Ask Doctor Dawn Dr. Dawn Motyka - JivaMedia.com

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-18-2024


Surgeon General's report on gun violence:

Gun deaths in the US are at a three-decade high
Guns are now the leading cause of death among children and teenagers aged 1-19
Dr. Dawn calls for bipartisan action on gun control


New male contraceptive:

A topical gel combining Nestorone and testosterone
Works by suppressing sperm production while maintaining male characteristics


Persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors:

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) found in drinking water and rainwater
Sources include breakdown products of refrigerants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals
Linked to cancer, infertility, and developmental issues


Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors:

Associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children
Chemicals affect obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance


Petrochemical industry and plastic production:

Alternative energy production is increasing production of single-use plastics by petrochemical giants as a revenue source
Contributes to widespread exposure to endocrine disruptors


Health effects of endocrine disruptors:



Interfere with many different hormone receptors, hormone synthesis and hormone bio-elimination

Impacts are greatest on fetal development, neurodevelopment, and cancer risk

Disproportionate effects on marginalized communities


Advice to mitigate exposure and detoxify:

Use reverse osmosis water filtration
Choose organic foods and reduce meat consumption
Avoid plastic food containers and utensils
Read labels on personal care products
Leave shoes outside and use natural cleaning products
Increase fruit and vegetable intake
Use air filters in homes near busy roads


Detoxification methods:

Sweating through exercise, saunas, or Epsom salt baths
Dietary changes and supplements (e.g., milk thistle, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea)
Avoiding constipation to help eliminate toxins


Other topics:

Effects of magnesium on sleep
Microplastics from synthetic fabrics

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-11-2024



Dr. Dawn answers a caller's question about vitamin D supplementation, explaining its importance for bone health, mood regulation, and immune function. She discusses the physiological processes involving vitamin D and recommends getting blood levels checked.
A second caller asks about the safety of Stevia as a sweetener. Dr. Dawn explains the importance of examining original sources for health claims and discusses the challenges of determining causality in nutrition studies. She compares various artificial sweeteners and suggests moderation in their use.
Dr. Dawn provides a health alert about a measles exposure in Santa Cruz, describing symptoms to watch for and emphasizing the importance of vaccination. She shares personal anecdotes about the dangers of measles.
An email from a listener about atrial fibrillation is addressed. Dr. Dawn discusses the risks associated with atrial fibrillation, blood thinners, and the Watchman device. She emphasizes the importance of stress reduction and suggests alternatives to invasive procedures.
Dr. Dawn comments on a recent retraction of a key Alzheimer's study, discussing the implications for Alzheimer's research and treatment development.
A new development in baby formula is discussed, involving genetically modified plants producing human milk oligosaccharides for improved infant nutrition.
Dr. Dawn responds to an email about lipoprotein A and cardiovascular risk, discussing risk factors, the importance of inflammation reduction and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
The show concludes with a mention of myFooddata.com, a nutrition information website recommended by a listener.
Throughout the show, Dr. Dawn emphasizes the importance of critical thinking about medical information, considering economic drivers in healthcare, and focusing on lifestyle factors for overall health.

Broadcast from KSQD on 7-04-2024:


Natural bodies of water illustrates the importance of bright neon colors for visibility. Plus: additional advice on keeping children safe around water.
Research on gender differences in space travel effects reveals women are more resilient. A study finding greater gene activity disruption in male vs female astronauts has implications for future space missions.
An interview with Dr. Gabor Mate covers a broad range of topics:

Discussion of addiction reframing it as a brain state
Factors contributing to addiction proneness include:

Early life experiences and attachment relationships
Brain development and environmental influences
Neurotransmitters and addiction susceptibility


Critical periods for healthy attachment and brain development
Parallels between addiction and attention deficit disorder (ADD)
Origins and misconceptions about ADD
Impact of parental stress on child development
Transgenerational patterns in addiction and ADD
Dr. Mate's personal experiences with ADD
Treatment approaches for ADD
Parenting strategies and misconceptions
Impact of modern technology on attention spans
Dr. Mate's book "When the Body Says No"
Mind-body connection in chronic illnesses
Stress and disease development
Personality traits associated with chronic illness
Importance of addressing psychological factors in treatment
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its role in health
Discussion of narcolepsy and emotional arousal
The seven A's of healing approach
Importance of introspection and self-awareness for health
Dr. Mate's book "Hold On To Your Kids"
Impact of peer influence on child development
Importance of parental attachment and influence



About Gabor Mate, MD:

Worked as a family physician for two decades
Served as Medical Coordinator of the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver Hospital
Spent eight years working in Vancouver's Downtown East side with patients challenged by addiction and mental illness
Bestselling author of multiple books on addiction, stress, and child development
Known for his expertise in trauma, addiction, stress, and childhood development
Advocates for a compassionate approach to addiction and mental health
Developed the Compassionate Inquiry psycho-therapeutic method

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-27-2024.


