Saving Lives In Slow Motion

In this episode I look at the potential benefits of pet ownership and whether there are any

effects on health or our lives in general.

Links:

The power of pets: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets

Cortisol and pet stroking: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419852592

The biology of pet ownership and oxytocin: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/biology/the-biology-loving-our-pets

Pets and mirror neurons: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/your-personal-renaissance/202609/new-research-shows-why-dogs-are-good-for-our-health

Pets and depression: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih...

In this episode I look at the rise of consumer medicine with increasing requests

for tests or interventions driven by people themselves. It has boomed in recent years and

I want to look at how we can draw the line between consumer healthcare and retail.

Cortisol: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol

SIBO: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21820-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-sibo

MCAS info: https://www.mastcellaction.org/

Rationing in the NHS: https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100765?__cf_chl_tk=uuJmA7dbhxE43...

In this episode I look at the concept of P4 Medicine: predictive, preventive, personalised and participatory and how

it will change the way we look proactively at our health.

Leroy Hood is seen as the thought leader of this model of medicine as a visionary doctor and scientist.

I passionately believe in the concept if health systems can afford it.

Links:

Leroy Hood lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sinVPvW_ikE

P4 medicine a 2013 paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Every week I meet people whose lives are changed by illness or events which make their

life go in a direction they were not expecting. In this episode I look at what we can do to

prepare for the unexpected.

Links:

The life of Mike Tetley MBE: https://www.bigredbook.info/mike_tetley.html

Adjusting to long term conditions: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10237456/

Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now: https://eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt/

Hedonic adaptation...

It means different things to different people and in this episode

I look at what makes for good workplace wellbeing.

Links:

Wellbeing at work: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12579173/#section8-11786329251387227

Belonging at work: https://www.forbes.com/sites/biancabarratt/2024/02/27/why-feeling-a-sense-of-belonging-at-work-matters-and-how-to-cultivate-it/

Psychological safety: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-psychological-safety

Making mistakes at work: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/making-mistakes-at-work

Hybrid working: https://www.circles.com/resources/blurred-work-life-balance-why-hybrid-employees-struggle-to-switch-off

Save your life in slow...

In this episode I look t the possibility that most disease might be curable by 2100.

It sounds great but there are multiple knock on effects from this possible reality. 

Yamanaka factors: https://iscrm.uw.edu/what-is-cell-reprogramming/

Stem cells: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117

Predictive medicine: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590098625000223

Population growth: https://ourworldindata.org/population-growth

Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for l...

They are often at loggerheads but in this episode I discuss how lifestyle medicine encapsulates

elements of both and how we can incorporate them into everyday life.

Links to studies

Walking after meals: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36715875/

Interrupting sitting for long periods: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42070794/

Resistance training and weights: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35599175/

Sleep regularity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41259946/

Timing and eati...

This is such an important issue for us in the modern world. Where to seek health 

and medical advice is broader than ever these days and it’s important to know how 

to filter. 

Links:

Cyberchondria: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30419526/

Use of online search tools: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/8/e027743

WHO regulation for AI: https://www.who.int/news/item/19-10-2023-who-outlines-considerations-for-regulation-of-artificial-intelligence-for-health

A day in the life of a GP: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/nhs...

It’s so simple yet really powerful to map what you do each day and how

it could secretly be affecting your health.

In this episode I give you an example how this tool works and how you can use it.

Links: 

Buy THE HEALTH FIX - now on special offer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Stress and IBS: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542356526003599

Magnesium and IBS: https://www.healthline.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/magnesi...

In this episode I give you my tips on how to set yourself up for the day by doing 5 simple things.

Morning light: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48268110

Movement: https://www.vogue.in/content/i-tried-5-minutes-a-day-of-lymphatic-jumping-was-it-worth-it

Breakfast: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/extra-protein-at-breakfast-helps-control-hunger

One minute recharge: https://drayanpanja.substack.com/p/the-one-minute-health-tip-that-everyone

Looking forward to something: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/how-to-do-life/202202/the-power-of-having-something-to-look-forward-to

Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now a...

In this episode I cover questions that have come in the consulting room

over the last few months. 

Muscle pain, palpitations, dementia prevention, constipation, reflux and more.

