On today’s episode of I’d Love to Know, we talk with Dr. Lauren Streicher, a leading expert in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and menopause, about the benefits and complexities of hormone replacement therapy for women. Dr. Streicher addresses the widespread confusion surrounding hormone therapy, particularly regarding estrogen and progesterone, and their benefit to bone health, cardiovascular health, skin, and overall quality of life. Our discussion explores the differences between oral and transdermal hormone therapy, the benefits and risks of different types of hormones, and the importance of individualized treatment plans. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Streicher highlights the need for healthcare practitioners and media figures to help educate the public with clear and relevant information.

Dr. Streicher is clinical professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University, she has authored numerous bestselling books, and hosts the midlife and menopause-focused podcast "Inside Information." She is a highly respected authority on women's health, and a sought-after media expert, appearing on CNN, Good Morning America, Oprah and more. She is also the Medical Director of Patient Education and Community Outreach for MIDI Health, dedicated to addressing women's health issues.

Dr. Streicher's credentials include 30+ years in private practice. She was a founding member of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a Certified Menopause Practitioner, serves on the Editorial Board of the journal Menopause, and holds a Senior Research Fellow position at the Kinsey Institute. Dr. Streicher's medical and educational contributions have earned extensive awards, including the North American Menopause Society Media Award and consistent recognition on Castle Connolly's Top Doctor list.

• (00:40) Introducing Dr. Lauren Streicher
• (02:34) Understanding Hormone Therapy
• (03:29) The Role of Estrogen in Women's Health
• (04:48) Hot Flashes and Their Impact
• (10:12) The Women's Health Initiative Study
• (16:35) Different Types of Hormone Replacement
• (22:29) Hormone Therapy for Older Women
• (29:24) Exploring Hormone Therapy and Dementia Prevention
• (32:19) Oral vs. Transdermal Hormone Therapy
• (33:26) Understanding Birth Control and Hormone Therapy
• (45:07) The Role of Estrogen in Skin Health
• (49:13) Closing Thoughts on Hormone Therapy and Women's Health

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Today we focus on the skin, with a wide ranging conversation featuring Northwestern Department of Dermatology’s, Murad Alam, MD. Dr. Alam discusses aging, the role of UV exposure, skin cancer types and treatments, including Mohs surgery, and the latest in skin tightening and fillers. We also cover recent advancements in AI for skin cancer detection, the safety of sunscreen ingredients, and the potential of laser therapy and noninvasive procedures in aesthetic medicine.

Dr. Alam is Vice Chair, Chief of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, and a professor in the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He graduated from Yale for both undergrad and medical school and did his residency at Columbia University. He has also earned an MSCI from Northwestern and an MBA from their Kellogg School of Management. 

Dr. Alam has served as president of the Dermatologic Surgery Society, the American Society of Laser Medicine, and on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is an accomplished author, with over 400 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

• (00:41) Introducing Dr. Murad Alam
• (03:20) Understanding Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery
• (04:18) Types and Causes of Skin Cancer
• (11:46) Treatment Options for Skin Cancer
• (18:27) Advancements in Skin Cancer Treatment
• (22:10) Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology
• (26:33) When to See a Dermatologist
• (28:26) Improving Surgical and Traumatic Scars
• (32:42) Skin Tightening Procedures: Ultrasound, Radio Frequency, and Infrared
• (37:55) Fillers: Types, Techniques, and Safety
• (48:30) Low Light Therapy: Benefits and Home Devices
• (54:17) Sunscreen Safety and FDA Recommendations
• (56:30) Stem Cell Treatments

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

In this episode we talk to Dr. John Rogers, director of the Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, and professor of Material Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Neurosurgery at Northwestern University. We discuss his extensive research and recent breakthroughs on innovative health monitoring devices. Dr. Rogers talks about his background, growing up with a blend of art and science in his family, and his academic journey from UT Austin to a doctorate at MIT and post-doc work at Harvard. We discuss his pioneering development of flexible silicon electronics for biomedical applications, including brain and heart monitoring devices and wearable sensors for non-invasive health data collection. Dr. Rogers highlights his collaborations with a range of forward-thinking institutions and we discuss the potential impacts of his work on global health.

• (01:31) Dr. John Rogers’ Early Life and Influences
• (03:36) Academic Journey and Career
• (15:53) Breakthroughs in Flexible Electronics
• (25:46) Epidermal Electronics and NICU Applications
• (34:10) Exploring Maternal and Pediatric Health Innovations
• (35:22) The Mechanics of Hybrid Sensor Systems
• (39:49) Biophysical vs. Biochemical Sensing
• (43:45) Collaborations and Commercial Successes
• (50:13) Safety and Data Security in Wearable Tech
• (56:14) Therapeutic Devices and Transient Electronics
• (59:39) Innovative Consumer and Medical Applications
• (01:03:49) Concluding Thoughts and Future Impact

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Focusing on cardiovascular health is essential in aging. On today’s episode, we dive deep with Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, to discuss cardiovascular disease risk factors, learn different biomarkers and their ideal target levels, understand the role of screening tests, and Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ essential tips for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, is a world-class cardiologist and epidemiologist who recently served as president of the American Heart Association. His research interests include cardiovascular health and healthy aging, and cardiovascular disease epidemiology and prevention. He has served on the faculty and in leadership roles at Harvard Medical School and Northwestern. He received his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and his master’s in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.

• (03:17) – Introducing Dr. Don Lloyd Jones
• (06:01) – Looking at evidence
• (08:34) – The demographics of cardiovascular disease
• (11:30) – Causal risk factors
• (13:29) – Creating longer-term risk estimates
• (17:00) – Cumulative risk
• (21:10) – Addressing risk at a younger age
• (23:31) – Monitoring blood pressure
• (29:00) – Sodium
• (32:03) – Cholesterol
• (36:27) – Screening for plaque
• (42:51) – Coronary calcium scores
• (44:49) – Total cholesterol numbers
• (51:39) – Apolipoprotein(a)
• (56:00) – Screening children
• (59:14) – Homocysteine levels
• (1:00:25) – Exercise 
• (1:04:25) – Heart rate variability
• (1:05:40) – Hormone replacement therapy for women
• (1:08:05) – THC 
• (1:10:40) – Microplastics
• (1:13:15) – COVID-19’s impact on cardiovascular disease

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Metabolism has a direct impact on aging and the way we look. On today’s episode, we discuss the current research around metabolism with experts Dr. Heather Christofk and Dr. Navdeep Chandel and dive into hair follicle stem cell activation, a lesson on hyaluronic acid from naked mole rats, and the complexity of addressing oxidative stress and the skin’s extracellular matrix.

Heather Christofk, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biological Chemistry at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and a director at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on the role of metabolism on cancer and virus infections. She is co-founder of Pelage Pharmaceuticals, a company developing new drugs to treat baldness that activate hair follicle stem cells by changing their metabolism. She earned a bachelor’s degree at UCLA and a Ph.D. at Harvard University.

Navdeep Chandel, Ph.D., is the David W. Cugell, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University. His research focuses on metabolism and mitochondrial signaling, particularly as it relates to cancer biology, the immune system, neuroscience, and aging. He’s the author of Navigating Metabolism. He earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in cell physiology at the University of Chicago. Dr. Chandel received the 2023 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

• (01:45) – Introducing Dr. Heather Christoff and Dr. Nadi Chandel
• (05:51) – Crossing paths
• (09:15) – Drawn to metabolism and cell signaling
• (12:43) – Hair follicle stem cells
• (18:50) – Therapeutic potential
• (32:59) – Other tissue stem cells
• (34:43) – Hyaluronic acid
• (39:49) – Reactive oxygen species
• (47:44) – Cancer and ferroptosis
• (51:30) – Skin aging
• (57:06) – Mitochondrial function

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

The government’s role in public health is a hot-topic discussion in a world dedicated to scientific advancement and safety. Today’s episode discusses the Food and Drug Administration’s role in promoting and protecting public health, the goals needed to cure disease on a national and worldwide scale, and the essential qualities of public health leadership. We sat down with former Commissioner of the FDA and renowned cancer specialist Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to dive into the process and policy. 

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach is the former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and Director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. He served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as well as Chairman of the Department of Urologic Oncology. Dr. von Eschenbach is an internationally renowned cancer specialist and served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps.

• (02:37) – An interest in science
• (05:04) – Investigating and treating cancer
• (09:04) – National Cancer Institute 
• (12:17) – Public policy and healthcare leadership
• (15:57) – Food and Drug Administration
• (19:06) – Joining the agency
• (23:25) – Promote and protect public health
• (30:59) – Leadership in process and policy, not practice
• (33:52) – Increasing interest in supplements
• (38:43) – Personalized medicine and digital health
• (43:01) – An issue of trust
• (47:36) – Engaging real-world evidence
• (49:39) – Innovation in the delivery of care infrastructure

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Coverage of weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro has become ubiquitous in the news lately. On today’s episode, we wanted to get beyond the trendy headlines to discuss the weight loss science behind GLP-1 and GIP agonists, semaglutide and tirzepatide, including how they work, their beneficial role for chronic obesity management, and the risks and complications known so far. So we sat down with one of the world's leading experts in weight management Dr. Robert Kushner. 

Dr. Kushner is the Medical Director of the Center for Lifestyle Medicine at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, a Professor of Medicine and Medical Education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, a Past President of The Obesity Society, and a founder of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) that certifies physicians in the care of patients with obesity. He also co-authored a book with his wife Nancy called Six Factors to Fit, which discusses personalized strategies to help you lose weight in a healthy way. To learn more, visit his website at www.drrobertkushner.com, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @drrobertkushner.

• (03:08) - Recognizing obesity as a disease
• (05:05) - Lipostatic theory and the thrifty gene hypothesis
• (11:46) - Limitations of BMI
• (17:40) - Historical treatment of obesity — from lifestyle interventions to pharmacological treatments
• (22:10) - Incretin hormones — GLP-1 and GIP
• (25:00) - Results of the FDA STEP trials 
• (30:05) - Metabolic adaptation
• (33:00) - Lifestyle remains the foundation of weight loss
• (36:05) - Nutrition and dietary recommendations
• (40:55) - Clinical parameters, side effects, and other considerations
• (50:22) - Response to the rising popularity of non-FDA-approved use
• (56:25) - Introduction of Zepbound
• (59:38) - FDA approval for children over the age of 12

If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Good sleep is essential for our health and well-being. It can improve our physical and mental performance and appearance. It has a profound effect on our immune system, our cardiac and muscular systems, and even our memory and cognition. Sleep helps modulate the stress hormone cortisol, and poor sleep can lead to weight gain, hair loss, and swelling in the face and eyes. 

Like fitness or nutrition, there is no magic pill to bypass the time and habits necessary for good sleep. But there are tactics and techniques we can learn and use to get better rest. On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Cheri Mah to better understand the science of sleep and get some actionable tips we can all use.

Dr. Mah is a sleep physician at Stanford School of Medicine in the Sleep Center and a nationally recognized expert in sleep and performance. She consults for pro athletes like the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia Eagles and works with businesses that require high performance, such as Nike, Google, and ESPN.

We have an informative conversation that helps dispel some misconceptions about sleep. We also discuss the habits we need to rest well every night.

• (05:03) - Early sleep studies
• (10:14) - Understanding the sleep cycle
• (16:25) - Napping and power naps
• (22:59) - Sunlight and circadian rhythms 
• (25:37) - Sleep chronotypes (morning larks and night owls)
• (37:04) - Sleep debt and sleep loading
• (45:08) - Sleep efficiency
• (47:35) - Sleep challenges: alcohol, caffeine, temperature, and screentime
• (1:01:36) - Supplements and sleep hygiene

If you are interested in learning more about sleep, wellness, and appearance, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Welcome to I'd Love to Know, a podcast about aging and how it affects our appearance. But looking young starts with feeling young, so we will explore ways to improve not only our appearance but also our health and our minds. 

Host Michael J. Lee is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience helping people look the way they feel. Join him as he interviews leaders in their fields and thought-provoking guests to uncover ways to live our best potential lives.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show.

The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.