Episodes

  • 103: Microplastics and Your Health - One More Thing to Worry About

    103: Microplastics and Your Health - One More Thing to Worry About
    Sep 30 2024

    Buck delves into the pervasive issue of microplastics, exploring their sources, health risks, and potential strategies for detoxification and exposure reduction. He discusses how microplastics infiltrate our food, water, and air, and the alarming health implications they pose, including chronic inflammation and potential links to cancer, ass well as practical steps to minimize exposure to microplastics in daily life.
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    21 mins
  • 102: Everything You’ve Been Told About Fat Loss is a Lie – Layne Norton Exposes the Truth

    102: Everything You’ve Been Told About Fat Loss is a Lie – Layne Norton Exposes the Truth
    Sep 23 2024

    In this episode of Longevity Junky, Buck and Nikki tackle one of the most contentious and polarizing areas of longevity, diet with Bio Layne founder Dr. Layne Norton.

    Learn more about BioLayne and Dr. Layne Norton: https://biolayne.com/coach/layne-norton/

    Full episode in video available on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6LlBjtOy7lldU7Ldjw0cw

    Questions? Send us a message at:
    www.longevityjunky.com

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 101: Can we see mental illness on brain scans?

    101: Can we see mental illness on brain scans?
    Sep 16 2024

    Buck introduces his brand new podcast, Longevity Junky.

    In this episode of Longevity Junky, Buck and co-host Nikki Leigh sit down with renowned psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist, Dr. Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics, to discuss groundbreaking brain imaging techniques like SPECT scans. Dr. Amen shares insights on diagnosing mental health issues through brain mapping and the role of brain health in overall longevity.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 100: What is Flow?

    100: What is Flow?
    Sep 9 2024

    Dr. Susan Jackson discusses the concept of flow and its impact on quality of life and performance. Flow is an optimal psychological state where individuals are fully focused on a task and experience a loss of self-consciousness. It enhances the quality of our experience and can positively shape the quality of our lives. Flow can be experienced in various domains, including sports, creativity, and everyday activities. Mindfulness meditation can help access flow by improving focus and attention. The book 'Experiencing Flow' explores the relationship between mindfulness and flow and provides practical strategies for accessing flow in daily life.

    00:13 The Definition of Flow

    04:05 How Do We Have Flow?

    08:25 Gettign In and Out of Flow

    14:07 Mindfulness vs Flow

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    25 mins
  • 99: What is a Retinal Detachment? A First Person Narrative

    99: What is a Retinal Detachment? A First Person Narrative
    Sep 2 2024

    Buck shares his recent experience with a retinal tear and detachment, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. He explains the anatomy of the eye, the process of vitreous detachment, and the symptoms of retinal tear and detachment. Buck also discusses the risk factors for these conditions, including high myopia and previous eye surgery. He describes his surgical experience and the use of a gas bubble to reattach the retina.

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    17 mins
  • 98: Big Tech’s Vision of an Aging Population

    98: Big Tech’s Vision of an Aging Population
    Aug 26 2024
    Buck discusses the role of big Tech and the elderly with Keren Etkin, founder of TheGerontechnologist.com. Discussion includes the role of robots, implications for social interaction, as well as the additional opportunities for founders to take advantage of the coming geriatric storm. 01:04 Current Tech for Aging
    05:17 Tech for Social-Emotional Support
    09:03 The Driving Force Behind the Development
    12:00 The Impact of Increasing Longevity
    13:54 Affordability of Aging Tech
    17:08 Cyborgification
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    23 mins
  • 97: Buck’s Boston Heart Cholesterol Balance Test