Links: 

Sarcopenia: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23167-sarcopenia

Magnesium: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12655508/

Psoas and back pain: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15721-psoas-syndrome

Constipation: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/elderly-and-constipation

Brain health and Omega 3: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9641984/

L...

I became a doctor in 1999 after many grapples with whether it was the right thing for me to do with my life.

Over 27 years later In reflect in this episode about what it means to be a doctor to give you some insight into 

 the role, its highs and lows and ultimately its essence.

Links: 

Working time directives: https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/working-hours/european-working-time-directive-ewtd/doctors-and-the-european-working-time-directive

Continuity matters: https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/35/6/370

The year I started: https://www.theguardian.com/societ...

I am a huge lover of the arts and feel they are not valued enough when it comes to their health benefits. In this episode I look at some benefits to our health and why it is important to support the arts in general.

Links:

Singing: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000570759791

Dance for Parkinsons Disease: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-21767149

Study on Dance and Parkinsons: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33038925/

Music for Dementia: http...

In this episode I look at the power of others in the role of our health. With a move towards AI in medicine the role of human connection, the role that others play in our health and wellbeing. 

Back Pain book by Art Brownstein: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healing-Back-Pain-Naturally-Mind-body/dp/0936197390

Wellbeing and actitivies: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being

Loneliness: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10121112/

Group medical care - the evidence: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8657170/

In this episode I look at the effects of climate change and also the recent hot weather from the level of the individual to the state of the planet.

Links: 

Understanding climate change and its impacts: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11998295/

Climate anxiety: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/news-and-insights/what-is-climate-anxiety-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/

Lancet study on climate anxiety: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3918955

Hope in the climate crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQMVYSD9EM

Thirs...

We have all heard of the word mindset but does it affect our health?

In this episode I look at examples of how our thoughts and attitude affect health and well-being. 

Mindset and long term illness: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/chronically-me/202408/mindset-and-chronic-illness

Toxic positivity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z64yn9q

Listening to your body: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/articles/why-your-body-speaks-and-how-to-listen

Carol Dweck and growth mindsets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ

Min...

Mystery symptoms can be frustrating but what if they are a sign of an actual condtion? In this episode I look at Endometriosis, Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Lupus and Parkinsons Disease as examples of conditions that can be hard to diagnose and why.

Endometriosis info: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/

Endometriosis: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdj9d1pzl8no

Lupus (SLE): https://lupusuk.org.uk/

Lupus in Africa: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772829324000845

PBC: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/primar...

Each year on my birthday I reflect on the year I have had with gratitude and think about the future. 

In this episode I look at ageing and what it means to people and how different people navigate it.

Muscle strength as we age: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3940510/

Eyesight and ageing: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/20-ways-aging-changes-your-eyes

Hearing loss: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5840-age-related-hearing-loss

Personality and health: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/longer-life-personality-traits-experts-study-b2834833.html

In this episode I look at food, how we see it societally and how we can enjoy it to enrich our lives. 

Circadian rhythm and food: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11849495/

Food noise: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-nutrition/understanding-food-noise-and-how-to-turn-down-the-volume

Foods that heal: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-help-you-heal

Lectins: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11535980/

Social eating: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-16-social-eating-connects-communities

Big food industry: https://lsa.umich.edu/psyc...

In this episode I look at two basic traits people often have and whether

they impact our health.

People pleasing: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/my-side-of-the-couch/202408/people-pleasing-as-a-symptom-of-childhood-trauma

Exhaustion from being too nice? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-genius-of-empathy/202412/are-you-exhausted-from-being-too-nice

Emotional suppression: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24119947/

Selfishness of different kinds? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7265883/

Jungian masculine/ feminine archetypes: https://scottjeffrey.com/king-warrior-magician-lover-masculine-archetypes/ 

Healthy selfishness? https://andrewwilkowilkinson.medium.com/10-reasons-why-being-selfish-is-important-for-you-e5a28bf22...

This is one of the big eternal questions and in this episode I look at the science and culture behind what makes us happy.

Dr Laurie Santos: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/

Lessons in happiness: https://drayanpanja.substack.com/p/lessons-in-happiness

Hedonistic happiness: https://positivepsychology.com/hedonic-vs-eudaimonic-wellbeing/

Eudaimonic happiness: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/what-doesnt-kill-us/201901/what-is-eudaimonic-happiness

Time wealth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilRNAQ76Vsg

Toxic positivity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z64yn9q

Screen...

