42. Two Tablespoons Could Save Your Life

STIs and Cancer

Can a common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) lead to cancer? 🦠 In this eye-opening deep dive, we’re breaking down the shocking statistic that 13% of global cancers—about 1 in 8 cases—are actually linked to preventable bacterial and viral infections. From the widespread realities of HPV (and its surprising connection to heart health) to the differing ways Hepatitis B and C target the liver, we look at the science of how these infections operate. More importantly, we talk about the incredible power of prevention, the life-saving impact of vaccines, and the critical role of regular screenings. Knowledge is power, and taking control of your health starts with staying informed.

49. Eliquis Warning: 10 Risky Mixes

If you or a loved one are taking the popular blood thinner Eliquis (generic: apixaban), this deep dive is a must-listen. Unlike older generation blood thinners, Eliquis doesn't require you to avoid healthy leafy greens or watch your Vitamin K intake. However, it operates on a strict metabolic clearance system in your body—and certain everyday foods, supplements, and over-the-counter medications can dangerously disrupt that system. The Top 10 Things to Avoid on Eliquis: 1. Over-the-Counter NSAIDs: Pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve) irritate the stomach lining and impair clotting on their own. Combined with Eliquis, they create a severe bleeding hazard. 2. Aspirin: Unless explicitly prescribed by your doctor for a specific cardiac reason, aspirin should stay in the bottle. 3. Barberries & Berberine Supplements: These act as major "sink cloggers," blocking the enzymes that clear Eliquis and causing the medication to build up dangerously in your bloodstream. 4. Goji Berries: Another powerful enzyme blocker that acts as an invisible dose multiplier, spiking your bleeding risk. 5. Grapefruit & Pomelos: These citrus fruits actively disable the crucial clearance enzymes in your gut and liver. (While a tiny splash of juice at brunch is rarely an emergency, a daily morning habit creates a dangerous backlog). 6. Ginkgo Biloba: A dangerous dual threat that simultaneously disrupts your body's clearance system while stopping your platelets from binding normally. 7. St. John’s Wort: This popular mood supplement does the exact opposite—it accelerates your clearance enzymes into overdrive, wiping out the Eliquis too quickly and leaving you completely vulnerable to blood clots and stroke. 8. High-Dose Turmeric (Curcumin) Supplements: Concentrated extracts have potent natural blood-thinning properties. 9. High-Dose Garlic & Ginger Supplements: Much like turmeric, the danger lies in concentrated, high-dose pill or extract forms. (Note: Using a fresh pinch of garlic, ginger, or turmeric to cook your dinner is perfectly safe!) 10. Heavy Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol thins the blood and impairs liver function, but practically speaking, it also drastically increases your risk of falling. A minor tumble while fully anticoagulated can turn a simple bump into a major internal injury. Important Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals. The information in this episode is for educational purposes. Always consult your own doctor or cardiologist regarding your specific health needs, medications, and dietary changes. Hack of the Week: Take a quick photo(s) of all your current prescription labels and supplement bottles. Send them to your favorite AI engine and ask: "Are there any hidden interactions here I should discuss with my doctor, and can you build me a customized list of foods to watch out for?" It's an easy way to advocate for your health at your next check-up!

48. GLP-1 vs Cancer: The New Science

Do GLP-1 drugs cause cancer or prevent it ? Welcome back to Elton's Health Hacks! In today’s deep dive, we are exploring one of the most unexpected and exciting developments with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro for their weight-loss and diabetes applications, but could they actually be our newest weapon against cancer? We break down the staggering new data from major medical studies and explain the cellular biology behind how these drugs might be starving tumors and rewriting our immune system's defensive playbook. What You Will Learn In This Episode: * The Breast Cancer Data: A massive study of over 110,000 women showed those taking GLP-1 drugs had roughly a 30% lower likelihood of developing breast cancer. * Survival Rates: Recent research out of UC San Diego found that colon cancer patients using GLP-1 medications were less than half as likely to die within five years compared to non-users. * Beyond Weight Loss: Studies suggest these medications can directly enhance immune function, specifically boosting natural killer (NK) cells that destroy cancer cells. * Cellular Defense: GLP-1 receptor agonists are known to lower body-wide inflammation and improve metabolic health, which can interrupt pathways that promote cancer growth. * The Fine Print: We discuss the FDA black box warnings regarding thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies, as well as a potential increased risk of kidney cancer noted in some research. Important Disclaimer: We are researchers and guides, not medical doctors. The research discussed today is primarily observational, meaning it does not yet prove that GLP-1 drugs directly prevent cancer. Always consult your physician before making any medical decisions or starting new treatments.

47. Letter to My Brothers: LDL Targets Revised

Imagine finding out the speed limit on a dangerous winding road is strictly 55, but realizing you were unknowingly driving at 128 the day you crashed. In this deeply personal and urgent episode of Elton's Health Hacks, we dive into an open letter Elton wrote to his brothers following a near-fatal stroke. Distilling cutting-edge cardiology—including updated guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and insights from Dr. Peter Attia’s Outlive—this episode is a massive wake-up call about the hidden risks of cardiovascular disease that could genuinely save your life. What you will learn in this episode: * The 128 Reality Check: Why an LDL-C level that gets a "passing glance" from many doctors was actually a ticking time bomb. * The "Car Crash" Analogy: The critical difference between your LDL (the passengers) and your ApoB (the vehicles crashing into your artery walls). * The Invisible Risk: Why you need to test for the sticky, dangerous genetic marker Lp(a) at least once in your entire lifetime. * An LDL of 29 : How Elton used a combination of a plant-based diet, amla (Indian gooseberry) capsules, and aggressive pharmaceutical tools (like statins and Repatha) to successfully plummet his LDL to 29. * The Glacier of Medical Consensus: Why standard medical practice often lags behind the latest science, and why you must be your own strongest advocate. Take Action Now: Pull out your phone and look up your latest lipid panel. If your LDL-C is above 55—and certainly if it is above 70—send a message to your doctor or schedule an appointment to discuss your true risk profile. Disclaimer: This podcast breaks down Elton’s personal research and his own experience surviving a health crisis. You absolutely need to consult with your own physician before making any changes to your healthcare routine.

46. GLP-1 vs Alcohol, Depression, Addiction,…

Are GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, Tirzepatide  and semaglutide, doing more than just shrinking waistlines? Recent data suggests they are actively rewiring the human brain. In this deep dive, we explore how these medications affect the brain's reward system, potentially dampening cravings and shifting behaviors related to addiction, alcohol consumption, online shopping and depression. Key Topics Covered * The Brain's Reward Dial: Understanding how GLP-1s interact with the brain's reward system to help manage cravings. * Substance Use & Alcohol: Examining clinical data that shows a reduction in alcohol consumption and substance use in patients taking these drugs. * Impact on Depression: Discussing how these medications may interrupt the cycle between craving and consumption, leading to significant changes in mood and behavior. * Mechanism of Action: A look at how GLP-1 receptors in the brain's immune cells may help reduce neuroinflammation and improve mitochondrial function. DisclaimerWe are not medical professionals; we are curious guides synthesizing a stack of recent clinical trials, surveys, and pre-prints for you. Please always consult your doctor about your own health.