Ask Doctor Dawn

Dr. Dawn Motyka - JivaMedia.com
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  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
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Answers to your medical questions and health topics in the news.

  1. 4D AGO

    Deconstructing Cannabis-Psychosis Research, Aquaculture Antibiotic Resistance, FDA Rejection of mRNA Flu Vaccine, and Online Health Misinformation

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-05-2026: Dr. Dawn demonstrates how to critically read a science paper using a widely-publicized study claiming adolescent cannabis use causes psychotic, bipolar, and anxiety disorders. She identifies multiple methodological problems: only 5.7% of Kaiser adolescents admitted cannabis use versus 11.2% in anonymous national surveys, suggesting massive underreporting; the study conflates any use with heavy use; and with 463,000 participants, trivially small differences become statistically significant but clinically meaningless. She proposes reverse causation—that prodromal schizophrenia symptoms may drive teens to self-medicate with cannabis rather than cannabis causing psychosis. The study also included "disruptive behavior disorder" diagnoses that lack rigorous criteria, and she notes diagnostic codes are sometimes chosen for insurance reimbursement rather than accuracy. While acknowledging high-dose THC before age 16 may affect brain development, she concludes the headlines claiming causation are not supported by the actual findings. Dr. Dawn discusses how aquaculture—now producing 60% of fish consumed globally—has become a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. More antibiotics per kilogram are used in fish farming than in any other animal agriculture, with drugs dissolving into water and sediment where bacteria develop resistance. One study found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in over 80% of shrimp species tested across multiple countries. Through horizontal gene transfer, these resistance genes spread to human pathogens—a 1991 Latin American cholera outbreak affecting nearly a million people may have acquired drug resistance from Ecuadorian shrimp farms. Dr. Dawn reports that the FDA rejected Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine application without even reviewing it, despite trials of 41,000 people showing it was 27% more effective at preventing illness and 29% more effective at preventing hospitalization than existing vaccines. She attributes this to politicized anti-mRNA bias lacking scientific basis, noting that venture capital investors like Blackstone (who invested $750 million) will now avoid vaccine development, effectively handing this critical technology to other countries. Dr. Dawn describes the "wellness industrial complex"—pharmaceuticals, tech, testing companies, and health influencers creating content that pathologizes normal behaviors. YouTube health videos have amassed 200 billion views, and 30% of British respondents now get medical advice from AI chatbots. She cites a 400% increase in British adults seeking ADHD diagnoses, noting that analysis of top TikTok ADHD videos found less than 50% accurately reflected actual symptoms. Many influencers receive undisclosed payments to mention products, and the U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries allowing direct-to-consumer drug advertising. A caller asks about navigating Medicare after their Advantage plan was terminated with no local providers accepting remaining plans. Dr. Dawn explains that Medicare Advantage companies took extra government payments meant for wellness programs but didn't build them, and are now exiting markets as costs rise. She recommends contacting Gray Bears or AARP for free Medicare navigation assistance and suggests exploring regular Medicare with a secondary plan or direct-pay practices. /li>

    52 min

  2. FEB 27

    Measles Outbreak Warning, Quest Lab Cholesterol Flagging Problems, EKG Interpretation, Full-Body MRI Scans, and Seed Oil Controversies

