The Deep Six

Catch It Early, Change Everything: The Future of Cancer Detection | The Deep Six | Episode 48

This week on The Deep Six, Dr. James Lewerenz sits down with Dr. Monica Buchanan, Field Medical Director for the Galleri test by GRAIL, to explore one of the most powerful shifts happening in modern medicine: multi cancer early detection. Dr. Lewerenz opens with a sobering reality: cancer is on the rise in younger populations  and may soon surpass cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death. But this episode is not about fear.  It's about being proactive. Together, they break down how the Galleri test works to detect cancers as early as Stage I, as well as its important limitations. Galleri uses a simple blood draw to analyze circulating cell-free DNA and AI-driven methylation pattern recognition to screen for over 50 cancer types, including pancreatic, ovarian, head and neck, and esophageal cancers that currently have no standard screening options. They dive into the landmark Pathfinder 2 study, covering results from the first 25,000 participants, impressive predictive values, what a positive result actually means for next steps in care, and what a negative result means. Dr. Lewerenz also shares why he personally takes the test every year and  how early detection changes not just survival odds, but the entire treatment experience. The message is clear: don't live in fear of cancer; find it earlier. (Rx only. Not FDA Approved. See Important Safety Information: galleri.com/patient)   Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & Early Cancer Detection 02:20 Introducing Galleri Test & Origin 05:08 Galleri: Early Detection & Survival 09:05 How Galleri Works 13:42 Addressing Unscreened Cancers 19:53 High Sensitivity & Next Steps 24:55 Pathfinder 2 Study: Safety & Value 33:48 Future of Galleri & AI in Medicine About: Dr. James Lewerenz takes a multifaceted approach to impact the lives of his patients. Using functional medicine, he looks at every patient on an individual, case-by-case basis, asks lots of questions, and works diligently to find the root cause of the individual's chronic pain or illness. Dr. Lewerenz is passionate and dedicated to bringing his personal experience, knowledge, and training to enhance one’s quality of life, at any age. Be well! Longevity Health Institute 633 E South Blvd. Ste 2200 Rochester Hills, MI 48307  (248) 289-6643 https://www.longevityhealthinstituteinc.com/

The Metrics Most People Are Missing | The Deep Six | Episode 47

This week on The Deep Six, Dr. Lewerenz sits down with Matt VanSumeren, PhD candidate and owner of Xceleration Fitness in Auburn Hills, to dig into something most people avoid: actually measuring how fit they are. Matt breaks down what a DEXA scan reveals beyond just body fat, why lower body muscle mass and power are the most overlooked deficiencies he sees, and how visceral fat shows up in unexpected ways. They also get into VO2 max testing, hydration gaps that show up in bloodwork, and why the biggest win for patients comes when personalized medicine and quality fitness coaching are actually working together. Know your numbers, build a plan, and stop starting over.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Deep Six Podcast 03:45 The Importance of Fitness Assessments 11:36 Matt’s Journey and DEXA Scan Explained 19:26 Common DEXA Findings and Hormonal Influence 26:06 The Power of Lower Body Strength and Power 30:09 Hydration and Electrolyte Balance 38:43 Understanding VO2 Max 43:03 VO2 Max Testing & Wearables 46:12 The Healthcare Gap in Exercise 51:04 Personalized vs. Traditional Medicine 57:12 Conclusion and Call to Action Guest Links Website: https://www.xcelerationfit.com/ About: Dr. James Lewerenz takes a multifaceted approach to impact the lives of his patients. Using functional medicine, he looks at every patient on an individual, case-by-case basis, asks lots of questions, and works diligently to find the root cause of the individual's chronic pain or illness. Dr. Lewerenz is passionate and dedicated to bringing his personal experience, knowledge, and training to enhance one’s quality of life, at any age. Be well! Longevity Health Institute 633 E South Blvd. Ste 2200 Rochester Hills, MI 48307  (248) 289-6643 https://www.longevityhealthinstituteinc.com/

