Who Told You That

Here’s a question for you, which 50% do you fall into?  The 50% that know that processed milk is strongly linked to our risk of developing colorectal cancer or the 50% that thinks there’s no such thing as too much ham, bacon and yum, pepperoni?More than 10 years ago, the World Health Organization categorized processed meats as a level 1 carcinogen (yes, the same category as smoking and asbestos!) yet so many of us are still unaware just how deadly that daily ham sandwich could turn out to be.Our duo considers the implications of the recent survey of American adults showing an alarming lack of understanding of the relationship between processed meat consumption and the development of colorectal cancer. Whilst reviewing the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis at different ages, they also discuss the worrying global trend of increasing colorectal cancer diagnoses in the under-50 age group.Listen in on our WTYT? duo’s conversation and let us know if it changes your mind about that BLT sandwich😉

Let’s be honest, when we hear the word osteoporosis, what image comes to mind?An elite athlete at the peak of their powers?No? How about a frail older lady? Is that closer to the mark?I mean osteoporosis, that’s an old person’s disease, right?Hmm.Whilst we typically experience the devastating and perhaps even fatal consequences of osteoporosis in our final decades, the seeds are planted much younger – probably before we’ve even left our twenties.Join our talkative twosome to find out how to create a healthy skeleton that will hopefully, outlast our need for it!And as always, let us know what you think about this conversation and what you’d like us to chat about next.

‍ Yes, raw milk does contain probiotic bacteria, but unfortunately, they’re only the ones that give you salmonella, listeria and e-coli!No, drinking raw milk will not protect you against the ‍H5N1 virus, responsible for bird flu and in fact, even just splashing yourself in the eye with raw milk could infect you with H5Ni!‍ Here’s a good overview by the prestigious, Ivy League Brown University, on the potential benefits and risks of drinking raw milk. ‍Proponents of raw milk often suggest it might reduce childhood asthma, ignoring data that children brought up in rural areas are less likely to have asthma than their urban counterparts, with pollution likely being the key difference and cause of asthma. ‍‍Here’s an example of a site promoting raw milk but note when it says “ ‍‍First-hand accounts and surveys show that there are many people whose lactose intolerance symptoms are improved by drinking raw milk”. Asking people what they think and getting them to report on subjective symptoms when they know what they’ve drunk i.e already believe in and have paid money for, is not science!Here’s one of the studies quoted in the above link which demonstrates the poor quality of the original article’s “data”.‍ ‍Oh dear, this influencer claimed her lactose intolerance was cured by drinking raw milk but the dieticians, nutritionists and scientists in this article easily debunk her explanation.‍ ‍And with a truly heavy heart, WTYT? asks you to take a look at this article. This story appeared just a couple of days after your WTYT? duo had their discussion about raw milk. No “told you so’s” just a desperate sadness for this poor family who we have absolutely no doubt, were absolutely doing what they thought was the right thing for their health and the health of their family.Btw: in this episode we mentioned a couple of previous episodes. Click here if you want to revisit our discussion about the gut microbiome and probiotics (ep. 14) or on the following episode numbers if you want to check out our 2-part vaccination conversation (ep. 38 and 39).

If you enjoyed today’s discussion and want to find out more, here’s a great overview of the toxicity of the fast fashion industry, and when you ready to go deeper, check out this scientific paper. Take a look at the following links for more on the awfulness of microplastics and the Toxicity of those heavy metals found in dyes.And what about those waterproofing PFAS? do they cross our skin and into our circulation (clue: yes!) and what effects do they have on our health (clue: nothing good!).For a few thoughts on where and what to buy, take a look at this blog post.And finally, remember that discussion our duo had about ultra-processed foods in episode 42? Turns out we were right on the money and yes, we should be treating those ultra-processed foods just like smoking! ‍

Episode Resources:Check out these articles for more great information on the science of stretching and if you want to check your understanding of dynamic vs. static stretching then look no further than this resource.Here are thoughts from the Mayo clinic and a physiotherapist (Physical Therapist in the US) as to why static stretching may be best avoided pre-exercise.Does science agree with our physiotherapist’s thoughts? Perhaps surprisingly, it turns out that there’s Not really much evidence that static stretching increases risk of injury but it does appear to reduce strength and power, at least temporarily.On the other hand, here’s a weighty, but interesting discussion of why some static stretching pre-exercise might be okay in some circumstances.Whilst dynamic stretching does seem to have benefits for range of motion, the evidence to say it reduces injury is not very strong - more work is needed in this field.Not all dynamic stretching is necessarily good, data suggests avoiding ballistic i.e bouncing stretches, instead, here are a few suggestions of ones to try.But how about this rather positive note to end on, what about trying yoga? This, admittedly small study, showed increased testosterone and decreased cortisol (a marker of stress levels) levels after a yoga class! Forget dry January and consider trying flexible February instead!

