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Do you cough a lot? 

Does someone you know cough a lot? 

What if you could actually measure it, continuously?  

For people with chronic cough, those question matters. 

Because right now, most of what we know about cough comes from self-report. And that’s not very precise.

In this episode, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. Peter Small from Hyfe, a company using AI to continuously detect and count coughs, turning a common but poorly measured symptom into something objective. Hyfe is the FIRST company to create a tool to continuously monitor coughing. 

Their technology processes sound in real time and records cough events without storing audio, allowing for long-term, privacy-preserving monitoring.

Hyfe is part of a growing field called acoustic epidemiology, which uses body sounds, like coughs, to better understand health and disease patterns.

We talk about:

• what a cough actually is, and how you define and quantify it
• how many people struggle with chronic cough
• what “continuous cough monitoring” looks like in real life
• bad coughs vs good coughs
• how Hyfe measures cough
• why measuring cough is useful for people who want to monitor their health more closely
• and whether cough monitoring and patterns could eventually be used for public health surveillance

We also discuss cough suppression therapy (CST), a behavioral treatment often delivered by speech-language pathologists, which has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in many patients with chronic cough. Hyfe plans to offer it as a digital therapy folks can access from home. 

Dr. Peter Small is the Chief Medical Officer of Hyfe, where he focuses on using acoustic AI to improve human health. An infectious disease specialist, he has spent his career developing global health solutions, with a particular focus on tuberculosis. His work has spanned Stanford University, the Gates Foundation—where he led major TB initiatives—and global programs in India, Madagascar, and Nepal, using technology to expand access to care.  

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. Amrita Vijay, a gut microbiome scientist who studies how diet shapes the microbiome and influences inflammation, mood, and overall health.

Her research tested three different dietary approaches over six weeks: a prebiotic fiber (inulin), omega 3 supplementation, and a synbiotic combining fermented kefir with prebiotic fiber. All three interventions reduced inflammatory markers compared to control, with the synbiotic approach showing broader effects across multiple markers.

We break down what prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics actually mean in real life, how inflammation was measured, and how quickly diet can influence inflammation in the body. 

We also discuss the role of the microbiome, and how to think about food-based approaches for tackling inflammation and chronic illnesses. 

About the Guest

Dr. Amrita Vijay is a gut microbiome scientist and researcher specializing in the intersection of diet, the gut microbiome, and health. She has conducted nutritional intervention studies in both India and the UK, exploring how food influences inflammation, mood, and overall well being. Her work focuses on translating microbiome science into practical, evidence based strategies for improving health. She has received the Best Research Award and Best Achievement Award from the University of Nottingham.

(Follow her on Instagram!)

What we cover

• What prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics mean in real terms
• Why it's important to reduce inflammation
• Why inflammatory markers are important
• How fiber, omega 3s, and fermented foods affect inflammation
• Why the synbiotic intervention showed broader effects
• How quickly diet can influence inflammation
• The role of the gut microbiome 
• Whether food based interventions may shape the future of inflammation research

Takeaway

Simple dietary interventions including prebiotic fiber, omega 3s, and fermented foods may reduce inflammation, and even short term changes in diet can lead to measurable shifts in the body.

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with transplant surgeon and author Dr. Josh Mezrich to talk about xenotransplantation—the use of animal organs, primarily from pigs, to try to address the massive shortage of human donor organs.

More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a transplant. For many, time runs out. Xenotransplantation offers a possible path forward, but it’s not a simple one.

This conversation walks through both sides.

We talk about the history—from early, controversial experiments using primates to today’s gene-edited pig organs—and what’s actually happening right now in human patients. But we also spend time on the part that often gets pushed aside: the ethical questions.

What are we asking of these animals?
How are they treated in the process?
And how do we weigh that against the possibility of saving human lives?

We discuss:

• The evolution of xenotransplantation and key scientific breakthroughs
• Real-world cases of patients receiving pig organs
• The role of CRISPR and genetically engineered pigs
• Ethical concerns around animal welfare and the use of nonhuman primates in research
• Whether focusing on animal organs shifts attention away from improving human organ donation systems
• The risks, including cross-species disease transmission

Dr. Mezrich also shares insights from his new book Every Living Creature, which explores both the promise and the discomfort of this field.

Dr. Mezrich is a transplant surgeon and Professor at the University of Wisconsin, where he holds the Mark A. Fischer Chair in Transplantation and serves as Surgical Director of the kidney transplant program. His clinical and research work focuses on liver and kidney transplantation, including how factors like the microbiome and biomarkers influence organ quality. He is also the author of How Death Becomes Life and his latest book, Every Living Creature, which explores the science and ethics of xenotransplantation. 

