The Body of Evidence: Recent Episodes
Dr. Christopher Labos and Jonathan Jarry
Vaping, dieting, seeing a chiropractor, taking omega-3 supplements… so many decisions to make, so much misinformation. Dr. Christopher Labos and Jonathan Jarry look at the body of evidence on these topics to tell you what’s solid, what’s iffy… and what’s crapola. The jingles, comedy, and bickering help the medicine go down.
Stephanie Simoes is back to tell us about her new social media simulator, a kid-friendly mock social media feed filled with clickbait, logical fallacies, and dubious claims. The goal of the simulator is to teach kids how to surf the web safely and identify scams, tricks and fake news. Also, she throws a few more riddles Dr. Chris’ way.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
How did cholesterol denialism go from reasonable skepticism to pseudoscience? It’s a question that needs to be asked with Ahseem Malhotra, who has denied the effectiveness of both statins and the covid-19 vaccines, being named chief medical advisor to MAHA. In this special collaborative episode with the Unbiased Science podcast, Dr. Chris Labos speaks with Drs. Jessica Steier and Sarah Scheinman on why it is so hard for the cholesterol skeptics of the past to change their minds.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/02/how-cholesterol-denialism-went-from-reasonable-skepticism-to-pseudoscience/
A new study claims that vitamin D can treat multiple sclerosis. But is this trial groundbreaking or an outlier? Dr. Chris Labos finds that the answer is far more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no”.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
- The D-Lay MS randomized trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2831270
- The Mendelian Randomization study of vitamin D https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/NXG.0000000000000097
- The early 2012 study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22354743/
- The SOLAR study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31594857/
- The CHOLINE study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31454777/
- The VIDAMS study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37125397/
- The 2024 study on clinically isolated syndrome: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38085047/
Grey’s Anatomy had a lot of fascinating medical cases… in between all the sex and work drama. After investing 20 years of her life watching the show, guest co-host Robyn Flynn puts some of the weirdest cases she’s ever seen on the show to Dr. Chris Labos to find out which ones were based on real cases, which were absolutely impossible, and which ones had valuable teaching lessons built in.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
Is beef tallow a healthier alternative to seed oils? Why have seed oils become the latest diet villain? And how did we get to the point that people are walking into restaurants with their own beef tallow and asking for chefs to cook with that instead? In this special collaborative episode with the Unbiased Science podcast, Dr. Chris Labos speaks with Drs. Jessica Steier and Sarah Scheinman about the state of food science.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
You can check out the Unbiased Science podcast here: https://www.unbiasedscience.com/podcast
Dr. Mark Ware joins Chris to discuss the state of the science for medical cannabis. Why should we be calling it cannabis and not marijuana? What are the challenges of studying something that is still illegal in the United States? How good is it at treating chronic pain and which of its health claims are mainly hype?
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
In vitro fertilisation is almost 50 years old but still a victim of misunderstandings and myths. Guest co-host Robyn Flynn returns to walk Dr. Chris Labos through the IVF process from beginning to baby and explains why she found it more painful than actually giving birth. Plus, what is the age cut off, why does obesity matter, and why is the pineapple a symbol of IVF?
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
Age of IVF as predictor of success
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.02.036
Success rates in older women
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.05.081
Surgical treatment of hydrosalpinx prior to IVF
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002125.pub3.
How smoking affects outcomes
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.09.073
How obesity affects outcomes
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.11.008
Aspirin in IVF
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004832.pub3
Acupuncture in IVF
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006920.pub3
Heparin treatment in IVF
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.09.005
Ice baths, polar bear plunges and cold immersion promise a “treasure trove of benefits” according to wellness guru Wim Hof. On this episode, friend of the show Dr. Nick Tiller - author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science - and his British accent return to talk with Dr. Chris Labos. Both share near drowning experiences that should make you realize that even in a comedy podcast, cold plunges are no joke.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) The American Heart Association position on ice baths
2) A video talking about deaths associated with the Wim Hof method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu5CkkaHB1A
3) Nick Tiller’s article on ice baths in Skeptical Inquirer https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/why-are-we-still-ice-bathing/
From mouth taping to weighted blankets to blue light filters and melatonin. There’s no shortage of “hacks” that will help you max out your sleep in this latest TikTok trend. Pedro Mendes returns to help Dr. Chris Labos sort through what is true, what is fluff, and what is just exploiting people’s anxiety. Added bonus: we also learn which was the first show to air reruns on American network television.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Cochrane review on blue light filtering lenses
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full
2) A systematic review on weighted blanket use
https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.037358
Is Bill Gates really trying to decrease the world’s population by 15% using the covid vaccine? Was the gongshow that is Microsoft Office just a prelude to mass genocide? What would you do if a friend forwarded you a Ted Talk of Gates claiming exactly that? Would you assume it was a deep fake or edited to misrepresent what he said or is it even more complicated than that. Floris van Vugt joins to unravel the mystery of the billionaire’s bluster and tell us if indeed there are microchips in our vaccines.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
● Initially emailed clip
● Actual TED talk
● How does better healthcare reduce population growth?
● George Bernard Shaw Anti-Vax Quote
Critikid.com is a website dedicated NOT to criticizing children but rather to teaching them critical thinking using games, riddles and puzzles. Founder Stephanie Simoes joins Dr. Chris Labos as he tries to solve the riddle of the magical cookie that turns mice pink. And why does the internet think Stephanie is anti-road? Plus, what is her super-duper secret project about teaching kids that social media is a cesspool of misinformation?
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
- Stephanie’s website: www.critikid.com
- The answer to the poisoned wine riddle (the harder version of the mouse-cookie riddle): https://medium.com/i-math/a-king-1000-bottles-of-wine-10-prisoners-and-a-drop-of-poison-2dd1959a8dd2
- The brand new social memdia simulator for kids (live soon): https://critikid.com/courses/social-media-simulator
- Some fun puzzle books: https://www.amazon.com/aha-two-collection-Insight-Spectrum/dp/0883855518
While it is proven to be lifesaving in carbon monoxide poisoning, is there any evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps with cerebral palsy, autism, long covid, migraines and many other conditions? Can HBOT be both a valid medical therapy and a pseudoscience? Guest co-host Pedro Mendes joins Dr. Chris Labos to parse out fact from fiction. Bonus points if you know the one condition where hyperbaric oxygen therapy is strictly contra-indicated.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/medical-information/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy.html
-
Chris’ article on hyperbaric oxygen therapy: https://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/article560792.html
-
Recent child’s death
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/clinic-death-raises-questions-about-oxygen-therapy-2025a10003wa?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_250216_MSCPEDIT_etid7230220&uac=207389HY&impID=7230220
- Trauma
Bouachour G, Cronier P, Gouello JP, Toulemonde JL, Talha A, Alquier P. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of crush injuries: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Trauma. 1996 Aug;41(2):333-9. doi: 10.1097/00005373-199608000-00023. PMID: 8760546.
- Burns
Brannen AL, Still J, Haynes M, Orlet H, Rosenblum F, Law E, Thompson WO. A randomized prospective trial of hyperbaric oxygen in a referral burn center population. Am Surg. 1997 Mar;63(3):205-8. PMID: 9036884.
- Radiation injury
Lin ZC, Bennett MH, Hawkins GC, Azzopardi CP, Feldmeier J, Smee R, Milross C. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for late radiation tissue injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Aug 15;8(8):CD005005. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005005.pub5. PMID: 37585677; PMCID: PMC10426260.
- Chronic wounds:
Kranke P, Bennett MH, Martyn-St James M, Schnabel A, Debus SE, Weibel S. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jun 24;2015(6):CD004123. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004123.pub4. PMID: 26106870; PMCID: PMC7055586.
- Cerebral palsy
Collet JP, Vanasse M, Marois P, Amar M, Goldberg J, Lambert J, Lassonde M, Hardy P, Fortin J, Tremblay SD, Montgomery D, Lacroix J, Robinson A, Majnemer A. Hyperbaric oxygen for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised multicentre trial. HBO-CP Research Group. Lancet. 2001 Feb 24;357(9256):582-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)04054-x. PMID: 11558483.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is more common than most people realize and with more far-reaching implications than it would initially seem. Guest co-host Robyn Flynn joins Dr. Chris Labos to talk about it's potential impact on fertility, cardiovascular health, and according to Robyn, that it's more painful than childbirth?!? We’re going to have to look into that one.
You can also check out Robyn’s podcast, Rebel Mom Boss https://open.spotify.com/show/4uMAsJS9ySR47iGYw8ExDo?si=bc68ddfcb0bd4f3f
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Dutch Twin study about the role of genetics in PCOS:
10.1210/jc.2005-1494
2) Cochrane review on meds that improve fertility
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003053.pub6/full
3) RCT of diet to restore fertility
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/88/2/812/2845309?redirectedFrom=fulltext
4) Benefits of weight loss prior to fertility treatment
10.1210/jc.2016-1659
5) Letrozole vs. clomiphene for fertility treatment
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1313517
6) Metformin as a fertility treatment
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.11995
Intense abdominal pain and erratic behaviour. Both involving drugs. What's really going on? Dr. Aigul Zaripova, a familiar voice for our regular listeners, is back to try and stump Dr. Chris Labos with two Medscape case challenges. Will Chris cover himself in glory or will shame and humiliation await him at the end of the episode? Only one way to find out.
Part 1: Intense Abdominal Pain After a Night of Partying
https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/954084
Part 2: Recent Erratic Behaviour and a History of Cannabis Use in a Teenager
https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/1001391
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
You can see the entire archive of Medscape Case Challenges here:
https://reference.medscape.com/features/casechallenges
Are animals actually monogamous? Do penguins really mate for life? Does any of this really matter? Returning guest Natalia Pasternak joins Dr. Chris Labos in this special Valentine’s Day episode to talk about monogamy. A look at love and sex in the animal kingdom and a reminder that none of this gives you permission to cheat on your spouse or significant other. Just because animals are jerks, doesn’t meant mean you have to be one too.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause- cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Natalia’s original article in Portuguese: https://oglobo.globo.com/blogs/a-hora-da-ciencia/post/2024/07/recatado-e-do-lar.ghtml?giftId=343c01cf90f30a3&utm_source=Copiarlink&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=compartilharmateria
2) The book with the inappropriate title that Natalia mentions: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59228221-bitch
3) Additional info on the Lilicon conference in Edmonton this summer: https://sites.google.com/view/lilienfeldalliance/lilicon-2025
Why did the FDA ban the use of Red Dye No. 3 and why is it still available in Canada? Guest co-host Pedro joins Dr. Chris Labos to explain and discuss how we should think about food colourings in general. Does the fact that can cause cancer in rats mean anything for human health? And what about the alleged ADHD link? Also, there’s a Winnie the Pooh reference at the end.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
The FDA announcement
https://www.fda.gov/industry/color-additives/fdc-red-no-3
Study showing a link between Red No. 3 and thyroid cancer in rats
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1349-7006.1988.tb01593.x
The link between artificial food colourings and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3441937/
List of approved food colors in Canada
https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/industry/food-additives/food-colours
How good is the Body Mass Index as a measure of obesity? And why did the Lancet Commission trash it so completely? Guest co-host Robyn Flynn joins Dr. Chris Labos to flesh out how bad BMI really is and if the alternatives are any better. There’s probably no singing this time around... but no promises.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Editor: Robyn Flynn
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, I am not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
Lancet Commission on Obesity: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00316-4/abstract
Accompanying Editorial: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(25)00004-X/fulltext
Infographic: https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/clinical-obesity-25
Hormone Replacement Therapy is now called Menopausal Hormone Therapy. And despite being almost universally abandoned two decades ago, it's making a comeback. Dr. Chris Labos and guest co-host Pedro Mendes explain why, while also giving a primer on menopause itself
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause- cancer
Obviously, I’m not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
Geographic variability of menopausal symptoms 1) Nappi RE et al. Global cross-sectional survey of women with vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: prevalence and quality of life burden. Menopause. 2021 May 24;28(8):875-882. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001793. 2) Nappi RE, et al. Prevalence and quality-of-life burden of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: A European cross-sectional survey. Maturitas. 2023 Jan;167:66-74. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.09.006. What’s the normal duration of symptoms 3) Avis NE, et al. Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms over the menopause transition. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Apr;175(4):531-9. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8063.
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) studies Rossouw JE et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002 Jul 17;288(3):321-33. doi: 10.1001/jama.288.3.321. Anderson GL et al. Effects of conjugated equine estrogen in postmenopausal women with hysterectomy: the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004 Apr 14;291(14):1701-12. doi: 10.1001/jama.291.14.1701. Decline in HRT after WHI studies Sprague BL, Trentham-Dietz A, Cronin KA. A sustained decline in postmenopausal hormone use: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2010. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Sep;120(3):595-603. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318265df42. Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study
Schierbeck LL metal. Effect of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular events in recently postmenopausal women: randomised trial. BMJ. 2012 Oct 9;345:e6409. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e6409. Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) Harman SM, et al. Arterial imaging outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors in recently menopausal women: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Aug 19;161(4):249-60. doi: 10.7326/M14-0353. Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) Hodis HN et al. Vascular Effects of Early versus Late Postmenopausal Treatment with Estradiol. N Engl J Med. 2016 Mar 31;374(13):1221-31. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1505241. Stopping hormonal therapy Berman RS et al. Risk factors associated with women's compliance with estrogen replacement therapy. J Womens Health. 1997 Apr;6(2):219-26. doi: 10.1089/jwh.1997.6.219. Grady D, Sawaya GF. Discontinuation of postmenopausal hormone therapy. Am J Med. 2005 Dec 19;118 Suppl 12B:163-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.09.051. Tapering vs. abrupt stop or hormonal therapy Haimov-Kochman R et al. Gradual discontinuation of hormone therapy does not prevent the reappearance of climacteric symptoms: a randomized prospective study. Menopause. 2006 May-Jun;13(3):370-6. doi: 10.1097/01.gme.0000186663.36211.c0. PMID: 16735933.
