Evolving Medical Understanding

In the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, it's crucial to recognize and address areas where medical understanding falls short. At Bionic Health, we're committed to staying at the forefront of medical knowledge to provide you with the best possible care. Let's explore three key areas where medicine has historically missed the mark and how recent research is reshaping our approach.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Misunderstood Treatment

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women has been a subject of controversy and misunderstanding for years. Initially perceived as a risk factor for increased breast cancer mortality, more recent studies have clarified that there is no increased risk of death from breast cancer for women on HRT.

The Impact of Misinformation

• Early reporting errors led to unnecessary fear and avoidance of beneficial treatment for many women.

• Millions of women may have been denied potentially helpful treatment due to these misconceptions.

"These early reporting errors led to unnecessary fear and avoidance of beneficial treatment for many women, likely causing harm to millions." - Dr. Jared Pelo, Chief Medical Officer, Bionic Health

For a deeper dive into how women have been misled about menopause, check out this informative New York Times article.

The Double-Edged Sword of Antibiotics

While antibiotics have undoubtedly saved countless lives, their overuse has led to significant problems:

1. Antibiotic Resistance: Bacteria develop immunity to drugs designed to eliminate them, often due to overprescription.

2. Increased Chronic Disease: Recent research has unveiled concerning findings about the long-term effects of early antibiotic use in children.

The Hidden Risks of Antibiotic Overuse

Children who receive more antibiotics early in life face increased risks of various health issues later, including:

• Certain cancers

• Obesity

• Allergies

• Mental health problems

If your doctor prescribes antibiotics for conditions like sinus infections, ear infections, or coughs, it's worth asking if it's truly necessary.

For more information, refer to this research paper: Oral antibiotic use and chronic disease: long-term health impact beyond antimicrobial resistance and Clostridioides difficile.

Rethinking Appendicitis Treatment

Historically, appendicitis has been treated as a surgical emergency. However, recent studies show that in many cases, antibiotics can be a safe and effective alternative to surgery.

A Paradigm Shift in Treatment

• Surgery remains the standard in severe cases.

• Growing evidence supports the use of antibiotics for uncomplicated appendicitis.

• Despite the evidence, appendectomy rates are not dropping as quickly as they should.

For more insights, watch this video from the Journal of American Medical Association discussing the safety of treating appendicitis with antibiotics.

Embracing Change for Better Healthcare

No healthcare provider sets out to deliver subpar care. However, as medicine evolves, it's crucial to recognize and address these blind spots swiftly. By acknowledging where we've fallen short, we can collaborate to improve care delivery.

Remember, your health journey is unique. Stay informed, ask questions, and partner with your healthcare providers to ensure you receive the best possible care. If you have questions about your care, don't hesitate to reach out to Bionic Health for guidance.

At Bionic Health, we're committed to providing "Optimal Health for All" by staying at the forefront of medical advancements and continuously improving our approach to preventative healthcare

‍

Bionic Beat v12: Sleep Optimization

‍

‍

Sleep is a foundational piece of our health and well-being, yet it's often overlooked in our busy lives.

Luckily, society is shifting and valuing sleep is becoming popular.

This week, we're diving into the world of sleep to understand its impact on our mental and physical health, and how we can optimize it for better overall performance (quick hint, it’s not usually the lack of a drug or supplement causing you to not sleep optimally).

‍

Our nationwide expansion means you have more chances to refer

We are currently available in NC, VA, CO, FL, MD & UT (with more states on the way).

Take advantage of this special end-of-month promotion by sharing promo code JULY15 with a friend of family member. Get a $50 Amazon gift card when they sign up. All they have to do is mention your name in their intro call.

‍

Sleep Hygiene and Optimization

As racing legend Bobby Unser once said, "Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." This wisdom applies perfectly to sleep hygiene. By preparing your environment and habits for optimal sleep, you create the opportunity for consistently restful nights.

Creating an ideal sleep environment and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule are crucial for quality rest. Here are some key tips to set yourself up for sleep success:

• Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool
• Use comfortable bedding and pillows
• Limit screen time before bed
• Stick to a consistent sleep and wake time, even on weekends
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine

Use the 3,2,1 rule. 3 hours before bed stop eating and drinking, 2 hours before bed stop working, 1 hour before bed no screens.  

