9:25) The “runner’s high” (11:21) Running vs other sports (12:58) Fuelling creativity (15:52) 30% drop in all cause mortality (21:36) Stop taking running so seriously (24:46) Does running kill your knees? (31:29) Best shoes for running (38:10) Avoid Nike trainers? (42:11) Are fitness trackers important? (44:25) Important of zone 2 training (45:59) Are electrolytes worth the money? (48:19) What drives an ultra marathon runner (50:33) Tommy’s top three tips 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Tommy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommyrunpt/  Website: https://www.tommyrunpt.com/  🔥 Get my free weekly newsletter filled with easy to action health tips, interesting facts and science to fill your curiosity: https://drkaran.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

💬 “I'm out here to raise awareness about something that is so precious. We only realise the value of it when we lose it.” ~Dr Joseph Manjaly ⚡️ Dr Joseph Manjaly is a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon, who works at the internationally renowned Royal National ENT Hospital in Central London. He also runs The Ear & Hearing Specialist Clinic and has a strong following on social media. ⚡️ In this episode Joseph and I discuss everything from tinnitus to earwax and even eargasms, to help you better understand how to protect your hearing and look after your ears. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ How to spot hearing loss (and the biggest warning signs) ➡︎ Why earwax is NOT a hygiene issue (and how to safely clean your ears) ➡ How hearing loss is linked with up to a 5x increased risk of dementia ➡︎ Why people with misophonia hate the sound of people chewing food ➡︎ That tinnitus doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition 📕 Chapters (1:03) Getting proactive with your hearing(4:00) What can go wrong with the ear (6:02) How does sound damage hearing? (8:14) Impact of headphones (9:30) The earbud craze (15:01) Dealing with earwax (22:30) Dementia and hearing loss (27:39) Misophonia (30:56) Tinnitus (34:06) Eargasms (37:25) Action based strategies (41:27) Red flag symptoms to look out for 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Joseph: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earsurgeonjoe/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earsurgeonjoe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jm2476  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

Dr. Saul Newman, a researcher at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing and Ig Nobel Prize winner, challenges the Blue Zones myth, exposing inaccuracies in longevity claims. He highlights that a significant number of centenarians in these regions aren't genuine, revealing corruption behind the sale of Blue Zone certificates for $40 million. Saul discusses the dangers of basing health advice on flawed data and the truth about longevity, emphasizing the critical role of genetics and advocating for a more skeptical approach to aging research.

💬 “People think I’m anti-physics. I’m not anti-physics. Calories don’t give you the information to improve your diet.” ⚡️ Dr Giles Yeo is a geneticist at Cambridge University specialising in obesity and how our brain controls food intake. He’s also the author of ‘Why Calories Don't Count’ and ‘Gene Eating’. ⚡️ In this episode Giles and I dig into the science of genetics and hunger hormones and why some people struggle with their weight more than others. I also challenge him on the notion that calories don’t count. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ How over 1000 genes are involved in body weight and controlling your appetite ➡︎ Why obesity isn’t a moral failing and should be thought of as a disease ➡ The huge variety in how different ethnicities are impacted by obesity ➡︎ What exactly “calories don’t count” really means ➡︎ Why fad diets should be ignored and how to find the diet that works for YOU 📕 Chapters (1:29) Obesity is not a moral failing (4:01) Is obesity a disease? (6:00) The role of genetics (8:39) Obesity phenotypes (10:59) Best diet for weight loss? (13:14) Where’s the data coming from? (15:44) How different ethnicities are affected by obesity (20:02) Calories don’t count? (24:34) The truth about ozempic (26:49) Hungry hormones (30:11) Not all calories are the same (32:09) How poverty affects obesity (34:14) Environment v genetics (36:19) Reframe the blame (39:16) Do we need policy change? (43:18) Our outdated biology (49:04) Does taste affect weight gain? (53:59) The microbiome (58:07) How to take action 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Giles: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilesyeo/ X: https://x.com/GilesYeo  📕 Grab Giles’ book here: https://amzn.eu/d/hoAnVLr  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

Chris Van Tulleken, a BBC broadcaster and author of "Ultra Processed People," joins to tackle the complex world of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). He explores whether we should fear these foods or embrace their practicality. The discussion reveals how food companies hook us on additives and why it’s not solely our fault. They also contemplate if adding veggies can counteract UPFs' drawbacks, the potential overblown fears regarding gut health, and even the surprising benefits UPFs may offer for many. It's a nuanced conversation about modern eating habits!

