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

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.

Dr Lewis and Becca explore what you need to look for when choosing a GLP-1 Clinic.

REFERENCES

Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989-1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

Ashraf AR, Mackey TK, Schmidt J, et al. Safety and risk assessment of no-prescription online semaglutide purchases. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2428280. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.28280

Brown A, et al. Bridging the nutrition guidance gap for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy assisted weight loss: lessons from bariatric surgery. International Journal of Obesity (Nature). 2025. doi:10.1038/s41366-025-01952-w

Wilding JPH, et al. Impact of semaglutide on body composition in adults with overweight or obesity: exploratory analysis of the STEP 1 study. J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A16-A17. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab048.030

Eshima H, et al. Unexpected effects of semaglutide on skeletal muscle mass and force-generating capacity in mice. Cell Metabolism. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2025.07.006 [Note: cited for STEP 1 lean mass data contextualization]

Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi:10.1111/dom.14725

Metabolic rebound after GLP-1 receptor agonist discontinuation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet). 2025. doi:10.1016/S2589-5370(25)00614-5

GLP-1 agonists and exercise: the future of lifestyle prioritization. Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare. 2025. doi:10.3389/fcdhc.2025.1720794

Tinsley GM, et al. Preservation of lean soft tissue during weight loss induced by GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: a case series. PMC. 2025. (Texas Tech University IRB2025-79)

Peralta-Reich D, et al. Resistance training and protein intake may lower GLP-1 RA muscle loss. Presented at conference, 2025. Reported in Medscape Medical News, April 15, 2025.

Muñoz-Garach A, et al. Role of Vitamin D in Insulin Resistance. PMC/Nutrients. 2019. doi:10.3390/nu11061550

Lei X, Zhou Q, Wang Y, et al. Serum and supplemental vitamin D levels and insulin resistance in T2DM populations: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Scientific Reports. 2023;13(1):12343. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-39469-9

Szymczak-Pajor I, Śliwińska A. Analysis of association between vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance. Nutrients (PMC). 2019. doi:10.3390/nu11040794

Mulligan T, et al. Prevalence of hypogonadism in males aged at least 45 years: the HIM study. Int J Clin Pract. 2006;60(7):762-769. [Referenced in: Testosterone and weight loss: the evidence. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2014;21(5):313-322. PMC4154787]

Grossmann M. Lowered testosterone in male obesity: mechanisms, morbidity and management. Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):223-231. PMC3955331

Corona G, et al. Body weight loss reverts obesity-associated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol. 2013;168(6):829-843. doi:10.1530/EJE-12-0955