We wrap up the year with a new case challenge. A 38-year-old radiology technician has a strange rash just above… his buttocks! Who’s to blame?
Was it the dog? Was it his job? Or is it the special person in his life?
Also: Chris learns about socks!
Yet also: we say the phrase “ass crack.” We had to!
And also also: an important announcement.
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
Pain. Sometimes it’s acute, sometimes it’s chronic. It may come from an injury or just from wear and tear. Chris and Jonathan sit down to speak to Dr. Leon Tourian, who specializes in pain psychiatry at McGill University.
Can we objectively measure pain? Is there such a thing as normal pain? And what happens when chronic pain in our extremities is left untreated and our brain takes over?
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
What does the body of evidence say about mold? Or if you’re part of the Commonwealth, mould? Some mould can make you sick, especially by triggering allergic symptoms, but beware of people selling you a service to detect mould in your home because there is no established “safe” threshold yet. How can you prevent mould from growing where you live? And how do you take care of it once you’ve spotted it?
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Health Canada’s Guide to addressing moisture and mould indoors: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/addressing-moisture-mould-your-home.html
2) Guidance for Clinicians on the Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Mold Exposure and Moisture Indoors: https://health.uconn.edu/occupational-environmental/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2015/12/mold_guide.pdf
3) The EPA’s Course on mold: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-1
It’s not the “blues” you’re having, but the “mean reds.” It can be hard to spot the signs of an impending burnout, and Dr. Emma Jones knows all about it. As a medical student, she started being depressed and she never fully got over it, which resulted in a burnout as a practicing physician caring for children with cancer. But she found a way out and the means to prevent a future burnout from happening so that she can act as a lighthouse for others.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
Links:
1) Emma Jones’ website: https://www.emmajonesmd.com
2) Emma Jones’ book, The Phoenix Blueprint, about burnout: https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Blueprint-Emerging-Stronger-Healthcare/dp/1957255358/
Will Montreal soon lose what little fluoridated tap water it has? Why do we even put fluoride in the drinking water in the first place? And do the arguments voiced to take it away from citizens even… hold water?
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) The Montreal Gazette article about the proposal to stop adding fluoride to the West Island’s tap water: https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-aims-to-stop-fluoridating-west-island-water-in-2025
Not so long ago, natural health products sold in Canada—which include a slew of dietary supplements of dubious effectiveness—were not regulated. When Kat McLeod got poisoned via the herbal supplement she was taking, she was offered a choice: sue the Canadian government or help them draft stronger regulation.
The Body of Evidence reached out to Olsy Sorokina to report on this story. She will tell you how natural health products are regulated in Canada and what the latest legislation, Vanessa’s Law, means to consumers and to the natural health industry. And don’t worry: Chris and Jonathan appear throughout.
Story producer: Olsy Sorokina
Interviewed for this story: Kat McLeod and Timothy Caulfield
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
What does the body of evidence say about smoking cessation? Does counselling make a difference and, if so, what kind? Is vaping effective as a way to quit smoking? And did you know there are drugs that have been shown to help give up the habit? Chris attempts to pronounce their names and is left with one question: is his veranda clean?
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
Reducing vs. quitting smoking
1) Gerber Y, Myers V, Goldbourt U. Smoking reduction at midlife and lifetime mortality risk in men: a prospective cohort study. Am J Epidemiol. 2012 May 15;175(10):1006-12. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwr466. Epub 2012 Feb 3. PMID: 22306566.
2) Nina S. Godtfredsen, Claus Holst, Eva Prescott, Jørgen Vestbo, Merete Osler, Smoking Reduction, Smoking Cessation, and Mortality: A 16-year Follow-up of 19,732 Men and Women from the Copenhagen Centre for Prospective Population Studies, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 156, Issue 11, 1 December 2002, Pages 994–1001, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwf150
Behavioural interventions for smoking cessation
3) Cahill K, Lancaster T, Green N. Stage-based interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Nov 10;(11):CD004492. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004492.pub4. PMID: 21069681.
4) Stead LF, Koilpillai P, Fanshawe TR, Lancaster T. Combined pharmacotherapy and behavioural interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Mar 24;3(3):CD008286. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008286.pub3. PMID: 27009521; PMCID: PMC10042551.
5) Hartmann-Boyce J, Hong B, Livingstone-Banks J, Wheat H, Fanshawe TR. Additional behavioural support as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Jun 5;6(6):CD009670. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009670.pub4. PMID: 31166007; PMCID: PMC6549450.
6) Hartmann-Boyce J, Livingstone-Banks J, Ordóñez-Mena JM, Fanshawe TR, Lindson N, Freeman SC, Sutton AJ, Theodoulou A, Aveyard P. Behavioural interventions for smoking cessation: an overview and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jan 4;1(1):CD013229. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013229.pub2. PMID: 33411338; PMCID: PMC11354481.
7) Anthenelli RM, Benowitz NL, West R, St Aubin L, McRae T, Lawrence D, Ascher J, Russ C, Krishen A, Evins AE. Neuropsychiatric safety and efficacy of varenicline, bupropion, and nicotine patch in smokers with and without psychiatric disorders (EAGLES): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet. 2016 Jun 18;387(10037):2507-20. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30272-0. Epub 2016 Apr 22. PMID: 27116918.
Network meta-analysis of medications and e-cigarettes
8) Lindson N, Theodoulou A, Ordóñez-Mena JM, Fanshawe TR, Sutton AJ, Livingstone-Banks J, Hajizadeh A, Zhu S, Aveyard P, Freeman SC, Agrawal S, Hartmann-Boyce J. Pharmacological and electronic cigarette interventions for smoking cessation in adults: component network meta‐analyses. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD015226. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015226.pub2. Accessed 04 November 2024.
On a special live recording of The Body of Evidence, Jonathan sits down in conversation with Lewis, a reformed conspiracy theorist from Liverpool who tumbled down the rabbit hole during the COVID-19 pandemic. How should you talk to the conspiracy theorist in your life if you want to make progress? There’s no better person to answer this question than someone who was at the other end of this.
The two discuss the strange alignment between gym bros and yoga moms—and the “cosmic Scousers” in Liverpool—that fed into the protests against public health measures, and they talk about how fast you can get a “diploma” on Telegram.
And how critical thinking really is an aspiration.
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
A new editorial calls pesticides “the new smoking.” This is based on a recent study comparing pesticide use in U.S. counties and cancer incidence. But do counties get cancer? We investigate the issue to see if we should worry about pesticides and if young adults are really getting more cancer than they used to.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) The Medscape article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/cancer-risk-are-pesticides-new-smoking-2024a1000h2n?form=fpf
2) The new study: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcacs.2024.1368086
It’s time for a COVID booster for your ears. Which strains are circulating? Why should you care? And which vaccines are available to boost your immune system this fall? Also, why will some Canadians be driving to Vermont to get a COVID vaccine?
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
What does the body of evidence say about rabies? Well, for one, it is the human disease with the worst case-fatality rate. Once you develop the symptoms, your outlook isn’t good. But its long incubation period makes it easy to do something that may not be intuitive: to give the infected person a vaccine… after they’ve been bit.
Special guest star: Tobi.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Information on the rabies vaccine: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-18-rabies-vaccine.html
2) WHO expert consultation on rabies: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/272364/9789241210218-eng.pdf?sequence=1
It’s a pseudoscience that seemed to work at first, but now the same researcher who “proved” that it worked has proven that it doesn’t. Do we need to purge people of heavy metals to make sure they don’t have heart attacks? No… but you won’t believe the price tag we’ve had to pay to gain this wisdom.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Editorial expressing concerns about TACT1: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1672219
2) Results from the TACT2 trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2822472
3) Editor’s note on the whole saga: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2822475
4) Dr. Stephen Barrett’s commentary on TACT1: https://quackwatch.org/chelation/research/tact/
Can cranberry juice help prevent UTIs… or will any liquid do? Also: a new drug has been tested to treat the symptoms of menopause and it looks pretty good. As Chris and Jonathan appraise these studies, you will learn about the importance of placebo arms in clinical trials.
Correction: it turns out that urine is not sterile. Even the bladder has bacteria in it! https://www.livescience.com/health/is-pee-sterile
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) The network meta-analysis published in European Urology Focus on cranberries to prevent UTIs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405456924001226
2) The 2023 meta-analysis on cranberries for UTIs: https://www.cochrane.org/CD001321/RENAL_cranberries-preventing-urinary-tract-infections
3) Write-up on the recent meta-analysis in Medscape: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/its-juice-cranberries-uti-prevention-2024a1000ei4?ecd=mkm_ret_240814_mscpmrk-OUS_ICYMI_CA_etid6740662&uac=300018BV&impID=6740662
4) The OASIS 1 and 2 trials on elinzanetant for menopausal vasomotor symptoms: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2822766
The wellness industry has a very specific customer base in its crosshairs: women. And many journalists are covering this relationship in a dangerously superficial way. Underwater spinning? Fun! CBD-infused leggings? Why not? But there’s a dark underbelly to the promises of wellness solutions, and journalist Rina Raphael has documented it diligently and with a great deal of compassion in her book, The Gospel of Wellness. Jonathan talks to her about how wellness is portrayed in the media and why women listen to its siren call.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
Links:
1) Rina Raphael’s Substack: https://welltodo.substack.com
2) Rina Raphael’s book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59808064-the-gospel-of-wellness
3) Rina Raphel’s website: https://www.rinaraphael.com
What does the body of evidence have to say about kidney stones (and bladder stones)? You will learn about risk factors for stones; whether or not a low oxalate diet will help; and just exactly what insane stuff our ancestors used to do to help people pass their stones. There’s mention of a “she-ass” and something invasive involving the bum. We’re not even joking.
Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!
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Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova, MD
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.
References:
1) Historical interventions for kidney and bladder stones: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1464-410X.2002.02769.x
Risk factors for kidney/bladder stones:
2) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2012.03.052
3) DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2012.03.052
4) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-020-01210-w
5) https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030424
6) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.11.073
7) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2023.10.001
8) DOI: 10.1089/end.2019.0557
9) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04251-2
10) What a staghorn calculus looks like: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/staghorn-calculus-kidney
11) CUA guidelines on how to manage kidney stones: https://www.cua.org/sites/default/files/Flipbooks/Guidelines/G40_en/mobile/index.html
You thought your toddler was a handful. Have you heard of the She-Hulk toddler? You will learn what GPA means in a patient chart and how menstruation can be used to judge the health of a country, while Chris tries to figure out what is wrong with this tiny but ferocious patient.
Also: an announcement that will change The Body of Evidence forever….
Warning: this episode contains medical discussion of genitals.
A Block: The Case of the She-Hulk Toddler
(0:58) She has the strength of two toddlers! Also, puberty seems to have kicked in. What is going on with her?
B Block: Announcement
(32:29) Chris and Jonathan announce something.
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Jonathan and Chris speak to Dr. Andrea Love, a microbiologist, immunologist, science communicator, and the director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation. The tick-borne illness known as Lyme disease is everywhere: on the news, on social media… but is it really near you? Dr. Love separates facts from fiction when it comes to Lyme disease, both the acute infection and the alleged chronic condition.
Correction (2024/07/24): Dr. Love wanted to correct a statement she made. She said that tick-borne relapsing fever does not occur in the U.S., but she meant that it did not occur in the eastern U.S. It does occur in western U.S. states but is caused by a different Borrelia species and spread by different ticks, so there is no overlap with Lyme disease.
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
1) Andrea Love’s Substack, Immunologic: https://www.immunologic.org
2) American Lyme Disease Foundation website: https://aldf.com
What does the body of evidence say on malaria? Your favourite travel destination may be a malaria hot zone: we discuss how to prepare. Plus: a strange FDA application to use MDMA to treat PTSD, and have statins been overprescribed?
A Block: Malaria
(0:58) History; the parasite’s life cycle; how many people are affected by malaria; symptoms; how to diagnose it; how to treat it; prevention.
B Block: Ecstasy for PTSD
(35:46) An advisory committee for the FDA has raised many concerns about a company’s application to use MDMA (ecstasy, molly) as part of psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
C Block: Statin Overprescription
(46:08) A new risk calculator is classifying fewer people as needing statins.
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer
References:
1) WHO fact sheet on malaria: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria
History of malaria:
2) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph7020675
3) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-004-6354-6
4) DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07085.x
5) https://doi.org/10.1179/135100003225002952
6) https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.2011.16
7) doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19554-0
8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215638/
9) Plasmodium parasite life cycle: https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/malaria/index.html
Malaria epidemiology:
10) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/catmat/canadian-recommendations-prevention-treatment-malaria/chapter-1-introduction.html
11) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria
12) https://apps.who.int/malaria/maps/threats/#
13) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240086173
14) DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7236a1
15) https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00496.asp
16) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/catmat/appendix-1-malaria-risk-recommended-chemoprophylaxis-geographic-area.html
How to diagnose malaria:
17) https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/resources/pdf/benchAids/malaria/Pfalciparum_benchaidV2.pdf
18) https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/resources/pdf/benchAids/malaria/Pvivax_benchaidV2.pdf
19) https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/resources/pdf/benchAids/malaria/Povale_benchaidV2.pdf
20) https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/resources/pdf/benchAids/malaria/Pmalariae_benchaidV2.pdf
How to prevent malaria:
21) https://www.who.int/groups/vector-control-advisory-group/summary-of-new-interventions-for-vector-control/lethal-house-lures
22) DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00004-7
23) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68037008
24) DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026330
25) DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00368-7
26) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00442-X
27) Dr. Andrea Love’s article about DEET and insect repellents for Immunologic: https://immunologic.substack.com/p/essential-oils-are-not-chemical-free?publication_id=2109759&post_id=145493032&isFreemail=true&r=5o22t
28) Ada McVean’s article about insect repellents for the McGill OSS: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-technology/why-mosquitos-bite-you-and-how-make-them-stop
29) FDA advisers vote against medical use of ecstasy: https://www.science.org/content/article/fda-advisory-panel-rejects-mdma-ptsd-treatment
30) Elizabeth Conney’s STAT article on new cardiovascular risk calculator for statin prescriptions: https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/10/cardiovascular-disease-statins-aha-guidelines/
It’s Not Twitter But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s interview on the Rethinking Wellness podcast: https://rethinkingwellness.substack.com/p/why-you-probably-dont-have-a-leaky
Chris and Jonathan speak to Dr. Ian Hussey, the Chief Recommender for the ERROR project. It turns out that scientific papers are not flawless: they can contain mistakes. What happens when people are paid to go and find these mistakes? You’re about to find out!