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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Can what you eat influence your risk of colorectal cancer?

In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. Fred Tabung, PhD, MSPH, a researcher studying diet, metabolism, and cancer prevention, about how certain dietary patterns may reduce colorectal cancer risk.

Drawing on data from nearly one million people across the United States and Europe, Dr. Tabung explains how low insulinemic and anti-inflammatory diets are linked to lower colorectal cancer risk, and what this means for real-world prevention.

We explore how insulin and inflammation may influence cancer pathways, how diet connects to obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and how those conditions are linked to cancer. We also discuss why early onset colorectal cancer is increasing in younger adults.

The conversation also covers childhood and early life exposures, the microbiome, and what a population level approach to diet and cancer prevention could realistically look like.

What we cover

•  What low insulinemic and anti-inflammatory diets actually mean 
•  Foods associated with lower colorectal cancer risk 
•  How insulin and inflammation may influence cancer development 
•  The link between diet, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer 
•  Why early onset colorectal cancer may be increasing 
•  What a population level nutrition strategy for cancer prevention might look like

Dr. Fred Tabung is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University and a researcher at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James, where he leads the Diet, Metabolism, and Cancer Prevention Outcomes Lab. His work focuses on how dietary patterns influence cancer risk and progression, particularly through pathways related to inflammation and insulin. Using large-scale population studies and clinical research, he aims to identify practical, evidence-based dietary strategies for cancer prevention and improved outcomes across the cancer continuum.  

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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Can a plant-derived polysaccharide formula affect Alzheimer’s symptoms? A researcher explains his study, and its limits.  

In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with researcher Dr. John Lewis about his study investigating an aloe polymannose multinutrient supplement in Alzheimer’s disease.

We discuss what polymannose is, why he feels mainstream wellness gets sugar wrong, why the intervention combines multiple nutrients rather than a single compound, and the biological theories behind how it might influence inflammation and immune signaling.

Dr. Lewis also walks through the study design, including the open-label approach, the cognitive and functional outcomes measured, his thoughts on testing against a placebo, and how to interpret mixed results across different tests.

We also talk about the bigger question: what early nutrition studies can suggest — and what they cannot yet prove. 

John E. Lewis, Ph.D., is Founder and President of Dr Lewis Nutrition® and a Voluntary Associate Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His research focuses on nutrition, dietary supplementation, and exercise in human health and disease, and he has led or contributed to over 30 studies and more than 180 peer reviewed publications.

Dr. Lewis has presented his work nationally and internationally, mentored students across all levels of training, and delivered a TEDx talk on nutrition and brain health. He is also a Diplomate and Faculty Member of the Medical Wellness Association and continues to promote evidence based approaches to health and wellness. 

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Majid Fotuhi about brain aging, memory, intelligence, Alzheimer’s disease, and his new book: The Invincible Brain: The Clinically-Proven Way to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life

We explore whether Alzheimer’s is being overdiagnosed and the idea that what we call Alzheimer’s may actually be a mix of different conditions. 

Dr. Fotuhi breaks down intelligence beyond IQ, including why IQ tests were originally designed to detect deficits, and how environment can shape cognitive potential. We talk about memory, why we forget names but remember certain details, and he shares fun exercises anyone can do to significantly improve their memory.

We also examine how technology may be affecting the brain, the concept of use it or lose it, and the role of neuroplasticity in shaping brain function over time.

The conversation then turns to prevention. We cover genetics, including the APOE gene, and what you can do to lower your risk, even if you have the high-risk gene. We discuss lifestyle factors such as exercise, sleep, diet, and what having a sense of purpose means for your brain health. We also talk about current treatments, including antibody therapies targeting plaques, and why reducing plaques does not always improve function.

Finally, Dr. Fotuhi shares his approach to building brain reserve and maintaining cognitive health through his Brain Fitness Program.

Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist and neuroscientist trained at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School. He serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins and also teaches at George Washington University and Harvard. With nearly four decades of experience in clinical care, research, and teaching, Dr. Fotuhi has developed a multidisciplinary approach to  improving brain health and cognitive performance. His Brain Fitness Program combines personalized assessment with targeted lifestyle and cognitive interventions, with results published in peer reviewed journals. He is the author of several books, including Boost Your Brain, and is widely recognized for his work on memory, neuroplasticity, and successful aging, with lectures and media appearances around the world.

