Digital Social Hour: Avoid These Aging Mistakes – Doctor Reveals Surprising Truths | Dr. Amy Killen DSH #747
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Dr. Amy Killen
Release Date: September 22, 2024
Dr. Amy Killen joins Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour to discuss innovative approaches to aging, including stem cell therapies, hormonal health, and the impact of lifestyle choices on longevity. The episode delves into Dr. Killen's transition from emergency medicine to a focus on preventative health and holistic treatments.
1. Dr. Amy Killen’s Professional Journey
Transition from Emergency Medicine:
Dr. Killen shares her decade-long experience in emergency departments in Austin and Tucson. The demands of her role, especially while raising three young children single-handedly after her husband moved out of state, led her to reassess her own health and lifestyle.
Dr. Amy Killen [09:00]: “I realized that if I didn't get my act together, I was going to be those people in five years.”
This pivotal moment prompted her shift from treating acute emergencies to focusing on disease prevention and overall wellness.
2. Stem Cells and Skin Health
Benefits of Stem Cells for Aging Skin:
Dr. Killen explains how stem cell therapies can enhance skin quality by boosting collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production, thus combating signs of aging like fine lines and decreased hydration.
Dr. Amy Killen [01:11]: “We can increase collagen production as well as elastin and hyaluronic acid, helping with the structure and hydration of your skin.”
Supplementing Collagen: While Dr. Killen supports the use of collagen supplements, she emphasizes the importance of sun protection to prevent collagen breakdown due to environmental factors.
Dr. Amy Killen [01:26]: “Making less and you're also breaking down more. So it's this two-pronged thing. Bad.”
3. Sun Exposure: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Sunlight’s Dual Role:
The conversation highlights the necessity of sunlight for vitamin D synthesis and overall health versus its detrimental effects on skin aging and cancer risk.
Dr. Amy Killen [02:19]: “Those who are really avoiding the sun are increasing their risk of diabetes and obesity and multiple cancers.”
Dr. Killen advises moderated sun exposure, aligning with findings that excessive sunlight accelerates skin aging.
Dr. Amy Killen [03:26]: “Everything in moderation. You don't want to get too much or your skin will start to age more quickly.”
4. Hormonal Health in Men and Women
Addressing Hormonal Changes:
Dr. Killen discusses the significance of hormones like testosterone in men and estrogen in women, particularly during periods like andropause and menopause. She stresses the importance of free testosterone levels as a more accurate indicator of hormonal health.
Dr. Amy Killen [10:54]: “Free testosterone is the active form... you really want that to be in the upper end of the range.”
Hormone Replacement Therapies:
While acknowledging the benefits of hormone injections, Dr. Killen points out the lack of FDA-approved testosterone treatments for women, highlighting the need for safer and more regulated options.
Dr. Amy Killen [12:14]: “We have to basically steal, you know, men's testosterone and use it in women at lower doses.”
5. Impact of Environmental Toxins
Microplastics and Hormonal Disruption:
The episode addresses the pervasive presence of microplastics and their role in disrupting hormone levels, citing studies that detect these particles in various body tissues.
Dr. Amy Killen [13:03]: “They're everywhere... even in the heart.”
Dr. Killen underscores the urgency of mitigating exposure to these environmental toxins to preserve hormonal balance and overall health.
6. Exosomes: The Future of Stem Cell Therapy
Understanding Exosomes:
Dr. Killen introduces exosomes as messenger particles derived from stem cells that facilitate cellular communication without introducing foreign DNA.
Dr. Amy Killen [14:06]: “Exosomes are like little messenger bubbles that are the way that stem cells communicate with other cells.”
Therapeutic Applications:
Exosomes offer versatile treatment options, including crossing the blood-brain barrier, making them promising for brain injuries and other conditions.
Dr. Amy Killen [15:10]: “They can cross the blood-brain barrier, so you can give exosomes in your IV and they actually can get into your brain.”