Dr. Dawn interviews Dr. Michael Amster, a physician and researcher specializing in pain management and mindfulness practices.
Dr. Amster introduces the AWE method, a technique for "micro-dosing" mindfulness developed during his own experience with burnout.
The AWE method involves finding moments of awe in everyday experiences through three steps: Attention, Wait, and Exhale/Expand.
Research on the AWE method during the COVID-19 pandemic showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among participants.
Dr. Amster explains the physiological benefits of experiencing awe, including lowered inflammation in the body.
The emotion of awe is discussed as a way to connect people to something greater than themselves, leading to increased generosity, compassion, and open-mindedness.
Dr. Amster shares personal stories of how the AWE practice has impacted people's lives, including applications in chronic pain management and cancer treatment support.
The interview concludes with a passage from Dr. Amster's book "The Power of Awe" and a guided AWE practice for listeners.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-20-2024


Health tip: Dr. Dawn advises you to shop around for medications, especially cheap generics, as pharmacies may claim unavailability due to corporate contracts and profit margins.
Healthcare industry consolidation: Discussion of how large venture capital firms are acquiring healthcare businesses, leading to potential price increases and reduced competition.
Parkinson's disease and GLP-1 drugs: A study showing potential benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic in early Parkinson's disease.
Bird flu update: Current status of bird flu spread in the US, transmission risks, and safety precautions.
Spinal cord stimulation: New non-invasive technique showing promise for improving function in people with long-term spinal cord injuries.
Peanut allergies: Recent research reversing previous recommendations, suggesting early exposure to peanuts may reduce allergy risk.
Longevity study: Analysis of blood biomarkers in centenarians, highlighting factors like uric acid levels and blood sugar.
Cholesterol-eating gut bacteria: Research on bacteria that break down cholesterol in the gut, potentially lowering heart disease risk.
Alcohol and air travel: Study showing combined effects of alcohol consumption and low air pressure on cardiovascular health during flights.
Energy requirements of pregnancy: Surprising findings on the high caloric needs during pregnancy, mostly for the mother's body rather than the fetus.
HPV vaccine success: Significant reduction in cervical cancer rates due to the vaccine, with a call for increased vaccination rates, especially among boys, to prevent head and neck cancer.

Broadcast from KSQD Santa Cruz on 6-13-2024


Alzheimer’s Disease and APOE4 Gene

Listener asks about the APOE4 gene and its association with Alzheimer's disease in the light of a recent sensationalistic Nature publication.
The impact of amyloid beta and TAU proteins on Alzheimer's pathology.
Differences in Alzheimer's risk among different ethnic groups with APOE4 with emphasis on the importance of cholesterol levels as a risk multiplier.


Advice for a listener’s husband dealing with chronic back pain and sciatica

Dr. Dawn presents a basic checklist for evaluating back pain symptoms and determining the need for urgent medical intervention.
Potential causes are discussed such as spinal nerve compression from various sources.
In this case, Dr. Dawn made a specific suggestion of McKenzie exercises and emphasized the importance of seeing a sports medicine doctor or physiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation.


Dr. Dawn responds to a caller about managing knee osteoarthritis

The role of glucosamine, chondroitin, and topical diclofenac in treatment.
Discussion on non-pharmaceutical approaches like heat application and massage.
Potential interventions like steroid injections, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and their benefits and risks.


Dr. Dawn answers a question about dietary oxalates and their impact on kidney stones

She emphasizes the importance of the oxalate content in foods and its limited role in kidney stone formation.
She emphasizes the importance of hydration and maintaining a healthy microbiome.
For specific dietary guidelines on oxalate in foods she suggests using oxalate.org.


A concerned parent asks about aluminum and other vaccine adjuvants like formaldehyde for their infant's 2 month well child visit

She expresses conflicting fears of being mischaracterized as a vaccine denier by merely expressing concern about vaccination for her infant.
Dr. Dawn provides a breakdown of the necessity, immediate urgency and risks of each recommended vaccine (Hepatitis B, DTaP, Polio, Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus) and suggests a social contextualization strategy to perhaps delay Polio, rotavirus and Hep B in this family's social context while emphasizing the importance of certain vaccinations to prevent serious illnesses.
Dr. Dawn cites intriguing ambiguities in the literature that support the counterintuitive idea that smaller doses of aluminum may have a greater accumulation in tissues of brain and reproductive tissues than larger doses, and promises to research this further in a future program.