Degrees of Health

What if one of the biggest clues to Alzheimer’s disease lies inside our mitochondria?

In this episode of Degrees of Health, Ben Hopkins is joined by Dr. Russell Swerdlow to explore the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer’s — and why mitochondrial dysfunction could be playing a much bigger role in the disease than we once thought.

Russell talks through the research that led him to this hypothesis, including his early cybrid experiments, which found that mitochondrial DNA from Alzheimer’s patients could transfer reduced cytochrome oxidase activity into cell models. From there, the research uncovered a number of other changes, including increased oxidative stress, abnormal mitochondria, problems with calcium handling and changes in APP biology.

The conversation then gets into the metabolic side of Alzheimer’s. Why does the brain become less able to use glucose? What does “type 3 diabetes” actually mean? And why might mitochondrial dysfunction sit upstream of some of these changes?

They also discuss ketones, redox balance and the importance of keeping the brain’s “carbon rivers” flowing — and why targeting mitochondrial function could potentially be a more upstream approach than simply targeting amyloid plaques.

Russell also shares his thoughts on exercise, lifestyle and where future treatments could come from, including the possibility of using what we learn from lifestyle interventions to develop new pharmaceutical approaches.

And ultimately, there’s a much bigger question: could solving Alzheimer’s mean solving brain ageing itself?

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Could something as simple as the way our bodies handle sugar play a bigger role in ageing and chronic disease than we realise?

In this episode, Ben Hopkins sits down with Professor Paul Reynolds for a fascinating conversation about glycation, what it is, why it happens, and why it might be something we should all know a little more about.

Glycation is essentially what happens when sugar sticks to things in our bodies that it shouldn't. While some of this happens naturally, Paul explains why frequent blood sugar spikes may increase the amount of damage over time.

They explore how this could affect different parts of the body, including the **heart, brain, eyes, skin and kidneys**, and why glycation may be an important part of the bigger picture when it comes to ageing and chronic disease.

The good news is that there are things we can do.

Paul shares some practical ideas around food, movement, fasting, exercise and supporting the body's natural clean-up systems**. They also discuss blood sugar monitoring, HbA1c, continuous glucose monitors and what the future of tracking our metabolic health could look like.

This is a really interesting conversation for anyone who wants to understand more about **healthy ageing, blood sugar, metabolic health and how small changes might help us stay healthier for longer.**

In this episode, we talk about:

• What glycation actually is and why it matters
• Why blood sugar spikes may be more important than we think
• How glycation could affect the heart and blood vessels
• What it might mean for brain health and Alzheimer's
• Why our eyes and skin can show signs of ageing
• The connection between glycation and kidney health
• How food and lifestyle can influence glycation
• Why movement after meals could be helpful
• The potential benefits of fasting and giving the body time to recover
• How the body naturally deals with some of the damage
• What HbA1c can tell us about blood sugar
• Why continuous glucose monitors could be useful
• What the future of health and ageing monitoring might look like
• Simple ways to think about keeping blood sugar under control

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Glycation and Its Impact on Health
02:02 Inflammation as a Central Cause of Disease
03:26 What is Glycation and How Does It Occur?
06:05 The Connection Between Glycation and Metabolic Diseases
09:05 Managing Glycation Through Lifestyle and Diet
12:14 Glycation's Role in Heart Disease and Vascular Damage
17:58 Glycation and Its Effects on Brain Health and Alzheimer's
23:11 Early Signs and Measurement of Glycation
29:09 Strategies to Slow Down Glycation and Aging
34:03 The Role of Autophagy and Fasting in Glycation Prevention
40:02 Future Technologies and Monitoring for Glycation

Glycation is something that happens naturally, so the goal isn't to completely eliminate it. As Paul explains, the focus is really on slowing things down, reducing unnecessary blood sugar spikes and giving the body the best chance to keep up with the damage and repair process.

Ben and Paul also discuss the idea that what we do consistently over many years may matter far more than what we do occasionally.

#Glycation #MetabolicHealth #HealthyAgeing #Longevity #BloodSugar #Healthspan #Fasting #Glucose #Inflammation #aging

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🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️
https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist).

🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self-selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have.

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Anxiety affects millions of people, but what if everything we have been taught about it is wrong?

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Cain shares a completely different way of thinking about anxiety, panic attacks, and healing. Drawing from her own experience and years of clinical practice, she explains why anxiety is not the problem but a signal from your body that something needs attention.

We talk about trauma, the nervous system, neuroplasticity, gut health, mitochondria, natural ways to support anxiety, and the practical steps you can take to feel calm again. This conversation is packed with insights that could change the way you think about your mental and physical health.

If you have ever struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, or constant stress, this episode is for you.

**Chapters**

00:00 Introduction
00:31 Why anxiety is not the problem
02:42 Dr Nicole Cain's story with anxiety and panic
10:54 The difference between fear and anxiety
15:45 Understanding panic attacks
17:07 Why panic attacks are not dangerous
21:24 What happens in the brain during anxiety
22:50 Why panic can feel like a heart attack
24:58 How neuroplasticity helps you heal
29:45 The connection between mitochondria and mental health
34:20 The four step process to becoming panic proof
39:42 Why accepting anxiety changes everything
43:23 The best natural supplements for anxiety
45:44 Treating the root cause instead of the symptoms
49:41 The role of spirituality in healing
53:16 The one message everyone needs to hear about anxiety
53:54 Can anxiety really be healed?
54:32 Where to find Dr Nicole Cain

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments.

