Optimal Health Weekly Podcast optimalhealthweekly

In this episode of Optimal Health Weekly we peek under the microscope and dives deep into the latest research, innovations, and treatment options for osteoarthritis. In this captivating, conversational, and very descriptive audio journey, we'll keep you on the cutting edge of osteoarthritis care and inspire hope for a future where chronic joint pain is a thing of the past.


With millions of people worldwide affected by osteoarthritis, it's no wonder that researchers are working around the clock to crack the code on this debilitating condition. Our podcast will be your one-stop-shop for all the latest discoveries, from groundbreaking laboratory experiments to real-world clinical trials that could change the game for those suffering from joint pain.


As we explore the world of osteoarthritis research, we'll delve into topics such as:




The Genetics of Osteoarthritis: A deep dive into the genetic factors that contribute to the onset and progression of this condition. We'll explore the latest findings on specific genes and how they interact with environmental factors to increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.



Novel Pain Management Techniques: A comprehensive look at alternative pain management strategies for osteoarthritis, including cutting-edge treatments like regenerative medicine, shockwave therapy, and neuromodulation. Learn how these innovative approaches can provide relief without the need for traditional painkillers.



The Power of Nutrition: An exploration of the role of diet in the prevention and management of osteoarthritis. We'll debunk common myths and provide practical tips on how to eat your way to healthier joints.



Exercise and Osteoarthritis: A discussion on the best types of exercise for those suffering from osteoarthritis, as well as strategies for safely staying active without exacerbating symptoms. We'll also examine the role of physical therapy in helping patients improve mobility and function.



The Future of Osteoarthritis Treatment: A glimpse into the exciting developments on the horizon, such as stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine. We'll chat with leading experts in the field to explore the potential of these innovative therapies to revolutionize osteoarthritis care.




After this episode you'll emerge with a newfound understanding of osteoarthritis and its underlying mechanisms, as well as practical strategies to manage and potentially even reverse this debilitating condition. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or just someone with a keen interest in the topic, our podcast will provide you with the information, insights, and inspiration you need to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of osteoarthritis research.


So, join us on this incredible, bone-tastic journey as we uncover the secrets of osteoarthritis and explore the latest and greatest treatment options available. Let's pave the way towards a future where joint pain is no longer a barrier to living our lives to the fullest.


Subscribe to Optimal Health Weekly today and get ready to be enlightened, entertained, and empowered!


Resources mentioned in show:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7199286/

https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/

https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/joint-inflammation-arthritis-osteoarthritis-gout/

https://rheumatology.org/patients/osteoarthritis

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/osteoarthritis


Links to Previous shows:

1- Weekly Wellness Talk Ep 1

2 - Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 

3- Confronting Alzheimer's  

4 - Prevent and treat heart disease

5 - Chronic Liver Disease 

6 - Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping

7 - Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

8 - Kidney Failure & IgA Nephropathy 

9 - Brain Injuries

10 - Stroke

11 - Spinal Injury

12 - Lyme Disease

13 - Autoimmune Disease

14 - Diabetes

15 - Parkinsons

16 - ALS

17 - MS

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The episode of Optimal Health Weekly we discuss Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a lung disease that can cause breathing difficulties. It is a progressive disease that worsens over time, and it can be caused by factors such as smoking or exposure to air pollution. The podcast covers the symptoms, diagnosis, and new treatment options for COPD, using stem cells, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation. It also highlights the importance of early detection and smoking cessation in managing COPD.

There is a new hope on the horizon. Stem cell therapy is a new alternative treatment for COPD that has shown promising results in clinical trials. Stem cells have unique ability to transform into different types of cells in the body. They have the potential to repair damaged lung tissue and promote pulmonary healing.

In stem cell therapy for COPD, stem cells are harvested from the patient's bone marrow or blood or taken from cord tissue then cultured and purified before being injected into the patient's system. Once the cells home to the lungs, the stem cells can differentiate into healthy lung tissue, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

One of the main advantages of stem cell therapy is that it is a minimally invasive procedure. Patients typically experience little to no discomfort during the procedure and can return to their normal activities shortly afterward.