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
1) The ERROR project website: https://error.reviews/
What does the body of evidence say on LASIK, the use of lasers to correct vision? Plus: many men on PreP are abandoning condoms as STIs are becoming more common, and Chris tells us if krill oil can cure arthritis of the knee. Also, Jonathan briefly imitates Alex Jones.
A Block: LASIK
(0:59) How lasers are used in medicine; LASIK and its cousins; how to choose; effectiveness, satisfaction, and side effects.
B Block: HIV PrEP and STIs
(28:18) How does pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV works, and what is simultaneously happening with condom use (going down) and rates of STIs (going up). Also, what is Doxy-PEP?
C Block: Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis
(44:45) An Australian trial of krill oil for arthritis of the knee came to the conclusion that… well, what do you think?
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
Comparisons of LASIK and its related techniques:
1) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174810
2) DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2007.07.026
3) DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2007.131748
4) DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2017.03.013
5) DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012687.pub2
Outcomes from LASIK:
6) DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(99)00148-7
7) DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(00)00528-5
8) doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2016.4587
UpToDate entries pertaining to HIV, PrEP, and Doxy-PEP:
9) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis
10) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/primary-care-of-gay-men-and-men-who-have-sex-with-men
11) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/prevention-of-sexually-transmitted-infections
12) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hiv-infection-risk-factors-and-prevention-strategies
13) Statistics Canada survey of sexually active 15-to-24-year-olds: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020009/article/00001-eng.htm
14) Increased rates of STIs according to Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/report-sexually-transmitted-infection-surveillance-canada-2019.html
15) Systematic review and meta-analysis on sexual risk behaviour in men who use PrEP: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy182
16) Australian trial on krill oil for knee osteoarthritis: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.6063
It’s Not Twitter But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article about Lumina to avoid dental cavities: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-technology/reports-death-dental-cavities-are-greatly-exaggerated
2) The Skeptics’ Dictionary: https://www.skepdic.com/
Jonathan and Chris speak to Dr. Matthew Cameron, a local anesthesiologist who does a lot more than local anesthesias! They discuss the ins and outs of putting people to sleep; how safe epidurals really are; and whether or not you need to worry about waking up paralyzed in the middle of an operation (spoiler alert: no). Also, Jonathan is told about “blood patches” for the first time and can’t believe this is a real thing.
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
What does the body of evidence say on lupus, the autoimmune disease that famously imitates so many other illnesses? Plus: a new study shows that Tylenol in pregnancy is not associated with neurodevelopmental problems, and Chris revisits the topic of red meat following a listener’s question.
A Block: Lupus
(0:57) How common lupus is; what may be causing it; what lupus looks like; how complicated its diagnosis is; what treatment options exist
B Block: Tylenol in Pregnancy
(34:27) Is Tylenol use in pregnancy really responsible for autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability? A new study says no.
C Block: Red Meat
(50:13) Are the harms of eating red meat regularly nowhere near as bad as we were told?
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
Lupus epidemiology:
1) https://www.lupuscanada.org/living-with-lupus/what-is-lupus/
2) https://doi.org/10.1177/096120339500400303
3) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-021-00668-1
Causes of lupus:
4) DOI: 10.1002/art.22510
5) DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-142-12_part_1-200506210-00004
6) https://doi.org/10.1097/bor.0b013e32833c6297
7) https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-9622(90)70020-i
8) https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2007.084582
9) DOI: 10.1177/0961203306069346
What lupus looks like in a patient:
10) https://dermnetnz.org/topics/cutaneous-lupus-erythematosus
11) https://dermnetnz.org/topics/discoid-lupus-erythematosus
12) doi: 10.2147/CCID.S269288
13) https://dermnetnz.org/topics/raynaud-phenomenon
14) DOI: 10.1097/01.md.0000091181.93122.55
15) DOI: 10.1002/art.39070
How to manage lupus:
16) DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207726
17) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12784392/
18) DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.12.025
19) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2017.02.005
20) DOI: 10.1191/096120398678919778
21) https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2008.101766
22) DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa035471
23) https://doi.org/10.1191/0961203305lu2039oa
24) DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010668.pub2
25) DOI: 10.1002/art.27233
26) DOI: 10.1002/art.34359
27) DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2018-000284
28) DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1912196
29) https://ash.confex.com/ash/2023/webprogram/Paper180547.html
30) https://doi.org/10.1016/C2009-0-02062-5
31) Study on Tylenol in pregnancy: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.3172
It’s the case of the woman who was too tired to “par-tay!” What is afflicting her? It’s something that we don’t about enough. Plus: what is happening with avian flu and should you keep using Q-tips in your ears to remove earwax?
A Block: The Case of the Woman Who Was Too Tired to Party
(0:58) A woman falls asleep at work and has a constant headache. It also took her much longer than four years to complete her undergrad. What could be causing this?
B Block: Avian Flu
(25:36) An update on the avian flu situation
C Block: Earwax
(36:03) What should you do about your earwax? Use it as lip balm? Actually….
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Inspection Canada webpages on avian flu: https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/facts-about-avian-influenza/eng/1356193731667/1356193918453 & https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/hpai-in-livestock/eng/1711895796746/1711895797730
2) Nature News Explainer on avian flu: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01036-1
3) WHO surveillance page on avian flu: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/wpro-emergencies/surveillance/avian-influenza
4) Case report on the man who caught H5N1: https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/human-infection-H5N1-bird-flu.html
What does the body of evidence say on measles, that scourge we thought we’d gotten rid of? Plus: do you need to drink AG1 every day for the rest of your life, and Chris explains what doctors do and don’t control when you see them at the clinic.
A Block: Measles
(0:57) How many people have measles; how measles is transmitted; how the disease progresses; complications; vaccination; treatments
B Block: AG1
(34:27) AG1 by Athletic Greens: what it contains and whether or not there’s good evidence that you need it
C Block: A Day in the Life of a Doctor
(50:13) Do doctors decide how many patients they see in a day? The answer may surprise you!
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
Origin of the measles virus:
1) https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-422X-7-52
Measles epidemiology:
2) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html
3) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/downloads/measlesdataandstatsslideset.pdf
4) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/downloads/IntroToMeaslesSlideSet.pdf
5) https://doi.org/10.1086/368114
6) https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o2844
7) https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/measles/news/covid-impact-on-measles-vaccination.html
8) https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6642a6.htm
Clinical progression of the disease:
9) https://dermnetnz.org/topics/measles
10) https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/22421609
11) https://dermnetnz.org/topics/measles-images
12) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02004-3
Atypical measles:
13) https://www.nature.com/articles/nm918
Complications from measles:
14) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aay6485
State of measles in Canada:
15) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/measles/surveillance-measles/measles-rubella-weekly-monitoring-reports.html
State of measles in the United States:
16) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html
17) Jonathan’s article on AG1: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/you-probably-dont-need-green-ag1-smoothie
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on leaky gut syndrome: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/you-probably-dont-have-leaky-gut
2) Appearances on CTV Montreal News: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.1332485
3) Chris will be in Ottawa on April 13: https://allevents.in/ottawa/dr-labos-live-in-person/200026332496559?ref=eventlist-cat
4) Jonathan will be at WeCanReason on May 4: https://wecanreason.com/
It’s episode 100! For this very special episode, Jonathan and Chris do the Wired autocomplete interview; they answer listeners’ personal and health-related questions; and they make an announcement that will forever change the face of the podcast.
A Block: The Wired Interview
(1:14) What happens when you google “Jonathan Jarry” and “Christopher Labos,” and why do so many people want to know if Chris is married (and is he? Is he, though? Can we know, please?)
B Block: Listeners’ Questions
(22:42) Health-related questions
(47:55) Personal questions
C Block: The Future Is Here
(1:26:15) Chris has no idea what he’s about to hear.
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
What does the body of evidence say on acne and how to treat it? Plus: you’re going to want to pay attention to this latest study if you have food allergies, and Chris answers listeners’ questions about when to exercise, whether spinal cord stimulators work, and why some older adults are told that surgery would mess with their brain.
A Block: Acne
(0:59) Who gets acne; what causes acne; what are the risk factors for acne; how to treat both mild and moderate-to-severe acne.
B Block: New Food Allergy Drug
(34:16) A drug already approved to treat asthma, omalizumab (Xolair), can work against food allergies, including peanut allergy.
C Block: Answering Emails
(47:32) Questions about when is the best time to exercise (and whether or not you should be fasting); the benefits of spinal cord stimulators for people dealing with chronic pain; and why some older adults are being denied surgery.
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
Prevalence of acne
1) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.045
2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788264/
Genetics as a cause of acne
3) https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.19621.x
Psychological toll of acne
4) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2008.07.013
5) https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.1997.18131897.x
Diet and acne: the impact of milk
6) https://doi-org/10.1016/j.jaad.2004.08.007
7) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.08.049
8) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17083856/
9) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.04.030
10) https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13835
Diet and acne: the role of carbohydrates (or glycemic load)
11) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.01.046
12) https://doi.org/10.1111/ced.12673
13) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04002.x
14) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.07.043
15) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.07.043
Stress and acne
16) https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.139.7.897
Overview of acne treatments
17) https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2003.618
18) The clinical trial of Xolair for food allergies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2312382
19) The Nature News Explainer on Xolair and food allergies: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00586-8
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan on The Current to talk about wellness and skepticism: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/16040098-how-tell-wellness-trends-wrong
It’s the case of the injured water-skier, which gets Chris to talk about painkillers (NSAIDs, opioids, and Tylenol) and how quickly you lose muscle mass when you’re injured. Plus: a cancer update! Should you pay thousands of dollars for a full-body scan to make sure you don’t have cancer? Can you legally send poop through the mail? And how can we make Pap smears obsolete?
Jonathan couldn’t speak much, so Aigul stepped up as co-host!
A Block: The Case of the Injured Water-Skier
(0:58) A man survives a water-skiing accident with two fractures, but he’s still in pain two months later. Is this normal or is he malingering?
B Block: Cancer Update
(28:24) Full-body MRIs promoted by Kim Kardashian: should you pay for one?
(36:29) Colorectal cancer screening test available for free in Quebec
(41:22) Is cervical cancer coming to an end?
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Episode 100 will be an “Ask Us Anything” special. Email us your questions at: thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.
References:
1) La Presse’s report on full-body MRIs (in French): https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/un-examen-a-2500-qui-seme-le-doute/2024-02-10/vante-par-des-influenceurs-critique-par-le-corps-medical.php
2) Montreal Gazette coverage of free colorectal screening tests in Quebec: https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/quebec-to-make-free-home-based-test-available-for-colorectal-screening
3) Chris’ article about cervical cancer: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-we-can-now-envision-the-end-of-cervical-cancer
What does the body of evidence say on microplastics and their impact on our health? Plus: we talk about what we have learned about long COVID since 2020, and we discuss the very first approval for a clinical application of the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR.
A Block: Microplastics
(0:58) What are micro- and nanoplastics; microplastics in the environment and in our bodies; how they get into humans and animals; the infamous study that was retracted; occupational exposure to microplastics versus casual exposure; eating microplastics by consuming seafood; can they cause infertility; BPA and BPS; the latest study on microplastics; are plastic water filters bad; should you avoid bottled water; alternatives to single-use plastic bottles.
B Block: Long COVID Update
(37:55) The problems with diagnosing it; how to treat it; the involvement of the mitochondria; probiotics for long COVID; should people with long COVID exercise; the COVID vaccine protects against long COVID; direct-to-participant digitized clinical trials.
C Block: CRISPR Therapy Approved
(56:22) CRISPR therapy approved in the UK and US for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. Jonathan initially mischaracterizes the therapy as repairing the mutation. Chris corrects him. Don’t email us, thank you!
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Background on micro- and nanoplastics: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-is-bottled-water-bad-for-your-health
2) The recent study published in PNAS: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2300582121
3) The retracted study: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2017.21929
4) The WHO 2022 report on microplastics: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240054608
5) What kind of reusable bottle is best: https://wapo.st/3O1yy3R
6) Review article on long COVID from a Chinese team: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-023-01640-z
7) Mitochondria are involved in long COVID: https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abq1533
8) Dr. Eric Topol’s commentary on the mitochondria paper: https://erictopol.substack.com/p/long-covid-mitochondria-the-big-miss
9) The positive clinical trial on probiotics for long COVID: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00685-0
10) Exercising can be bad for long COVID: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44432-3
11) At least 3 doses of the COVID vaccine seem to provide a 70% reduction in the risk of getting long COVID: https://erictopol.substack.com/p/sotp-state-of-the-pandemic
12) What happened to the NIH RECOVER Long COVID initiative funds: https://erictopol.substack.com/p/long-covid-mitochondria-the-big-miss
13) Direct-to-participant digitized clinical trials: https://erictopol.substack.com/p/long-covid-mitochondria-the-big-miss
14) Information on CASGEVY: https://pi.vrtx.com/files/patientpackageinsert_exagamglogene_autotemcel.pdf
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on mindfulness meditation: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/mindfulness-meditation-often-fails-scientific-test
2) Jonathan’s article on the graveyard of skeptical projects: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/01/the-graveyard-of-skeptical-projects-suggests-its-funding-not-talent-that-were-lacking/
3) Chris featured at Darwin Day on February 10th for the Humanist Association of Toronto: https://www.humanisttoronto.ca/events-1/hat-forum-240127-g3ja3-3g8g9
4) Chris being interviewed at Indigo Pointe-Claire by Ken Connors on February 17: https://www.facebook.com/drlabos/posts/926877516110207
A limited series on sport science hosted by student athlete Sophie and featuring two experts: Dr. Christopher Labos, cardiologist and regular co-host of this podcast, and Nick Tiller, who holds a doctorate in exercise physiology. Together, they will answer Sophie’s questions while dispelling myths that athletes—and anybody getting into fitness—are likely to hear.
