Redefining Medicine

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features features Ken Sharlin, MD. Dr. Sharlin began his career as a neurologist whose training through prestigious research-oriented medical centers took him down a traditional path. Dr. Sharlin worked as a neurologist in private practice, in large hospital-affiliated practices, emergency rooms, intensive care units, and inpatient wards. His diverse experience has allowed him to sharpen his skills in the management of complex neurological conditions, from multiple sclerosis, to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, migraine, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and fibromyalgia, among others. In whatever direction his interests took him, he has always maintained one hand in clinical research as principle investigator in large, multi-center trials to help bring new treatments to market and broaden our understanding of medicines already approved. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals (Ethnicity & Disease, 1993 vol 3(4): 337-43; Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, 1999;8:271). He has been a guest speaker on many occasions over the years, and is often asked to share his knowledge and expertise with his peers and the public.

Dr. Sharlin’s personal and professional life took an important turn when, as a cycling enthusiast, he completed rides over 100 miles in one day, the MS 150 Bike Ride, and RAGBRAI, the ride across Iowa in one week. This led to the sport of triathlon, and because of his competitive spirit, Dr. Sharlin trained to compete in the pinnacle of multi-sport races, the Ironman Triathlon, to become not once, but three times a finisher. As his fitness and his awareness of the impact of lifestyle on health was changing his own body and brain, Dr. Sharlin became increasingly conscious of problems within his field of neurology, and with medicine in general. He realized that available treatments either focused on symptoms exclusively, or controlled the disease process only if prescribed drugs remained in continuous use. He learned that medicines designed to prevent premature death, heart attack, or stroke, were often more likely to fail an individual. He came to understand that even surgery, with its “to cut is to cure” motto, does not address why the illness occurs in the first place. Unwittingly, he had learned to accept the notion that we don’t know why we get sick and there’s nothing we can do about it except follow the conventional path. And he was beginning to question this notion.

Then, he found functional medicine. “Functional medicine,” to quote Dr. Mark Hyman, “is medicine that just makes sense.” It is medicine that connects mind, body, and spirit. It helps each of us find the imbalances that have directed the trajectory of our lives down the road towards illness, and shines a light that guides each one of  us personally, by helping to re-map and re-route the course back toward health and vitality. Functional medicine is based firmly in science. It embraces food as medicine, as well as sleep, movement, stress, gut and immune health, hormones, and our mitochondria, the energy-producing engines of the cell. It recognizes the relationship between our genetic blueprint and the environments both within and outside of our bodies that can promote either the expression of health or disease-causing genes, even across generations.

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Minni Malhotra, MD. Dr. Minni specializes in patient centered care and is a highly trained Doctor of Family Medicine and is also a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Dr. Minni Malhotra has practiced traditional medicine for 10 years in the USA in addition to a previous 10 years in India. She is a diplomate of the Board of American Academy of Anti-Aging in addition to board certification from American Academy of Family Medicine. Recognizing that healthcare in our country has turned into a disease-care system rather than healthcare management, she has actively trained to help people attain lifelong health and wellness through natural treatment. Dr. Malhotra is a firm believer of natural and holistic medicine, using the power of mind, body and soul to help us heal. She uses plant based nutraceuticals in her treatment plans. Using her blueprint, you can incorporate simple self-care principles and lifestyle changes to attain great results. By following the 5 pillars of health, she helps you resolve many underlying stressors of life which lead to breakdown of health. Dr. Minni goes beyond common standards of care with personalized, precision care.

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Lenard Walser, R.Ph. Lenard Walser, B.Sc. Biology, R.Ph, ABAAHP graduated pharmacy from Dalhousie University located in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2000.  Lenard has worked both in the community and hospital pharmacy practice, including General Medicine, Intensive Care and Cardiac Care Units.  Lenard is the owner of two community pharmacies in Truro, Nova Scotia, one being a compounding pharmacy and is a member of Pharmacy Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) with a practice focused in Chronic Pain and Hormone Replacement Therapy. Lenard is a Diplomat with the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Professionals, where his focus is on chronic disease prevention, integrative and alternative therapies such as nutritional and botanical supplementation.  Lenard is currently completing Module XVI A-E - Advanced Metabolic Cardiovascular Certification with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Lenard is also a co-founder, and current Chief Operating Officer with Truro Cannabis, a licensed Canadian Cannabis producer.  From his background with pharmaceutical compounding and botanical therapies, Lenard developed an interest in medicinal cannabis, the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoid pharmacology, especially in regards to its potential therapeutic roles in chronic pain, and mental health diseases.  As a practicing pharmacist for 20 years, he recognizes the potential therapeutic benefits and harm reduction that medicinal cannabis can provide for patients in lieu of pharmaceutical agents or in addition to pharmacotherapies and has become a medicinal cannabis advocate.

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Tribhuvan Gulati, MD. Dr Gulati is a stalwart in the field of Diabetes & Obesity Management and Metabolic Aging. With more than 10 years in the domain, he has amassed an extensive repertoire of client care and management, bolstered by degrees from several internationally renowned universities in India, UK and USA. As a leading member of several premier Physician bodies in the USA and India, including the American College of Physicians, American College of Endocrinology- the biggest bodies of physicians & endocrinology in the world, Indian Medical Association, Association of Physicians of India and RSSDI (Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India), he has spent years in self-research and analysis. His highly committed ‘practice what you preach’ approach, he has come to strike a fine balance in the way of life in India and prevention of metabolic disease and wellness.

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Lucienne M. Ide. Dr. Ide is a physician, scientist, and entrepreneur who is CEO of Rimidi, an IT company she founded in 2012 to address the challenging health and cost implications of common chronic diseases like diabetes. After earning a BA in physics from Middlebury College, Ide worked for the National Security Agency, Raytheon Systems, and Monarch Capital Partners. With a desire to shift her focus to health, Ide enrolled in the joint MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program at Emory University, which she completed in 2009. Dr. Ide, who lives in Atlanta, cofounded the Diabetes Prevention and Design Team, which is dedicated to reducing the prevalence of diabetes in the greater Atlanta community. Lucie brings her diverse experiences in medicine, science, venture capital and technology to bear in leading Rimidi’s strategy and vision. Motivated by the belief that we can do so much better as individuals, an industry and society, Lucie left clinical medicine to join the ranks of healthcare entrepreneurs who are trying to revolutionize an industry.

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Donald Raden, MD, FAAOT. Dr Raden blends his expertise in traditional psychiatry with a comprehensive understanding of functional medicine. Dr. Raden offers an unparalleled approach to health that links the mental and physical. Analytical, perceptive, and kind, he often succeeds where conventional methods have failed, treating everything from common disorders to diagnoses that may have gone unresolved for years.

Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Farah Sultan, MD. Dr. Sultan is the founder and medical director of Vitalogy Wellness Center and Medspa. She practices Functional and Integrative Medicine full-time after having practiced Internal Medicine( Board Certified in the UK ) and Family Medicine (Board Certified). She looks at the root causes of problems like fatigue, insomnia, low libido, depression, hair loss, weight gain, auto-immunity, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol as well as cancer and uses a holistic approach to resolve these issues. Her passion is helping women and children with metabolic imbalances to regain balance.