How does someone go from researching cancer and gene therapy to making chocolate for people with metabolic challenges?

Dr. Patton hosts Dr. Beata Lerman, Founder and CEO of Sinless Treats Chocolate, who details her transition from scientist to chocolatier. Dr. Lerman recounts her early career in biomedical research, her experience as a cancer survivor, and her decision to eliminate sugar from her diet. She discusses the creation of Sinless Treats, a chocolate line designed not to raise blood sugar, using natural sweeteners and whole ingredients.

Chocolate production starts from cacao beans sourced directly from farmers. The process includes grinding, sweetener infusion, and the addition of ingredients such as broccoli microgreens for added nutrients. Glucose monitor tests show the chocolate does not spike blood sugar, and Dr. Lerman invites listeners to participate in upcoming research.

Learn more about Sinless Treats Chocolate here, follow them on Instagram, and listen to Dr. Lerman's podcast Heal Me with Chocolate on your favorite podcast app.

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

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Why do so many of us wait until we are sick to see a doctor, when prevention could change our lives and lower our costs?

In this episode, Dr. Patton explores:

1. The reasons we miss the mark on preventative care

2. The real impact of skipping screenings and checkups

3. What stands in the way, and how we can help fix it

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Key Takeaways

1. Preventative care, such as vaccinations, screenings, and regular checkups, is crucial for improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. Addressing health issues early or preventing them altogether is far more effective and less expensive than treating advanced diseases.

2. Failing to prioritize preventative care leads to higher healthcare expenditures, the financial and emotional burden on families, and overcrowded emergency rooms. Treating chronic and late-stage illnesses is far more costly than preventive measures.

3. Multiple barriers, including inadequate reimbursement incentives for doctors, healthcare access issues in rural or underserved communities, cultural mindsets favoring reactive care, and logistical challenges (like transportation and food deserts), make it difficult for many people to prioritize prevention.

4. Shifting to a culture of health prevention requires early and ongoing education, embracing workplace wellness programs, using technology (like wearables), and policy changes to improve access and reimbursement for preventative care.

5. Individuals can contribute by scheduling regular health checkups, following screening guidelines, and engaging in community health programs. Communities, employers, and policymakers need to promote and support preventative care through incentives, improved access, and education.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Preventative Care's Impact on Costs

03:56 Preventive Care Savings vs. Costs

08:25 Preventive Care to Cut ER Costs

12:41 Shift to Preventative Healthcare Mindset

16:05 Promoting Workplace Wellness Initiatives

18:53 Promoting Preventative Healthcare Practices

22:11 Improving Preventative Care Access

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you ever unsure if you’re on the right medication or getting the best treatment for your diagnosis?

Dr. Patton sees patients every day who have questions like:

1. How do you talk to your doctor about your treatment goals?

2. What do you need to know about new drugs, side effects, and costs?

3. How does shared decision making change the way we choose medical care?

Explore these questions and more, and talk about what it means to create a plan that really fits you.

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Key Takeaways

1. The growing complexity of medical treatments, especially with new pharmaceuticals and therapies, can be overwhelming for patients. Navigating these options successfully requires open communication and collaboration between patients and their doctors to ensure the chosen treatment aligns with personal health goals and circumstances.

2. Moving away from a paternalistic model, the shared decision-making approach empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare. By working with their doctors, patients are better able to choose treatments based on their values, lifestyle, concerns about side effects, and financial considerations—ultimately leading to improved adherence and outcomes.

3. Managing multiple medications and specialists can be complicated. Having a primary care physician or someone to oversee all treatments ensures medication interactions are monitored and therapies remain streamlined—reducing the risk of errors, unnecessary drugs, or conflicting treatments.

4. Financial pressures are a significant factor in determining the “right” treatment for each individual. Insurance coverage, medication costs, and access issues can influence decision-making and often require doctors and patients to be strategic or creative in finding viable, effective therapies.

5. While drug advertisements can raise awareness and foster important conversations between patients and doctors, they can also create unrealistic expectations or inappropriate demand for certain medications. Doctors and patients must critically assess advertised treatments to ensure decisions are tailored and evidence-based, not just marketing-driven.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Optimizing Patient-Doctor Collaboration

03:38 Preparing for Biologic Treatment Decisions

09:09 Shared Decision-Making Benefits Compliance

10:21 Evolving Multiple Sclerosis Treatments

16:08 Missed Medication Leads to Hospitalization

18:58 Direct-to-Consumer Drug Marketing Benefits

21:30 Strengthening Patient-Doctor Relationships

23:59 Early High Efficacy Treatment Approach

27:14 Evaluating Treatment Approaches

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do health inequities in breast cancer persist so stubbornly for Black and Brown women?

Laura Crandon's personal battle with misdiagnosed breast cancer inspired her to found Touch 4 Life, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and demanding equity in breast and prostate cancer care.

Despite a background as a healthcare executive, she faced gaps in testing and treatment that are all too common in underserved communities. Her advocacy now empowers others to ask the right questions and push for change.

