Welcome back to another eye-opening episode of Ditch the Lab Coat with Dr. Mark Bonta! While we usually dig into the science behind medicine’s biggest questions, on this episode, Dr. Mark is joined by the extraordinary Dr. Erwin Loh — a powerhouse at the intersection of medicine, law, healthcare leadership, and medical futurology. Dr. Loh is not only the President of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and National Director of Medical Services for Calvary Healthcare in Australia, but he’s also a trusted voice on LinkedIn, where he untangles medical breakthroughs and ethical dilemmas for his global audience on the daily (sometimes 5 to 10 times a day!)—all while juggling life as an executive and dad.Together, Mark and Erwin tackle some of the most pressing—and headline-worthy—topics in medicine today. They dig into Long Covid: what it is, why it’s not just "all in your head," and why the recognition of this condition is also reshaping how we think about elusive illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. If you’ve wondered what’s really happening with the mysterious gut microbiome, the resurgence of old viruses, or the risks of misinformation in today’s media chaos, you’ll find answers grounded in the latest evidence, not just the loudest opinions.But that’s not all—they venture into the weird and wild wonders of scientific progress, from the looming issue of plastics in our cells to CRISPR gene editing and the promises (and perils) of AI in healthcare. Along the way, you’ll hear why microplastics might be the “asbestos of our age,” how mixing vaccines can make you a lightning rod for online trolls, and why being cautiously optimistic about humanity’s next steps—despite climate change, pandemics, and deepfake bioweapons—is not just reasonable, it’s necessary.Whether you’re a science junkie, a future-watcher, or simply want a hopeful, no-nonsense take on where medicine is headed (and how it affects your life), this episode delivers smart, ethical, and accessible conversation. Pour yourself something strong, turn your curiosity up to eleven, and get ready for a tour de force of myth-busting, insight, and inspiring optimism from two voices at the cutting edge of healthcare.Tune in for the kind of honest, evidence-based, and thought-provoking discussion you won’t find anywhere else—right here on Ditch the Lab Coat!Dr Loh's Links( <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erwinloh/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/erwinloh/</a> )( <a href="https://x.com/erwinloh">https://x.com/erwinloh</a> )Episode Highlights<ol><li>Long Covid: Real and Varied Long Covid is a legitimate, multifaceted syndrome. Most cases improve within two years, but symptoms and underlying mechanisms differ widely.</li><li>Post-Viral Syndromes Aren’t New Long-term illness after viral infections, like after influenza or Epstein Barr, has long existed—Covid just spotlighted this issue.</li><li>Chronic Illness Recognition Grows Long Covid research is giving more credibility to conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia within the medical community.</li><li>Silent Illnesses Challenge Healthcare Illnesses without definitive biomarkers, such as Long Covid, are harder to diagnose and treat, often leading to patient stigma.</li><li>Microbiome’s Expanding Influence Our gut, skin, and oral microbiomes profoundly affect physical and mental health, though much remains to be discovered about exactly how.</li><li>Viruses and Chronic Disease Links Viruses may contribute to diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancers, and possibly Alzheimer’s, highlighting new frontiers in research.</li><li>Gene Editing: Transformative Power CRISPR technology lets us precisely edit human genes, promising cures for some diseases but raising major ethical and safety concerns.</li><li>AI: Double-Edged Healthcare Tool AI accelerates medical discovery and innovation but can also enable harmful outcomes, including creation of bioweapons or misinformation.</li><li>Plastics: Ubiquitous Unknown Threat Microplastics are everywhere, even in our cells. The true health risks are not fully understood but raise serious environmental and biological questions.</li></ol>Episode Timestamps4:22 – Long Covid: Global Challenge and Uncertainty9:31 – Recognizing Long Covid's Impact10:47 – Exploring Long Covid Treatments16:39 – Unknown Frontiers in Science18:22 – Understanding Microbiome and Disease Dynamics21:04 – COVID Vaccination Journey and Hybrid Immunity24:42 – LinkedIn: Fewer Trolls, Richer Conversations29:04 – Gene Therapy via Phage Infections31:58 – Genetic Correction: Hope and Ethics36:54 – AI and Humanity's Existential Challenges41:14 – Future of Microplastics and Society44:24 – AI, Cognition, and Future Governance46:28 – "Medical Futurology with Irwin Lowe48:31 – "AI in Medicine: Trust MattersDISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (<a href="https://podcastsins.trafft.com/">Podkind.co</a>) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University.

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