Episode Resources:Here’s that original announcement from the FDA that seems to be responsible for President Trump’s concern about tylenol.Here are the thoughts of the highly regarded, Yale School of Public Health, Here’s an example of study that supported the hypothesis that acetaminophen usage during pregnancy is linked to a higher incidence of autism spectrum disorder in offspring.And here’s that massive study that looked at over two million children and found no association between maternal acetaminophen use and the incidence of autism.Want to take a deeper look at the meta-study of 46 research projects that suggested a link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and increased likelihood of an autism or ADHD diagnosis, then click here.Now, check out this large big meta study that did not find any association between in-pregnancy use of acetaminophen and the development of neurodivergent disorders.For more on how our genetics influence whether we develop ADHD, this is an interesting read.And finally, although the medical profession often don’t worry about a fever if we’re not pregnant, here are a couple of resources that show Why having a fever when pregnant needs to be taken seriously and potentially treated. As always, get in touch and give us your feedback on our episodes as well as your suggestions for further conversations :)

EPISODE RESOURCES:For a straightforward overview of what’s a ultra processed food (UPFs) and how to spot them, check out this article.Click here to be shocked just How much of these UPFs we’re actually eating!For an overview of the potential health risks of UPFs as well as some great suggestions for healthier snacks, take a peek at this article from the Guardian newspaper.Want confirmation of those horrendous ingredient lists we mentioned? Click on the foodstuff of your choice: Old El Paso corn tortilla, “Beyond Meat”, Planet Smoothie, Grenade protein bar, Quest protein bar - or don’t if you want to keep eating this stuff in blissful ignorance! And if you’re now fascinated to read how corn goes from being a NOVA level 1 food to an ultra-processed corn tortilla, here’s the link to further enlightenment! For that research on erythritol, check out these articles. And if our discussion of sucralose has got you wanting more, take a look at this link. For more on the relationship between the increased consumption of UPFs and various diseases, click on each of the following diseases: cancer, dementia, depression, diabetes type 2 and last but definitely not least, heart disease.But despite the growing body of research showing the health costs of these foods, when they are so cheap per calorie, reducing our reliance on them is going to be a huge, societal challenge. And if you’re a worried Brit, why not contact your MP to tell them of your concerns, you can use this link .

Go back, go back, go back if you haven’t already listened to Part one of Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow? This conversation will make way more sense after you’ve listened to that one :)

We’re so excited to be back and what better way to return than with a discussion requested by two of our fantastic listeners!Thanks to Nathan and Meaghan, our upcoming two-parter is all about that stuff that when it’s good, it’s our crowning glory but when it’s bad, it will ruin our entire day.Yup, we’re talking all things hair.Listen to our hosts discuss everything from why our hair is like a green onion to whether that very expensive rosemary oil is really worth rubbing into our scalp.as always let us know what you think of the episode and tell us what you’d really like to hear your favourite WTYT? duo discuss :)

In today’s episode, our WTYT? duo continue their discussion about the science, the good and the bad of vaccines.So, if you haven’t already listened to part one, press pause and head back to that episode first, this episode will make way more sense after that!And as always, let us know what you think and if you have further questions, please ask – we love hearing from you all 😊

According to the World Health Organization, more than 150 million lives have been saved in the last half century of global vaccination programs, yet vaccination rates the US, UK and Canada have been declining for the last 5 years and measles is now back and doing its worst in 18 US states. Here at WTYT we firmly believe that people who choose not to vaccinate their children love their children just as much as those who do choose to vaccinate but with so much information and misinformation out there, we think the time is right for a mostly science-based discussion on the mechanics of vaccines. In this two-part discussion, we focus on how vaccines collaborate with our immune systems to help protect us as well as discussing some positive and negative aspects of vaccinations. As always, let us know what you think and if you have further questions, please ask – we love hearing from you all 😊

episode resources:Here’s an example of one of those studies that did appear to show a benefit from collagen supplementation on various aspects of the appearance of facial skin. It also discusses the difficulties of collecting data from research carried out using over the counter supplements.But Here are the thoughts of Harvard’s medical school when it comes to the benefits (or, spoiler, not) of using collagen for healthier skin, hair and nails.Remember that gloomy news about what happens to the Collagen content of female skin as we move through and beyond the menopause? Here are a couple of useful resources if you’d like to know more about that.Here’s a super interesting article that describes what’s happening in our skeleton every decade and how we can best develop and then maintain a healthy skeleton. If you never check out any of the links in our episode resources, make an exception for this one because, as discussed in the episode, a lack of bone density really could kill you.here are a few suggestions if you’re fascinated by the weird intersection of sex and osteoporosis. Yes, biological females are more likely to develop osteoporosis than biological males but when they do develop osteoporosis, males are more likely to break bones and more likely to die as a consequence, yikes. But to finish on a more positive note, Here’s a lovely, straightforward overview of what collagen does within our bones as well as how collagen supplementation might improve skeletal health, as well as the more intense, but still worth the read, research article that the above overview was based on.And as always, we’re waiting and eager to hear what you have to think about this episode as well as any other topics you’d love us to dive into:)