This is part 4 of 4. The topic: fitspiration. Influencers on social media showing off their toned bodies and posing on a beach can encourage you to go to the gym, but how can you judge if what they say is based on solid evidence… or if it’s all lies, exaggerations, and undeclared sponsored content?
(0:29) Intro
(1:03) Influencers are not your friends
(5:12) What credentials should I look for in a fitness influencer?
(8:43) Sponsorships not disclosed
(9:50) Looks beget credibility
(13:44) How to read a scientific paper
(20:47) What to do to protect yourself from fitness misinformation
Opening music: “Energetic Upbeat” by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
End title music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
A limited series on sport science hosted by student athlete Sophie and featuring two experts: Dr. Christopher Labos, cardiologist and regular co-host of this podcast, and Nick Tiller, who holds a doctorate in exercise physiology. Together, they will answer Sophie’s questions while dispelling myths that athletes—and anybody getting into fitness—are likely to hear.
This is part 3 of 4. The topic: supplements. Which dietary supplements have been proven beneficial through scientific studies? Is caffeine a fat burner? And are supplements even safe to take?
(0:29) Intro
(1:09) Vox pop
(4:28) The 5 or 6 dietary supplements supported by science
(6:20) What outcome are you interested in improving?
(7:32) Will caffeine help you burn fat?
(8:56) The food first approach
(13:28) Chris wants to bench-press 10 lbs, which supplements should he take?
(15:33) The quick fix mentality of supplements
(16:08) Supplements are sometimes contaminated or adulterated
(19:55) How supplements are regulated (or not)
(25:05) Can supplements burn fat?
(29:20) L-carnithine
(30:21) Boosting your immune system with vitamin C
(32:05) Can you boost your metabolism?
Opening music: “Energetic Upbeat” by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
End title music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
A limited series on sport science hosted by student athlete Sophie and featuring two experts: Dr. Christopher Labos, cardiologist and regular co-host of this podcast, and Nick Tiller, who holds a doctorate in exercise physiology. Together, they will answer Sophie’s questions while dispelling myths that athletes—and anybody getting into fitness—are likely to hear.
This is part 2 of 4. The topic: recovery. Are ice baths useful to recover from a workout? What about stretching and massages? And what three simple recommendations will do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to exercise recovery?
(0:30) Intro
(1:31) Vox pop
(4:06) How do we measure recovery?
(6:54) Ice baths
(11:53) Whole-body cryotherapy
(14:36) Contrast baths and compression garments
(19:38) Stretching, massages, TheraGun
(27:44) Three simple recommendations to recover
Opening music: “Energetic Upbeat” by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
End title music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
A limited series on sport science hosted by student athlete Sophie and featuring two experts: Dr. Christopher Labos, cardiologist and regular co-host of this podcast, and Nick Tiller, who holds a doctorate in exercise physiology. Together, they will answer Sophie’s questions while dispelling myths that athletes—and anybody getting into fitness—are likely to hear.
This is part 1 of 4. The topic: wearables. Should you be monitoring your heart rate variability, your sleep, and how many steps you walk in a day? Is all this information useful or is it just a distraction?
(0:58) Intro
(3:08) Vox pop
(5:24) Heart rate monitoring
(17:22) Body battery and proprietary algorithms
(22:30) Sleep and the limitations of the data
(27:35) Should we aim for 10,000 steps a day?
Opening music: “Energetic Upbeat” by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
End title music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
As the year comes to an end, Jonathan recruits three doctors—Chris, Niko, and Aigul—and invites them to solve two perplexing cases.
These mysteries involve a lot of (necessary?) rectal exams; the blood of witches; activated charcoal; farting patients; controversial diagnoses; tales from the ER that border on true crime; and diagnosing brain injuries through the bum!
The take-home lesson here is always check sphincter tone on a patient, even if they are barely conscious! Or something like that.
Correction: Niko was speaking off the cuff about activated charcoal possibly binding iron. We are told that it does not do it well and should not be used in the event of iron poisoning!
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
It’s Not Twitter But It’ll Do!
1) The Fern documentary on the Healy that Jonathan was interviewed for (part 1): https://youtu.be/A_Y5kdEpcu4?si=GJpqn1seZ0A7JJWB
2) Dr. Jonathan Howard’s new podcast, We Want Them Infected: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/we-want-them-infected-podcast/id1716215618
3) WeCanReason conference 2024 in Calgary: https://wecanreason.com/
4) 502 Conversations with Dr. Christopher Labos: https://youtu.be/3opqhZgcNjU?si=V2TbVeRbqUgwOclT
5) The Skeptic Zone podcast with Dr. Christopher Labos: https://youtu.be/r_eRVOTUv6I?si=EYa2GTVu7-JfTGBx&t=255
6) Chris’ appearance at the Whodunit bookstore in Winnipeg on January 21: https://whodunitbooks.ca/events/32868
Chris and Jonathan speak to Joey Fox, an engineer and the chair of the Indoor Air Quality Advisory Group for the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. COVID-19 is not over, as both Jonathan and Chris can testify. How can we better protect ourselves from the coronavirus and other respiratory viruses? By improving our air! Joey Fox explains the difference between HEPA and MERV filters, why “UV in a box” is not a good idea, and how to make sense of the different air cleaners you can buy (and make yourself!). We all care about clean drinking water. It’s time we cared about clean air as well.
(2:12) Aerosols vs. droplets
(4:49) How long can respiratory particles linger in the air?
(6:41) Medical dogma and the COVID-19 pandemic
(17:20) How Joey dodged COVID when his daughter got sick
(19:40) Air quality in schools
(22:11) HEPA vs. MERV filters: what to looks for
(24:45) Don’t say it’s airborne! or the politicization of public health
(27:29) UV light to disinfect the air
(32:09) Is the air in your kid’s school good enough?
(33:52) Which CO2 monitor to buy
(34:20) Improving air quality at home
(37:42) Corsi-Rosenthal boxes and PC fan box air cleaners
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Joey Fox’s blog: https://itsairborne.com/
2) Clean Air Stars: https://cleanairstars.com/
3) The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers’ Indoor Air Quality website: https://ospe.on.ca/indoor-air-quality/
Chris, Jonathan, and a mystery guest get together for an old-fashioned radio play. Are hot dogs and other red meat really as bad for your health as cigarettes? A doctor without a name boards an airplane and is soon asked to answer this question. It involves risk, hazard, and a budding romance.
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Music:
Jazzy Comping 2 by Agnese Valmaggia
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8550-jazzy-comping-2
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Links:
1) To buy Chris’ book: https://doescoffeecausecancer.com/
What does the body of evidence say on Ozempic and its impact on diabetes and obesity? Plus: can you trade in your antidepressant for a jog, and Chris returns to the hot seat to diagnose a teenage boy who fell during a baseball game!
Block 1:
(2:22) Ozempic/Wegovy: GLP-1 receptor agonists; the difference between them; Mounjaro; Trulicity; diabetes biology; glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2; the problem with GLP-1; DPP4 inhibitors
Block 2:
(12:33) Ozempic/Wegovy: The venom of the Gila monster; how semaglutide became a blockbuster drug; weight loss; the numerous clinical trials; the impact on the stock prices of dialysis companies; downsides; the Internet craze
Block 3:
(27:03) Is running as beneficial for depression as medication?
Block 4:
(36:42) The case of the baseball player’s heart
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
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Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) History of GLP-1 receptor agonists: https://www.statnews.com/2023/09/30/weight-loss-ozempic-nobel-prize-science/
2) Liraglutide vs. exenatide: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61267-7
3) Meta-analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonists: https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.12849
4) A brief summary of the SUSTAIN studies, all 11 of them, which demonstrated the efficacy of semaglutide and its cardiovascular benefit: https://diabetes.medicinematters.com/semaglutide/type-2-diabetes/a-quick-guide-to-the-sustain-trials/12206922
5) A brief summary of the STEP trials, all 10 of them, which tested semaglutide as a weight loss medications even in non-diabetics: https://diabetes.medicinematters.com/semaglutide/obesity/quick-guide-step-trials/18854832
6) Announcement that the FLOW trial is being stopped prematurely: https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=166327 & https://www.investors.com/news/technology/novo-nordisk-stock-pops-after-hinting-weight-loss-drug-treats-kidney-disease/
7) GI side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.19574
8) Gid M-K’s Slate article: https://slate.com/technology/2023/10/exercise-depression-anxiety-treatment-effectiveness-ssris-research.html
9) Study on running to treat depression: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723002239?via%3Dihub#s0065:~:text=https%3A//doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.064
10) Details on the DEA-Quebec app to find an AED near you: https://www.jacquesdechamplain.com/en/major-update-to-the-dea-quebec-application/
11) Government of Canada’s definition of a pesticide: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/environmental-contaminants/human-biomonitoring-resources/glyphosate-in-people.html
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on how natural health products and dietary supplements are regulated: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/false-reassurance-dietary-supplement-regulation
2) Jonathan’s article on fentanyl: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/you-wont-die-touching-fentanyl
3) Chris’ article in Medscape about the COSMOS study: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/996926
4) Chris’ Gazette article on coated vs. uncoated aspirin: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-the-bare-facts-about-coated-aspirin
Jonathan and Chris talk to David Scales, MPhil, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell and the chief medical officer at Critica. Misinformation is everywhere and it is causing actual harm. But what can we do about it beyond recognizing the problem? Dr. Scales mentions a scientific solution that transposes to social media what we know can work in an in-person setting.
(3:34) Infodemiology
(8:54) Will artificial intelligence create a “fake news” problem?
(13:06) Vaccine hesitancy post-COVID
(17:59) Is misinformation a “disease” or a symptom?
(22:20) Top-down vs. grassroots approaches
(28:23) Social media vs. misinformation
(33:54) A scientific solution
(51:15) AI bots to the rescue?
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The book Dr. Scales mentioned: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51152447-caste
2) The Victor Pickard paper on public media funding in different countries: https://doi.org/10.1177/19401612211060255
3) The EMMIE program: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/advice-and-prevention/vaccination/motivational-interviewing-in-maternity-for-the-immunization
4) Critica’s proposed protocol for countering scientific misinformation online: https://criticascience.org/the-critica-protocol/
5) The Critica website: https://criticascience.org/
6) David Scales on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tnfalpha.bsky.social
What does the body of evidence say on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and how to treat the #1 cause of blindness in North America? Plus: which vaccines are available this fall to prevent respiratory tract infections, and a look at whether blue-light-blocking glasses will make a difference in your life!
Block 1:
(2:15) AMD: how common it is, what happens in the eye, risk factors
Block 2:
(9:20) AMD: dry AMD versus wet AMD, how to diagnose it, how to prevent it, AREDS supplements, VEGF inhibitors, lasers, rehabilitation
Block 3:
(25:54) Fall vaccines: COVID, influenza, and RSV
Block 4:
(40:19) Blue-blocking glasses
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
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Assistant researchers: Aigul Zaripova and Ali Baghirov
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) General background on AMD: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration & https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration
2) Prevalence of AMD by age: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161642000005807
3) Rotterdam study: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.294.24.3101
4) EYE-RISK consortium about the Mediterranean diet: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.08.006
5) The Beaver Dam Eye Study on smoking and AMD: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.04.040
6) A Prospective Study of Cigarette Smoking and AMD in Women: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/409082
7) AREDS study: https://doi.org/10.1001%2Farchopht.119.10.1417
8) AREDS 2 study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1684847
9) Study linking beta-carotene to cancer in smokers: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/62.6.1427s
10) Omega-3s in the VITAL study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2772366
11) Background on anti-VEGF therapies: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/anti-vegf-treatment-of-macular-degeneration-science-based-success/
12) NEJM paper comparing ranibizumab to bevacizumab: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1102673
13) 10-year outcomes of anti-VEGF therapy in AMD: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjophth-2023-001328
14) Cochrane review of monthly versus as-needed treatment: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012208.pub2
15) Cochrane review on complement inhibitors for AMD: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd009300.pub3
16) Pegcetacoplan for AMD: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/pegcetacoplan-a-new-treatment-for-macular-degeneration/
17) Cochrane review on photodynamic therapy for AMD: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002030.pub3
18) Stem cells for AMD: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1609583 & https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/this-clinics-experimental-stem-cell-treatment-blinded-patients-four-years-later-the-government-is-still-trying-to-shut-it-down/2019/04/03/432d6d04-ff2f-11e8-83c0-b06139e540e5_story.html & https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/patients-blinded-by-stem-cells-update/
19) Jonathan’s article on blue-blocking glasses: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/feeling-blue-about-evidence-blue-blocking-glasses
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on current trends in pseudoscience: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-pseudoscience/whats-trending-world-pseudoscience
2) Jonathan quoted in the New York Times about RFK Jr.: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/technology/rfk-jr-campaign-vaccines.html
3) Annual meeting of the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec: https://www.acs.qc.ca/activite/2171-.html?month=&year=&tri=H&page=1
4) Chris’ book, on sale now: http://doescoffeecausecancer.com/
5) Chris’ upcoming panel at Concordia University: https://icare.mbmc-cmcm.ca/events-media-coverage/cafe-scientifique/
Chris and Jonathan talk to Michelle Cohen, MD, CCFP, FCFP, an assistant professor at Queen University’s Department of Family Medicine and a staff physician at Lakeview Family Health Team. Dr. Cohen provides gender-affirming care and is here to dispel myths surrounding trans people, especially the panic around the mistaken idea that children are being rushed to transition. If you have a child who is questioning their gender identity, make sure to listen to this episode before reading what the media typically reports on trans issues.
Of note, the “1 Million March for Children” is scheduled to take place on September 20th across Canada. It is part of our current anti-trans panic, with the organizers claiming to “peacefully protest against the push for LGBT ideology in schools.”
