Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 43

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Finding a relational balance with any person or persons can be a struggle if one side of the relationship dyad has a strong need for a gain to feel safe or whole. For example, a parent in a poor quality marriage or with significant childhood wounding may turn to the child for happiness and love when it is missing otherwise. A child in turn being young will often, out of filial love, try to meet the needs of the parent. These types of relationships can take on many forms and can become dysfunctional over time.

I remember a parent child dyad from many years ago that was a budding enmeshed/codependent relationship between a mother and her son. Mom was absolutely unable to draw boundaries with her son as she felt all of his pain and reflected all of her childhood trauma onto the child’s life with boundary-less smothering love and control. She simultaneously would restrict any behavior that she perceived as unsafe controlling his environment while drawing zero boundaries with regard to his behavior toward her and others within this controlled small world. He was a holy terror by 4 years of age. His mother was crying for help while being indignant that he was sweet and well meaning while she enabled every choice that he made. Her fear of drawing boundaries because of her own childhood restrictive parenting wounding left this child completely attached to her yet abusive because he felt completely out of control. The psychological pathology was exhausting for all in the room. Recommendations for therapy and interventions were met with scorn….plus a literature review.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #81 – John Wherry, PhD – Covid, What Did We Learn?

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Today, we are honored to have Dr. E. John Wherry, a leading expert in the field of immunology, joining us. Dr. Wherry is the Chair of the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also directs the Institute for Immunology. His undergraduate degree was obtained at Penn State University before completing his PhD in Immunology at the Thomas Jefferson University.

A thought leader in T cell biology and immune memory, Dr. Wherry’s work has been instrumental in improving therapies for viral infections, vaccines, and immunotherapy treatments. His discoveries in the field of immune exhaustion have had a profound impact on the way we approach treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Widely published in top academic journals including Nature, Cell, and Science, Dr. Wherry is a heavy contributor to Covid research and especially the understandings of long Covid.

Today, we discuss Covid and the current state of the science regarding vaccines, long covid and what we can do better next time there is a pandemic.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

 

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 42

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Review of Dr. Casey Means’ Good Energy

In her book, Good Energy, Dr. Casey Means explores the complex relationship between our metabolic health and the quality of energy we experience in daily life. Dr. Means is an ENT surgeon that graduated from Stanford University Medical School before eschewing it all to dive into the world of disease prevention. Drawing from her background in integrative medicine and her deep understanding of metabolic science, Dr. Means presents a compelling case for why energy levels are not merely a factor of rest and diet, but a direct reflection of how well our cells are functioning on a biochemical level. And this is the key, the understanding of the biochemistry of the why!

In today’s modern world, so many of us feel sluggish, fatigued, or burned out, and the causes are often elusive. We live in a time where external stressors, processed foods, environmental toxins, and sedentary lifestyles disrupt our body’s ability to produce and regulate energy efficiently. Dr. Means calls for a paradigm shift in how we view energy: it’s not just about getting more sleep or drinking another cup of coffee. It’s about restoring the metabolic health of our cells to optimize the energy they generate…..plus a literature review and a recipe.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 40/41

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Literature Review Week

Why do some people react to mosquitoes so vigorously? There is fascinating data for me in the Nature article, as I see lots of kids that react strongly to mosquitoes while others do not at all. A hyper primed immune reaction makes a lot of sense as the immune system is extra sensitive to the insult in individuals that have chronic allergic phenotypes. They are in effect polarized to see the outside world through an irritant lens and thus react in a more robust way. The cell called GD3 releases Interleukin 3 or IL-3 which is a cytokine signaling molecule that tells skin based sensory neurons to become more sensitive to allergens like house dust mites, environmental molds, and in this case mosquito saliva. Thus, the mosquito saliva induces more of the itch scratch cycle. The effect is to increase the gain sensitivity on the skin to 10. This is likely a main reason why having an allergic child take immunotherapy against allergens that they react to lowers the rheostat for all irritants. It is like a global check on the sensory system. This is another reason to consider SLIT and or SCIT immunotherapy in allergic children… Plus a discussion on the Joe Rogan podcast with Callie and Casey Means.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

 

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #80 – Deborah Tate, PhD – Studying the Obesity Epidemic

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Obesity and Change – The Tech Intersection

Welcome to the podcast! Today, I am thrilled to host Dr. Deborah Tate, a distinguished professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, with joint appointments in Health Behavior and Nutrition. She also holds a faculty appointment at the Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, North Carolina where she explores innovative approaches to improve lifestyle behaviors that impact obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease risk. Dr. Tate is a behavioral scientist, receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Tech. Her research focuses on two main areas: (a) strategies for improving both short and long-term body weight regulation to reduce disease risks and (b) the development and translation of programs as alternatives to clinic-based care using digital and wearable technologies. She is known internationally for her work has published many papers in major nutrition and medical journals. Her work spans the intersection of behavioral health and obesity whereby she is a pioneer in digital health interventions. Her work has been pivotal in developing digital tools and online programs that support sustainable health changes, making access to wellness resources more inclusive and effective.

Dr. Tate has been at the forefront of harnessing technology to create lasting change, blending behavioral science with digital advancements to empower individuals and families to make improved choices. Her contributions have transformed how we think about health interventions in today’s digital age, offering scalable solutions that reach beyond traditional boundaries. Get ready for an insightful conversation with Dr. Tate as we dive into the science and the potential of digital health to foster resilience and well-being.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 39

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Section I

Understanding the Action and Use of GLP-1 Agonists in Children – A Pediatrician’s Viewpoint

The United States, like much of the developed world, is facing increasing rates of childhood obesity and related health concerns. Despite years of research and various efforts, addressing this public health issue remains a complex challenge.

This article reviews the potential mechanisms, benefits, and considerations for using GLP-1 agonists in children based on the current scientific understanding. While early research is promising, the application of these treatments in children requires careful consideration and should always be done in consultation with a healthcare provider.

As a pediatrician, I recognize that while the science behind these treatments is evolving, it’s important to remember that individual responses to treatments can vary. For children, every approach needs to be carefully weighed, considering their unique developmental needs…..

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 38

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Section I

Are Smart Phones a benefit or a curse for the teenager in school? This is becoming a huge topic this past year or so. Logic would seem to dictate that this is a curse more than a benefit, but what does the data and expert opinion show?

The Scientific American article “Do Phone Bans Help Students Perform Better in School?” examines the growing trend of banning smartphones in schools to enhance student performance and well-being. Numerous U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have recently implemented or are considering bans on phones in classrooms. Schools use tools like the Yondr pouch, which locks phones away during school hours, to enforce these bans. These measures are popular with educators and parents, with 60% of likely voters in New York State supporting such restrictions. Charlotte Schools has this policy: “In accordance with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Student Code of Conduct, personal technology devices, including cell phones must remain off and put away during school hours. Violations will result in confiscation of the personal technology device. The district is not responsible (monetary value or replacement) for theft, loss or damage to personal technology or other electronic devices brought onto CMS property.” (CMS) My informal poll has a higher number of parents interested in phone ban restrictions in North Carolina….plus a section on teen anxiety.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

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