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-26-2026: Dr. Dawn opens with an urgent measles advisory, noting the virus has an R-value of 15 compared to COVID's peak of 5, with South Carolina reporting over 1,000 cases. She recommends those who received only one MMR shot—particularly people now in their 60s—get an immune titer blood test, as protection declines after 40-50 years. Measles can cause "immune amnesia" destroying immunity to other pathogens, and rarely leads to fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis years later. Dr. Dawn criticizes Quest Labs' cholesterol reporting, which flags average levels as "moderate risk" with alarming red H markers even when values fall within their own stated normal ranges. She explains this creates unnecessary panic and pushes patients toward statins based on outdated 2008-2012 guidelines, when cardiology has since recognized that cholesterol can be too low. An emailer asks how an EKG can detect a past heart attack from "jagged lines." Dr. Dawn explains that each spike represents electrical signals moving toward or away from electrode pads, and a 12-lead EKG views the heart from multiple angles—smaller-than-expected spikes in specific leads indicate dead or damaged heart muscle. She urges everyone to learn CPR and AED use, which more than doubles survival chances. An emailer reports that food tastes strong on the first bite but becomes tasteless thereafter. Dr. Dawn identifies numerous medications causing taste changes including calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, statins, diuretics, and even acetaminophen. She also highlights zinc—both deficiency and toxicity above 40mg daily can impair taste, noting a zinc nasal spray was pulled from market after causing smell loss. An emailer asks about Prenuvo full-body MRI scans costing $499-1,000. Dr. Dawn cautions that while Prenuvo found 22 cancers in 1,000 people scanned, 1 in 20 scans requires follow-up biopsy and more than half are false positives—leading to stress, expense, and potential complications from unnecessary procedures. An emailer asks about seed oils after reading a Johns Hopkins article defending them. Dr. Dawn distinguishes fruit oils (olive, avocado) from industrially-extracted seed oils requiring hexane solvent, a neurotoxin that may leave residues despite claims of evaporation. She cites a BMJ study showing coconut oil raised HDL (good cholesterol) while matching olive oil's LDL impact, and recommends cold-pressed oils while avoiding hexane-extracted products, especially for infants.

    42 min

  3. FEB 12

    The immune system, the brain and mental health, plus autoimmune disease research and treatments are thoroughly explored

    Broadcast from KSQD on 5-30-2024 and replayed on 2-12-2026: Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological. A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms. Failures of genetic research to identify causes. The Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans. Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease. Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles. Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens. Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses. Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions.

    53 min

  4. FEB 5

    A Guided Tour of the Upper GI Tract, Pancreatic Cancer's Protective Microenvironment, and Herman Ponzer's Energy Expenditure Research

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-05-2026: >ul> Dr. Dawn presents a whimsical "theme park tour" of the upper gastrointestinal tract, from saliva production triggered by sight and smell of food, through the esophageal sphincter's iris-like opening, into the stomach's pH-1 acid bath where parietal cells produce 3,000 mg of hydrochloric acid per meal. She explains protective mechanisms including the bicarbonate layer beneath stomach mucus, H. pylori's role in ulcers, and how H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors work—cautioning about long-term PPI effects on B12 and calcium absorption. The tour continues through the pylorus into the duodenum where pancreatic enzymes and bile converge, then along the 23-foot small intestine with its tennis-court surface area of villi absorbing nutrients, iron in the duodenum, most nutrients in the jejunum, and B12 requiring intrinsic factor in the ileum. Dr. Dawn explains why pancreatic cancer—projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030—is so deadly, using a medieval castle metaphor. The tumor microenvironment acts as an impenetrable moat of desmoplastic stroma made of fibroblasts, collagen, and hyaluronic acid that blocks drugs and immune cells. Over 90% of cases have K-RAS mutations acting as growth accelerators that also thicken this protective barrier and increase CD47 "don't eat me" signals. She discusses emerging treatments including K-RAS inhibitors, PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutations, and combination immunotherapies showing 67% response rates, while noting that CAR T-cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors alone fail because they cannot penetrate the stroma. Dr. Dawn summarizes Duke researcher Herman Ponzer's work using doubly-labeled water to measure total energy expenditure, revealing that humans burn 20-60% more calories than other great apes when adjusted for body mass. His surprising finding: Hadza hunter-gatherers walking 8-14 kilometers daily burn the same calories as sedentary Americans—the body compensates by reducing energy spent on inflammation and stress responses. This "constrained energy expenditure" model explains why exercise alone doesn't cause weight loss, though it remains crucial for preventing weight gain, reducing disease risk, and potentially tamping down harmful stress responses.

