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Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 4

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What is measles – a refresher?

Measles is a serious, highly contagious and potentially deadly viral infection. It is caused by an RNA paramyxovirus. It is spread by contact with droplets from an infected person’s nose, mouth or throat. Sneezing and coughing can aerosolize the droplets and increase the range of infectious spread. Symptoms usually develop 8 to 10 days following exposure to an infected individual. A sick individual is contagious for 4 days before and 4 days after symptom onset. The reproductive rate is very high at 12+ meaning that 1 person will infect 12 and those 12 will get 12 more sick (144) and then 144 X 12 = 1728 X 12 = 20,736 and you are off to the exponential races….Plus, The Shock of a New Diagnosis: A Stoic Path Through the Storm.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #Redo #2 – Ken Cook

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Today, I’m thrilled to repost the conversation with Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder of the Environmental Working Group, a powerhouse built to  protect human health and the planet. For over 30 years, he’s been a leading voice challenging industrial agriculture, flawed U.S. food policies, and the toxic threats facing families—especially women and kids. From pushing the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act to shield children from pesticides to creating tools like the Skin Deep Database and Dirty Dozen list, Ken’s work empowers moms with science to make safer choices.

His latest venture is a podcast entitled Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode where he digs into endocrine disruptors and environmental health, issues hitting close to home for every parent.

I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Ken Cook!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #14 Repost- Richard Johnson MD – Nature Wants Us to Be Fat

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This is a repost of the most listened to podcast with Richard J. Johnson, M.D.. Dr. Johnson is the Tomas Berl Professor of Medicine and the Chief of the Renal Division and Hypertension at the University of Colorado since 2008. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a major in Anthropology, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, he is a physician and nephrologist whose research has focused on the role of sugar, and especially fructose, in driving obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. Much of this work has explored the role of fructose metabolism, especially the generation of uric acid, in driving this phenotype, and his work has included studies ranging from molecular biology, integrative physiology, and evolutionary biology. He is the author of The Sugar Fix which introduced the first low fructose diet, and also The Fat Switch which explores the role of fructose in driving the obesity epidemic. His newest book, Nature Wants Us To Be Fat, is a tour de force of the entire pathway of survival via metabolic events in the body related to fructose and the polyol pathway. This is a must read book. This podcast will introduce you to the exceptional work of Dr. Johnson and how we are now mismatched metabolically for the environment of modern America and our food systems.

Please enjoy this wide ranging conversation.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 14 Issue 50

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“Life forms on our planet have evolved under the strong influence of a daily light/dark cycle. Sunlight being the primary source of energy for photosynthesis, the daily production of photosynthetic biomass has a predictable diurnal rhythm. The daily cyclical production of photosynthesized chemical energy is at the base of the food chain. Daily changes in light and darkness result in diurnal rhythms in other environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity. Such a predictable and robust daily rhythm in food availability and environmental factors has led to the evolution of a ~24 h internal timing mechanism or circadian rhythm to enable organisms to anticipate daily changes and to optimize fitness. Fundamental to this 24 h rhythms is the ability to acquire food when it is available and to store a portion of these resources for utilization during the rest of the day (i.e. the fasting period) without compromising fitness and vitality. The fasting period also serves as a time for standby and repair so that the organism is fit and competent to harvest energy when light (for photosynthetic organisms) or food becomes available. While many non-photosynthetic lifeforms with short lifespan (< a few days) may not derive profound benefit from a circadian timing system, they share fundamental biochemical mechanisms for acquiring and storing food when it is available and then utilizing this stored energy during a quiescent period of fasting for repair, stress resistance and vitality.” (Longo et. al. 2016)

This is the crux of the understanding that we, the homo sapiens on Earth, need to realize that biology trumps any desire that we may have to fight against it. We are and have been moving in the wrong direction for quite some time as it relates to what we were meant to do biologically as children and then adults. Not coordinating activity with the sun is a negative recipe for health. Third shift workers are the canary’s in the coal mine for the risks of working and being awake when the sun is down and sleeping when it is up. This population has some very high risks for metabolic disease based on the data. (Biggi et. al. 2008)

Plus a section on filaggrin genes and skin function.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 14 Issue 49

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Over the next few weeks, I will be doing a deeper dive into the world of eczema or atopic dermatitis. In the greek language where we derive many of our medical terms, eczema is spelled ἔκζεμα or ékzema which means to bubble up. This weeks podcast guest is Dr. Ana Maria Temple, an expert in eczema. We go all over the place in the pod and it is so worth your time if your child suffers from eczema.

Eczema is a multifactorial skin condition that affects millions worldwide, manifesting as red, itchy rash due to inflamed skin. Its prevalence has been steadily rising, particularly in industrialized nations, which suggests a complex interplay of genetics, environmental factors (epigenetics), and immune dysregulation. As we unpack the root causes of eczema over the coming weeks, an integrative functional medicine approach highlights not only the “what” but the “why” behind this condition—providing opportunities for both prevention and healthier management…..plus a section on Skin pH.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #84 – Francis Koster Ed.D

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Today, we have an extraordinary guest joining us—Dr. Francis Koster, a man who has spent decades uncovering the invisible forces that shape our environment and, ultimately, our health.

Dr. Koster is the founder of Pollution Detectives, an initiative that combines data-driven science, community collaboration, and advocacy to address environmental issues that impact the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the ecosystems that support our lives. With a focus on actionable solutions, Dr. Koster empowers communities to identify and combat environmental risks, especially those affecting children, who are often the most vulnerable to pollutants.

Through his tireless work, Dr. Koster has inspired countless individuals to take charge of their surroundings and has highlighted the profound connection between environmental stewardship and public health. Today, we’ll dive into his groundbreaking efforts, the stories behind the data, and how we can all become part of the solution to ensure a healthier, safer future for the next generation.

So, without further ado, let’s welcome the innovative and inspiring Dr. Francis Koster to the show!

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Pollution Detectives

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #83 – Ana Maria Temple, MD

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Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, MD, is an integrative pediatrician known for her whole child approach to children’s health. She studied medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine before pursuing pediatric residency training at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In 2017, Dr. Temple further specialized by completing a fellowship in Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She combines conventional medicine with functional and lifestyle-based strategies to address common childhood conditions such as eczema, asthma, and allergies. Dr. Temple has a particular focus on helping families reduce dependence on medications by making sustainable health and wellness changes.

With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Temple has been a vocal advocate for preventive care, emphasizing nutrition, environmental changes, and integrative treatments. She is the author of the two bestselling books Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World and Ending the Eczema Epidemic. Additionally, Dr. Temple is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, sharing her expertise on holistic pediatric care through various platforms. Today, we focus on her approach to eczema and children’s health.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

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