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🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️
https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist).

🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self-selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have.

🎧 Listen to us on-the-go! Available wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. New episode every Wednesday!

#Anxiety #PanicAttacks #MentalHealth #Neuroplasticity #Trauma #GutHealth #Wellness #HealthPodcast #DrNicoleCain
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Dr. Mark Madsen discusses the science behind intermittent fasting, ketosis, and their effects on health, aging, and brain function. He explores mechanisms like BDNF, autophagy, and evolutionary perspectives on stress responses.

Key Topics

- Mechanisms of fasting benefits: calorie restriction, glycation, inflammation
- Role of ketones as signaling molecules and energy sources
- BDNF and brain plasticity
- Exogenous ketones and athletic performance
- Evolutionary perspective on stress and adaptation

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
00:11 Ben's fasting experiments and Ori Hoffmeckler influence
01:13 Are fasting benefits due to calorie restriction or other mechanisms?
01:31 Experimental evidence on fasting and lifespan extension in mice
02:30 Human study on 5-2 fasting and metabolic health
05:27 Benefits of fasting beyond calorie restriction
07:11 Fasting, ketosis, and athletic performance
08:10 Second wind phenomenon and metabolic flexibility
09:16 Fasting and metabolic health in athletes like Matthew Pinson
10:25 Exogenous ketones and their role in health and performance
16:02 BDNF, brain health, and the effects of ketones
19:10 Evolutionary perspective on brain and body adaptation
20:23 Stress response, autophagy, and cellular health
25:47 Exercise, challenge, and brain resilience
27:50 Lifestyle, obesity, and cognitive health
28:34 The importance of stress and challenge in evolution
43:31 Impact of media and public awareness on fasting science
45:28 Clinical trials and health benefits of intermittent fasting
46:26 Healthcare system, prevention, and societal challenges
48:23 Barriers to healthy lifestyle and socioeconomic factors
49:10 Diet, supplements, and natural chemicals in health
53:22 Neuroendocrinology and brain development
54:30 Neurotransmitters, glutamate, and neural wiring
56:26 Excitotoxicity and neural damage in disease
58:00 Dietary chemicals and adaptive stress response
01:02:59 Evolutionary mechanisms of plant chemicals and human health
01:04:58 Dose, duration, and frequency of stressors
01:06:06 Optimal intermittent fasting patterns and research challenges
01:07:41 Connecting lifestyle, stress, and evolutionary biology

Mark Madsen's Institute - https://matsonianinstitute.org
Brain Ponderings Podcast - https://matsonianinstitute.org/podcast

Website - https://matsonianinstitute.org
Podcast - https://matsonianinstitute.org/podcast

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🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️
https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist).

🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self-selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have.

🎧 Listen to us on-the-go! Available wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. New episode every Wednesday!

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In this episode, Dr. Mary Newport discusses the latest insights on cholesterol, the benefits of coconut oil, and the role of ketones in brain health and metabolic diseases. Discover how dietary fats influence health and the potential of ketogenic strategies for longevity and disease management.

KEY TOPICS

Cholesterol controversy and the cholesterol code documentary
Impact of statins on brain cholesterol and confusion in elderly
Types of LDL particles and their role in artery invasion
Coconut oil studies and its effects on cholesterol levels
The role of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in ketosis
Breast milk's MCT content and implications for infant health
Ketone production from coconut oil and exogenous sources
The relationship between insulin levels, ketosis, and aging
Potential of ketogenic diets in managing Alzheimer's and diabetes
Future directions in metabolic health and disease prevention

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and weather update
00:25 The cholesterol code documentary and its implications
00:39 Controversies around statins and brain cholesterol
02:06 Cholesterol in the brain and neuronal function
03:04 Types of LDL particles and cardiovascular risk
04:14 Coconut oil studies and myth-busting
05:10 Effects of coconut oil on lipid profiles
06:36 Long-term coconut oil research in Asia
07:30 Study on coconut oil vs sunflower oil in heart disease patients
08:29 Most viewed article in Nutrients journal 2025
09:04 Fats, ketosis, and brain health
10:08 Why coconut oil enhances brain boost with ketones
12:01 Ketone levels from coconut oil and self-measurement
14:37 Medium-chain triglycerides and brain energy
16:31 Sustaining ketones with MCTs and exogenous supplements
17:12 Ketones and reaction time in sports
19:35 Diet, ketosis, and natural biology
21:29 Dietary patterns, sugar, and chronic disease
23:25 Combining diet and exogenous ketones for health
27:25 Breast milk, ketosis, and infant development
30:48 Ketones as building blocks for brain fats
33:28 Ketones, insulin, and brain processing speed
35:11 Current projects and future research
37:35 Recipe: Greek salad with ketogenic oils
52:01 Closing remarks and contact info

Coconut Ketones Website - https://coconutketones.com
Dr. Mary Newport on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrMaryNewport

Website - https://coconutketones.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrMaryNewport

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🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️
https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist).

🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self-selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have.

🎧 Listen to us on-the-go! Available wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. New episode every Wednesday!

#MetabolicHealth #WomensHealth #PCOS #KetogenicDiet #Nutrition #Hormones #PostpartumDepression #Metabolism #Fasting #HealthPodcast

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