

Medicine Redefined
Darsh Shah, DO and Altamash Raja, DO
Medicine Redefined challenges outdated conventions by elevating conversations around what health truly means. Hosts Dr. Darsh Shah and Dr. Altamash Raja spotlight clinicians, scientists, thought leaders, and reformers who are reshaping how we think about physical, mental, metabolic, and systemic health. While the healthcare system focuses on treating disease, our guests focus on optimizing human potential. From sleep and nutrition to stress resilience and lifestyle medicine, discover how forward-thinking practitioners are putting the health back in healthcare.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2023 • 1h 4min
134. Burnt Out to Bought In: A Nurse's Journey to Financial Independence Through Real Estate | Stacey Stegenga, RN
Stacey Stegenga wasn’t always a real estate investor, she was a nurse. But not just any nurse, Stacey was a flight nurse, helping transport military patients across the US. When she wasn’t away for flight nursing, she picked up travel nursing, moving around the US for months at a time to provide medical care wherever needed. She finally ended up in Denver to be close to family and grow some roots, but her pay was painfully cut in half . After educating herself intensely, she took the risk and jumped into real estate investing. Stacey was able to build an 8 unit portfolio in just 18 months and became a passive investor in a syndication! She now has experience with out-of-state investing, building a team, raising private capital, and mid-term rentals, all of which have worked out generously in her favor. Stacey’s love for real estate investing stems from supplementing her salary as a full-time nurse. She is passionate about improving healthcare and advocates for legislation to change the harmful work environment that so many healthcare professionals are forced to tolerate.
Mentioned in the show:
Set For Life by Scott Trench / Bigger Pockets / Syndication / Triple Net Lease / Real Estate Tax Benefits
Stacey's Socials:
Instagram

Nov 27, 2023 • 1h 24min
133. The Power of Polysaccharide Supplementation | John Lewis, PhD
John E. Lewis, Ph.D. has a passion for educating others about the value of nutrition, dietary supplementation, exercise, and health, and in particular he studies and applies clinical nutrition for the benefit of mankind. Dr. Lewis is a past full-time, and now voluntary, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is also a Diplomat, Faculty Member, and Advisor of the Medical Wellness Association. He has been the principal investigator of over 30 different studies in his research career, focusing on evaluating the effects of nutrition, dietary supplementation, and exercise on various aspects of human health, and he has over 180 peer-reviewed publications in some of the world’s leading scientific journals. A seminal publication from his Alzheimer’s study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease not only spurred Dr. Lewis to leave academics and pursue a science-based business career, but it also enabled him to be selected for a widely-acclaimed TEDxMiami talk about how dietary supplementation can improve brain health.
John Lewis Website
TedX Talk
PubMed Research Articles
Daily Brain Care Supplement
Dr. Lewis' Social Media:
Instagram
X/Twitter
LinkedIn

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 2min
132. The Role of Fatty Acids in Medical Conditions, Revisiting Seed Oils & Buying The Right Oil | Udo Erasmus, PhD
Udo Erasmus, Ph.D., introduced the importance of essential fats (EFA's) derived from organic flax seeds to the world. He pioneered methods for producing unrefined oils made with health in mind which are still used today by manufacturers of flax and other oils. Starting in the mid-1980's, Udo popularized the use of flax oil through an exhaustive itinerary of public lectures, which eventually led to TV and radio interviews. His ground-breaking book, Fats that Heal Fats That Kill, became the industry's bible on fats. Later he developed an oil blend which is an improvement on flax oil, offering a better ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6. Because of Udo's commitment to the field of fats and oils, there are now a variety of high-quality, EFA-rich oils available in health food stores and dispensaries around the world. Udo's contribution to the fields of health and nutrition, along with his pioneering work to establish standards of quality for oil manufacture will continue to benefit humanity for decades to come.
Udo Erasmus Website
Udo's Choice
Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill
Resources mentioned in the show:
Omega-3 and Atrial Fibrillation
Omega-3 and Disuse Atrophy
Fatty Acids and ADHD

Nov 13, 2023 • 1h 22min
131. The History of Fats, Deconstructing Seed Oils & Omega 3's and 6's | Udo Erasmus, PhD
Udo Erasmus, Ph.D., introduced the importance of essential fats (EFA's) derived from organic flax seeds to the world. He pioneered methods for producing unrefined oils made with health in mind which are still used today by manufacturers of flax and other oils. Starting in the mid-1980's, Udo popularized the use of flax oil through an exhaustive itinerary of public lectures, which eventually led to TV and radio interviews. His ground-breaking book, Fats that Heal Fats That Kill, became the industry's bible on fats. Later he developed an oil blend which is an improvement on flax oil, offering a better ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6. Because of Udo's commitment to the field of fats and oils, there are now a variety of high-quality, EFA-rich oils available in health food stores and dispensaries around the world. Udo's contribution to the fields of health and nutrition, along with his pioneering work to establish standards of quality for oil manufacture will continue to benefit humanity for decades to come.
Udo Erasmus Website
Udo's Choice
Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill

Nov 6, 2023 • 1h 4min
130. Digital Health and Why It's Taking Forever to Make Progress | Jonathan Baktari, MD
Dr. Baktari graduated magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve before continuing on to medical school at Ohio State University) and after graduation (he became a triple board-certified physician with specialties in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine, completing his residency at Northwestern University and fellowships at UCLA).
In this episode, we start by discussing
Digital health - what it is and why it’s exciting
The current role of digital health in medicine as we practice now
Foundational limitations for incorporating digital health successfully into healthcare
Where and how we would start to optimize the system using digital health
What a bright future with a robust and efficient digital health system looks like
Resources mentioned in the show:
Dr. Baktari's website
Baktari MD podcast