    55 min

  5. JAN 30

    Hemorrhoids and Constipation Management, Breath Analysis Diagnostics, Detoxification Science, and Heart Disease Lifestyle Strategies

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-29-2026: An emailer asks about hemorrhoids affecting 2 relatives,a 60-year-old man and his 20-year-old daughter, with the daughter also experiencing constipation worsened by fiber supplements. Dr. Dawn explains hemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins of the anus, with 102 genetic regions identified affecting blood vessel and smooth muscle strength. She emphasizes that fiber supplements without adequate water create "cement in the pipe"—recommending 16-24 ounces of water with supplements and 2 liters of clear water daily. Miralax also requires sufficient hydration to work. Key strategies include exercise to stimulate gut motility, staying off the toilet if unable to produce results, using a standing desk to reduce prolonged sitting pressure, and triggering the gastrocolic reflex by eating. Dr. Dawn discusses research on the "volatilome"—volatile organic compounds in breath that reflect gut microbiome composition. Researchers using sterile mice colonized with specific bacteria could identify bacterial fingerprints through breath analysis. The technique identified disease-associated compounds for tuberculosis and malaria, and correlated specific gut bacteria with asthma severity in children. The research suggests breath testing could eventually replace stool samples for microbiome assessment and disease screening. She explains detoxification biochemistry, distinguishing between water-soluble toxins easily filtered by kidneys and fat-soluble toxins requiring liver transformation. Phase one converts fat-soluble molecules into reactive intermediates—dangerous if they linger—while phase two attaches water-soluble molecules like glutathione to neutralize them for excretion. Supporting phase two requires green tea, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and curcumin. She cautions against extended fasting for detox, especially over age 50, as it depletes the body's detoxification resources and muscle mass. A caller asks about alkaline versus acidic water. Dr. Dawn explains you cannot alkalinize blood since kidneys maintain pH, but alkaline urine is beneficial. Rather than expensive alkaline waters, adding a pinch of baking soda achieves the same effect. Eating a 3:1 ratio of fruits, vegetables, and grains to animal products naturally alkalinizes urine. She notes lemons paradoxically alkalinize because kidneys overcompensate for the acid load. A caller asks about managing heart disease after receiving a third stent. Dr. Dawn recommends the Mediterranean diet over DASH for cardiac patients, as Mediterranean emphasizes fish, whole grains, and fiber that binds cholesterol for excretion, while DASH focuses on calcium for hypertension. She encourages exploring exercise options through meetup.com groups and the hospital's lifestyle center, emphasizing that consistent effort can reduce biological age by 3-5 years regardless of chronological age.

    48 min

  6. JAN 23

    Nitrous Oxide B12 Toxicity Case Study, Ulcerative Colitis Remission Strategies, Lipoprotein(a) Testing and Treatment, and 3D Printing for Vocal Cord Repair