Another advantage of stem cell therapy is that it has few side effects. In clinical trials, patients who received stem cell therapy reported few adverse events, and those that did occur were mild and transient. This is in contrast to traditional treatments for COPD, such as steroids and bronchodilators, which can cause significant side effects.

Stem cell therapy is not yet widely available for COPD patients, but several clinics around the world are offering the treatment on a limited basis. The cost of the treatment can vary depending on the clinic and the country where it is performed, but it is generally not covered by insurance.

Resources mentioned in show:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/lungs-and-airways/copd/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease

https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/

https://www.copdfoundation.org/

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd.html

 

Links to Previous shows:

1- Weekly Wellness Talk Ep 1

2 - Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 

3- Confronting Alzheimer's  

4 - Prevent and treat heart disease

5 - Chronic Liver Disease 

6 - Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping

7 - Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

8 - Kidney Failure & IgA Nephropathy 

9 - Brain Injuries

10 - Stroke

11 - Spinal Injury

12 - Lyme Disease

13 - Autoimmune Disease

14 - Diabetes

15 - Parkinsons

16 - ALS

17 - MS

18 - Heart Disease

In this episode of Optimal Health Weekly we discuss Heart disease prevention and new treatment options for coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and coronary artery disease is one of its most common forms. Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients become narrow or blocked due to the buildup of plaque, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, heart attack, and even death. Therefore, preventing and treating coronary artery disease is crucial for maintaining heart health and reducing the risk of heart-related complications.

Understanding these risk factors can help individuals make lifestyle changes and take preventive measures to reduce their risk of developing coronary artery disease. Lifestyle changes are often the first line of defense against heart disease. Several changes can help improve heart health and for some patients stem cells therapy can help reduce the risk of CHF. 

In addition to lifestyle changes, medications can also be used to prevent heart disease and manage risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Links mentioned in show:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118

https://medlineplus.gov/heartdiseases.html

https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-conditions-research

https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/heart-disease-myocardial-ischemia-chd/

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/coronary-heart-disease

Previous shows:
1- Weekly Wellness Talk Ep 1

2 - Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 

3- Confronting Alzheimer's  

4 - Prevent and treat heart disease

5 - Chronic Liver Disease 

6 - Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping

7 - Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

8 - Kidney Failure & IgA Nephropathy 

9 - Brain Injuries

10 - Stroke

11 - Spinal Injury

12 - Lyme Disease

13 - Autoimmune Disease

14 - Diabetes

15 - Parkinsons

16 - ALS

17 - MS

Welcome to the first show of 2023. In this episode of Optimal Health Weekly we discuss the the latest advancements in multiple sclerosis research.


Using a novel strategy, scientists have isolated signalling molecules that control the activation of specific subsets of astrocytes, which are implicated as the primary inflammatory drivers in multiple sclerosis (MS). FIND-seq is a new technique that allows for the isolation and comprehensive gene expression analysis of single cells within a sample based on their expression of a specific gene or set of genes. Using cells from a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, scientists discovered that the proteins NR3C2 and NCOR2 can suppress the activity of disease-promoting astrocytes by inhibiting the movement of the XBP1 protein. Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the brain may be mitigated through the manipulation of these molecules.

Researchers looked at brain tissue from people with MS to back up their findings. A decrease in NR3C2 levels and indicators of decreased NR3C2-NCOR2 signalling was found in astrocytes compared to healthy tissue. Together, these results indicate that disease-promoting astrocyte activities that contribute to CNS pathology are under the control of the equilibrium between XBP1 and NR3C2-NCOR2 signalling. To combat neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, inhibiting NR3C2 and NCOR2 may be a promising new treatment option for MS and related disorders.