(2:10) What is gender-affirming care and how easy is it to access?
(8:39) Gender vs. sex
(13:44) Estrogen is not just for women
(19:08) Children are not being rushed through trans medical care
(23:15) Puberty blockers are not just for trans teens
(28:27) Transition surgeries are not happening for teens under the age of legal majority
(31:31) Is “trans” the new “emo?”
(35:30) Intersex people and non-consensual surgeries
(37:24) The media fuels the trans panic, which has ties to the anti-vaccine movement
(42:46) Canadian transphobia: imported or homegrown?
(45:28) Your kid is questioning their gender. Now what?
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The anonymous National Post editorial: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/np-view-canada-must-slow-down-and-reform-transgender-treatments-for-minors
2) The San Francisco Chronicle article by Soleil Ho: https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/new-york-times-trans-18214925.php
3) Michelle Cohen on X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/DocMCohen
4) Michelle Cohen on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/docmcohen.bsky.social
5) Michelle Cohen on Informed Opinions: https://informedopinions.org/view-expert-profile/?expert-id=45189
Is there a mysterious neurological syndrome harming the people of New Brunswick? And is the Government of New Brunswick suppressing the truth so as not to upset commercial interests? That is certainly the story strongly hinted at by the Canadaland podcast, which has featured a New Brunswick neurologist who now claims to have identified over 200 cases of this strange new sickness.
Jonathan and Chris are joined in their discussion of this story by Aigul Zaripova, a medical student who collaborates with them on the podcast. Together, they will unpack the official timeline of events and their thoughts on how diseases present in patients, and Jonathan will put forward an important hypothesis that seems to have been ignored by those pushing a conspiracy theory.
(2:55) The official timeline of events
(7:50) Chris’ initial thoughts
(14:07) Aigul’s initial thoughts
(16:18) The appeal of special diagnoses
(19:03) Canadaland’s coverage of this alleged syndrome
(22:34) Conspiracy theories and the demonization of glyphosate
(28:45) The last neurologist standing
(32:16) Jonathan’s theory
(38:28) Dr. Marrero vs. the government
(46:54) Concluding remarks
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The Government of New Brunswick’s official timeline: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/neuro-cluster.html
2) Final report on the situation: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/neuro/final-report.pdf
3) Canadaland #746: Is New Brunswick Covering Up a Deadly Brain Disease? https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/746-is-new-brunswick-covering-up-a-deadly-brain-disease/
4) Canadaland #808: Is New Brunswick Covering Up a Deadly Brain Disease? Revisit. https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/808-is-new-brunswick-covering-up-a-deadly-brain-disease/
5) Canadaland #894: Mystery Brain Disease Cases Quadruple, Says New Brunswick Doctor. https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/894-mystery-brain-disease-patients-quadruple-says-new-brunswick-doctor/
What does the body of evidence say on air quality and how to protect ourselves from airborne pollution? Plus: a birth control pill becomes easier to access in the Republic of Gilead, and Chris returns to the hot seat to help a lawyer with blood-streaked loose stool!
Block 1:
(2:11) Air Quality: forest fires and their causes; major air pollutants; what causes air pollution; improvements in air quality
Block 2:
(8:56) Air Quality: what the air quality index is; why there are different indices in different countries; whether poor air quality leads to poor health outcomes; biomass air pollution; how we can protect ourselves
Block 3:
(24:03) An over-the-counter birth control pill in the USA
Block 4:
(33:15) Chris becomes House, MD. His patient: a lawyer with blood-streaked loose stool
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Basics of air quality: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-pollution/research-science/about/air-quality-overview.html
2) Sources of air pollution: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/air-pollutant-emissions.html
3) Quantifying the risk of air pollution: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1104975
4) The WHO’s estimates of premature deaths worldwide in 2019 due to poor air quality: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
5) The Air Quality Index: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-quality-health-index/about.html & https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-quality-health-index/understanding-messages.html & https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data/how-aqi-calculated
6) Report on the health effects of air quality: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/reducing-air-pollution-uk-progress-report-2018
7) The Harvard Six Cities study: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200503-443OC
8) Cochrane review on individual-level interventions to reduce exposure to air pollution: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013441.pub2
9) The case of the 36-year-old lawyer with blood-streaked loose stool: https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/993938_1
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on transcranial direct current stimulation: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-technology/brain-zapping-may-probably-appear-be-doing-something
2) Jonathan on the Conspirituality podcast to discuss Andrew Huberman: https://www.conspirituality.net/episodes/163-the-huberman-paradox-jonathan-jarry
3) Jonathan is now on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjarry.bsky.social
4) Chris wrote a book called Does Coffee Cause Cancer? Pre-order it now! https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer?_pos=1&_sid=e672b52c1&_ss=r
Jonathan and Chris speak to Anna Merlan, a senior reporter with Motherboard and the author of the book Republic of Lies: American Conspiracy Theorists and Their Surprising Rise to Power.
How has the anti-vaccine movement changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Its influencers deny the “mainstream narrative” on vaccine safety, which makes them prone to embrace other conspiracy theories. And what happens when one of their leading figures makes a run for the American presidency?
(1:18) Today’s anti-vaccine influencers
(7:09) Malice versus stupidity
(8:20) The anti-vaxx media ecosystem
(10:46) Doctors becoming anti-vaccine
(12:23) RFK Jr. for the presidency
(20:20) Contradictions in the conspiracy world
(23:50) How do you responsibly interview an anti-vaxxer (or a cholesterol-denying doctor)?
(29:44) Debating vaccine safety
(39:41) Are all anti-vaxxers conspiritualists?
(46:02) How profitable is the anti-vaccine industry?
(48:48) How much opposition to vaccines is due to the needle?
(53:59) Reconciling Pharma skepticism and a pro-vaccine stance
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Anna Merlan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/annamerlan
2) Anna Merlan on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/annamerlan.bsky.social
3) Anna Merlan’s Vice News author page: https://www.vice.com/en/contributor/anna-merlan
4) Anna Merlan’s email address: anna(dot)merlan(a)vice(dot)com
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of bioidentical hormones? Plus: a new gene therapy troublingly gets approved by the FDA, and Health Canada finally changes how it regulates natural health products (a little).
Block 1:
(2:19) Bioidentical hormones: sex hormones, hormone replacement therapy, testosterone replacement therapy, and what “bioidentical hormone” means
Block 2:
(9:36) Bioidentical hormones: biosimilars, compounding pharmacies, regulation, the all-natural claim, why bioidentical hormones are not safer, and the individualization claim
Block 3:
(22:17) A controversial new gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Block 4:
(39:32) Health Canada is coming for your vitamins (or not)
-
Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Our previous episode on menopause and hormone replacement therapy: https://bodyofevidence.ca/071-menopause-and-psychedelics
2) Our previous episode on testosterone: https://bodyofevidence.ca/028-testosterone-and-bad-food-science
3) Chris’ article on the overprescription of testosterone therapy: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/christopher-labos-many-men-prescribed-testosterone-dont-need-it
4) Jonathan’s article on biosimilars: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/general-science/when-living-things-make-our-drugs-us
5) A recent New England Journal of Medicine study about testosterone safety: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2215025
6) FDA review of compounded products: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/report-limited-fda-survey-compounded-drug-products
7) Report of endometrial cancer in women using compounded hormonal therapy: https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01210.x
8) Jonathan’s article on Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical/controversial-gene-therapy-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy
9) Health Canada’s changes to the regulation of natural health products: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/legislation-guidelines/protecting-canadians-unsafe-drugs-act-vanessa-law-amendments-food-drugs-act.html
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on the milkmaid myth: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-history/white-lie-heart-vaccine-history
2) Jonathan quoted in TIME magazine about Andrew Huberman: https://time.com/6290594/andrew-hubman-lab-podcast-interview/
3) Pre-order Chris’ book! http://doescoffeecausecancer.com/
Chris and Jonathan speak to Ken Milne, the host of the Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine and a physician who practices rural emergency medicine in Ontario.
What is it like treating patients away from major urban centres? It may actually be better in some ways! Also, the trio tackles the unfolding crisis in which Canadian emergency departments are temporarily closing due to a lack of proper resources. When doctors complain they lack beds, they don’t mean furniture.
(2:06) The Batdoc and the Flash
(2:50) What is rural emergency medicine?
(19:52) ER vs. Scrubs vs. MAS*H vs. House, MD
(24:45) The crisis in Canada’s emergency medicine departments
(48:48) The future of our healthcare system
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Ken’s website: https://thesgem.com/
2) Ken’s Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/TheSGEM
Exceptionally, we are releasing this month's patron-only bonus episode, Digressions, on the main feed. Chris answers a patron's question about fever delirium (is that really a thing or a Hollywood invention?), and we dig into a paper that claims to show that a cheap diabetes drug, metformin, can be used to prevent long COVID.
We do this type of bonus episode every month for our patrons. If you would like to contribute to the show and gain access to future Digressions (as well as our extensive back catalogue of patron-only bonuses), sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/overview
Thank you!
What does the body of evidence say on fevers and whether or not we should treat them? Plus: more and more children are getting invasive streptococcal disease, and Chris fulfills two dreams of his: to become Dr. House and to write a book!
Block 1:
(1:47) Fever: what a fever is; the role the hypothalamus plays; why we shiver
Block 2:
(7:36) Fever: why fevers start; whether high fevers mean a worse condition; whether fevers help you fight an infection; febrile seizures; whether you should treat a fever; what a normal body temperature is; where you should stick that thermometre
Block 3:
(22:32) A rise in cases of invasive streptococcal disease in children
Block 4:
(32:21) Chris becomes House, MD. Play along!
-
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) XKCD cartoon on killing cancer cells: https://xkcd.com/1217/
2) Meta-analysis on the risks and benefits of fever reduction in adults: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35820685/
3) Prognosis of febrile seizures in children: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18692714/
4) The use of fever medication to prevent recurrent febrile seizures in children:
a) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23702315/
b) https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/5/e20181009/38533/Acetaminophen-and-Febrile-Seizure-Recurrences?autologincheck=redirected#
c) https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003031.pub3/full
5) Normal variation in body temperature: https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5468
6) Diagnostic accuracy of ear thermometers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32398036/
7) CBC’s report on streptococcal disease in Waterloo, Ontario: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6847676
8) The Medscape Emergency Medicine Case Challenge: https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/855744
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s article on the Big Pharma gambit: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/what-big-pharma-accusation-gets-right-and-wrong-about-drug-industry
2) Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Public Health Threat: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713402/conspirituality-by-derek-beres-matthew-remski-and-julian-walker/9781039005532
3) Chris’ Gazette article on coronary artery calcium: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-calcium-deposits-in-the-arteries-not-always-a-worry
4) Chris wrote a book called Does Coffee Cause Cancer? Pre-order it now! https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer?_pos=1&_sid=e672b52c1&_ss=r
Jonathan and Chris speak to Julie Robitaille, a Ph.D. student investigating endocrine disruptors in waste water and the president of the student committee of the Intersectoral Centre for Endocrine Disruptors Analysis.
We’ve all heard of them: chemicals that mimic hormones and that are found in everyday products. What are they doing to human health? Many of these endocrine disruptors play important roles in the products we buy, but what we are learning about many of them makes us wonder why they have been so poorly studied given their ubiquity. Should you avoid BPA in plastic? What if its replacement is worse?
(1:11) What the endocrine system is
(6:06) What endocrine disruptors are
(7:00) Julie’s academic background
(8:19) The role of plastic in our lives
(10:02) Why we use BPA and what we know about its risk
(14:38) The difficulty of studying the effects of endocrine disruptors in humans and other potential culprits of ill health
(16:58) What the contraceptive pill does to fish
(20:49) The public discourse on endocrine disruptors
(23:07) Banning endocrine disruptors and the problem with current regulatory approaches
(29:56) How to avoid endocrine disruptors when shopping and what we know about paper receipts
(33:30) Some compounds have a reason to be there. Others, not so much.
(37:25) Who is most vulnerable to the effects of endocrine disruptors
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The website of the Intersectoral Centre for Endocrine Disruptor Analysis: https://www.ciape-iceda.ca/?lang=en
2) The Centre’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ciape.iceda/
3) The Centre’s Twitter account: https://twitter.com/CIAPE_ICEDA
4) The McGill study on BPS migrating from labels into food: https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/fresh-produce-contaminated-toxic-bpa-chemicals-found-food-labels-study-finds-346889
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of gluten, celiac disease, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity? Plus: a puzzling finding in nutritional epidemiology is painted as a conspiracy, and the FDA is getting sued by people who claim the abortion drug mifepristone was wrongly approved… twenty years ago.
Block 1:
(2:26) Gluten: what gluten is, what celiac disease is, whether or not it’s an allergy, the genetic cause, the solution, and how to test for it
Block 2:
(10:04) Gluten: gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and other explanations for its symptoms, including FODMAPs
Block 3:
(26:12) A mystery for the ages: is ice cream… good for you?
Block 4:
(43:53) The lawsuit against the abortion drug mifepristone
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Jingle Lyrics:
FODMAPs! Woo-oo!
It’s not gluten, it really is
FODMAPs! Woo-oo!
Unless you have celiac, it’s really
FODMAPs! Woo-oo!
F-f-f fructose, lactose, fructans
Found in bread and dairy and fruits
If you feel ill, just avoid these
FODMAPs! Woo-oo!
Some foods have a lot of them, it’s
FODMAPs! Woo-oo!
Other foods are low in them, it’s
FODMAPs! Woo-oo!