Here’s the article that first drew the WTYT? team’s attention to the LMNT issue and although you can’t find it on the LMNT website anymore (I wonder why?), here’s Robb Wolf’s blog post where he tries to defend the mislabeling of the LMNT electrolyte replacement drinks.Although there appears to have been only a small amount of maltodextrin in the LMNT drinks larger amounts of maltodextrin can raise blood sugar, to potentially dangerous levels – if you’re a diabetic you definitely want to know if this stuff is in your food!As promised, here’s that list of the (at least!) 57 different names for sugar and then Check out these links to see that yes, Oreos might well contain less sugar than KIND or SIMPLE TRUTH Granola!When a supplement is effective, is it because of the supplement or something else that shouldn’t be there? Check out this story about a “male” supplement which actually contained Viagra and diclofenac, both of which can cause life-threatening conditions.Thankfully the FDA has now recalled the above supplements but how many people were harmed and how many more tainted and/or harmful supplements are still out there?Got concerns about any other dietary supplements, let the team at WTYT? know - you might be our next episode!

We’re learning more about Ozempic almost every day. Scientists are able to collect data at an almost unprecedented rate, at least in part because to date, a whopping 1 in 8 American adults have used Ozempic or a similar drug, wow!Here are a few of the things we’ve learned about Ozempic that go far beyond its diabetes and obesity management talents:Learn more about Ozempic’s actions in reducing the rate of relapse for people with opioid and alcohol misuse disorders – here’s the NPR article and here’s the scientific research they were summarizing.And how about those dramatic findings about the reductions in heart attacks and strokes in those patients using Ozempic? Here’s the British Heart Foundation page and the research they were quoting.Is it true that Ozempic appeared to reduce the likelihood of ten different types of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes? Yup! Here’s the Healthline article and here’s the research they were basing their thoughts on.As if all the above wasn’t enough, scientists have demonstrated a reduction in Alzheimer’s disease in patients with type 2 diabetes – here’s the web link that Tess found and here’s the research that they were so excited about.There’s no such thing as a drug without side effects and yes, we did find a couple of areas of concern when it comes to potentially undesirable side effects for Ozempic. Here’s the anecdotal story about a patient with pancreatitis that Tess mentioned, followed by some research I managed to dig up.And if you’re interested in that rare form of blindness that seemed to occur more often in patients using Ozempic, especially, and unexplainedly, non-diabetic patients, check these links out.To finish on a positive note, check out this article that does a great job overviewing what we know about surprise babies, fertility and Ozempic!

Episode Resources:Before we really get going, just how keen is the world on alcohol, click here to find out!Read how Covid changed the world’s drinking habits here.How much is too much? Here are the current US and UK guidelines for maximum weekly alcohol consumption as well as what the CDC has to safe about binge drinking.Ethanol (alcohol) has complex actions on our brain, read more about how it can both stimulate and reduce activity in different brain regions.How does the body process alcohol and is the “asian flush” a real thing?For a straightforward overview of the many known side-effects of excess drinking, click here.But if you want to dive a little deeper into more undesirable aspects of alcohol, check out these articles on sexual assault, blood pressure and sleep.Although most scientists and health care professionals now believe that any perceived health benefits from alcohol intake are more than offset by the negative aspects of alcohol, here’s a flavor of the previously considered benefits of red wine on both blood clotting and heart disease.When it comes to hangovers, what are they and what’s really causing them? Check out the following links to sort fact from the fiction when it comes to the causes of hangovers.Fact: the nasty actions of methanolFact: oxidative stress (yes really, but worth the read if you’re up for a bit of a challenge)Fact or Fiction: drinking sugary alcoholic drinksFiction: dehydration. Firstly, a very readable overview followed by two scientific dives into the issue.Finally, the biggest fiction of them all: drinking that glass of water before bed will help reduce hangover symptoms, sadly not.Interested in the Surgeon General’s prescription for the nation? Try this overview first and then if for the numbers and the actual research, here’s the original report that his advice is based upon. Just how popular is Dry January in the US and the UK? Does your age influence your likelihood of attempting a sober January?For around 70% of dry January participants, research suggests that the positive effects are still being felt 6 months later, however, for some, dry January might not be the best idea – read why here.Think that dry January might be for you? It’s not too late to join in and here are a couple of useful resources to help youThink that reducing rather than totally giving alcohol might be the way to go? How do you know if you’re drinking too much? Well, a good place to start is to accurately calculate the units in that gin cocktail or that “go on, make it a large” chardonnay – here’s how to do it.And consider trying the 20 minute rule!Phew, we think that if you’re looking for something to do to help distract you from the lack of beer in your hand, checking out these should help!As always, get in touch, tell us what you think as well as telling us what you’d like to discuss next!And have a great 2025 everyone :)

In 2026 creatine will celebrate a century since being first used as a supplement, making it one of the oldest supplements as well as one of the most researched.But what does that research show?Will it make the gym rats faster, fitter and stronger or might it be even more beneficial for geriatrics?And if it is a super supplement, do we still need to be wary of potential side-effects?S0, before you decide whether to put this in anyone’s holday stocking, listen to what our festive family has to say and then let us know what you think!