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 6min
129. Preparing for the Next Pandemic & Travel Medicine | Jonathan Baktari, MD
Dr. Jonathan Baktari is the CEO of eNational Testing, e7 Health, & US Drug Test Centers. He brings over 20 years of clinical, administrative, and entrepreneurial experience. .
Dr. Baktari graduated magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve before continuing on to medical school at Ohio State University) and after graduation (he became a triple board-certified physician with specialties in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine, completing his residency at Northwestern University and fellowships at UCLA).
Starting with private practice, he took on leadership roles at major Las Vegas hospitals. (AS the medical director for an ICU…or chief of internal medicine at Desert Springs Hospital, and system medical director for utilization management for six Valley Health Systems.) He also taught medicine at the University of Hawaii and Touro University, and spent time working on the insurance side, serving as medical director of the Culinary Health Fund and as Anthem’s medical director for the State of Nevada.
In this episode, we start by discussing
Digital health - what it is and why it’s exciting
Travel Medicine
Vaccinations
Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
Science communication and the scientific method
Resources mentioned in the show:
Dr. Baktari's website
Discovery of Helicobater pylori

Oct 23, 2023 • 24min
128. Progress Note #13: Long COVID Theories - Low Serotonin to Blame?
Drs. Altamash and Darsh discuss a recent paper in Cell examining a new theory for long COVID - low serotonin.
Resources mentioned in the show:
Serotonin reduction in post-acute sequelae of viral infection
Etiopathogenic theories about long COVID
Episode 16 with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
Episode 17 with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
Serotonin

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 13min
127. Ayurvedic Principles: Breathwork, Gut Microbiome, Epigenetics & Hormetic Stress | Jyoti Patel, MD
Dr. Jyoti Patel is a triple board certified physician in integrative pediatrics, internal medicine, and integrative & functional medicine. Dr. Patel was named one of the TOP DOCS in Phoenix Magazine 2009, 2016, 2022, Internist of the Year 2011 by the American College of Physicians Arizona Chapter and she received the Women In White Coats Hero Award in 2019. She spearheaded a community garden in Fountain Hills, AZ and she was awarded the Healthcare Provider of the Year 2017 by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce and Volunteer of the Year Award 2018 by the Town of Fountain Hills. S She is certified in Functional Medicine by IFM, is a Qualified MBSR teacher through UCSD and a Chopra Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Practitioner. Dr. Patel has a special interest in Corporate Wellness, Ayurvedic Retreats, Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and medical cosmetics.
Instagram
TikTok
Resources mention in the show:
Jyoti Patel,, MD on Medicine Redefined (Episode 3)
SOMA Breathwork
SHIFT Breathwork Test
The Comfort Crisis - Book
Breath - Book
The Microbiome in Health and Disease from the Perspective of Modern Medicine and Ayurveda
Andrew Huberman Physiologic Sigh
Andrew Weil's 4-7-8 Breathwork
Wim Hof Method

Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 27min
126. Wellness is a Mess in the Hospital and How to Get It Back | Alfred Atanda Jr., MD
Dr. Alfred Atanda Jr., is a pediatric sports medicine surgeon at Nemours Children's Hospital. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his residency training at the University of Chicago. He then went on to complete his fellowship in in pediatric orthopedics at DuPont Hospital (now known as Nemours Childrens) and sports medicine surgery at Jefferson Health. He is also the Director of Clincial Wellbeing at Nemours Children's Health. Dr. Atanda is a motivational speaker touching on topics such as finding one's purpose/calling, time management, effective communication, daring leadership, continuous improvement, lean thinking, identifying alternative revenue streams, and design thinking. He leverages various digital, social, and multimedia platforms to connect with professionals in a vulnerable way to motivate and inspire them to attain their fullest personal and professional potential.
Alfred Atanda:
LinkedIn

Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 14min
125. Getting Fit Through Cancer, Exercise Oncology & Caretaker Roles | Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH
Dr. Kathryn Schmitz is a distinguished figure in the field of exercise oncology, renowned for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of cancer survivors through the integration of physical activity into their treatment and recovery. Dr. Schmitz's academic journey led her to earn a Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Schmitz's groundbreaking research has not only solidified the role of exercise in cancer recovery but has also influenced international guidelines on cancer survivorship care. She currently leads the Moving Through Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and is a professor in the division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Her research at this tine includes studying technology-based supportive care treatments that include physical activity to improve outcomes among people with advanced cancer.
She is a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and was the moving force behind two ACSM development processes for exercise and cancer guidelines for patients.
Her remarkable contributions have made her a beacon of hope and a trailblazer in redefining cancer care through the transformative power of physical activity. Dr. Kathryn Schmitz's work continues to have a profound impact on the world of health and wellness, offering support and hope to those affected by cancer.
Kathryn Schmitz:
LinkedIn
Twitter/X
Instagram
Resources mentioned in the show:
Moving Through Cancer Initiative
Moving Through Cancer - Book
Research Papers - Kathryn Schmitz
American College of Sports Medicine Exercise and Cancer Guidelines
American Cancer Society