In this episode I look at blood tests that tell us about what’s going on with our biological processes in terms of our long term metabolic health and the blood markers are relevant.

Hba1c control: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4933534/

Fasting insulin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11118012/

Vitamin D: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10002864/

AST/ALT: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10346959/

Triglycerides and HDL ratio: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1149...

In this episode I look at how we can make health fun. Many people find it hard to get going with healthy habits and

I look at ways we can make them easier to access without thinking of them as ‘health’.

Monkey brain and bad habits: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000597803315

Nushu circles: https://digitize.library.ubc.ca/2025/04/10/nushu-chinas-secret-language-of-women-in-our-open-collection/

Padel benefits: https://www.ltapadel.org.uk/play/benefits-of-playing-padel/

Queens College Step Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySQ5bawZ...

In this episode I look at peptides - what they are, how they work and why everyone seems to talk about them these days.

Links:

BPC-157 research: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8504390/

Musculoskeletal healing with BPC-157: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12446177/

A website promoting benefits despite poor evidence in humans: https://www.hubmeded.com/blog/bpc-157-peptide-benefits

WADA: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wadas-2022-prohibited-list-now-force

GLP-1 drugs - evidence: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a...

In this episode I look at the myriad benefits of walking, why it is often overlooked and the benefits in terms of how it makes us feel and what 

It does for us.

Links:

Bill Bowerman’s Jogging: https://www.sneakerfreaker.com/performance/features/how-the-co-founder-of-nike-invented-jogging-bill-bowerman

Stephen Fry’s story: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2019/aug/stephen-fry-proud-and-relieved-over-five-stone-weight-loss-92021820.html#google_vignette

Walking and mental health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6064756/

The leg power and brain health link: https://w...

This is an episode based on what I get asked online and in the consulting room by patients. Hopefully you will find it useful and helpful.

THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Tiredness: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000714723319

Vitamin D: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000702121829

Kidney cysts: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cysts/symptoms-causes/syc-20374134

Cholesterol: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000649268967

Suppl...

I feel that our lungs more than other organs are taken for granted. In this episode I look at how to keep them healthy and hazards that can affect them.

Air hunger: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/16942-dyspnea  

FVC - lung capacity: https://www.verywellhealth.com/forced-expiratory-capacity-measurement-914900

Workings of the lungs - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchiolitis/multimedia/bronchioles-and-alveoli/img-20008702

Muttley’s wheezy laugh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuxDBX1ogms

Asthma and Lung UK Charity: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/

In this episode I look at some fun free tests you can do at home to take stock of your health and improve it at the same time.

VO2 max: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/vo2-max-what-is-it-and-how-can-you-improve-it

Queens College Step Test - how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySQ5bawZpMo

Sit to Stand test: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20250404-sit-to-stand-the-simple-test-that-reveals-how-youre-ageing

Buteyko breathing test (control pause): https://buteykoclinic.com/blogs/start-your-breathing-test/start-your-breathing-test

Reaction time test: https://www.bbc.co.uk...

(TW: Sensitive topic). 

In this episode I look at the juxtaposition of the human and clinical side of this topic which is not talked about enough.

Links: 

Babies drama on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002qkqt

Tommy's Research and support: https://www.tommys.org/our-research/our-research-centres/tommys-national-centre-miscarriage-research

SANDS: https://www.sands.org.uk/

Early Pregnancy Units: https://aepu.org.uk/units/

Hughes Syndrome: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/

NHS miscarriage information: https://www.nhs...

I thought in this episode I would acknowledge people living with rare diseases as they can be hard to diagnose and live with.

Links:

Batten Disease: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6018-batten-disease

Lorenzo's Oil: https://www.healthline.com/health/neurological-health/lorenzos-oil-does-it-work

Moya Moya Syndrome: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moyamoya-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20355586

CRISPR gene technology: https://www.broadinstitute.org/what-broad/areas-focus/project-spotlight/questions-and-answers-about-crispr

Huntington’s Disease therapy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevz13xkxpro

Save...

It’s the future of medicine but how does it work, what are its origins and how can we benefit from it? In this episode I look at the way medicine can be tailored to our health.