If 23andMe tells us that we’re 35% Scottish, is is time to rush out and buy a kilt?Can we really blame our 2% Viking DNA for our atrocious behavior on the soccer field?And what of our 8% Welsh DNA, is that the reason we sing like an angel?Whatever your motivation for tracing your genetic ancestry, join our definitely genetically Welsh and English co-hosts, as they discuss how services like 23and Me and Ancestry.com make these ancestral assessments and whether we should believe everything on that Genetic report sheet.

Unless we live in Alaska, most of us will have not one but a choice of neighborhood Med spas in which to spend our hard-earned cash.But just because our favorite celeb likes to kick back with a friend and matching IV’s, does that make it a good idea? In this episode, our science lovers debate the merits of all things injectable, everything from NAD treatments to vitamins and hangover cures before suggesting some potential do’s and don’ts when getting ourselves hooked up!

Following on from last week’s episode on the usefulness (or otherwise!) of cupping and massage in aiding exercise recovery, in Part two, our WTYT? turn their attentions to all things cold and draw some surprising conclusions!And after listening, how about sending our team your best recovery hacks, we’d love to hear what works (or doesn’t) for you!

WTYT?’s recent discussion regarding Imane Khelif and Lin You-Ting generated loots of listener questions, many of them concerning Caster Semenya’s status as a biological male yet female athlete.  In this bonus, short, solo episode, Dr. P dives deep into the science to offer an explanation as to why the decision to allow Ms. Semenya to compete as a female athlete is a complex one that would definitely benefit from further research!

Forget the intensity of your workout, are you tough enough to embrace the horrors of the recovery methods?! Forget the subtle spa music and gentle Swedish kneading, would you grimace through a pummeling sports massage if it meant your aches and pains would disappear more quickly?Would you forgo soaking in those lovely warm bubbles, for 15 freezing minutes if it meant your muscle stiffness would melt away?Seen those Olympians proudly displaying their cupping badges of honor? Would you embrace those same heated glass cups, if it meant a return to full strength in time for the weekend pick-up basketball game?In this first of two episodes on recovery methods, our WTYT? duo take a look at cupping and various types of massage before considering the raging debate around “getting cold” in next week's part two.

Amongst all the joy and heartbreak of the Olympics, came a fascinating story of two boxers, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting.A duo who when they won gold, received abuse in place of admiration because, according to the media frenzy, they were born female, but with male sex chromosomes.Is that possible?Might those male chromosomes advantage the female athlete?And could understanding the different biology of these athletes help us understand the biology of the disease epidemic that is diabetes mellitus?Enjoy the episode then let us know what you think.

Love getting hot and bothered but questioning if those expensive electrolyte powders and potions truly speed up recovery? Your favorite podcasting perspirers review the science of getting sweaty and consider three of the most hyped salty supplements.  Tune in to find out whether sodium’s truly an exerciser’s savior or if potassium’s just pants, and then let us know what you think!

Our WTYT? duo expand on their discussion from last week, turning the spotlight this time on some aspects of competitive sport which might not be quite as fair as we like to think they are.As society wrestles with the issue of trans athletes and fairness, is it time to expand the conversation to consider the fairness of everything from altitude training to low oxygen tents and genetic advantages or are we really only interested in who can go “faster, higher, stronger”, regardless of how they do it?

Rare or surprisingly common to have a sex chromosome disorder, here are the numbers, you decide!https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sex-chromosome-abnormalities/abstract/1 Use these links to check out where you stack up, height-wise, compared with males and females across the world.https://www.medicinenet.com/height_men/article.htmhttps://www.medicinenet.com/height_women/article.htm Bone density in trans females appears to stay at the higher biological male levels seen pre-transition.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2265.1998.00396.x Adult males typically have larger hearts than adult females but only because, typically, they’re larger!https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2148100/ What’s the most important factor causing biological males to have more hemoglobin than biological females? It’s that lovely testosterone!https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4022090/ You might be surprised to know that scientists don’t fully understand why biological males typically have more muscle mass than biological females – testosterone is one part of the answer but doesn’t explain everything.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2148100/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2148100/  Biological males typically have more type 2 fibers, advantageous for explosive, strength-based eventshttps://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpendo.00098.2004than their biological females counterparts who instead have more type 1 (fatigue resistant) fibers throughout their muscles.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285578/ Elite endurance runners and cyclists appear to naturally have a lot of type 1 fibers whereas power athletes appear to have a much higher proportion of the various type 2 fibers.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8473039/pdf/sports-09-00127.pdfhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4469925/#:~:text=The%20world%2Dclass%20sprinter's%20leg,%C2%B1%200.1%20W%2Fl).  And switching of muscle fibers appears to be very limited, so what your parents gave you seems to be pretty much what you’ll have throughout your life!https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/sms.13675 If you’ve already listened to the episode, you’ll know that the USA airforce carried out a fascinating study on 46 trans female recruits, click here to check out that work:https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/11/577.abstract For a ton of interesting research and to see why World rugby currently says no to trans female players in the women’s game, check out their thoughts here.https://www.world.rugby/the-game/player-welfare/guidelines/transgender And see here why USA rugby decided upon the opposite approach.https://usa.rugby/transgender-policy

