Rare Wellness Podcast (by Center for Regenerative and Performance Medicine)

Regenerative Medicine Explained: Platelets, Stem Cells & Avoiding Surgery

Considering regenerative medicine but not sure how it works? In this episode, Dr. Jamie Lewis breaks down the roles of platelets and stem cells, what can influence treatment outcomes, and why regenerative medicine may be an option for patients looking to preserve function and potentially avoid or delay surgery.

What’s new in stem cell therapy in 2026? In this solo episode, Dr. Jamie Lewis breaks down the latest developments in bone marrow stem cells for knee arthritis, intraosseous BMAC for severe cases, and the critical differences between autologous and donor-derived stem cell products.

What’s new in PRP in 2026? In this solo episode, Dr. Lewis breaks down the latest developments in platelet-rich plasma, including why platelet dose matters and how growth factors, A2M, and autologous exosomes found in platelet-poor plasma may shape the next generation of PRP treatments.

Can cold laser therapy really help relieve pain? Dr. Jamie Lewis breaks down the science behind K-Laser therapy, explaining how it works, why different wavelengths matter, and what the latest research shows for common musculoskeletal conditions.

Focused shockwave therapy can help tendon injuries and joint arthritis heal instead of just numbing the pain. Subscribe for more from the Rare Wellness Podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Lewis breaks down focused shockwave therapy: what it is, how it works, and where the research actually supports it. This isn't the same technology as radial shockwave, and knowing the difference matters if a past treatment didn't seem to help.

In this video you'll learn:

• How focused shockwave differs from radial shockwave, and why that distinction changes outcomes
• The three-part biological process shockwave triggers in the body (growth factors, new blood vessel formation, collagen production)
• What the current research shows for tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and knee osteoarthritis
• What a typical course of sessions looks like, and the safety profile

Struggling to hit your daily protein target? In this episode, Dr. Lewis and Becca break down why protein is the cornerstone of muscle preservation, metabolic health, and healthy aging — and share practical, real-world strategies to help you consistently meet your goal without turning every meal into a chore.

Inflammation is the silent driver behind everything from stubborn weight to poor healing. In this episode, Dr. Lewis and Becca walk through a practical five-step plan to cool the fire from the inside out.

Dr. Jamie Lewis and Becca Pabona, RN break down sermorelin — what it is, how it works, and why it's become one of the most talked-about peptides in longevity and performance medicine. They cover the science behind growth hormone decline, the clinical evidence on sleep and body composition, safety and sourcing, realistic timelines for results, and how sermorelin pairs with GLP-1 medications to preserve muscle during weight loss.

Vitamin D does way more than you think — and most people don't have enough. Dr. Lewis and Becca break down the science connecting vitamin D to pain, joint health, immunity, and autoimmune disease. Plus: injectable vitamin D, the Harvard VITAL trial, and why "normal" lab ranges aren't good enough.

KEY SOURCES

1. Wu Z, et al. Vitamin D concentration and pain: systematic review and meta-analysis (81 studies, 50,000+ participants). Public Health Nutr. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000551
2. Hahn J, et al. Vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation and incident autoimmune disease: VITAL randomized controlled trial (25,871 participants). BMJ. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-066452
3. Rexhepi-Kelmendi B, et al. Vitamin D supplementation on disease activity and pain in rheumatoid arthritis: randomized double-blinded controlled study. BMC Rheumatol. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00543-6
4. OA Initiative database analysis: vitamin D and knee osteoarthritis pain. Sci Rep. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81845-6
5. Oral vs. intramuscular vitamin D replacement in adults with deficiency. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5240054/
6. TARGET-D trial: tailored vitamin D dosing and recurrent heart attack risk. Presented at AHA Scientific Sessions 2025, New Orleans. https://newsroom.heart.org

Starting a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide or tirzepatide? Dr. Jamie Lewis and Becca Pabona, RN tackle the seven questions patients ask most — from side effects and "Ozempic face" to hair loss, fatigue, food noise, and what really happens when you stop. They break down the actual clinical trial data, explain why individualized microdosing produces better outcomes than one-size-fits-all protocols, and share the strategies their clinic uses to preserve muscle, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and build a foundation that lasts beyond the medication. Backed by 20 peer-reviewed references including data from the STEP trials, ENDO 2025, and the largest real-world GLP-1 cohort studies to date.