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-22-2026: An emailer from Canada asks about long-term Remicade (infliximab) use for her 16-year-old daughter's ulcerative colitis. Dr. Dawn explains the drug blocks tumor necrosis factor, which stops autoimmune attacks but also weakens infection defense—increasing risk of fungal infections, tuberculosis, and after about 10 years, slightly elevated blood cancer risk. She recommends the daughter practice good hygiene and mask in high-risk settings. For achieving full remission, she suggests vitamin D levels around 75-80, DHEA supplementation, strict gluten avoidance due to its pro-inflammatory effects, and working with a certified functional medicine practitioner to heal the gut and potentially withdraw medication. Dr. Dawn presents a case study of a 27-year-old woman with progressive weakness, pins-and-needles sensations, and impaired balance. Despite normal B12 blood levels, elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid revealed functional B12 deficiency from using 20-30 nitrous oxide whippets daily. Nitrous oxide oxidizes the cobalt atom in methylcobalamin, permanently inactivating the enzyme needed for myelin sheath maintenance. Treatment requires months of daily B12 injections with recovery taking up to 84 weeks. She warns that nitrous oxide also interacts dangerously with Viagra-type drugs (causing dangerous blood pressure drops), methotrexate, stimulants, hallucinogens, and respiratory depressants. She describes Canadian researchers developing a miniaturized 3D printer for vocal cord repair. After removing nodules that cause hoarseness, the device prints hydrogel along the wound to create a flat surface preventing keloid-like regrowth, rather like spackling a wall before healing occurs underneath. Dr. Dawn discusses lipoprotein(a), written as Lap(a), a genetic cardiovascular risk factor discovered in the 1960s. This relative of LDL carries a protein that promotes blood clots, thus raising heart attack and stroke risks. In a recent large survey, only about 14% of people have been screened despite its significance. New drugs like pelicarsin can reduce Lp(a) levels up to 80%,trials underway to confirm a benefit of reduced cardiac events. She notes tennis star Arthur Ashe had high Lp(a) contributing to his coagulopathy. A natural option is already available. She recommends lumbrokinase, derived from earthworms and used in traditional Chinese medicine, as an existing treatment that combats high Lp(a) and counteracts its procoagulant effects. The product Boluoke is commercially available, offering an alternative to high-dose niacin which causes intolerable flushing and diarrhea. Dr. Dawn reports research finding people with anxiety disorders have 8% lower choline levels in brain regions regulating emotion. Increasing choline could help. Choline sources include eggs (two eggs provide 300mg of the 500mg daily choline need), organ meats, salmon, soybeans, and lecithin supplements.

    41 min

  7. JAN 17

    Organoids and Assembloids Revolutionizing Pain Research, Mitochondrial Transfer for Peripheral Neuropathy, and Parkinson's Disease Iron Misconceptions

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-15-2026: An emailer from Switzerland asks about fluorescein angiography requested before her first retina appointment. Dr. Dawn suspects protocol-based medicine screening for macular degeneration and suggests negotiating to see the doctor first given her different reason for seeing a retinal specialist. She encourages patients to maintain agency in medical settings. An emailer asks about creatine supplements. Dr. Dawn notes it helps muscle development in people doing weight training at 3-5 grams daily, but does nothing for aerobic-only exercisers. Claims about cognition and mood lack solid research. She advises against high-dose "loading," and cautions that creatine causes fluid retention problematic for congestive heart failure and should be avoided with stage 3 or higher kidney disease. Dr. Dawn reminds listeners it's not too late for flu shots, noting this season's H3N2 strain emerged after vaccine formulation was finalized. She laments mRNA vaccine research defunding, as that technology allows rapid reformulation. She describes organoids—tissues grown from stem cells that self-organize into primitive organ structures, enabling rapid drug screening without animal testing. Stanford researchers created assembloids by placing four neurological organoids together that spontaneously connected and built the ascending sensory pain pathway, offering new approaches to studying chronic pain. Dr. Dawn explains research showing satellite glial cells transfer healthy mitochondria to spinal sensory neurons through tunneling nanotubules. When this transfer fails, neurons fire erratically causing pain. Infusing healthy mitochondria into mouse spinal columns cured peripheral neuropathy—suggesting future periodic infusion treatments for humans. She reports Texas A&M researchers created "nanoflowers" from molybdenum disulfate that double stem cell's mitochondrial production, potentially supercharging regenerative medicine for conditions including Alzheimer's and muscular dystrophy. A caller asks about flu vaccines with egg allergy. Dr. Dawn explains that his gastrointestinal reactions to eggs differ from dangerous IgE allergies causing hives or anaphylaxis—GI intolerance doesn't preclude vaccination. Dr. Dawn reveals that 20 years of Parkinson's research followed a false lead. MRI showed increased iron in patients' brains, prompting iron chelation trials—which worsened symptoms. The problem: MRI detects paramagnetic ferric iron (stored, inert) not ferrous iron (biologically active). Patients accumulate useless ferric iron but are deficient in usable ferrous iron. Earlier 1980s studies showing that iron supplementation helped were ignored and abandoned prematurely. She suggests Parkinson's patients discuss iron supplementation with neurologists. She will post the link in the resources page on her website. A caller concerned about early Parkinson's describes tremors and balance problems in darkness. Dr. Dawn suggests darkness-related symptoms sound more like peripheral neuropathy than Parkinson's, recommending neurological examination and screening for diabetes, B vitamin deficiency, or heavy metal exposure. She confirms that sedentary lifestyle reduces mitochondrial production while progressive exercise builds both muscle and mitochondria.