Okay, so what’s the difference between that sunscreen and sunblock?https://www.health.com/beauty/skincare/sunscreen-vs-sunblock How do the effects of UVA and UVB on our skin differ?https://uihc.org/health-topics/what-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays#:~:text=The%20rays%20that%20are%20most,are%20responsible%20for%20producing%20sunburn. How does the sun cause skin cancer:https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/how-does-the-sun-and-uv-cause-cancer How does melanin protect us?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/ Want to know about those microparasols?https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)30452-8/fulltext  What is ozone; what’s happening to the levels in our atmosphere and how does this increase our risk of developing skin cancer?https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/research/ozone-uv/ozone-concerns Depletion in ozone layer increases skin cancer riskshttps://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/research/ozone-uv/moreinfo?view=increase-uv-radiation#:~:text=The%20depletion%20of%20the%20ozone,%2C%20ultraviolet%20(UV)%20radiation. This is a brilliantly straightforward overview of the different types of skin cancer:https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/skin-cancer/about-skin-cancer  How good are chemical sunscreens at reducing skin cancer and how do they compare to sun block?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7759112/https://www.consumerreports.org/health/sunscreens/best-sunscreens-of-the-year-a7763432372/#:~:text=Chemical%20vs.&text=All%20the%20sunscreens%20at%20the,haven't%20performed%20as%20well.  But yes, chemicals from sunscreens are absorbed, so if you want to use sunblock instead, check out this article:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2759002https://www.consumerreports.org/health/sunscreens/best-mineral-sunscreens-of-the-year-a1119421861/ Tan momhttps://nypost.com/2022/05/23/tan-mom-patricia-krentcil-im-a-totally-different-person/ The science behind the fake tan:https://labmuffin.com/the-science-of-how-fake-tan-works/ Evolutionary loss of skin pigmentationhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28533464/#:~:text=From%20an%20original%20condition%20of,latitudes%20of%20Africa%20and%20Eurasia.

 For a definition for sepsis and septicemia, click here.About ¼ of a million people in the UK develop sepsis every year and approximately 20% will die as a result.For the US figures, check out this resource.This is where I got the mind blowing figure for how many bacterial cells just one bacterium can produce. For anyone interested in a deeper dive into our amazing immune system, this is the book for you!  Yes, our circulatory system is truly amazing and vast as we have about 60,000 miles of blood vessels for delivering oxygen, nutrients but unfortunately, also bacteria.Botulinum toxin is one of the most potent biological poisons known, I would definitely think twice about injecting this in my face!Although the blood clots associated with infection can be a disaster, they probably evolved to help limit the spread of bacteria and help us survive. Should you treat that fever? Talk to your healthcare provider but here’s what the Mayo Clinic suggests.Learn more about cellulitis here. What is lymphangitis and what does it look like?Check out this Cleveland clinic page to see who’s at risk of sepsis and what are the signs and symptoms to look out for. 

Netflix recently offered up for our viewing delight, a “lighthearted and informative documentary that demystifies the role gut health plays in our overall well-being”.But for some, 79 minutes of science, is just way too long and has people looking for a more digestible (sorry!) summary.Enter Taylor Kenny with her 8 minute synopsis.Here at WTYT? we decided to take a closer look at her TLDW to see if a summary can be a great idea or if you want to know more, sometimes you just gotta spend the time yourself!

What’s actually in that castor oil you’re swallowing or stroking onto your skin?Here’s an example of how a website gives a correct piece of information that might then lead to a false conclusion – yes, the transdermal (across the skin) absorption of castor oil is high, but that does not tell us anything about if castor oil can then get from there into our blood and spoiler, it can’t!Here’s the science that the above resource neglects to give about the (non) penetration of castor oil. Interested in the umbilical portal to our circulation, check out this or this resource (or both!).Does castor oil really reduce menstrual cramps? That seems highly unlikely based on our current scientific understanding of this compound.Will castor oil help you get into labor? Maybe if you’re ready to pop!What do medical professionals think about the use of castor oil to induce labor (hint: don’t do it).How does castor oil affect our gastrointestinal system?Interested in the effects of castor oil on the fat content of those broiler chickens (really?!)Here’s that fascinating study on the positive actions of castor oil on PCOS in rats.And finally, if you’ve got an umbilical hernia, this is how the medical profession think it should be  treated, and it’s not castor oil!

The role of cortisol in regulating our sleep and “body clock”.Want to know more about how cortisol, stress and the immune system interact?The importance of cortisol and gluconeogenesis – making glucose for our brain for our brains at the expense of our muscles! Cushing syndrome, excess cortisol secretion and its potentially devastating consequences.Yes, a lack of cortisol really could kill you.

Horrified by our discussion of the potentially disastrous consequences of too much vitamin A during the early months of a pregnancy, check out this detailed review.