Links mentioned in show:



https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/multiple-sclerosis-ms/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/multiple_sclerosis/conditions/
https://www.msaustralia.org.au/what-is-multiple-sclerosis-ms/


Previous shows:
1- Weekly Wellness Talk Ep 1

2 - Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 

3- Confronting Alzheimer's  

4 - Prevent and treat heart disease

5 - Chronic Liver Disease 

6 - Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping

7 - Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

8 - Kidney Failure & IgA Nephropathy 

9 - Brain Injuries

10 - Stroke

11 - Spinal Injury

12 - Lyme Disease

13 - Autoimmune Disease

14 - Diabetes

15 - Parkinsons

16 - ALS

In this episode of Optimal Health Weekly we discuss the Ice Bucket Challenge funding research for ALS. ALS or or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a nervous system disease that impacts nerve cells that control our voluntary muscle movement.  For most patients, symptoms do get worse over time, resulting in respiratory failure.

Remember the “Ice Bucket Challenge” in 2015? People around the world were dropping buckets full of ice water on their heads and donating money to support the good cause. The IceBucket challenge was started by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease to help raise awareness for the condition.

The viral social media trend also raised $215 million dollars in donations. The ALS association invested some of the donation money into developing and trialling a new therapy for ALS. This year, the Food and Drug Administration approved stem cell therapy clinical trials to treat ALS.

Stem cells along with Biologic ALS treatments, can add nearly eighteen months onto patients’ lives. Risk for the first hospitalization was measured at a 54% decrease in those receiving the therapy. These were very significant markers of disease progression. While people living with ALS are excited about the approval, some experts believe it was green lit too soon and without scrutiny. 

Links mentioned in show:


https://www.als.org/stories-news/ice-bucket-challenge-dramatically-accelerated-fight-against-als
https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis.asp
https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/als-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als-fact-sheet
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354022

Previous shows:
1- Weekly Wellness Talk Ep 1

2 - Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 

3- Confronting Alzheimer's  

4 - Prevent and treat heart disease

5 - Chronic Liver Disease 

6 - Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping

7 - Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

8 - Kidney Failure & IgA Nephropathy 

9 - Brain Injuries

10 - Stroke

11 - Spinal Injury

12 - Lyme Disease

13 - Autoimmune Disease

14 - Diabetes

15 - Parkinsons

In this episode of Optimal Health Weekly we discuss the latest advancements in Parkinsons disease. Parkinson's disease or "PD" is a progressive disease that affects the nervous system and the parts controlled by the nerves. Symptoms often start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are also common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement

The mainstay surgical treatment for movement disorders like Parkinson's is deep brain stimulation, or DBS. This involves surgically implanting two leads into the brain, targeting specific basal ganglia structures. A neurostimulator, much like a cardiac pacemaker, is attached to these leads. New Research at UC San Diego is examining the disease. The scientists are studying handwriting movements, cognition, and the disease's causes, as well as conducting clinical trials of stem cell therapy for treating Parkinsons.


Patients with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease have gradually diminished motor function, increasing postural instability, and gait freezing. Fortunately, dopamine replacement therapy can treat these symptoms for years, allowing patients to lead almost normal lives. It is important to note that the prevalence of Parkinson's disease continues to rise, with one to two percent of individuals over the age of 65 infected.

The first signs of the disease are tremors and difficulty getting out of a chair. The symptoms also tend to decrease the amount of swinging of the arms and can be more noticeable on one side than the other. They may lose their facial expressions and animation, and they will have difficulty maintaining eye contact or speaking clearly.


Links mentioned in show:

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/parkinsons-disease

https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/parkinsons-disease/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease


Previous shows:
1- Weekly Wellness Talk Ep 1

2 - Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 

3- Confronting Alzheimer's  

4 - Prevent and treat heart disease

5 - Chronic Liver Disease 

6 - Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping

7 - Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis

8 - Kidney Failure & IgA Nephropathy 

9 - Brain Injuries

10 - Stroke

11 - Spinal Injury

12 - Lyme Disease

13 - Autoimmune Disease

14 - Diabetes