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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Exploring the Spiritual Realm
Where spiritual belief meets health, culture, and skepticism 

Disclaimer: This episode discusses spiritual and metaphysical beliefs that are not evidence-based medical treatments. Nothing in this conversation is medical or public health advice. If you have a health concern, please seek care from a licensed clinician. This is entertainment only. 

In this episode, Dr. Eeks sits down with Master Nick Eagle, a man whose life has taken a dramatic and unexpected turn.

Before becoming a spiritual teacher, Nick Eagle was Nick Hawk, best known as the star of Gigolos, the Showtime series that followed male escorts in Las Vegas. He built a larger-than-life persona—muscular, confident, and unapologetically masculine. Along the way, he became a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, ran a stripper booking agency, wrote for Penthouse, and appeared in outlets like Cosmopolitan and TMZ.

Today, he goes by Master Nick Eagle.

He now leads a very different life...teaching meditation, studying philosophy, practicing yoga, and guiding others through what he describes as spiritual awakening. He runs retreats in Arizona and is the author of The Golden Laws of Enlightenment, a book centered on transcending suffering and connecting to a deeper sense of self.

In this conversation, we explore:

• His transition from nightlife and performance to spirituality and teaching
• How he defines masculinity...then vs. now
• What prompted his personal transformation
• His approach to meditation, Reiki, and Kundalini practices
• The philosophy behind his teachings and retreats
• What it means to “reinvent” your identity

This episode touches on spiritual perspectives that may not align with conventional medical or scientific views. Listeners are encouraged to approach these ideas thoughtfully and seek qualified medical advice when needed.

At its core, this is a conversation about identity, reinvention, and what happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like your own.

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with Gil Bashe, author of Healing the Sick Care System, about why the US healthcare system is failing the very people it is meant to serve.

Bashe argues that the problem isn’t a lack of innovation or investment, but a system that has drifted away from empathy, human connection and patient-centered care. We discuss the growing disconnect between physicians, insurers, hospitals, and patients, the pressures that turn medical encounters into brief transactions, and how this fragmentation contributes to rising costs, declining trust, doctor burnout and patients who feel left behind. 

The conversation also explores medical debt, the prevention gap in U.S. healthcare spending, the impact of poverty on health outcomes, and the unintended consequences of overspecialization.

Bashe shares why he believes the future of healthcare must focus on empathy, collaboration, prevention, and measurable patient outcomes.

 Gil Bashe is Chair Global Health and Purpose at FINN Partners. 

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In this episode of the Causes or Cures Podcast, Dr Eeks speaks with Dr. Sam West, a researcher at the University of Oxford, about his study on what happens after people stop taking GLP 1 weight loss medications.

While much of the attention has focused on how these drugs work while people are taking them, this conversation looks at what happens when people stop. Dr West discusses how quickly weight tends to return (and how much), what happens to cardiometabolic markers after stopping treatment, and how these outcomes compare with weight regain after behavior-based interventions.

They also explore what these findings mean in practice, including long-term weight maintenance, patient expectations, and how insurers may weigh coverage for these medications. 

This episode offers important real world context for one of the most widely discussed drug classes in medicine today.

Dr. Sam West is a postdoctoral researcher with the Health Behaviours team based in the Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. He completed his PhD with the Nutritional Physiology Research Group at the University of Exeter, where his research centred around assessing how modulating dietary protein form influences postprandial skeletal muscle metabolism. His current research focuses on understanding how lifestyle (diet and exercise) and pharmaceutical interventions can be used in the treatment and management of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match.

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"So how'd that person die?"

In this episode of Causes or Cures, I’m joined by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Byard, an internationally recognized expert who has spent decades investigating deaths that are rare, misunderstood, and often deeply unsettling.

We talk about what really happens at the edges of life and death, including:

• Fatal animal encounters involving kangaroos, roosters, cattle, and donkeys
• Whether pets truly consume their deceased owners, and what the evidence shows
• The real story behind the death of Rasputin and why the myths refuse to die
• Cannibalism, including its different forms and the true cases that shaped how we understand it
• Historical fears of being buried alive and the strange methods once used to confirm death
• The one case that has stayed with Dr. Byard long after the autopsy was finished

Dr. Byard is a repeat guest on Causes or Cures. The topic of his first episode was the forensic elements of killer selfies. 

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match.

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Topics include forensic pathology, unusual causes of death, animal attacks, Rasputin’s death, cannibalism case studies, and historical death practices. 

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