References:
1) Alan Levinovitz’s The Gluten Lie: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23280245-the-gluten-lie
2) Cancer incidence in people with celiac disease: https://doi.org/10.1053/gast.2002.36585
3) Testing for gluten-related disorders: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/642452
4) Trends in gluten avoidance: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.10.012
5) First gluten sensitivity trial mentioned: https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2010.487
6) Second gluten sensitivity trial mentioned, with FODMAPs: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2013.04.051
7) Crossover trial of non-celiac gluten sensitivity in children: https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2017.483
8) The Atlantic article on the ice cream problem: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/05/ice-cream-bad-for-you-health-study/673487/
9) Scientific American’s write-up on the legal case surrounding mifepristone: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mifepristone-is-safe-a-court-ruling-reducing-access-to-it-is-dangerous/
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan’s interview in the Tribune: https://www.thetribune.ca/sci-tech/combatting-pseudoscience-with-reason-and-rationality-030423/
2) Dr. Jonathan Howard’s book, We Want Them Infected: https://redhawkpublications.com/We-Want-Them-Infected-p547021769
3) Chris’ article on the misguided use of honey to treat allergies: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/christopher-labos-no-eating-honey-wont-help-your-seasonal-allergies
Music Credits:
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Wish For Victory by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8102-wish-for-victory
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan speak to Professor Carla Sharp, the director of both the Developmental Psychopathology Lab and the Adolescent Diagnosis Assessment Prevention and Treatment Center at the University of Houston.
Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock. Batman’s rogues gallery. Hollywood loves to both glamourize and stigmatize psychopathology, including personality disorders. But what do we really know about personality disorders? Does histrionic personality disorder even exist? Why is one such disorder called “borderline?” Is psychopathy a real diagnosis? And can we really put people and all their complexities into such clear boxes as the ten official personality disorders?
(2:03) How Hollywood exploits mental illness and how the diagnosing of personality disorders is shifting
(11:00) Psychopaths and the 10 personality disorders
(14:14) What even is a personality disorder?
(19:19) The origin of histrionic personality disorder
(21:00) The difference between schizophrenia and schizoid/schizotypal personality disorders
(23:39) When a personality disorder emerges and the differences between men and women
(27:38) Personality disorders run in families and parents can make a real difference
(35:47) Personality disorders are sometimes misdiagnosed as autism
(37:26) Are people with antisocial personality disorder drawn to surgery?
(41:03) Why is it called “borderline personality disorder?”
(44:29) Does multiple personality disorder exist?
(47:00) Do personality disorders improve over time?
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Carla Sharp’s review of personality disorders in the New England Journal of Medicine: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmra2120164
2) The National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder: https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/
3) The Sashbear Foundation: https://sashbear.org/
4) Emotions Matter: https://emotionsmatterbpd.org/
What does the body of evidence say on whether violent video games cause violence in real life? Plus: a Slate article argues that long COVID just isn’t that bad, and can you biopsy the prostate without going up the bum?
Block 1:
(2:18) Violent video games: what the AAP and APA say about violent video games; court case; the review at the heart of the debate; what is violence; the evolution of video games
Block 2:
(8:25) Violent video games: the Bobo doll experiments; measuring aggressive behaviour and attitudes; little data on children; what we don’t know; what Chris would do
Block 3:
(24:20) Long COVID Comes Into the Light
Block 4:
(43:53) A new way of getting a prostate biopsy / The Last of Us’ bad science
-
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The American Academy of Paediatrics statement on video games: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/108/5/1222/63763/Media-Violence?redirectedFrom=fulltext?autologincheck=redirected
2) The American Psychological Association’s 2015 Task Force report: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-07146-003
3) Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_v._Entertainment_Merchants_Association#cite_note-49 & http://mediacoalition.org/mediaimages/Schwarzenegger%20v.%20EMA_Social%20Science%20Brief_09.17.10.pdf
4) The Bobo doll experiments: https://simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html
5) Long COVID Comes Into the Light: https://slate.com/technology/2023/03/long-covid-symptoms-studies-research-variant.html
6) Reaction to Jeff Wise’s previous article on long COVID: https://www.meaction.net/2022/11/10/elementor-59066/
7) Request for the retraction of the Slate article: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QqVjAIvklDhp7BgCKsaz3ftiful9utUKNBDeBGxwxg4/edit
8) Transperineal prostate biopsies: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/989696?ecd=WNL_confwrap_230322_MSCPEDIT&uac=207389HY&impID=5267564#vp_2
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan interviewed for The Skeptic Zone: https://youtu.be/iHZ8z9eigK8
2) Jonathan’s article on 911 call analysis: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking/caller-killer-911-call-analysis-cant-give-you-right-answer
3) Chris on CBC’s morning show about Candida auris: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2187559491808
Jonathan and Chris speak to Dr. Justin Sanders, the director of palliative care at McGill, on the topic of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). What are the arguments for and against MAiD? And what do we make of the thornier aspects of euthanasia, like its intersection with disability rights and the conflict of interest at the heart of a government that funds both assisted suicide and palliative care?
(2:30) What is palliative care?
(10:21) The history of MAiD in Canada
(15:34) Sedation vs. MAiD
(19:30) The need for control at the end of life
(21:15) The arguments for MAiD
(23:34) Feeling like a burden
(27:33) MAiD vs. disability rights
(36:20) The social safety net and the government’s conflict of interest
(41:55) Most people don’t want to die
(44:22) MAiD for mental illness
(49:25) Tenfold increase in Canadians receiving MAiD
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Carter v. Canada: https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/14637/index.do
2) Information on medical assistance in dying in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/medical-assistance-dying.html
3) CTV’s coverage of the expansion into mental illness: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/the-issue-of-expanding-assisted-dying-eligibility-has-already-been-decided-senator-1.6313740
4) The 2021 report on MAiD services in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/medical-assistance-dying/annual-report-2021.html
What does the body of evidence say on erectile dysfunction? Plus: why was a woman in need of a heart transplant was denied the procedure, and what happens when you have advanced HIV and you catch mpox?
Block 1:
(2:06) Erectile dysfunction: definitions, how common it is, causes
Block 2:
(9:13) Erectile dysfunction: the psychological angle, figuring out what’s causing it, treatments, the blue haze effect, cardiac risk, prevention, all-natural sexual enhancers
Block 3:
(25:38) Transplant denial because of refusal to get vaccinated
Block 4:
(35:31) Mpox + advanced HIV = bad
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The Massachusetts Male Aging Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10647654/
2) Efficacy and side effects of sildenafil: https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.162.12.1349
3) Safety of sildenafil (Viagra) after heart attack: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2003.09.030
4) Addition of testosterone for erectile dysfunction: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-10-201211200-00004
5) Natural health products contaminated with Viagra: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/196675
6) Mother denied transplant due to vaccination status: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/no-jab-no-heart-mother-denied-transplant-due-to-vaccination-status/news-story/5580aca526744d15fe1a25e595ef7d76
7) Mpox in people with advanced HIV infection: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00273-8
8) CBC coverage of the mpox study: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/15-per-cent-death-rate-severe-lesions-reported-in-patients-with-mpox-alongside-advanced-hiv-study-1.6756429
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan interviewed for Fast Company on the Liver King: https://www.fastcompany.com/90839190/liver-kings-fall-ancestral-living-need-a-new-dad
2) Jonathan writing about digital amnesia: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-technology/digital-amnesia-has-been-exaggerated
3) Jack Lawrence’s Skeptics in the Pub talk on ivermectin: https://youtu.be/1Nvp-zyLfaQ
4) Chris’ article on biotin: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-take-biotin-for-most-better-to-save-your-money
Chris and Jonathan talk to Vincent Denault, who researches nonverbal communication. Are there human lie detectors? Is someone lying when their eyes are shifty? And more importantly, do people in positions of power believe the pseudoscience of lie detection?
(2:54) What is nonverbal communication?
(7:09) Vincent thought he could become a human lie detector
(9:45) Is there a clear way to know when someone is lying?
(18:30) Lie to Me and The Mentalist
(22:53) Hollywood’s love affair with body language
(30:14) Is there a dictionary for nonverbal communication?
(31:26) Reading politicians’ body language
(34:57) How good are we at detecting lies?
(36:00) The polygraph
(44:08) Are judges, lawyers and cops aware of this BS?
(49:31) Nonverbal communication in healthcare
(52:51) Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Vincent’s website: http://vincentdenault.ca/
2) Vincent on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/vincedenault/
Chris and Jonathan look at the already-infamous 2023 Cochrane review on masks, which many people are claiming shows that “masks don’t work.”
References:
1) The Cochrane review: https://www.cochrane.org/CD006207/ARI_do-physical-measures-such-hand-washing-or-wearing-masks-stop-or-slow-down-spread-respiratory-viruses
2) Tom Jefferson’s interview by Maryanne Demasi: https://maryannedemasi.substack.com/p/exclusive-lead-author-of-new-cochrane
3) Tom Jefferson’s own Substack blog post about the review: https://trusttheevidence.substack.com/p/escaping-from-social-and-other-media?r=208v9e&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of healthcare-acquired infections? Plus: CBD is put on trial to see how well it does against the symptoms of advanced cancer, and the world’s elites reveal their most damning secret: they don’t think COVID is just a bad cold.
Block 1:
(2:02) Nosocomial infections: what they are, difference from iatrogenic infections, what the US did to reduce them, types of infections
Block 2:
(9:51) Nosocomial infections: hand hygiene, disposable equipment, single-patient rooms, bed cleaning, ventilation, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MRSA, VRE), decolonization protocols, C. difficile, #DeathToAllSinks, UV light, copper
Block 3:
(32:13) Clinical trial of cannabidiol against placebo for the symptoms of advanced cancer [We briefly mention the Hawthorne effect. It turns out to be a phrase we probably shouldn’t use. See here.]
Block 4:
(42:13) Davos’ COVID measures
-
Jingle by Joseph Hackl
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Chris’ proof that you can, in fact, live a perfectly normal life after donating a kidney: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa0804883
2) Nosocomial infections are particularly prevalent in ICUs: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/184963
3) Medicare no longer pays for hospital-acquired infections: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/184963
4) Hospital-wide hand hygiene programs do work to reduce hospital infections: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)02814-2/fulltext
5) Washing hands properly for 30 seconds is necessary to kill bacteria like VRE: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/abs/recovery-of-vancomycinresistant-enterococci-on-fingertips-and-environmental-surfaces/FBFBC3EABFA22A7A28420AFB2CCACC51
6) The REACH study found that hospitals implementing a new cleaning bundle reduced VRE but not C. difficile infections: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(18)30714-X/fulltext
7) MRSA decolonization with chlorhexidine baths does reduce infections in the ICU: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1207290 & https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30850112/
8) Basic infection control measures do work for C. difficile as well, even if regular alcohol disinfectants do not: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central/doi/10.1002/central/CN-01604607/full
9) Ultraviolet light can also be used as an adjunctive disinfection agent: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5935446/
10) UV-C light can also be caused to clean the air as a COVID mitigation strategy: https://ghdcenter.hms.harvard.edu/keeping-public-spaces-safe
11) Sinks as a source of outbreaks: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34438134/
12) Scott Gavura’s Science-Based Medicine article: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/cbd-oil-fails-to-improve-symptom-control-in-advanced-cancer/
13) The clinical trial on CBD for advanced cancer symptoms: https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.22.01632
14) World Economic Forum’s Guidance on Health Measures: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/AM23_Health_and_Safety_Measures.pdf
15) “Billionaires at Davos Don’t Think COVID Is a Cold:” https://slate.com/technology/2023/01/davos-covid-precaution-uv-lights-air-filters.html
16) “The Last Holdouts:” https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/26/us/covid-masks-risk.html
17) What Bonnie Henry said about masking: https://twitter.com/frozen/status/1614053203800383489
18) Gregg Gonsalves’ article in The Nation: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/orwellian-white-house-covid-policy/
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan talking about so-called complementary and alternative medicine on the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast: https://www.jennirawlings.com/podcast/whats-the-deal-with-complementary-alternative-medicine
2) Jonathan’s article on the low-oxalate diet: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/demonization-dietary-oxalate-has-begun
3) Death Panel podcast, “COVID Year Three:” https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-death-panel/episode/covid-year-three-unlocked-210210266
4) Chris’ Gazette article about Canada’s new alcohol guidelines: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-new-guidelines-reflect-fact-that-alcohol-isnt-good-for-you
5) Chris on CTV talking about alcohol: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2591451
Time Machine:
1) Our episode on fibromyalgia: https://bodyofevidence.ca/073-fibromyalgia-mixing-vaccines-myocarditis-risk
2) Our interview on CPR: https://bodyofevidence.ca/interview-trysha-gellis-and-jacqueline-joza-on-cpr-and-sudden-cardiac-arrest
Jonathan and Chris talk to Tom Thumb, the author of the book Science for Hippies. How do you have productive conversations with people who believe that we can never truly know anything and that everything happens for a reason? Tom shares his experience being a rational hippie trying to get his friends to think more scientifically, especially in the middle of a pandemic!
(1:41) Why a science book for hippies?
(7:11) Natural immunity and germ denialism
(10:55) What science communicators get wrong
(17:21) Trust and meeting experts in person
(22:02) “We can never truly know anything”
(24:38) “Everything happens for a reason”
(31:48) The squishy middle
(33:11) Quantum woo and science envy
(39:27) Tom’s most embarrassing story
(47:57) Tips on being more humble
(50:31) Science and magic
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Tom’s book, Science for Hippies: https://scienceforhippies.com/
2) Tom’s personal website: https://tomthumb.org/
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of osteoporosis? Plus: we look at a genuinely breakthrough therapy for metastatic melanoma, and Chris lets you in on a troubling “secret” when it comes to travel health insurance! You will also learn what a “dowager’s hump” is and hear Chris sing, and for that we formally apologize.