Key Takeaways

1. Laura highlights the stark disparities in breast cancer detection, treatment, and survivorship that affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Black and brown women die at a 41% higher rate from breast cancer than their white counterparts, largely due to systemic issues in healthcare access, awareness, and inclusion in research and clinical practices.

2. Not all breast cancers are alike, and understanding the specific type via biomarker testing is critical for effective, targeted treatment. Many women of color do not receive these advanced tests, missing out on life-saving precision medicine. Laura’s own survival was linked to receiving biomarker testing and access to clinical trials.

3. Laura discusses how BIPOC populations are significantly underrepresented in clinical research, resulting in medical guidelines and AI-driven healthcare being based on data that does not reflect these communities. Without their inclusion in trials and data banks, future advances may leave them further behind. Participation in clinical trials and donation of tissue or data is essential for health equity.

4. Patients must be empowered to advocate for themselves, understand their rights, and insist on comprehensive care, including second opinions and proper team-based healthcare. Laura draws from her healthcare executive experience to stress the importance of not accepting sub-par care and encourages education, advocacy, and direct involvement in shaping healthcare policy and research standards.

5. Touch for Life addresses systemic inequities with a multi-pronged strategy: education, advocacy, research, collaboration with industry, and community engagement. They provide resources, training, and create accountability for industry and policymakers. The organization seeks to ensure that every member of the community, regardless of geography, has access to life-saving information, testing, and support.

Learn more about Touch 4 Life HERE.

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Breast Health Awareness Advocate Laura Crandon

05:13 Excluded from Data and Guidelines

08:21 The Importance of Second Opinions

12:00 Inherited Genetic Risks

14:41 Advancing Health Equity in Oncology

17:39 Advocating for Clinical Trial Participation

21:05 Inclusive Clinical Research Advocacy

23:00 Medication Side Effect Miscommunication

26:34 Empowering Voices for Policy Change

32:16 Importance of Family Medical History

34:26 Black Boots, Black Roots Party

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What drives a healthcare system to impose hurdles on both patients and physicians?

The complexities of utilization management and prior authorization, as explained by Dr. David Charles, exemplify a major interference in healthcare delivery. These processes, intended to reduce costs, often result in frustrating and anxiety-inducing delays in care. This burden contributes to patient dissatisfaction and physician burnout.

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Key Takeaways

1. These processes are designed to manage healthcare costs but often lead to delays in patient care. Prior authorization can cause frustration and anxiety for both patients and physicians, as it involves waiting for insurance companies to approve necessary treatments or tests.

2. Also known as the "fail first" approach, step therapy requires patients to try less expensive treatments before moving on to what their doctor initially prescribed. While intended to control costs, this can be harmful, especially for conditions where failing initial treatments can lead to irreversible damage.

3. This practice involves insurance companies pushing patients to switch to different medications for cost-saving reasons, which can interfere with treatment efficacy and patient-doctor trust. It adds frustration and administrative burdens to doctors, impacting patient care.

4. The administrative hurdles stemming from these insurance processes contribute to physician burnout. Neurologists, in particular, experience high burnout rates, which poses a significant issue given the neurologist shortage amidst a rising population with neurodegenerative conditions.

5. The organization advocates for patient-centered care and equips physicians to better advocate for their patients. This involves pushing back against insurance imposed barriers to ensure patients receive the necessary treatments without undue delays.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Healthcare Delays: Utilization Management Issues

04:26 Prior Authorization Frustrations

08:24 Impact of Increased Prior Authorization

12:36 Navigating Step Therapy Challenges

14:39 Flawed Step Therapy in Insurance

18:14 Challenges in Chronic Condition Management

20:16 Generic Drugs and Epilepsy Risks

25:31 Medication Cost Influences Patient Choice

29:19 Patient Advocacy Training and Access

30:33 Improving Physician Advocacy Skills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is artificial intelligence reshaping the landscape of healthcare?

Dr. Patton explores AI's role in enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient care management. AI-driven technology assists in early disease detection, efficient drug development, and personalized treatment plans. Despite challenges and ethical concerns, AI's potential in healthcare is profound and transformative.

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Key Takeaways

1. AI in Diagnostics and Treatment:

   • Takeaway: AI is enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses and treatments by analyzing vast amounts of data to detect diseases early and with greater precision. It's not about replacing clinicians but augmenting their capabilities for better patient outcomes.

2. Personalized Treatment Plans:

   • Takeaway: AI allows for the creation of personalized treatment plans by analyzing genetics, treatment history, and lifestyle factors. This leads to more effective and tailored healthcare, minimizing side effects and improving patient compliance.

3. AI in Drug Discovery and Development:

   • Takeaway: AI accelerates drug development by predicting drug interactions and reducing trial and error in testing, potentially decreasing development time and costs, which could lead to lower drug prices and faster availability of new medications.

4. Wearable Technology and Remote Monitoring:

   • Takeaway: Wearables, powered by AI, enable continuous patient monitoring beyond clinical visits, which helps in managing chronic conditions and potentially reduces hospital readmissions and emergency room visits.

