Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 11

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Heat Exhaustion Prevention and Awareness

It is that time of year in many parts of the country. Planning ahead of an event or extended time out in the heat is very important especially as we age or while pregnant.

Summer break does not end the competitive athletics. Kids of all ages are playing sports during the heat of the day all over the country this summer. This time of year poses a major risk of overheating for children and adolescents engaged in aggressive aerobic outdoor exercise. It is prudent to try to have vigorous workouts during the early morning hours preferably or later in the evening for the older kids who get to bed later by nature.

In our clinic, we have had admissions to the hospital for heat exhaustion and muscle breakdown known as rhabdomyolyisis. For example, a young man was practicing on the football field and overheated due to a combination of under hydration and excessive ambient temperature. Symptoms included excessive sweating, rapid pulse, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness… and a literature review.

Enjoy, Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 9

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Today, I’m diving into a fascinating article by Scott Zimmerman and Russel J. Reiter, titled Melatonin and the Optics of the Human Body, published in Melatonin Research (2019). This piece flips the script on what we thought we knew about melatonin, light, and how our bodies interact with the sun’s rays. It’s a game-changer, especially for how we think about kids’ health in our modern, screen-filled indoor living world.

First, what is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone made from the essential amino acid, tryptophan. It was first isolated from a cow’s pineal gland. It is an old molecule as primitive bacteria made melatonin probably 2.5 billion years ago. Its synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotes is a common linkage. Most of us know that melatonin is the “sleep hormone,” produced by the pineal gland in the brain when it gets dark at night, signaling to our bodies that it’s time to wind down and prepare to sleep. It’s the chemical expression of darkness, driving our circadian rhythms and helping us catch those precious brain cleansing moments. Zimmerman and Reiter argue that this is only half the story or maybe even less than half. For decades, research has hyper-focused on pineal melatonin that is regulated by visible light hitting our retinas. Blue visible spectrum light in the early morning suppresses pineal melatonin, which is why we should dim those screens before bed. But here’s where it gets interesting, the pineal gland isn’t the only place melatonin is made, and darkness isn’t its only trigger. Our bodies are producing melatonin in ways we’re just starting to understand, and it’s tied to light in a way that was unexpected and evolutionarily fascinating. As with all things in science and evolution, we learn what we did not know and it all makes sense once the aha moment occurs…. and a literature review. Oh and a recipe.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #91 – Vic Gatto, MBA – Elevate Health 2050

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I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with a visionary leader whose work is reshaping healthcare innovation—Vic Gatto.

Vic is the driving force behind Elevate Health 2050, a bold initiative exploring the transformative potential of Web3, AI, and biotech to redefine healthcare’s future, with a special focus on accessibility and impact—areas that touch the lives of women and children every day. Before this, Vic carved his path as the founder and Managing General Partner of Jumpstart Capital, where he’s invested in over 200 early-stage healthcare startups, proving that innovation thrives beyond Silicon Valley’s shadow, right here in Middle America.

Vic’s journey began with a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College, giving him a broad foundation, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, equipping him with the strategic insight to navigate the complex world of venture capital.

His entrepreneurial roots trace back to the 1990s, when he co-founded a software company in Boston, growing it from a small team to over 250 employees before selling it—a testament to his ability to build from the ground up.

But Vic’s story isn’t just about credentials or exits; it’s about a man who sees healthcare as a mission, not just a market. With Elevate Health 2050, he’s pushing boundaries to ensure that the next generation—our women and children—benefits from cutting-edge solutions tailored to their needs. Today, we’ll explore how his vision bridges technology and human health, and what it means for families everywhere.

So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s welcome Vic Gatto to the show.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 8

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Itaconate, what is it and why does it matter?

Science Heavy – skip to the bold for take home if you want to avoid the science.

The biggest takeaway from this complex science is this: High fat, high sugar diets (Ultra Processed Foods) are associated with decreased itaconate activity and increased inflammation. The science further answers the question of whether we should allow ultra processed food in schools.

Ultra Processed Foods likely reduce itaconate production driving inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and gut dysbiosis, which could worsen active disease. Lower itaconate levels likely impair your body’s ability to resolve inflammation, potentially leading to prolonged issues with healing and repair. To support itaconate’s anti inflammatory activity, shift away from UPFs toward an anti-inflammatory diet (e.g., Mediterranean, rich in vegetables, omega-3s, and fiber) to reduce inflammation, support gut health, and enhance itaconate’s immune-regulating effects.

Science:…..

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #13 Repost – Dr. Peter Rowe, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long Covid

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Welcome to Dr. M’s Women and Children First, where we dive into the latest insights on health and wellness for women and children. Today, we’re honored to have Dr. Peter Rowe, a world-renowned expert from Johns Hopkins University, joining us to unravel the complexities of chronic fatigue.  Dr. Peter Rowe is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is the inaugural Sunshine Natural Wellbeing Foundation Professor of Chronic Fatigue and Related Disorders and serves as the Director of the Chronic Fatigue Clinic at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. His areas of clinical expertise include chronic fatigue syndrome and other disorders characterized by fatigue and orthostatic intolerance. Dr. Rowe and his colleagues were the first to describe the relationship between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and treatable orthostatic intolerance syndromes, as well as the association between Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and CFS. In this episode, Dr. Rowe and I dive deep into CFS and long Covid for both the parent and the clinician. We set the stage for a better understanding of this complex disorder in order to encourage earlier diagnosis and better therapy. From its impact on daily life to cutting-edge approaches for management, Dr. Rowe brings decades of expertise to help us understand this challenging condition. 

Please Enjoy,

Dr. M

 

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 7

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Let’s dive into articles that have been critical to understanding type 2 diabetes and Insulin Resistance: the Ominous Octet and now the Egregious Eleven from the BMC Medicine paper and the 2009 Diabetes paper by Dr. Ralph DeFronzo. Peter Attia recently interviewed Dr. Defronzo and I am on listen #3 because it is so good and yet incredibly complicated. This piece is a compilation of that interview and reviewing Dr. DeFronzo’s papers.

“…all too often, the risk factors for these disorders are not addressed promptly in clinical practice, leading to irreversible pathologic progression… Traditional approaches to treatment involving sequential therapy, in which agents are added only after one has failed, contribute to clinical inertia and often prevent goal attainment, leading to adverse outcomes…. in turn contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. In contrast, early diagnosis and prompt, intensive intervention, often with initial combination therapy, leads to faster goal attainment and improved outcomes for at-risk patients.” (Handelsman et al. 2023)(Schwartz et. al. 2024)

…literature review.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 6

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This is such an important topic to cover, even for a pediatrician. Dementia!

This problem is slated to exponentially worsen in the coming decades. And it starts at birth!

​In the intricate landscape of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), emerging research underscores a pivotal yet under explored facet for the why?, the brain’s energy immunometabolism. A recent study by Patel et al., titled “Global Energy Metabolism Deficit in Alzheimer Disease Brain,” delves into this domain, revealing significant metabolic disruptions that may illuminate novel upstream causes and possible therapies.

​ For the better part of the last few decades, all AD research centered on the amyloid and tau plaques as the causative problem. However, billions of dollars and many drugs later, this hypothesis has crashed and burned. Failed therapies coupled to the skyrocketing volume of AD patients in the US over the next few decades will burden the US healthcare system and families alike. Folks, we need better answers and therapies rapidly. Thus, I have been following this information on and off over the years looking for answers. Last month, Dr. David Perlmutter gave an excellent lecture on microglial cells in the brain and their impact on AD and neurocognition in general. One paper that he cited was the Patel paper. Let’s look at it.

Dr. M

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