Block 1:
(2:01) Osteoporosis: what it is; bone cells and how they are assessed
Block 2:
(9:02) Osteoporosis: bone mineral density, T-score and Z-score; can doctors see signs of osteoporosis in the clinic; causes of osteoporosis; treating it: lifestyle changes, supplements, bisphosphonates, and Prolia; screening guidelines
Block 3:
(32:04) Breakthrough therapy for metastatic melanoma: TILs (vs. ipilimumab)
Block 4:
(47:53) Travel insurance caveat
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Estrogen does reduce the risk of hip fracture from osteoporosis: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.3.321
2) Exercise increases bone mineral density in post-menopausal women: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-108-6-824 & https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.18.2300
3) Calcium and vitamin D supplementation and the risk of fractures: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.19344
4) Medications can reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2685995
5) Screening guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/osteoporosis-screening
6) Results from the phase III clinical trial comparing TILs to ipilumumab in advanced melanoma: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2210233
It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:
1) Jonathan on the Martial Culture Podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-martial-culture-podcast/episode/combating-pseudoscience-unscientific-thinkings-in-martial-arts-w-jonathan-jarry-209989826
2) Jonathan’s article on the Healy: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-pseudoscience/healy-old-woo-new-clothes
3) The Hard Fork Podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/podcasts/hard-fork-technology.html
4) The CTV Montreal News website: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.1332485
5) The CBC Player: https://www.cbc.ca/player/news
6) The CJAD website: https://www.iheartradio.ca/cjad
7) Odyssey TV: http://odysseytv.ca/
8) Chris on the CBC, interviewed about mpox: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mpox-outbreak-canada-plateau-1.6696842
Time Machine:
1) Our episode on childbirth: https://bodyofevidence.ca/042-childbirth-and-crowdfunding-quackery
2) Our interview on conspirituality: https://bodyofevidence.ca/interview-matthew-remski-on-conspirituality
Music Credits:
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: 3am Glowsticks by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9166-3am-glowsticks
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan welcome back Dr. Jonathan Howard to talk about the doctors who repeatedly said the pandemic was ending and who became anti-vaccine in the process. When doctors become brands, narcissism can easily lead them and their fans astray, as these media figures chase an ever elusive limelight. Dr. Howard has been tracking their claims and predictions and brings the receipts.
(2:38) Dr. Vinay Prasad, pre-pandemic
(8:41) ZDoggMD, Marty Makary, and Vinay Prasad on vaccine boosters
(12:01) Paediatric COVID vaccines
(15:00) An appeal to civility on the one hand, mockery on the other
(16:56) Dr. John Ioannidis and basic math
(27:22) “You have to accept it”
(32:27) Classic anti-vaccine talking points
(36:10) “Where’s the RCT?”
(39:37) Jonathan Howard’s connection to the anti-vaccine movement
(41:53) Audience capture
(44:49) Charisma and credibility
(49:33) New York City denialism
(51:36) Ron DeSantis’ Vaccine Accountability Roundtable
(55:41) Self-reflection
A quick note on sound quality: the clicking sound on Dr. Howard’s end very quickly disappears. The rest of the audio is not up to our usual standards, and for this we apologize. Audio engineering is closer to magic than science, it seems.
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The ZDoggMD Show episode you hear at the beginning: https://youtu.be/cNcVCFLhbAs?t=42
2) Dr. Jonathan Howard’s articles on Science-Based Medicine: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/author/jonathanhoward/
3) Dr. Jonathan Howard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/19joho
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of gun control? Plus: we address why more and more children are accidentally getting poisoned with cannabis, and we wonder if a vaccine against RSV might be around the corner!
Warning: discussions of suicide in the first half. If you need help, please reach out: https://talksuicide.ca/.
Block 1:
(2:42) Gun control: gun deaths, where the data comes from, violent crime vs. suicide
Block 2:
(11:47) Gun control: the Canadian situation, rising rates of gun crimes, accidental gun deaths, research into gun violence, quality of the evidence for specific policies
Block 3:
(26:27) Unintentional cannabis poisonings in children
Block 4:
(36:49) RSV vaccines
-
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Gun violence data from the American Public Health Association: https://www.apha.org/-/media/Files/PDF/factsheets/200221_Gun_Violence_Fact_Sheet.ashx
2) Canadian statistics: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00009-eng.htm & https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/jsp-sjp/wd98_4-dt98_4/p4.html#a41
3) Public health approach to gun violence prevention: https://efsgv.org/learn/learn-more-about-gun-violence/public-health-approach-to-gun-violence-prevention/
4) RAND Corporation, What Science Tells Us About the Effects of Gun Policies: https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/key-findings/what-science-tells-us-about-the-effects-of-gun-policies.html
5) RAND Corporation, The Science of Gun Policy: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2088-1.html
6) RAND Corporation, Gun Policy in America: https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy.html
7) Study on edible cannabis legalization and unintentional poisonings in children: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmc2207661
Time machine:
1) Our episode on stomach ulcers: https://bodyofevidence.ca/063-stomach-ulcers-and-covid-19
2) Our interview with Brennen McKenzie on pets: https://bodyofevidence.ca/interview-brennen-mckenzie-on-pets
Chris was a guest on the Montreal Gazette’s Corner Booth podcast, alongside local reporter Aaron Derfel, to discuss the on-going pandemic, COVID-19 denialism, and government messaging. We are bringing you this episode with the Corner Booth’s permission. It was recorded in a restaurant and the first question the host asks is, “Why is Chris wearing a mask?”
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Why is Chris wearing a mask
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Why is Aaron Derfel not wearing a mask
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Has the government not taken air quality seriously?
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The next pandemic
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COVID-19 denialism
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Government messaging
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Jonas Salk and the polio vaccine
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“Take the vaccine, you won’t get COVID”
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Long COVID
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COVID in schools
What does history teach us about the controversy over cholesterol? Plus: we look at the zombie myth that soccer players are dying from the COVID-19 vaccine, and we dissect a new clinical trial of colonoscopies that reports disappointing results and compare it to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s enthusiasm for the procedure itself!
Block 1:
(1:50) Cholesterol: conflicting animal studies at the beginning of the 1900s
Block 2:
(9:28) Cholesterol: observational studies of high-fat diets in humans, randomized trials on low-animal-fat diets, drug trials
Block 3:
(27:19) Soccer players kicking the bucket? Not so much
Block 4:
(37:47) Colonoscopies: screening recommendations, alternatives to colonoscopies, latest trial
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
Anybody interested in an in-depth review of the history of cholesterol research can read the series of articles by Daniel Steinberg published in the Journal of Lipid Research
- Steinberg, Daniel Thematic review series: the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. An interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy: part 1. J Lipid Res. 2004 Sep;45(9):1583-93. doi: 10.1194/jlr.R400003-JLR200.
- Steinberg D. Thematic review series: the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. An interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy: part 2: the early evidence linking hypercholesterolemia to coronary disease in humans. J Lipid Res. 2005 Feb;46(2):179-90. doi: 10.1194/jlr.R400012-JLR200.
- Steinberg D. Thematic review series: the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: an interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy, part 3: mechanistically defining the role of hyperlipidemia. J Lipid Res. 2005 Oct;46(10):2037-51. DOI: 10.1194/jlr.R500010-JLR200
- Steinberg D. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. An interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy, part 4: the 1984 coronary primary prevention trial ends it--almost. J Lipid Res. 2006 Jan;47(1):1-14. doi: 10.1194/jlr.R500014-JLR200.
- Steinberg D. Thematic review series: the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. An interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy, part V: the discovery of the statins and the end of the controversy. J Lipid Res. 2006 Jul;47(7):1339-51. doi: 10.1194/jlr.R600009-JLR200.
Some specific references:
The Seven Countries study is a source of particular controversy:
A review of the Seven Countries Study controversy
http://www.epi.umn.edu/cvdepi/multimedia/critiques-of-the-seven-countries-study-and-ancel-keys/
And a paper written by several researchers trying to dispel some of the myths surrounding it
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/38/42/3119/4600167?login=false
Cochrane review of statins to prevent dementia
https://www.cochrane.org/CD003160/DEMENTIA_statins-prevention-dementia
The video of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sXkIUZEWIo
The trial of colonoscopies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa2208375
Vinay Prasad’s commentary: https://sensiblemed.substack.com/p/screening-colonoscopy-misses-the
New England Journal of Medicine accompanying editorial: https://www-nejm-org.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/doi/pdf/10.1056%2FNEJMe2211595
Time machine:
1) Our episode on infertility: https://bodyofevidence.ca/062-infertility-and-rna-vaccines
2) Our interview on ivermectin: https://bodyofevidence.ca/interview-jack-lawrence-and-gid-m-k-on-ivermectin
Music Credits:
Dramatic Trailer by Rafael Krux
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5633-dramatic-trailer
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/
Jonathan and Chris speak to Nick Tiller, PhD, a physiologist interested in exercising and the marketing hype that often surrounds the topic. They discuss the few supplements that can improve your workouts, as well as the gadgets that probably won’t. Bookending their conversation is the important question: what is the best exercise?
2:35 Common misunderstandings around exercising
4:43 Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
11:28 Creatine supplements
13:49 Caffeine
14:50 Glucose supplements and sports drinks
18:31 Protein intake
21:08 Beta-alanine supplements
22:34 Kinesio tape, aka placebo tape
28:09 Placebos and sports performance
33:10 Cristiano Ronaldo’s brand deals
40:13 Methylene blue
43:22 Ultramarathons: are they good for you?
51:34 What is the best type of exercise?
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Nick Tiller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NBTiller
2) Nick Tiller’s website: https://www.nbtiller.com/
3) Nick Tiller’s Skeptical Inquirer columns: https://skepticalinquirer.org/category/the-skeptics-guide-to-sports-science/
4) Jonathan Jarry’s website, announcing his UK tour: https://www.jonathanjarry.com/
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of cholesterol? Plus: we look at the claim that a multivitamin can preserve your cognitive functions as you age, and we cover that study that allegedly shows aluminum in vaccines causes asthma!
Block 1:
(3:04) Cholesterol: what cholesterol is, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, how fat is digested, HDL cholesterol
Block 2:
(10:44) Cholesterol: triglycerides, how LDL is calculated, do you need to fast before a blood test, attempts at increasing HDL, how to lower LDL
Block 3:
(22:38) Cocoa extract or multivitamin for preserving cognition (and a digression on cocoa vs cacao)
Block 4:
(39:13) Aluminum in vaccines and a reported link to asthma
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Systematic review and meta-analysis on reducing LDL cholesterol: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2556125
2) Safety of lowering LDL cholesterol in patients starting with very low levels: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2695047
3) HPS2-THRIVE trial on niacin + laropiprant: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1300955
4) AIM-HIGH trial on niacin: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1107579
5) CETP inhibitor torcetrapib increases mortality: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa0706628
6) Meta-analysis of the data on boosting HDL levels: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g4379
7) The COSMOS-Mind paper: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12767
8) Our episode on chocolate: https://bodyofevidence.ca/013-chocolate-and-influenza
9) The original COSMOS papers: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac055 & https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac056
10) The USPS statement on vitamin supplements: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/vitamin-supplementation-to-prevent-cvd-and-cancer-preventive-medication
11) Cochrane reviews on vitamins and cognition: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011906.pub2/full & https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011905.pub2/full
12) Helen Branswell’s STAT News coverage of the aluminum-asthma paper: https://www.statnews.com/2022/09/27/possible-link-aluminum-childhood-vaccines-asthma-risk-caveats/
13) The aluminum-asthma paper: https://els-jbs-prod-cdn.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/pb/assets/raw/Health%20Advance/journals/acap/Aluminium_Exposure_Article-1664288052690.pdf
14) Our episode on asthma: https://bodyofevidence.ca/080-asthma-screen-time-exercise-motivation
Time machine:
1) Our episode on fat: https://bodyofevidence.ca/015-fat-and-denialism
2) Our episode on dementia: https://bodyofevidence.ca/079-dementia-long-covid-no-vax-tax
Chris and Jonathan speak to Dr. Swapnil Hiremath, a hypertension specialist and staff nephrologist at the Ottawa Hospital. As they discuss high blood pressure and how to treat it, they make their way to a highly contentious clinical trial, the Hygia trial, which allegedly compared two times of day when to take blood pressure medication. Its results are a little too perfect to be believed.
3:35 What is high blood pressure and what is “essential” hypertension?
8:34 The two numbers of blood pressure
10:45 How antihypertensive drugs work
13:38 How our body metabolizes a drug
17:30 The intense debate over when to take blood pressure medication
21:59 The contentious Hygia trial
32:47 Is the Hygia trial… the Hygia project?
35:02 Considering fraud
41:21 The best time to take medication
44:38 “One simple trick to reduce your risk of heart attacks by 60%!”
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Swapnil Hiremath on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hswapnil
2) The nephrology journal club: https://www.nephjc.com/
3) Swapnil Hiremath’s podcast: https://www.nephjc.com/freelyfiltered
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of Botox injections? Plus: we address the confusion over bivalent COVID-19 booster shots, and we look at a trial of magic mushrooms for alcohol use disorder!
Block 1:
(3:00) Botox: what it is and what botulism does to you
Block 2:
(9:00) Botox: how Botox works on wrinkles, a comparison between formulations, what can go wrong, why repeated injections are needed, and the non-cosmetic uses of the botulinum toxin
Block 3:
(23:08) Bivalent booster vaccines and the reactive, libertarian public health response
Block 4:
(36:01) Magic mushrooms for alcohol use disorder
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Our episode on sunscreen: https://bodyofevidence.ca/019-sunscreen-and-the-mmr-vaccine
2) The cosmetic benefit of botulinum toxin: https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2002.121356
3) Differences between formulations: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29017.x
4) The FDA’s black box warning for Botox: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/184061
5) Antibody formation after Botox: https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.23254
6) Cochrane review of Botox for migraine: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027953
7) Cochrane review of Botox for cervical dystonia: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003633.pub4
8) Botox for urgency urinary incontinence: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1208872#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%20we%20found%20that,improvements%20in%20quality%20of%20life
9) New clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2795625
Music Credits:
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Main Theme (The Grand Score) by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4960-main-theme-the-grand-score
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of vitamin supplements? We pilot a new format for the show and ask for your feedback! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, Patreon, or via email at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com
(6:34) The story of scurvy and how its cause, a vitamin deficiency, was harder to “science” than you may remember, with author Stephen R. Bown.
(22:48) The porous regulations that allow vitamin supplements to be sold and how Mel Gibson played a key role in this system, with health policy expert Timothy Caulfield.
(35:27) Chris and Jonathan explain what each vitamin does, what happens if you’re deficient, and whether or not vitamin supplements are necessary.