    97: Buck’s Boston Heart Cholesterol Balance Test
    Aug 19 2024
    Link to Buck's Results: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19BJaZNYwBxlPx4nR9695Q2NC3nNpgW6y/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1br1ikAJKmgKev9X3jkS7nUPdXpAqMzYd/view?usp=sharing Section 1: Overview of Cholesterol Metabolism Cholesterol in the Body: Cholesterol is essential for cell membrane integrity, hormone synthesis, and bile acid production.It is produced endogenously in the liver and absorbed exogenously from dietary sources. Endogenous Production: Cholesterol is synthesized in the liver through the mevalonate pathway.Key intermediates: Lathosterol and Desmosterol, indicators of cholesterol production rate. Exogenous Absorption: Dietary cholesterol is absorbed in the intestines along with plant sterols like Beta-sitosterol and Campesterol.These sterols compete with cholesterol for absorption, reflecting dietary cholesterol absorption levels. Section 2: Detailed Analysis of the Test Components Production Markers: Lathosterol: Precursor in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.Elevated levels indicate increased hepatic cholesterol synthesis (overproduction).Example: Lathosterol level of 329 µmol x 100/mmol in my study indicates hyperactive cholesterol production. Desmosterol: Another precursor in the synthesis pathway, contributing to total cholesterol production.High levels reinforce the diagnosis of increased cholesterol production.Example: Desmosterol level of 74 µmol x 100/mmol in my study supports elevated production. Absorption Markers: Beta-sitosterol: Plant sterol absorbed in the intestines, competes with cholesterol.High levels suggest increased absorption of dietary cholesterol.Example: Beta-sitosterol level of 120 µmol x 100/mmol indicates borderline absorption. Campesterol: Similar to Beta-sitosterol, reflects cholesterol absorption efficiency.Elevated levels indicate increased absorption.Example: Campesterol level of 113 µmol x 100/mmol within normal limits but suggests absorption could be a factor. Cholesterol Balance Score: Ratio of production to absorption markers.A higher score indicates predominant cholesterol production; a lower score indicates absorption as the main issue.Example: Score of 2.4 suggests overproduction is the dominant issue. Section 3: Clinical Implications and Treatment Strategies Frequency of Overproduction vs. Overabsorption: Common to see patients with either overproduction or overabsorption, but less commonly both.Overproducers: Significant portion of hypercholesterolemia patients, especially those with genetic conditions like Familial Hypercholesterolemia.Overabsorbers: Often have high-cholesterol diets or genetic predispositions. Treatment Implications: Overproducers: Statins are first-line treatment; they inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in cholesterol synthesis.Overabsorbers: Ezetimibe, which inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption, can be effective.Combination Therapy: Considered for mixed dyslipidemia cases. Case Examples: Example of a patient with high production markers but borderline absorption: Statin therapy may be appropriate, with potential addition of Ezetimibe.Example of a patient who is a high absorber but not a high producer: Dietary changes and Ezetimibe might suffice without statins. Section 4: Physiological Mechanisms and Genetic Considerations Pathophysiology of Cholesterol Production: Overproduction may result from genetic mutations (LDL receptor or PCSK9) or conditions like insulin resistance. Pathophysiology of Cholesterol Absorption: Increased absorption could be due to genetic polymorphisms (NPC1L1 gene), leading to higher dietary cholesterol absorption. Section 5: Practical Application in Clinical Practice Incorporating the Test into Clinical Workflow: Integrate the Boston Heart Cholesterol Balance Test for patients with unexplained hypercholesterolemia or non-responders to standard therapy.Tailor treatment based on whether a patient is an overproducer, an over absorber, or both. Patient Communication: Explain test results in an understandable way, emphasizing personalized treatment plans.
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    22 mins
  • 96: Cardiovascular Risk Management: Calcium Scores, Lp(a), and Colchicine

    96: Cardiovascular Risk Management: Calcium Scores, Lp(a), and Colchicine
    Aug 12 2024

    Buck shares his experience visiting a cardiologist and discusses his family history of heart disease. He explains the importance of coronary calcium CT scans and the significance of calcium scores. Buck also highlights the role of lipoprotein little a (Lp(a)) in cardiovascular disease and the potential for new medications to target and lower Lp(a) levels. He explores the use of low-dose colchicine as an anti-inflammatory treatment for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation.

    01:23 Understanding Coronary Calcium CT and Early Interventions
    02:48 Advanced Cardiovascular Testing and Treatments 06:01 The Role of Lipoprotein Little A in Heart Disease 13:42 Inflammation and Coronary Artery Disease
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    20 mins