After discussing, often debunking but sometimes, delighting in tiktok science for 16 weeks, we decided we were well overdue for a revisit to some of the topics explored. Did we get everything right? Is there more science out there now either to change our minds or solidify our view points? Join us to see if we update your best-loved episodes and if we don’t? Get in touch and tell us you need to hear more on your favorite topic because we’re always here for you!

For a good overview of how this whole Alabama situation started, click here.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/21/alabama-ivf-embryo-extrauterine-children-ruling#:~:text=In%20a%20first%2Dof%2Dits,in%20vitro%20fertilization%20(IVF). Interested in the science of freezing eggs and embryos, read more here.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3980916/#:~:text=Embryos%2Foocytes%20cooled%20slowly%20to,CPA%20from%20the%20embryo%2Foocyte. Want to check on that distinctions between embryo and fetus, take a look here.https://www.medicinenet.com/embryo_vs_fetus_differences_week-by-week/article.htm Interested in why blastocysts are usually transferred on day 5, then this if for you.https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/health-news/obstetrics-gynecology-and-assisted-reproductive-technologies-art/is-embryo-transfer-on-day-5-high-success-rate/#:~:text=Day%205%20embryo%20culture%20technique,success%20is%20about%2050%25. How good are humans at getting pregnant without assistance? Not very – read more here and here. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4470686/#:~:text=The%20live%20birth%20rate%20with%20natural%20conception%20was%20reported%20to,and%2065%2D83%25%20cumulatively.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5443340/ For more on preimplantation diagnosis, check this out.https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/decisions-to-make-about-your-embryos/#:~:text=The%20difference%20is%20that%20because,to%20have%20higher%20birth%20rates. What’s the current thinking on how many embryos should be transferred from the petri dish? Read more here.https://www.fertilitymemphis.com/ivf-art/how-many-embryos-should-we-transfer/ Interested in taking a look at the IVF success rate of different clinics, medical establishments in your state, the CDC has the answers herehttps://www.cdc.gov/art/artdata/index.html The placenta is truly amazing, for a quick overview try this page.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/human-placenta-project/how-does-placenta-form Sadly 1 in 6 couples will experience infertility issues:https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility#:~:text=Around%2017.5%25%20of%20the%20adult,care%20for%20those%20in%20need. And of those, science and medicine will not have the answer for 30% https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322174/

EPISODE RESOURCES:In this episode we outline the basic differences between the American, largely profit-driven healthcare system and the UK’s National Heath System – socialized medicine to Amercans.We then look in more detail at the claims and supplements presented in the tiktok video:·       DAILY ENERGY DRINKS INCREASE RISK OF KIDNEY FAILURE BY UP TO 400%·       HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FATALITIES, THIS WILL GREATLY REDUCE YOUR RISK. (OMEGA 3, 6 AND 9)·       A SIMPLE HACK TO GET RID OF THEM PUFFY DARK CIRCLES AROUND YOUR EYES (IRON SUPPLEMENTS)·       IF YOU SUFFER FROM BRAIN FOG AND STRESS, THIS WILL GET YOU BACK TO PEAK COGNITIVE FUNCTION (Genius Mind)Here are some of the key resources that we found useful when doing our research for this conversation:For an overview of the research into the health implications of energy drinks, click here. Want to know more about Taurine, check this out. Want to know what kills most people across the world each year? Then this is for you.What are the potential benefits of omega 3, take a look here.For a more detailed discussion of omega supplements, check this out.Want to know why you’ve got dark circles under your eyes? Take a look at this list.

Key topics discussed:How do pre- and probiotics differ and how can we include them in our diet?What’s the difference between a microbiome and microbiota?Why are bacteria not always the bad guys?Should we think less about our brain and more about our gut?How do ultra processed foods affect our gut health?

Ready, steady, discuss! Today, it’s a rapid-fire episode as Tess puts Dr. P on the spot and our duo get through a whopping 8 trending Tiktok lifestyle hacks.Check out their thoughts on: ·       rice water and hair growth, ·       dry protein scooping, ·       magnesium supplements,·       apple cider vinegar and cancer,·       bovine colostrum,·       dietary adjustments according to menstrual cycle,·       bone broth,·       non-dairy i.e nut/oat milks to bone broth.

Here’s your chance to enjoy some of the moments that didn’t make it past our editor this year. Yup, we sneaked in and grabbed them from the cutting room floor because they’re just too good to waste! Enjoy and we look forward to rejoining you all in 2024

The typical American adult is 3-5x more likely than their Japanese counterpart to develop and die from heart disease.  This week our WTYT team asks if the seaweed found in 20% of all Japanese meals might hold the key to these dramatically lower rates of heart disease as well many other aspects of health and wellness.  After all, Kim Kardashian and 1 billion TikTok viewers think so!Our team used various studies to help form their thoughts and opinions on this topic, so if you’re keen to know more, check out the resources below: For a fabulous review of the research into this topic to date, pros and cons of sea weed consumption, HERE’s the place to start. Interested in those worms with Parkinsons disease? Click here to find out more.Really, there’s as much protein in sea weed as a juicy steak?? Take a closer look.Enthusiastic about the Korean study that looked at the effect of sea weed extract on blood cholesterol levels? Read more here.Or how about that big Japanese study that showed interesting correlations but not necessarily causations.Is getting your micronutrients from food rather than supplements better? (Hint: yes!!)First time hearing about nutrient bioavailability and interested to know more?  Check out this article that talks about the bioavailability of iron being as miserable as 10%.

