Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-09-2026:

• Dr. Dawn shares a follow-up from an emailer in Switzerland providing seven functional medicine practitioner addresses near Zurich and Aargau, noting that Switzerland uses different terminology but is actually an "epicenter of functional medicine."
• Dr. Dawn calls for support of the bipartisan Break Up Big Medicine Act, modeled on Glass-Steagall, which would prohibit common ownership of medical providers with insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, or drug wholesalers. She explains how vertical integration by companies like UnitedHealth, CVS/Aetna, and Cigna allows them to game medical loss ratio requirements through self-dealing while driving up costs.
• A European clinical trial implanted 2mm x 2mm light sensors beneath the retinas of 38 people with advanced macular degeneration, with 80% gaining clinically meaningful improvement (two lines on the vision chart) after one year. The device bypasses damaged rods and cones, sending camera images from glasses directly to the optic nerve.
• Dr. Dawn explains that air temperature warnings are measured in shade, but direct sunlight can add 20°C to heat exposure. Heat stroke triggers gut permeability, releasing lipopolysaccharides that cause cytokine storms and organ failure. She advises fans over air conditioning when possible, shade, hydration, and loose natural-fabric clothing.
• An emailer asks if low-dose oral strontium supplementation has the same problem as pharmaceutical strontium. Dr. Dawn confirms it improves bone density scores without reducing fracture risk, and recommends telopeptide testing to monitor actual bone loss after discontinuing.
• An emailer's doctor wants to prescribe high-dose dexamethasone for low platelets. Dr. Dawn advises against rushing to steroids since platelets of 40 are adequate for clotting, recommending a hematology consultation and repeat testing with citrated blood.
• Dr. Dawn reviews fiber types: wheat dextrin (Benefiber) is fermentable but technically gluten-free; guar fiber (Sunfiber) ferments slowly and works for low-FODMAP diets; inulin feeds bifidobacteria and produces anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids; methylcellulose (Citrucel) is non-fermentable; and psyllium (Metamucil) is facing a class action lawsuit over undisclosed lead contamination.
• An emailer with varicose veins reports recurring superficial blood clots. Dr. Dawn explains these don't travel to lungs like deep vein clots, but repeated clotting suggests possible thrombophilia requiring workup. She recommends consulting a vascular surgeon about superficial venous ligation under local anesthesia.
• Analysis of 25,000 wearable users found that three daily "exercise snacks" of just 1-2 minutes of vigorous activity (stairs, running for a bus) reduced all-cause mortality by 38-40%. Benefits plateau around 7,500 steps daily, and simply standing up every couple of hours dramatically reduces sedentary risks.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-02-2026:

• Dr. Dawn briefly responds to an emailer in Aptos, advising that her numbers don't require rushing into therapy but recommending a more thorough workup.
• An emailer asks about her sister's osteoporosis treatment, including Reclast side effects and vitamin D levels of 28. Dr. Dawn recommends raising vitamin D to around 50, adding vitamin K2 (MK7-9) and calcium, and suggests weekly oral Fosamax as an alternative to annual Reclast infusions that cause week-long flu-like symptoms.
• A caller reports dizziness when sitting up in bed and recent fainting episodes during hot weather. Dr. Dawn distinguishes vestibular problems from postural hypotension — spinning dizziness when legs are still in bed suggests loose otoliths in the semicircular canals rather than blood pressure issues. She recommends the Dr. Foster vestibular exercises and increased fluid and salt intake.
• Cancer survival has reached a major milestone: 70% of U.S. patients now survive at least five years, up from 50% in the 1970s, thanks to reduced smoking and advances like immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors.
• An Estonian Biobank study of 67,000 adults found men's libido peaks in their early 40s while women's peaks in their 20s-30s with sharper decline around age 50, though testosterone levels begin falling in men's early 30s.
• Dr. Dawn frames perimenopause and menopause as natural transitions rather than diseases, explaining that perimenopausal hormone swings can actually be larger and more erratic than during fertile years. She recommends limiting caffeine (which is metabolized more slowly after menopause), alcohol, and spicy foods, and strongly advocates transdermal bioidentical hormones over oral synthetics—oral estrogen increases clotting risk 400% while transdermal carries no increased risk.
• An emailer asks about transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression. Dr. Dawn explains that while the technology works and shows benefit in studies, targeting remains challenging because each person's brain architecture differs based on individual developmental experiences.
• Researchers found that applying gamma-frequency electrical stimulation (40-90 Hz) to frontal and parietal lobes made participants more likely to choose generous money-splitting options with strangers, suggesting brain stimulation can nudge social decision-making toward altruism.
• A small Indian study found that daily conch shell blowing reduced sleep apnea symptoms by 34% after six months, similar to earlier didgeridoo research—blowing against resistance strengthens airway muscles and increases resting muscle tone during sleep.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-26-2026:

• li> Dr. Dawn announces a UCSF study recruiting participants for psilocybin therapy to help patients cope with chronic low back pain, requiring ages 25-70 with failed prior treatments.
• A caller preparing for bladder stone surgery asks about avoiding a repeat of severe post-anesthesia disorientation. Dr. Dawn recommends pharmacogenomic testing through 3x4 Genetics to identify slow acetylator status and other detoxification enzyme variants that can guide anesthesiologists toward better drug choices.
• A clinical trial found that 24 minutes of music with binaural beats—where slightly offset audio in each ear generates synchronized brainwaves—significantly reduced anxiety in medicated patients. Dr. Dawn encourages trying this accessible, low-risk intervention.
• Chronic noise exposure triggers oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Data centers and server farms are emerging noise pollution sources, and Dr. Dawn recommends affordable noise-canceling headphones as a health investment.
• A Crohn's patient in Switzerland reports alarming neurological symptoms including speech arrest with preserved awareness and transient visual disturbances. He is having trouble finding any Functional Medicine trained physician and Dr. Dawn recommends emailing to info@ifm.org. Furthermore, Dr. Dawn suspects possible seizure activity from brain inflammation and recommends pursuing a sleep-deprived EEG and MRI through a neurology referral.
• MIT researchers discovered Interlectin-2, a protein that both strengthens the mucus barrier by cross-linking mucins and directly traps and kills pathogens like Salmonella and Shigella. Imbalanced levels may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. Synthetic versions may be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. A 33-year-old man survived 48 hours without lungs after flu-triggered bacterial pneumonia caused ARDS and multiple organ failure. Surgeons removed both lungs treat septic shock while ECMO (extracorporeal oxygenation)sustained him until a successful double lung transplant.
• A meta-analysis of 43 studies involving millions of births found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability risk, contradicting recent political claims.
• Green tea contains about 30% more L-theanine than black tea, with studies showing 200mg daily improves verbal fluency, sleep quality, and reduces anxiety. Decaffeinated green tea retains full theanine content.
• Pop star Robbie Williams developed scurvy while on GLP-1 weight loss drugs, highlighting that only 2 of 40+ major GLP-1 trials assessed vitamin intake. Dr. Dawn urges anyone on these medications to take a comprehensive multivitamin.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-19-2026:

• Dr. Dawn warns that stacking multiple gummy supplements can cause GI distress from sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol, with symptoms persisting up to three days after stopping. She recommends limiting sugar alcohol intake to 6mg daily and switching to non-gummy formulations if experiencing bloating, cramping, or diarrhea.
• An emailer asks about finding treatment for abdominophrenic dyssynergia, a condition causing progressive abdominal distension after meals. Dr. Dawn recommends using AI search to locate physical therapy centers offering EMG-guided biofeedback, and suggests ruling out SIBO and low stomach acid.
• Researchers at the American Chemical Society have created modified psilocybin variants designed to release the active compound more slowly, potentially reducing hallucinogenic effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits. Dr. Dawn expresses concern that such patentable alternatives could prevent legalization of natural psilocybin for addiction treatment.
• Japanese researchers used PET imaging to discover that ketamine rapidly relieves treatment-resistant depression by altering the distribution of AMPAR glutamate receptors in the brain. Within two weeks, patients' receptor patterns normalized to resemble healthy controls, with enduring changes tracking symptom improvement.
• A study found CBD and CBG improved fatty liver disease markers in mice by increasing phosphocreatine energy reserves and reactivating cellular recycling centers. Dr. Dawn notes the compounds were injected directly into the abdominal cavity, making the results impossible to translate to oral consumption, an example of headlines exceeding reality.
• King's College London research found that root canal treatment for apical periodontitis improved blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation markers over two years. Dr. Dawn advises regular flossing and periodically tapping teeth with a metal instrument to detect painful teeth needing attention.
• An emailer asks about Crohn's disease and the gut-brain axis. Dr. Dawn explains that the vagus nerve serves as a bidirectional highway between brain and gut, with gut bacteria producing serotonin that affects mood, while stress increases intestinal permeability and worsens inflammation.
• In medical news of the weird, scientists discovered that malaria parasites contain tiny iron crystals powered by hydrogen peroxide—the same fuel used in rockets. This first-ever biological self-propelled nanoparticle could inspire new approaches to powering medical nanobots.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-12-2026:

• Dr. Dawn discusses Michael Pollan's critique of MAHA dietary recommendations, agreeing that ultra-processed foods should be avoided but noting the lack of science supporting high saturated fat intake. She acknowledges extra virgin coconut oil as an exception that doesn't raise LDL, and pushes back on the social Darwinism embedded in anti-vaccine, anti-welfare MAHA thinking.
• Dr. Dawn expresses serious concern about Surgeon General nominee Casey Means, a Stanford-trained physician who dropped out of residency to become a wellness influencer. She objects to Means hawking supplements and glucose monitors for personal profit—conduct she considers unethical for a physician giving medical advice.
• An emailer from Switzerland shares success managing histamine intolerance by avoiding aged meats, shellfish, fermented foods, and cross-reactive pollens during hay fever season. The game-changer was taking DAO (diamine oxidase) supplements before meals to break down histamine in the gut.
• Researchers found that blood from pediatricians who worked in children's hospitals for over a decade contains powerful antibodies against RSV—up to 25% more effective than existing treatments—built up through years of constant exposure.
• Dr. Dawn critiques a study finding 2.5 times more microplastics in prostate tumor tissue than surrounding healthy tissue, noting that fast-growing cancers develop extra blood vessels and would naturally incorporate more circulating plastics. She attributes the 6% rise in late-stage prostate cancer to discontinued PSA screening rather than microplastics.
• An emailer asks what to do about microplastics already in our bodies. Dr. Dawn says there's no way to remove them, and advises avoiding microwaving in plastic, limiting breaded processed foods, and rinsing well after brushing teeth with plastic bristles.
• AI analysis of mammograms can now detect breast artery calcification as a marker for cardiovascular disease risk, with severe calcification indicating 3.3 times greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. This could identify high-risk women years before cardiac events.
• Dr. Dawn questions a non-peer-reviewed study presented at an orthopedic meeting found five years of GLP-1 drug use associated with 30% higher osteoporosis risk, 150% higher osteomalacia risk, and increased tendon ruptures—likely from reduced food intake and vitamin D consumption.
• Twin studies now estimate genetics account for 55% of lifespan variation when separating internal biological causes from external factors. Separately, fathers who showed warmth and responsiveness to 10-month-old babies had children with lower inflammation and better blood sugar regulation at age 7—an effect not seen with mothers' parenting.
• Grandparents actively involved in childcare showed slower cognitive decline than non-caregiving grandparents. Dancing emerged as the standout physical activity for dementia prevention—combining aerobic exercise, social interaction, music, and motor coordination—with three hours weekly showing observable benefits.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-05-2026:

• Dr. Dawn demonstrates how to critically read a science paper using a widely-publicized study claiming adolescent cannabis use causes psychotic, bipolar, and anxiety disorders. She identifies multiple methodological problems: only 5.7% of Kaiser adolescents admitted cannabis use versus 11.2% in anonymous national surveys, suggesting massive underreporting; the study conflates any use with heavy use; and with 463,000 participants, trivially small differences become statistically significant but clinically meaningless. She proposes reverse causation—that prodromal schizophrenia symptoms may drive teens to self-medicate with cannabis rather than cannabis causing psychosis. The study also included "disruptive behavior disorder" diagnoses that lack rigorous criteria, and she notes diagnostic codes are sometimes chosen for insurance reimbursement rather than accuracy. While acknowledging high-dose THC before age 16 may affect brain development, she concludes the headlines claiming causation are not supported by the actual findings.
• Dr. Dawn discusses how aquaculture—now producing 60% of fish consumed globally—has become a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. More antibiotics per kilogram are used in fish farming than in any other animal agriculture, with drugs dissolving into water and sediment where bacteria develop resistance. One study found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in over 80% of shrimp species tested across multiple countries. Through horizontal gene transfer, these resistance genes spread to human pathogens—a 1991 Latin American cholera outbreak affecting nearly a million people may have acquired drug resistance from Ecuadorian shrimp farms.
• Dr. Dawn reports that the FDA rejected Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine application without even reviewing it, despite trials of 41,000 people showing it was 27% more effective at preventing illness and 29% more effective at preventing hospitalization than existing vaccines. She attributes this to politicized anti-mRNA bias lacking scientific basis, noting that venture capital investors like Blackstone (who invested $750 million) will now avoid vaccine development, effectively handing this critical technology to other countries.
• Dr. Dawn describes the "wellness industrial complex"—pharmaceuticals, tech, testing companies, and health influencers creating content that pathologizes normal behaviors. YouTube health videos have amassed 200 billion views, and 30% of British respondents now get medical advice from AI chatbots. She cites a 400% increase in British adults seeking ADHD diagnoses, noting that analysis of top TikTok ADHD videos found less than 50% accurately reflected actual symptoms. Many influencers receive undisclosed payments to mention products, and the U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries allowing direct-to-consumer drug advertising.
• A caller asks about navigating Medicare after their Advantage plan was terminated with no local providers accepting remaining plans. Dr. Dawn explains that Medicare Advantage companies took extra government payments meant for wellness programs but didn't build them, and are now exiting markets as costs rise. She recommends contacting Gray Bears or AARP for free Medicare navigation assistance and suggests exploring regular Medicare with a secondary plan or direct-pay practices. /li>

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-26-2026:

• Dr. Dawn opens with an urgent measles advisory, noting the virus has an R-value of 15 compared to COVID's peak of 5, with South Carolina reporting over 1,000 cases. She recommends those who received only one MMR shot—particularly people now in their 60s—get an immune titer blood test, as protection declines after 40-50 years. Measles can cause "immune amnesia" destroying immunity to other pathogens, and rarely leads to fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis years later.
• Dr. Dawn criticizes Quest Labs' cholesterol reporting, which flags average levels as "moderate risk" with alarming red H markers even when values fall within their own stated normal ranges. She explains this creates unnecessary panic and pushes patients toward statins based on outdated 2008-2012 guidelines, when cardiology has since recognized that cholesterol can be too low.
• An emailer asks how an EKG can detect a past heart attack from "jagged lines." Dr. Dawn explains that each spike represents electrical signals moving toward or away from electrode pads, and a 12-lead EKG views the heart from multiple angles—smaller-than-expected spikes in specific leads indicate dead or damaged heart muscle. She urges everyone to learn CPR and AED use, which more than doubles survival chances.
• An emailer reports that food tastes strong on the first bite but becomes tasteless thereafter. Dr. Dawn identifies numerous medications causing taste changes including calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, statins, diuretics, and even acetaminophen. She also highlights zinc—both deficiency and toxicity above 40mg daily can impair taste, noting a zinc nasal spray was pulled from market after causing smell loss.
• An emailer asks about Prenuvo full-body MRI scans costing $499-1,000. Dr. Dawn cautions that while Prenuvo found 22 cancers in 1,000 people scanned, 1 in 20 scans requires follow-up biopsy and more than half are false positives—leading to stress, expense, and potential complications from unnecessary procedures.
• An emailer asks about seed oils after reading a Johns Hopkins article defending them. Dr. Dawn distinguishes fruit oils (olive, avocado) from industrially-extracted seed oils requiring hexane solvent, a neurotoxin that may leave residues despite claims of evaporation. She cites a BMJ study showing coconut oil raised HDL (good cholesterol) while matching olive oil's LDL impact, and recommends cold-pressed oils while avoiding hexane-extracted products, especially for infants.

Broadcast from KSQD on 5-30-2024 and replayed on 2-12-2026:

• Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological.
• A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).
• Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms.
• Failures of genetic research to identify causes.
• The Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans.
• Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease.
• Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms.
• Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles.
• Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens.
• Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses.
• Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions.