Ask Doctor Dawn

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-19, 2025: Dr. Dawn presents the VITAL study evidence showing 2,000 IU daily vitamin D prevents telomere shortening in immune cells, effectively slowing biological aging by three years. Groundbreaking mouse research reveals maternal iron deficiency can alter fetal sex development. When iron levels dropped 60%, the SYR gene controlling male development switched o...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-12-2025: Dr. Dawn opens with alarming news about NIH budget cuts devastating cancer research just as breakthrough CAR-T cell therapy shows promise for gastrointestinal cancers. This personalized immunotherapy extracts patients' T cells, engineers them to target specific cancer antigens, and makes them essentially immortal before reinfusion. While previously suc...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-05-2025: Dr. Dawn answers an email about Dupuytren's contracture treatment, explaining her clinic experience using acupuncture anesthesia combined with Traumeel injections directly into palm nodules. She describes how this anti-inflammatory homeopathic compound, when injected into tendon sheaths, can break the cycle of fibrosis formation. Dr. Dawn explores fasc...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-30-2024 and 5-29-2925: Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms Failures of genetic research to identify causes Need for integrating neurology and psychiatr...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-22-2025: Dr. Dawn explores groundbreaking cancer research using high-throughput "digital twin" analysis to reverse colon cancer cells back to normal states, identifying three master molecular switches that can induce normal cell differentiation without killing the cancer cells, thus avoiding traditional chemotherapy side effects. She discusses remarkable result...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-15-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive overview of bone health, describing bones as the "silent architects" of our bodies that require ongoing care and attention throughout life. She outlines key risk factors including family history of fractures, eating disorders, hormonal changes, digestive surgeries, and medication use, while explaining how DEXA scans me...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-08-2025: Dr. Dawn examines groundbreaking research on rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer worldwide, explaining how researchers have identified a bacterial toxin called colibactin produced by specific E. coli strains that appears to cause early genetic mutations in cancer-controlling genes, potentially explaining why younger generations face significa...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 04-24-2025: Dr. Dawn issues an alert about hair growth vitamins containing high doses of biotin that can interfere with important medical tests, explaining how biotin supplementation can cause false readings for thyroid function, troponin, parathyroid hormone, sex hormones, vitamin D, testosterone, PSA, and ferritin tests. Responding to an email about non-stick c...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-17-2025: Dr. Dawn analyzes a leaked federal health program budget document, noting a significant $80 billion cut in discretionary funding, workforce reductions of 20,000 employees, elimination of disease prevention programs, and potential reorganization chaos that could impact healthcare access. She reports on research showing a troubling 5% increase in infant...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-10-2025: Dr. Dawn responds to an email about difficult-to-control asthma, recommending quercetin and inhaled cromolyn as mast cell stabilizers, and suggesting Montelukast to address leukotrienes while investigating possible mold exposure as an underlying cause. She discusses groundbreaking research on age-related bone deterioration, explaining how osteocytes un...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-03-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive explanation of vertigo versus dizziness, describing inner ear anatomy, how displaced crystals cause positional vertigo, and various treatment maneuvers including the Epley, Sarmont, and Foster techniques. Responding to an email from a listener suffering from both vertigo and tinnitus, she recommends exploring chiroprac...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-27-2025: Dr. Dawn comments on how inappropriate conclusions of cause and effect lead to too many drugs being prescribed and incorrect claims of drug allergies. Dr. Dawn examines the risks of ibuprofen overuse, discussing how NSAIDs can damage the gut lining, affect kidney function, and lead to various health complications when used long-term. She provides insig...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-20-2025: Dr. Dawn responds to an email about osteoporosis treatment options, explaining the risk assessment for fractures, discussing injectable alternatives to Fosamax for patients with swallowing difficulties, and analyzing vibration plate therapy's effectiveness for osteoporosis. The show explores scientific curiosities including genetically modified "woolly...

Broadcast on KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-13-2025: Dr. Dawn debunks the common misconception about extra virgin olive oil's smoke point indicating oxidation damage, citing new research showing it remains stable and safe even at high cooking temperatures due to its high flavenoid and antioxidant content. She discusses critical timing factors for surgical procedures, sharing research that reveals a "weeken...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-06-2025: Dr. Dawn addresses an email about coronary artery blockage, explaining that a 70% calcified plaque in the LAD vessel might be better managed with medication than stenting, and recommending statin therapy to prevent further plaque formation. A live caller with a history of staph aureus infection describes unusual fingernail changes and fungal infection...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-27-2025: Dr. Dawn addresses the alarming news of the first US measles fatality in almost 20 years, explaining how the disease led to the death of a healthy grade school child in Texas amid an outbreak of 124 cases, with 80% affecting unvaccinated children. She warns about subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a delayed but fatal complication of measles in...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-06-2025: A live guest in the studio introduces Mom's Meals (momsmeals.com,) a program providing free meal delivery services for qualifying Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal recipients with various dietary needs. During a lengthy live call, Dr. Dawn provides comprehensive guidance for a patient experiencing recurring COVID infections, discussing treatment options,...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-30-2025: Dr. Dawn explores new research on testosterone replacement therapy's cardiovascular safety, explaining benefits for muscle mass maintenance and diabetes prevention in aging men. She addresses caller concerns about probiotics during antibiotic treatment, explaining how dead bacteria can still provide beneficial effects and help prevent complications. Th...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-23-2025: Dr. Dawn announces a recall of Mylan's generic levothyroxine due to quality testing failures, affecting lots expiring in 2025 that don't meet FDA's 5% threshold for stated content. She provides comprehensive guidance on health impacts from the Moss Landing California battery fire, discussing cancer risks, heavy metal exposure, and detoxification method...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-16-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive analysis of the H5N1 bird flu situation, explaining viral mutations, transmission patterns, and potential risks in both agricultural and human populations. She examines the concerning implications of research showing rapid viral mutations after human transmission and discusses available antiviral treatments. The show a...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-09-2025: Dr. Dawn celebrates major medical breakthroughs of 2024, highlighting the successful pig-to-human kidney transplant using CRISPR technology and a revolutionary HIV prevention injection. She discusses research showing the cognitive benefits of handwriting versus typing, explaining how writing activates more complex brain patterns in memory formation. Th...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 01-02-2025: Dr. Dawn provides comprehensive advice to a sepsis survivor about rebuilding her microbiome after extensive antibiotic treatment, emphasizing the importance of fermented foods and probiotics. She discusses long-term recovery strategies and addresses the psychological trauma of surviving a life-threatening infection that reached the patient's eyes. The...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-19-2024: Dr. Dawn examines a groundbreaking lawsuit against major food companies which alleges that these corporations deliberately design and market addictive ultra-processed foods to minors, leading to health conditions like type 2 diabetes. She discusses new FDA standards for "healthy" food labels, most breakfast cereals and snacks will no longer qualify wh...

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-12-2024: Dr. Dawn examines the risks of ibuprofen overuse, discussing how NSAIDs can damage the gut lining, affect kidney function, and lead to various health complications when used long-term. She provides insight into Medicare reimbursement rates for common lab tests, explaining the significant price disparities between Medicare payments and commercial rates...

Broadcast on KSQD, Santa Cruz on 11-05-2024: Dr. Dawn opens with a health alert about a 500% increase in pertussis cases in California, providing guidance on recognizing symptoms and risks for various populations. She explores the growing trend of hospital-at-home programs, discussing their benefits, challenges, and the pending expiration of Medicare waivers that could affect patient care. The sho...