For more insights, check out Matt Walker's video:

6 tips for better sleep

‍

The Bidirectional Relationship Between Sleep and Mental Health

Sleep and mental health are intimately connected. Poor sleep can exacerbate mental health issues, while mental health problems can disrupt sleep patterns.

1. Lack of sleep can increase risk of depression and anxiety
2. Good sleep helps regulate emotions and manage stress
3. Chronic insomnia is linked to higher rates of mood disorders

Check out this video from Jared reviewing the connection between sleep and mental health. The Importance of Good Sleep

For those struggling with sleep issues related to mental health, there are effective treatments available.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) app, which can be a valuable tool:

CBT-i Coach | VA Mobile

‍

The Impact of Sleep Duration on Physical Health and Performance

Sleep isn't just about feeling rested – it's crucial for our physical health and daily performance. Inadequate sleep is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and weakened immune function.

Good sleep supports cognitive function, including memory, decision-making, and creativity. Proper sleep helps regulate hormones that control appetite and metabolism.

This paper looked at over 385 thousand people and those with better sleep had 35% less heart disease: Sleep patterns, genetic susceptibility, and incident cardiovascular disease: a prospective study of 385 292 UK biobank participants

Also, check out this video from CBS This Morning on diet and sleep: A lack of sleep can lead to overeating

‍

Have a question? Send your care team a message!

We're here to help you on your journey.

Open the app

Not yet a member?

Join other health-conscious members in optimizing your health!

Join Bionic Health

‍

Understanding Cancer: A Diverse Family of Diseases

‍

Most all of us have been affected by cancer. Either we have had it, we have a loved one who has had it or we know someone who has had it. This newsletter I want to make sure we all understand what cancer is. How we need to think about it properly so we know how to screen for it and live in a way so it’s less likely we get it.

What Exactly is Cancer?

Cancer isn't a single disease, but a group of related conditions where cells grow uncontrollably due to DNA damage. This abnormal growth can form tumors, either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues and spread to other body parts, a process called metastasis.

‍

With over 200 types of cancer, each has its own characteristics, risk factors, and treatment needs. This diversity emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches to prevention, screening, and treatment. Understanding cancer as a family of diseases helps us appreciate the complexity of cancer care and the need for personalized strategies.

Check out this video on Khan Academy describing how cancer starts.  

Here is a good article about the war on cancer- The ‘war on cancer’ isn’t yet won (nature.com)

Strategy 1- Cancer found early is easier to cure.  

It’s clear that how easily you can overcome cancer depends primarily on what stage the cancer is at when found. If it’s stage 1 cancer, meaning it’s localized and small, it’s almost always curable. Therefore, we want to guide each person to get screened appropriately with typical guidelines and for more advanced cancer screening (like full body MRI and liquid biopsy technology). Your job as a patient is to follow the typical guidelines, and work with a knowledgeable expert physician  

Check out typical cancer screening guidelines here  

Cancer Screenings and Prevention - Screenings by Age Group (preventcancer.org)

Check out this video from Dr Pelo speaking about full body MRI and liquid biopsies and what people should know before getting these done.

‍

Strategy 2- Cultivate a cancer-resistant lifestyle

For decades, we have known that lifestyle choices significantly impact cancer risk. While smoking is the most notorious cancer-causing habit, it's not the only one. Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, metabolic disorders, and a sedentary lifestyle all increase cancer risk for several types.

To build a cancer-resistant lifestyle:

• Avoid smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Eat a balanced diet
• Protect your skin from sun damage
• Get adequate sleep
• Manage stress
• Keep up with recommended screenings

By incorporating these habits, you're not just reducing cancer risk – you're promoting overall health.

Check out this article and paper which talks about how up to half of cancer deaths can be prevented by lifestyle. Can a healthy lifestyle prevent cancer? | ScienceDaily

Here is a video from Peter Attia and Rhonda Patrick talking about how exercise decreases your risk of cancer death.

‍

Don't forget: Get $50 for a new member referral!

‍