Balance, Structure, and the Secret to Aging Well | The Deep Six | Episode 46

This week on The Deep Six, Dr. Lewerenz sits down with Neil King, founder of Neil King Physical Therapy, a Metro Detroit institution with 10 locations and over 65,000 patients served across 30 years. Neil came to physical therapy through an unlikely path in competitive cycling, and that background shapes everything about how he treats patients today. Together, they dig into the real cause of most lower back pain, why shoulder impingement gets mistaken for rotator cuff tears, and why balance and posture matter more than almost anything else as you age. Neil also shares his personal benchmark of riding his age in miles every birthday. At nearly 81, he is still doing it! Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Deep Six Podcast 03:44 Neil King’s Journey and Rolfing 09:00 Addressing Chronic Back Pain 18:48 Common Shoulder Impingement 23:01 Aging, Balance, and Longevity 27:12 Biking Milestones and Cramp Solutions 34:33 Testosterone and Optimal Aging About: Dr. James Lewerenz takes a multifaceted approach to impact the lives of his patients. Using functional medicine, he looks at every patient on an individual, case-by-case basis, asks lots of questions, and works diligently to find the root cause of the individual's chronic pain or illness. Dr. Lewerenz is passionate and dedicated to bringing his personal experience, knowledge, and training to enhance one’s quality of life, at any age. Be well! Longevity Health Institute 633 E South Blvd. Ste 2200 Rochester Hills, MI 48307  (248) 289-6643 https://www.longevityhealthinstituteinc.com/

Ask Me Anything: Straight From the Medical Journals | The Deep Six | Episode 45

This week on The Deep Six, Dr. Lewerenz trades listener questions for medical journals, pulling from recent issues of the New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association to share what's actually being studied and why it matters to you. He covers the surprising cognitive benefits of coffee and tea, the overlooked link between autoimmune disease and cancer risk, new evidence that gut health directly impacts depression and antidepressant effectiveness, and a silent cardiovascular threat hiding in most standard lab panels. This is what staying ahead of your health actually looks like! Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & Future Self Letter 03:26 Caffeine and Cognitive Function 06:49 Autoimmune Disease and Cancer Link 10:24 Probiotics, Antidepressants, and Mood 15:16 Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Health About: Dr. James Lewerenz takes a multifaceted approach to impact the lives of his patients. Using functional medicine, he looks at every patient on an individual, case-by-case basis, asks lots of questions, and works diligently to find the root cause of the individual's chronic pain or illness. Dr. Lewerenz is passionate and dedicated to bringing his personal experience, knowledge, and training to enhance one’s quality of life, at any age. Be well! Longevity Health Institute 633 E South Blvd. Ste 2200 Rochester Hills, MI 48307  (248) 289-6643 https://www.longevityhealthinstituteinc.com/

Near Misses, Second Chances, and the Art of Staying Alive | The Deep Six | Episode 44

Mike Sullivan is back. The CEO of the Loomis Agency and longtime friend of Dr. Lewerenz returns for a conversation that gets real fast. Between motocross memories and Supercross weekend in Detroit, the two open up about near-death experiences, second chances, and what it actually takes to stay alive long enough to appreciate life. Dr. Lewerenz also breaks down a genetic cholesterol marker most doctors never test for, why carotid screening could be the most important thing you do this year, and why sometimes the best medical decision is getting a second opinion. Don't wait for a near-miss to start paying attention to your health! Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & Introducing Mike Sullivan 03:03 Motocross: Unappreciated Physical Rigor 07:01 Mike’s Near-Death Experience 13:37 Anaphylactic Shock & Life Perspective 19:08 Mike’s Carotid Artery Blockage 27:01 Importance of Early Screening & Blood Pressure 43:49 Lessons Learned & Second Opinions 50:27 Next Chapters & Gratitude About: Dr. James Lewerenz takes a multifaceted approach to impact the lives of his patients. Using functional medicine, he looks at every patient on an individual, case-by-case basis, asks lots of questions, and works diligently to find the root cause of the individual's chronic pain or illness. Dr. Lewerenz is passionate and dedicated to bringing his personal experience, knowledge, and training to enhance one’s quality of life, at any age. Be well! Longevity Health Institute 633 E South Blvd. Ste 2200 Rochester Hills, MI 48307  (248) 289-6643 https://www.longevityhealthinstituteinc.com/