Dr. Hanisha Patel recently interviewed Aspire Regenerative’s own Dr. Ryan McNally for her Mahan Health podcast. If you’re interested in gaining a deeper understanding of regenerative medicine or learning about cutting-edge anti-aging treatments, this podcast is definitely worth listening to! Dr. McNally explains the driving force behind regenerative medicine, breaks down the differences between the most common therapies, offers fascinating insights, and shares some astounding facts about the immortal jellyfish. Below, we’ll give you a peek at some of the topics covered in this podcast.
Dr. Ryan McNally
Dr. Ryan McNally is a sought-after speaker, educator, and content expert who holds two medical licenses in the State of California as a Naturopathic Doctor and a PA. He is Aspire Regenerative’s Medical Director and is in charge of leading and managing the vision of the practice. Dr. McNally is a faculty member at the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and the former Chief Medical Officer of Bastyr University California, where he remains an adjunct member of the faculty.
Mahan Health
In Sanskrit, “mahan” means great, so it’s no surprise that the goal of Mahan Health is to help patients achieve their unique vision for great health. Founded by Dr. Hanisha Patel, Mahan Health delivers naturopathic medicine and holistic care to patients both in person and virtually. In addition, Dr. Hanisha Patel hosts a weekly podcast where she interviews experts in the field of natural medicine. On January 6th, 2020, in episode 14, Dr. Hanisha interviewed Dr. Ryan McNally and an exploratory discussion spanning regenerative medicine, cutting-edge anti-aging treatments, and holistic vs. conventional medicine ensued.
Inside the Podcast
Episode 14 with Dr. Ryan McNally is titled, New Year, Younger You?, and approaches the quest for anti-aging solutions from a modern perspective, drawing on cutting-edge research and the most recent scientific advances. While the search for prolonged or eternal youth has been around before Ponce de Leon tried to locate the fountain of youth, our deepening understanding of the aging process has only recently caused doctors to view aging as a disease.
During the approximately 45-minute podcast, Doctors Hanisha and McNally outline that the goal of anti-aging treatments is to help patients age gracefully and painlessly. Some of the questions discussed in the podcast include:
How Is Aging a Disease?
Many doctors are looking at aging as a disease, which has changed the approach from alleviating symptoms to addressing the underlying causes. Dictionary.com defines a disease as, “a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.” As we age, our cells begin to degenerate. When our bodies turn food into energy, they produce unavoidable byproducts, just like a car that burns gasoline unavoidably produces exhaust. Those byproducts of energy production cause mutations in our mitochondria and DNA, reduce the regenerative capabilities of our stem cells, and cause an accumulation of senescent cells (which make the cells around them sick). This breakdown of proper bodily functions and systems is the very definition of a disease.
Symptoms of aging include muscle thinning, skin thinning, joint pain, reduced mobility, osteoporosis, and more. Prior to recent scientific findings and technological advances, doctors primarily focused on treating these symptoms rather than the underlying cause. Now, with our deeper understanding of the aging process, the regenerative medical community is shifting focus to repairing or rebuilding the cells and tissues that are deteriorating.
What Exactly Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine encompasses a variety of treatments and therapies that help regenerate cells or tissues which have begun to deteriorate. By rejuvenating healthy tissue, regenerative therapies slow down the progression of aging and prolong one’s healthspan. Patients who choose regenerative medicine often share a proactive mindset about investing in their health in order to maintain youthful function and maximize their healthspan.
What Is the Difference between Stem Cell Therapy, PRP Therapy, and Exosomes?
Stem cell therapy, PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) therapy, and exosomes are all regenerative medical treatments employed to stimulate the body’s own healing capabilities and catalyze the regeneration of cells and tissues. These therapies are often used to treat orthopedic injuries but have some distinct differences. Dr. Hanisha and Dr. McNally dive into these differences and the vast array of treatment options, including the popular “vampire facial” on this podcast.
How Do These Regenerative Treatments Compare to Steroid Shots?
Cortisone injections are commonly used in conventional Western medicine to treat joint pain because they are affordable and have been shown to reduce pain. The downside to steroid injections is that they typically worsen the underlying condition. While cortisone injections do provide short-term pain relief, they can cause more harm than good in the long-term because they actually destroy cartilage and joint tissue. Regenerative treatments, such as stem cell and PRP therapy, actually facilitate tissue regeneration, which not only alleviates pain but can also prolong the healthspan of patients.
Learn More About Anti-Aging Treatments and Regenerative Medicine
You can find full episodes of the Mahan Health podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and several other locations. Be sure to catch Dr. McNally’s interview in episode 14. For a full list of episodes, visit the Mahan Health podcast website here.
Interested in catching one of Dr. McNally’s upcoming speaking engagements, or want to find out about Aspire Regenerative events? Visit our events page. If you would like to learn more about regenerative medicine and receive specific anti-aging treatment recommendations based on your health and wellness goals, book a consultation at Aspire Regenerative.