💬 “There is so much nonsense out there. The harm of brand marketing to the trust of skincare in general is hard to come back from.” ~Dr Muneeb Shah ⚡️ Dr Muneeb Shah, known as the ‘DermDoctor’, is a board certified dermatologist and one of the most followed science-based skinfluencers in the world. ⚡️ In this episode, Muneeb and I dig into the anatomy of the skin and what drives various skin conditions. We also discuss the overblown, unrealistic claims anti-aging skincare brands make - and what actually works to take years off your face. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ The anatomy of the skin and the role of your gut and diet in skin health ➡︎ The differences between skincare for men and women  ➡ Why skin cancer needs to be taken more seriously ➡︎ How mood and stress can cause flare ups ➡︎ Dr Shah’s exact skincare routine and what you’ll find in his cupboards 📕 Chapters (1:22) Anatomy of the skin (5:28) What affects our skin? (9:33) Differences between men and women (14:41) Common skin conditions (15:46) Skin cancer (21:18) How mood affects skin health (24:56) Gut skin axis (31:29) A cure for BO? (36:33) Diet and skin health (40:44) Is anti-aging a scam? (45:34) How to use retinoids (48:07) The damage of skinfluencers (52:45) Dr Karan is challenged on his routine (59:31) What’s in Dr Shah’s cupboards? 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Muneeb: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dermdoctor  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorly/  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

💬 “When a 13 year old boy stumbles across pornography, I don't think very many of them are interested in seeing women being gagged or choked or degraded. But that is likely to be what they'll see” -Maree Crabbe ⚡️ Maree Crabbe is the Co-Founder of ‘It’s Time We Talked’, an organisation helping children and young people avoid porn’s influence. She has been interviewing people about porn and its impacts for 15 years. ⚡️ In this episode, Maree and I discuss the sharp rise in violent sexual acts being depicted in mainstream, online pornography - and how that’s crossing over into the bedroom. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ How hardcore porn is reaching children as young as 9 ➡︎ How strangulation, coercion and deep-throating is becoming more prevalent ➡ Why the industry is increasingly promoting incest, teen and non-consesual themes ➡︎ What too much extreme porn is doing to our sexual health ➡︎ Strategies to reduce or eliminate porn from your life 📕 Chapters (1:11) More young people are watching porn (7:02) Rising aggression in porn (14:19) Is violence what the audience wants? (18:17) Violence in the bedroom (23:20) How porn causes sexual dysfunction (27:31) Is there “good” porn? (31:44) What can we do about porn? (38:25) Improving sex ed (42:17) Body image and rise in surgery (47:17) The problem of deepfake porn (50:02) What about porn stars? (52:21) Are you addicted? 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Maree: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mareecrabbe/  Websites: https://itstimewetalked.com/ https://www.breathlesscampaign.com/ https://www.notthenorm.com.au/  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

💬 “We've seen a marked increase in the amount of food allergy that's around, and it now affects 5% of UK children. Even in the adult population, it's become a major health issue.” -Prof Adam Fox ⚡️ Dr Adam Fox is a professor in paediatric allergy and runs award-winning private practice Allergy London. He’s also vocal on social media, helping people to better understand allergies and the treatments that are available. ⚡️ In this episode, Adam and I find out why allergies are on the rise globally, what the leading risk factors are for developing an allergy, and science-backed ways to reduce symptoms and reactions. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡︎ A discovery that’s turned the allergy world upside down ➡︎ Why eczema is so closely linked to the risk of developing allergies ➡ The science of the allergy response and why it happens ➡︎ The link between the gut microbiome and rising rates of allergies ➡︎ Why allergy tests are often a waste of time 📕 Chapters (1:02) Why allergies are on the rise (6:36) Science of the allergy response (12:39) May contain traces of… (15:58) Can allergies worsen over time? (17:35) How we outgrow allergies (20:03) Links to microbiome (25:42) Environment and climate change (34:12) Do allergy tests work? (38:03) Allergy v intolerance (43:02) Penicillin allergies (47:48) Sharing allergies with doctors (49:49) Allergy desensitisation (57:47) Strategies to control allergies 📱 Connect with me: TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/drkaranrajan Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.karanr 📱 Connect with Adam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradamfox/  Website: https://www.allergylondon.com/  References: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/255793/food-allergy-doubles-uk-over-last/  🔥 For more useful science for your everyday life, grab my best selling book “This Book May Save Your Life”: https://geni.us/DrKaranBook  🎙️ An OG Podcasts production.

Julie McFadden, known as Hospice Nurse Julie, uses her experience to help people confront their fears around death and dying. She shares insights on why we avoid talking about death and its importance for a fulfilling life. Julie challenges misconceptions about hospice care and explains the phenomenon of terminal lucidity. Most strikingly, she discusses common deathbed regrets, such as neglecting relationships and health, urging listeners to embrace the present and prepare for end-of-life decisions.