    54 min

  8. JAN 10

    2025 Medical Breakthroughs Wrap-Up: First Bladder Transplants, Gene Therapy for Skin Disease, Statin Alternatives, and Tattoo Safety Concerns

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-08-2026: Dr. Dawn concludes her 2025 medical advances recap, noting that while GLP-1 weight loss drugs showed unexpected benefits for addiction, schizophrenia, and dementia risk, Novo Nordisk recently reported semaglutide had no effect on cognition in people with existing dementia or mild cognitive impairment. She describes the first successful human bladder transplant performed on May 4th. The 41-year-old recipient received both kidney and bladder due to the bladder's complex blood vessel network. Surgeons practiced on cadavers with active circulation before achieving success, opening pathways for future bladder-only transplants for the 84,000 Americans diagnosed with bladder cancer annually. An emailer follows up about purslane for cognitive health. Dr. Dawn reviewed the referenced studies and found neither actually supported claims about purslane and cognition—one discussed the Lyon Heart Study's Mediterranean diet, the other described antioxidant properties. She cautions listeners that websites citing "scientifically proven" claims often reference articles that don't support their assertions. An emailer asks about statin alternatives after developing severe muscle pain on both atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Dr. Dawn suggests he shouldn't be on statins given his classic adverse reaction. She recommends ezetimibe plus oat bran for cholesterol, metformin for his elevated triglycerides indicating insulin resistance, and checking LDL particle size and inflammation markers. She emphasizes that cholesterol is a risk factor, not a disease, and treating 50 low-risk people for 10 years prevents only one heart attack. A caller discusses plaque formation theory, comparing it to calluses. Dr. Dawn explains Linus Pauling's similar hypothesis that plaque forms at vessel bifurcations to protect against turbulent blood flow damage. She warns against driving total cholesterol below 130, as it disrupts steroid hormone production. The caller shares his mother's near-fatal rhabdomyolysis from statins—muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin that clogs kidneys—and criticizes data transfer failures between hospital systems. An emailer reports four UTIs in two months at age 79. Dr. Dawn questions whether all were true infections, since vaginal contamination causes false positives on dipstick tests. For confirmed UTIs, she recommends D-mannose and cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion, post-void residual ultrasound to check for incomplete emptying, lactobacillus probiotics, and vaginal DHEA (Intrarosa) to restore mucosal thickness and disease resistance. Dr. Dawn describes Stanford's Phase III trial for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, where defective collagen-7 causes skin layers to separate at the slightest touch. Researchers take patient skin biopsies, use retroviruses to insert corrected genes, grow credit-card-sized skin grafts over 25 days, then suture them onto wounds. At 48 weeks, 65% of treated wounds fully healed versus 7% of controls. She reports a Stanford study showing premature babies who heard recordings of their mothers reading for 2 hours 40 minutes daily developed more mature white matter in language pathways. The left arcuate fasciculus showed greater development than controls, demonstrating how early auditory stimulation shapes brain circuitry even in NICU settings. Dr. Dawn concludes with tattoo safety concerns. Modern vivid inks contain compounds developed for car paint and printer toner, including azo dyes that break down into carcinogenic aromatic amines—especially during laser removal. Pigment particles migrate to lymph nodes and persist in macrophages, causing prolonged inflammation. She advises those with tattoos to avoid laser removal, wear sunscreen, practice lymphatic hygiene, and reconsider extensive new tattoos.

    50 min
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About

Answers to your medical questions and health topics in the news.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Dawn Motyka - JivaMedia.com
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2026
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 JivaMedia. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Ask Doctor Dawn

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