The work of Leroy Hood and P4 Medicine paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4204402/

The Human Genome Project: https://wellcome.org/insights/articles/human-genome-project-new-era-scientific-progress

NHS personalised medicine page: https://www.england.nhs.uk/healthcare-science/personalisedmedicine/

ApoB as a biomarker: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-05887-2

Most people will have come across arrogance in the workplace but medicine is not an arena that it should have a place, or should it?

In this episode I look at the impact on patients, the public and the workforce.

Links: 

Diagnostic errors and overconfidence: https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(08)00040-5/pdf

Curiosity as a cure for arrogance: https://bjgplife.com/clinical-curiosity-an-antidote-to-medical-arrogance/

Women and sexual assault in surgery: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66775015

Missed hear...

Nostalgia is not strictly medical although it was coined a term of a condition of melancholy but in more recent years studies show that it may be a more important part of wellbeing than we thought.

Links:

Nostalgia as a disease: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X22002573

Clay Routledge: https://www.clayroutledge.com/

Nostalgia and wellbeing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36669249/

Man’s Search For Meaning: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning

The...

Work is such a large part of most of our lives. Most of us spend more time at work than at home if you don’t count sleep at night. And many of us work from home. But how do we know if our work might be affecting our health and what can we do about it? 

In this episode I look at some examples and give you a check list of what you can do.

Links:

Aviation and health: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/aviation/prevention/aircrew-cancer.html

Increasingly we see different presentations to a doctors surgery and our access to knowledge and understanding of health and medicine means there are many ports of call for information and seeking help. In this episode I look at the gap between health and medicine and what we can about it.

Links: 

Medicine powered by plants: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/essential-medicines-powered-by-plants.html

The evolution of ‘medicine'- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11245246/

Holism in medicine: https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-holistic-medicine

Self ca...

Most of us drink caffeine and it is in many foods too such as chocolate.

What are its impact on health? In this episode I look at the pros and cons of this ubiquitous every day legal drug.

Links:

Genetics of caffeine metabolism: https://www.sleepmattersperth.com.au/how-genetics-influence-caffeines-impact-on-sleep/

Cognitive and physical performance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4462044/

Caffeine and Parkinson’s Disease: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7773776/

Coffee and dementia risk: https://www.nature.com/articl...

We live in a data driven world and increasingly this applies to health. In this episode I look at some examples of how they can help or hinder.

Body composition scales: https://www.healthline.com/health/body-fat-scale-accuracy

HRV: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21773-heart-rate-variability-hrv

Continuous glucose monitoring: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jun/use-glucose-monitors-people-not-living-diabetes-needs-more-regulation

Blood glucose spikes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/avoid_blood_sugar_spikes

Sleep trackers: https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/01/27/sleep-tracking-using-smart-watches-and-rings-has-limits-do-they-really-work

Atrial fibrillation: https://www.nhs...

This episode is about alcohol, an ever popular topic when it comes to health and harm. In this episode I look at its history and some of the ways in which it affects us and our health as well as why we drink alcohol in the first place.

Links:

Oldest brewery: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-45534133

Distillation: https://www.britannica.com/video/how-is-liquor-made/-340178

UK alcohol limits: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/calculating-alcohol-units/

Hangovers: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss...

In this episode look at some rarer diagnoses, how they come to light and how they can be hard to live with and diagnose.

Links: 

Pyrrole Disorder (not recognised in conventional medicine): https://www.healthline.com/health/pyrrole-disorder

Academic analysis of pyrroles (deep dive): https://academic.oup.com/labmed/article/55/3/334/7271490

Patent foramen ovale: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/patent-foramen-ovale/symptoms-causes/syc-20353487

Migraines and PFO: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/diving-into-the-connection-between-migraine-and-patent-foramen-ovale/

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17813-ehlers-danlos-syndrome

Save your...

Rest is often seen as a guilty pleasure but in this episode I cover the reasons behind why rest is essential to our lives and examples that work.

Links: 

Deep rest: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11003855/

Rest Quiz: https://www.restquiz.com/quiz/rest-quiz-test/

The Art of Rest: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Rest-Find-Respite-Modern/dp/1786892804

Attention Restoration Theory: https://positivepsychology.com/attention-restoration-theory/

Nature breaks: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4039544/

Rest during demanding tasks...