5. Healthcare Administration and Efficiency:

   • Takeaway: AI streamlines administrative tasks in healthcare, reducing burnout among providers and improving operational efficiency. This allows clinicians to focus more on patient care while decreasing errors and enhancing patient experience.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 AI-Augmented Diagnostics in Medicine

06:43 AI Revolutionizing Personalized Healthcare

09:41 AI Revolutionizing Drug Development and Care

12:41 Wearable AI for Health Monitoring

18:05 AI in Mental Health and Predictive Care

23:03 AI Enhances Medical Administration Efficiency

25:14 AI Enhances Hospital Efficiency

29:49 AI Healthcare: Benefits and Ethics

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is the healthcare industry being reshaped by private equity and evolving regulations?

Hal Katz elucidates the impacts of the corporate practice of medicine laws and the growing influence of private equity on healthcare. The past decades have seen regulatory changes like the Stark Law and HIPAA, and a shift toward physician and hospital alignments. Katz anticipates future advancements through digital health and AI, enhancing access, quality, and transparency.

Key Takeaways

1. Corporate Practice of Medicine:

   • Takeaway: The corporate practice of medicine refers to state laws and regulations that ensure medical decisions are made by physicians, not non-physicians or corporations. In Texas, these laws are stringent, affecting how non-physicians can structure relationships with physicians and who can own medical practices.

2. Role of Private Equity in Healthcare:

   • Takeaway: Private equity sees healthcare as a strong investment due to its recession-proof nature and the necessity of healthcare services. The industry's fragmentation provides opportunities for consolidation, allowing private equity to enhance efficiency and patient experience through better infrastructure and technology.

3. Healthcare Industry Evolution:

   • Takeaway: Over the past three decades, the healthcare industry has evolved from the rise of HMOs in the 1990s to the current influence of private equity. Regulatory changes like the Stark Law, HIPAA, and the Affordable Care Act have shaped physician practices, leading to increased alignment between physicians and hospitals.

4. Future Predictions for Healthcare:

   • Takeaway: Future trends may include continued consolidation, potential bankruptcies, and increased Federal Trade Commission scrutiny. However, advancements in virtual health, digital innovations, and artificial intelligence are expected to improve access, quality, and transparency in healthcare.

5. Importance of Staying Informed:

   • Takeaway: Understanding the business side of medicine is crucial for healthcare professionals, patients, and citizens to navigate their personal health journeys and make informed decisions about care. As the industry evolves, staying informed about trends is vital.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Texas Corporate Medicine Restrictions

05:39 Private Equity’s Healthcare Consolidation Strategy

08:40 Healthcare Consolidation Trends

10:00 Private Practice and Private Equity Trends

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

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What makes distinguishing between types of dementia crucial for Alzheimer's research and treatment?

With an alarming rise in Alzheimer's cases, early detection through biomarkers and new treatments like amyloid-removing drugs offer hope. Dr. Paul Schultz emphasizes early intervention to tackle cognitive decline effectively. Lifestyle changes further complement these treatments, offering a comprehensive approach to managing the disease.

Key Takeaways

1. Timely diagnosis is crucial for differentiating between Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders, as well as for beginning treatment that can slow progression. Early signs of cognitive decline, such as short-term memory issues despite intact long-term memory, should prompt medical evaluation.

2. Identifying reversible causes of dementia-like symptoms, such as vitamin B12 deficiency or normal pressure hydrocephalus, is essential. Misdiagnosis can lead to lost opportunities for effective treatment. Comprehensive evaluations are necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

3. New tools like amyloid PET scans and blood biomarkers have revolutionized the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, allowing for the detection of amyloid plaques during life rather than at autopsy, which supports timely and targeted treatment interventions.

4. Recent advancements in anti-amyloid therapies, such as Lecanemab and Donanemab, have transformed the treatment landscape, providing hope for slowing or stopping the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Ongoing research aims to target multiple aspects of the disease, including tau and brain inflammation, to further improve outcomes.

5. Lifestyle changes, including exercise and management of cardiovascular risk factors, play a significant role in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's and slowing its progression in those who are diagnosed. These strategies are an integral part of comprehensive care for cognitive disorders.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia

03:44 Cognitive Decline with Aging

07:00 Recognizing Early Signs of Cognitive Decline

10:41 Early Detection of Reversible Symptoms

14:33 First FDA-Approved Amyloid PET Scan

16:39 Detecting Plaques: PET Scans & Biomarkers

19:13 Amyloid Plaque Detection and Diagnosis

23:56 Evolving Dementia Clinic Landscape

28:22 Personalized Treatment Adjustments in Medicine

30:16 Understanding Alzheimer's Treatment Side Effects

32:27 Enhanced Safety in Drug Administration

37:02 Underrepresented Men Avoiding Clinics

39:42 Optimism in Early Alzheimer's Trials

42:39 Volunteering Advances Alzheimer's Research

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

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