7. Enhancing Sexual Health with Stem Cells
Stem Cell Injections for Sexual Function:
Dr. Killen explains the application of stem cells and exosomes in improving sexual health by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and repairing tissues in both men and women.
Dr. Amy Killen [16:40]: “You're increasing blood flow, so increasing blood vessel formations and you're increasing... repair of the tissue itself.”
Combining Therapies:
She highlights the effectiveness of combining shockwave therapy with stem cells to address erectile dysfunction, offering a comprehensive approach to sexual health.
Dr. Amy Killen [17:15]: “Shockwave therapy in men is amazing. It's... super easy and extremely low risk.”
8. Longevity Supplements and Clinics
Hop – Longevity Supplements:
Dr. Killen introduces Hop (Human Optimization Project), her longevity supplement company offering a curated "Hop Box" containing essential supplements to combat aging.
Dr. Amy Killen [20:05]: “It's like your longevity stack in a pack... everything you need to help combat the drivers of aging.”
Humanot Health – Longevity Clinics:
As co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Humanot Health, Dr. Killen discusses plans to expand longevity clinics across Texas, aiming for 100 locations in two years. These clinics integrate hormones, peptides, stem cells, and functional medicine with advanced diagnostics.
Dr. Amy Killen [21:58]: “We're trying to use technology, using AI and other tools to make this accessible to more people who deserve it.”
9. Technological Integration: Wearables and AI
Reputable – Tech Platform for Health Studies:
Dr. Killen explains Reputable, a platform enabling health and wellness businesses to conduct large-scale, affordable studies using wearable data and AI for real-time analytics.
Dr. Amy Killen [25:54]: “You can run these very inexpensive studies but get very specific, quantifiable information from them.”
Personal Use of Wearables:
Dr. Killen mentions using the Oura Ring to monitor her health, although she notes occasional discrepancies in data accuracy.
Dr. Amy Killen [27:01]: “Sometimes it tells me like you slept really well last night. I'm like, no, I didn't.”
10. Challenges in Modern Medicine
Slow Adoption of New Therapies:
Dr. Killen critiques the medical industry's slow integration of innovative treatments due to lengthy education processes and bureaucratic hurdles.
Dr. Amy Killen [23:00]: “It's a slow ship and not nimble at all.”
Influence of Pharmaceutical Funding:
She attributes the resistance to holistic treatments partly to the overwhelming influence of pharmaceutical funding, which limits research and acceptance of alternative therapies.
Dr. Amy Killen [24:09]: “There just aren't as good as studies because there's not as much money to do the studies.”
11. Final Thoughts and Resources
Dr. Killen emphasizes the importance of proactive health management through modern therapies and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. She encourages listeners to explore her initiatives and seek personalized health solutions.
Dr. Amy Killen [27:57]: “I'm active on Instagram, Dr. Amybkillen, and then hopbox.com and humanothealth.com.”
Notable Quotes:
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Dr. Amy Killen [09:00]: “I realized that if I didn't get my act together, I was going to be those people in five years.”
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Dr. Amy Killen [14:06]: “Exosomes are like little messenger bubbles that are the way that stem cells communicate with other cells.”
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Dr. Amy Killen [17:15]: “Shockwave therapy in men is amazing. It's... super easy and extremely low risk.”
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Dr. Amy Killen [23:00]: “It's a slow ship and not nimble at all.”
Resources and Contact Information
- Website: doctoramykillen.com
- Instagram: @Dr.Amybkillen
- Hop Box: hopbox.com
- Humanot Health: humanothealth.com
- Reputable Health: reputablehealth.com
Dr. Amy Killen’s multifaceted approach integrates cutting-edge therapies with traditional medicine, offering comprehensive solutions for aging and overall health optimization. Her initiatives aim to make advanced health treatments more accessible, leveraging technology and personalized care to enhance longevity and quality of life.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-essential content from the original podcast transcript to focus on the key discussions and insights shared by Dr. Amy Killen.