With more than 1 in 4 American adults regularly using melatonin, it seems long overdue that our team take a look at the pros and cons of this supplement.the role of melatonin as the “sleep gate”, adenosine as the “sleep pressure” and why caffeine is such an effective sleep disrupter are explored. Our duo take us through the research, revealing that the sleep-related effects of melatonin appear to be real but small, whilst other physiological systems, notably reproduction, could be very negatively affected by regular melatonin use.Our science lovers discuss the consequence for Americans of the over the counter availability of melatonin, including the large discrepancies between the stated and actual amount of melatonin in each capsule or gummy as well as the rise in pediatric melatonin poisoning over the last decade. our mother and daughter team encourage everyone to explore the subject of sleep in a little more depth and suggest Matthew Walker’s wonderul book “Why We sleep” as a great place to start.And finally, as mentioned by Tess during the episode, if you want to know more about the different rules governing the cosmetics industry vs. the rest of the world, check out this resource :)

Today’s discussion of Tess’ recent hospital admission reviews the symptoms and potential consequences of rhabdomyolysis as well as the creatine kinase and myoglobin tests employed to make this rare diagnosis. After Tess tells her story, our duo speculate on the involvement of eccentric (triceps) exercises alongside a “will to win” in deciding just who’s at risk of developing this uncommon, but sometimes, deadly disease.

0:00 – A reminder of where we got to in part one.1:05 – Diving a little deeper into the science; what happens when we drink ice-cold water?2:55 – Water intoxication and a “Wii for your wee”- the dangers of drinking too much water.4:00 – Benefits of cold-water swimming.4:55 – Dangers of cold-water swimming, including death. What’s the role of the involuntary gasp?Here’s an additional, science-filled, review of the plusses and minuses of cold water swimming.8:20 – A reminder about BMR.8:30 – who was brave enough to spend 8-10 hours every day with the thermostat turned down?9:05 – What’s the difference between white and brown fat?10:00 – The importance of brown fat in cold-related weight loss.11:05 – The unexpected benefits of experiments with cold air!11:35 – How might this relate to various types of cryotherapy such as ice baths and RICE?12:35 – Tempted to try taking a daily cold shower? just be careful you’re not too hot when you get in.14:10 – Our duo’s conclusions.as always, a reminder that although the science and discussion is provided in good faith, our podcast is for entertainment purposes only - always seek medical advice when considering diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes.

Could the key to losing weight really be as simple as learning to love cold water? Our team discuss the science behind all things cold and how temperature affects our calorie burn rate.0:00 – What’s got the team fired up today?1:10 – Introducing the “Health Geek” aka Gary Breka2:40 – Presenting today’s TikTok3:30 – How do we keep a (relatively) stable body temperature? What’s the role of food in keeping us nice and toasty?5:20 – What do “the Cold” and Ozempic have in common?6:00 – Understanding the statement “water is 29x more thermogenic than air”.7:05 – Does the scientific literature agree with Gary (hint: almost!)7:25 – When Gary talks about Michael Phelps expending 10,000 calories in a cold swimming pool, is this a number to make us go wow or whatever? Putting Gary’s data into context.10:00 – Trust me bro!10:30 – Time to do some math including BMR calculations for our elite athlete as well as Dr. P, a regular human!14:00 – Tess and Dr. P sum up their thoughts so far before leaving you all on the edge of your seats for part 2!

Dr P. answers a listener's question all about making the proverbial science sausage and explains the scientific process, from that great idea to a game-changing publication and everything in between!0:00 - A little bit of history!1:30 - funding science.2:00 - getting published!2:35 - quantitative vs. qualitative research.3:30 - discussions sections, where our scientists cut loose!4:25 - scientific conflicts of interest.5:15 - Journals, editorial boards and peer review.7:50 - scientists behaving badly.8:50 - how things changed during covid.

Could working with our hormones be the key to a winning workout? Join our WTYT duo as they review the science that may or may not make this idea a winner!0:00 - What are the crew going to discuss today?3:00 - when does the science tell us ovulation typically occurs and why does it matter?5:15 - how the “period” people have whilst using oral contraception is not really a period! and guess what, some of those pills don’t contain anything!6:00 - what’s the difference between the follicular and luteal phases? How does oral contraception affect these phases?9:30 - how did Dr. P research this topic?11:25 - very little research showing a relationship between strength and menstrual cycle stage, however, the team discusses one article with an interesting strength-related finding.17:30 - why are these research studies typically so small?18:30 - the duo discuss a fascinating, largish study that looked at injury rates in elite female soccer players, relative to menstrual cycle timing.21:50 - can we extrapolate from research done in elite performers to regular people?!24:41 - decision time

Today our science-lovers discuss two TikTok presenters with very different backgrounds and interests… and decide that the views of both should be treated with caution!2:00 - what does Shelby have to tell us about berberine?3:00 - how do berberine and the liver interact?3:30 what does an anti-coagulant do and how does this relate to berberine? Look at this long potential list of interactions between therapeutic i.e prescribed drugs and berberine. For almost all of these, the interaction comes from the fact that the liver metabolizes (breaks down) both barberine and the prescribed medications - if it’s spending more time and energy on one then it may have less capacity to deal with the other!5:35 - Berberine and the amazing placenta. but if ou’re interested to know more, check out this research. It’s pretty heavy and discusses work carried out in mice but it seems pretty likely that berbering might make it more difficult to get pregnant (don’t try using it as a contraceptive though!).Government scientific advice clearly states to not take berberine whilst pregnant or breastfeeding. Finally, Here’s the opinion of a medical practitioner about whether berberine can be used to treat (pre) diabetes safely and effectively (hint: unlikely!).  What’s also interesting here is that it mentions berberine really should not be taken by people using metformin, yet metformin is used (off-label) for weight loss, alarm bells ringing anyone?7:15 - Has berberine been through rigorous clinical testing?9:25 - Other than Tiktok, how could you research the good, the bad and the ugly about berberine?10:00 - Who is Justin Nault and what does he have to tell us?11:10 - Understanding qualifications, do you know what separates your dietician from your nutritionist (hint: it might be six years of education!)?It’s definitely confusing but here’s the A-Z of these different types of qualifications.13:00 - Is there a clinical condition called “metabolic dysfunction” and do 88% of us really suffer from this? NIH talks about metabolic syndrome, which it suggests 1/3 of us have (still horrible but not Justin’s 88%), check this link out to see what they have to say.15:20 - Some good advice on whole foods (yes) and seed oils (no)!16:00 - How much protein does Justin advise and how does this compare to the scientific literature?Take a look at NIH’s figures yourself (and yes, we won’t be offended, you shouldn’t just trust us either!).18:00 - What’s the link between Canadian Shelby and Justin Nault?20:50 - The benefits of putting in a “pause”.21:40 - And it’s goodbye from the team until

Forget all the discussion about which celebrities are taking Ozempic and whether it’s cheating, one thing seems clear - it works!But how? Join our mother and daughter duo as they talk about how our body, Ozempic and 3lbs of microscopic bacteria work together to achieve often-dramatic weight loss.0:00 Introduction2:00 Why do we feel hungry, what interacting processes are occurring in our gut and brain to make us desperate for dinner?Hungry for more? Try these: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ueg2.12097 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5588461/4:45 What is Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and what does it do?Want to dive a little deeper into GLP-1? Read this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8736331/8:25 Why is GLP-1 important to the Ozempic story?10:20 Is GLP-1 the only thing we need to consider when thinking about hunger? What about other chemical signals including ghrelin, leptin and CCK?Fascinated by ghrelin? Here’s more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049314/#:~:text=Ghrelin%20is%20a%20multifaceted%20gut,as%20the%20%E2%80%9Chunger%20hormone%E2%80%9D.For some sweet info on how our plasma glucose (blood sugar) makes us feel full or hungry: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-021-00383-x12:20 What is the gut biome?13:30 How might our gut biome affect our natural production of GLP-1 and our weight?Spellbound by the relationship between GLP-1 and bacteria? Digest this:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61112-015:30 Why do we always think of bacteria as the bad guys? A story of lovable bacteria.18:00 When you understand how Ozempic works, its side-effects make perfect sense!19:55 Should we be concerned about Ozempic and long-term side-effects?23:10 The team signs off, stay curious everyone

Today the team reviews Erik Berg’s encouragement to “listen to what your body’s telling you about your nutritional status” and questions whether he’s truly an impartial source of information.0:00 - introduction.2:00 - does yawning truly mean that you’re iron deficient?3:10 - being air-hungry means your body is too acid? Really?4:15 - our amazing kidneys!5:15 - is it a good idea to self-diagnose and treat high blood pressure?7:50 - are those tired muscles really telling you you’re lacking sodium?9:30 - should we be diagnosing ourselves via an entertainment app?11:00 - how does the FDA regulate the testing of supplements vs. (therapeutic) drugs?13:07 – does Erik Berg have ulterior motives behind encouraging supplement use?15:10 – the team gives their opinion of Erik Berg’s advice and discusses if/when we should take notice of tik tok medical advice.

Using their background in science education and marketing, our mother-daughter duo consider social media’s handling of everything from Ozempic to period-based exercising, teasing out the great from the grim and the brilliant from the BS whilst helping their listeners to develop their own truth-seeking skills. For more information or to submit your own burning science questions to be answered in a future episode, head on over to WTYTpod.com!