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Vox pop by Thanos Michailopoulos
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Chris’ article “It Hasn’t Been a Good Year for Vitamin D”: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-it-hasnt-been-a-good-year-for-vitamin-d
2) Vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular risk: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2735646
3) VITAL study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1809944
4) AMATERASU trial: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.2210
5) D2D study on vitamin D and type 2 diabetes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31173679/
6) The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s Final Recommendation Statement from June 2022: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/vitamin-supplementation-to-prevent-cvd-and-cancer-preventive-medication
7) Recommendation Statement as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2793446
Music Credits:
Peter Sandberg / Étude No 1 for String Quartet
Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen / Rise to Power
National Anthem Worx / Rule Britannia
Silver Maple / Unspoken
Bonnie Grace / We Still Have Courage
Wendy Marcini / The Cast
Wendy Marcini / The Scam
Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen / The Stakeout
Farrell Wooten / Margin of Error
All courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
The laying on of hands. The stethoscope. The “does it hurt when I press here.” We are all familiar with the physical exam a doctor does when investigating our symptoms. But in the 21st century, with access to ultrasound and MRI, are these old-fashioned techniques still relevant or just cool parlour tricks? Returning guest Niko joins Chris to discuss the evidence behind hands-on maneuvers taught to medical students to help diagnose a variety of conditions. Warning: you may be shocked.
JAMA’s series on the Rational Clinical Examination: https://jamanetwork.com/collections/6257/the-rational-clinical-examination
(4:44) Scenario #1: A torn meniscus or ligament in the knee
Lachman test: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Lachman_Test
McMurray test: https://www.physio-pedia.com/McMurrays_Test
(17:20) Scenario #2: Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tinel’s test: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Tinel%E2%80%99s_Test
Phalen’s test: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Phalen%E2%80%99s_Test
(24:29) Scenario #3: Meningitis
Brudzinski’s sign of meningitis: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19069.htm
Kernig’s sign of meningitis: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19077.htm
(32:41) Scenario #4: Abdominal aortic aneurysm
(38:13) Scenario #5: Pneumonia
Whispered pectoriloquy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whispered_pectoriloquy
(45:45) Scenario #6: Appendicitis
McBurney’s point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McBurney%27s_point
Rovsing’s sign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovsing%27s_sign
Psoas sign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoas_sign
Obturator’s sign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obturator_sign
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of sexually transmitted infections? Plus: should you worry about monkeypox, and what is going on with mysterious cases of liver inflammation in children?
Block 1:
(2:15) STIs: nomenclature, HIV, rising cases
Block 2:
(8:57) STIs: why cases are increasing, who should be screened, treatment options, antibiotic resistance, confections, cold sore outbreaks
Block 3:
(23:29) Monkeypox
Block 4:
(36:45) Mysterious liver inflammation in children and possible link to COVID-19
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2018 report on sexually transmitted infections in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/report-sexually-transmitted-infections-canada-2018.html
2) Summary table from the California Public Health Department about recommended STI screening in different groups: https://bit.ly/3sFxeJ0
3) Uptake of STI screening: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5814a2.htm
& https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29985985/
4) CDC treatment guidelines and recommendations on co-treatment: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6950a6.htm
5) Acyclovir for treatment of genital herpes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6088819/
6) Topical antivirals for cold sores: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9134943/
7) Episode 61 of our podcast on HIV: https://bodyofevidence.ca/061-hiv-and-covid-19-therapies
8) Episode 72 of our podcast on liver disease: https://bodyofevidence.ca/072-liver-disease-sleep-disorder-grab-bag
9) Jim Downs’ article in The Atlantic on tiptoeing around the issue of monkeypox and men who have sex with men: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/monkeypox-outbreak-spread-gay-bisexual-men/643122/
Music Credits:
Dead Spaces by Tim Kulig
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9319-dead-spaces
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
The Legion by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4912-the-legion
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
The Body of Evidence is releasing an episode of HFMA’s Voices in Healthcare Finance podcast, which features an interview with Dr. Christopher Labos on the topic of weight bias in healthcare, including what health indicators to focus on instead of weight and how to help patients who are at risk improve their health outcomes without explicit or implicit fat shaming.
If you enjoy Voices in Healthcare Finance, you can find the show and subscribe to it here: https://hfma.podbean.com/
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of MSG? Plus: we dig into a new study that alleges that artificial sweeteners are associated with a higher risk of cancer (but But BUT!), and will we keep boosting people against COVID every four months?
Block 1:
(2:05) MSG: what it is, where it comes from, and where it is used
Block 2:
(8:41) MSG: what it tastes like, the story of how it was maligned, and whether or not it causes harm
Block 3:
(27:26) New study on artificial sweeteners and cancer, and its pitfalls
Block 4:
(39:11) Forever boosters for COVID-19
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The original paper on “Chinese-restaurant syndrome:” https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm196804042781419
2) The Colgate University article on Dr. Howard Steel: https://news.colgate.edu/magazine/2019/02/06/the-strange-case-of-dr-ho-man-kwok/
3) This American Life’s episode on Dr. Steel and Dr. Kwok: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/668/the-long-fuse
4) The only other scientific paper penned by Dr. Kwok: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3476(67)80272-5
5) Study on intravenous administration of MSG: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.163.3869.826
6) Study #1 on MSG and flushing: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(86)70161-8
7) Study #2 on MSG and flushing: https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.4.1058s
8) Study on MSG and headaches: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0639-4
9) The FDA’s findings on MSG: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg
10) Adam Ragusea’s video on MSG: https://youtu.be/E-POAKKH5IM
11) New study on artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003950
12) Second COVID booster has ‘marginal benefits’ in small study: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972198
13) Jonathan’s article on a pan-coronavirus vaccine: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19/future-proof-coronavirus-vaccine
Music Credits:
Shine Of Happiness by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7537-shine-of-happiness
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan welcome back to the show Paul Ingraham, the founder of PainScience.com. He charts his early days as a woo believer, his transformation into a skeptic, and the thing that got him in trouble with his massage therapy regulatory body: tone. Do healthcare regulators care for snark? Is it their role to tone-police their members? The Internet took many regulators by surprise and some overreacted. How do you kick the foxes out of the henhouse of massage therapy if the rule is that foxes should be treated as hens?
No time stamps for this one. It’s a story that goes from “crack” addiction to growing out of the adolescent phase of skepticism to the difference between evidence-based medicine and science-based medicine. And for the first time ever, our podcast has been turned all the way up to 11.
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Paul Ingraham’s website: https://www.painscience.com/
2) Paul Ingraham’s Science-Based Medicine post on why he quit being a massage therapist: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/why-i-quit-my-massage-therapy-career/
Fingers on buzzers! It’s the first (and possibly last) episode of What’s in a Name: Medical Edition! Join host Jonathan and his three contestants in figuring out the origin of common words used in biology and medicine! It’s fun, we swear!
In the hot seat: social media manager Melissa, medical resident Niko, and cardiologist Chris!
Who will win? Who will lose? Will their egos recover? Do points even matter? What are the rules again? You’ll hear about biceps, botulism, and that disease that got its name from a really old poem!
It’s What’s in a Name: Medical Edition!
Recorded in late December, 2021.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Music Credits:
Dark Secrets (DECISION) by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/246-dark-secrets-decision-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jonathan and Chris talk to Dr. Barbara Hofer and Dr. Gale Sinatra, the authors of the book Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It. It’s a course in skepticism 101 as they discuss decision-making, doing your own research, and the post-truth era.
1:46 Why write a book about science denial now?
4:50 Irrational decision-making
6:17 Politicizing science and manufacturing doubt
16:30 Just asking questions and doing your own research
22:51 How to refute misconceptions and a note on the backfire effect
30:43 Patience and empathy in the time of the pandemic
32:38 Algorithmic literacy
33:55 Are the deniers aware of the true reasons for their science denial?
36:00 The post-truth era
39:32 Solutions for harm reduction
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The book Science Denial: https://www.sciencedenialbook.com/
2) The Debunking Handbook: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DebunkingHandbook2020.pdf
What does the body of evidence say on the topic of asthma? Plus: how much time children spend in front of screens, and how to nudge people to go to the gym.
Block 1:
(3:15) Asthma: wheezing, similar diseases, how asthma is diagnosed
Block 2:
(10:53) Asthma: exercise-induced “asthma,” what is asthma, cold and thunderstorms as triggers, allergies, infections, treatments
Block 3:
(29:31) Screen time in children
Block 4:
(40:06) Nudging people to go to the gym
To leave a rating and/or review on iTunes (please do!!),
1) Click here: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-body-of-evidence/id980972442
2) Click on “Listen on Apple Podcasts” toward the top, under “Health & Fitness”
3) It will prompt you to open iTunes. Allow the pop-up and switch to iTunes
4) In iTunes, click on “Rating and Reviews”
If you already listen on an Apple device, you should be able to leave a review by accessing the show on that device’s native podcasting app.
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Episode 43 on allergies: https://bodyofevidence.ca/043-allergies-and-organic-food
2) The 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma report: https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Whats-new-in-GINA-2021_final_V2.pdf
3) How will new recommendations from the GINA report affect practice in Canada: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/17/E456?ijkey=00df329033338403c174cbb90af80401afad6136&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
4) GINA FAQ on asthma: https://ginasthma.org/about-us/faqs/
5) Trial on combined budenoside-formoterol as needed in mild asthma: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1715274
6) Systematic review and meta-analysis on screen time in children 5 years and younger: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2789091
7) American Academy of Paediatrics’ guidelines on screen time: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Where-We-Stand-TV-Viewing-Time.aspx
8) Canadian Paediatrics Society’s guidelines on screen time: https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/behavior-and-development/screen-time-and-young-children
9) Megastudy on nudging people to go to the gym: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04128-4
Music Credits:
Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Tutorial 2 by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8965-tutorial-2
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Ambient Relaxing Background by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9007-ambient-relaxing-background
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Over The Rainbow by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/319-over-the-rainbow
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan welcome back to the show journalist Brooke Binkowski from Truth or Fiction to discuss the Joe Rogan/Spotify controversy and how we got here. The discussion includes what makes someone a journalist in 2022 and how reactionaries and extremists were early adopters of the Internet.
2:10 Addressing common accusations
3:44 The saga
5:26 The mainstreaming of falsehoods
8:21 Lack of responsibility and JAQing off
10:06 The aesthetics of masculine rationality and The X-Files
15:15 From harmless folklore to antisemitism
18:35 What makes someone a journalist
26:31 Moderating audio content
29:20 The 1988 Internet and surf Nazis
36:14 Monster Island, Galt’s Gulch, and Ram Ranch
42:13 The Spotify seal of approval and YouTube’s feeble moderation
46:08 The next five years of reactionary populism
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
And patrons will get a bonus segment from this interview in a week!
Links:
1) The Daily podcast on the Joe Rogan saga: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/podcasts/the-daily/joe-rogan-spotify.html
2) Jonathan’s article on Joe Rogan: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health-and-nutrition-pseudoscience/science-vs-joe-rogan
3) The open letter to Spotify: https://spotifyopenletter.wordpress.com/2022/01/10/an-open-letter-to-spotify/
4) Aaron Rabinowitz’s article on Monster Island: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2020/10/monster-island-free-speech-experiment/
5) God Awful Movies’ review of Atlas Shrugged, Part 1: https://www.stitcher.com/show/god-awful-movies/episode/337-atlas-shrugged-part-one-90134592
6) Truth or Fiction: https://www.truthorfiction.com/
7) Brooke on Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooklynmarie
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of dementia or, to use a more recent term, major cognitive disorder? Plus: what (little) we know about long COVID, and we go over arguments for and against the no-vax tax that was recently debated in Quebec.
Block 1:
(3:04) Dementia: types of memory
Block 2:
(11:53) Dementia: Alzheimer’s, ApoE, vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, frontotemporal dementia, how to screen for and diagnose dementia, treatments, vitamin E, ginkgo, Aduhelm, preventative measures
Block 3:
(32:32) Long COVID: prevalence, symptoms, scientific challenges, hypotheses, vaccination
Block 4:
(49:35) No-vax tax debate
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Cochrane review on cholinesterase inhibitors: https://www.cochrane.org/CD001190/DEMENTIA_donepezil-people-dementia-due-alzheimers-disease
2) Cochrane review on memantine: https://www.cochrane.org/CD003154/DEMENTIA_memantine-treatment-dementi
3) Cochrane review on vitamin E: https://www.cochrane.org/CD002854/DEMENTIA_use-vitamin-e-treatment-mild-cognitive-impairment-and-alzheimers-disease-ad
4) Vitamin E and heart failure: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15769967/
5) Vitamin E and mortality: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15537682/
6) Ginkgo biloba: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003120.pub3/full
7) Aduhelm: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2111320
8) Jimmy Fallon and Paris Hilton on NFTs: https://youtu.be/5zi12wrh5So?t=222
9) Impossible MoCA: https://twitter.com/juliareillymd/status/1237531126723252225
10) Jonathan’s article on long COVID: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19/debilitating-puzzle-box-long-covid
11) Post-COVID Care Centers: https://www.survivorcorps.com/pccc
12) Public Health Agency of Canada’s living systematic review on long COVID: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.03.21258317v2
13) Canadian paper on the experiences of people living with long COVID: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.20.22269617v1
14) Long COVID hypotheses: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.698169/full
Music Credits:
Heroic Trailer by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5359-heroic-trailer-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jonathan and Chris speak to Olivier Drouin, MD, MPH, a paediatrician and researcher in Montreal. The risk-benefit analyses regarding children, COVID-19, and the vaccines have received a lot of attention by journalists, parents, and peddlers of misinformation alike. “Myocarditis” is now a “boogeyword.” Olivier weighs in on how COVID affects children, the safety of the vaccines, and what to do about schools.
1:20 Not that Olivier Drouin
2:36 How COVID affects children
6:00 Risk factors
9:29 How Omicron affects children
13:25 Speculating on increased diabetes diagnoses
16:19 Vaccine safety in children and the focus on peri- and myocarditis
24:04 Vaccine hesitant parents
28:29 The school debate
41:58 Our elected officials
47:00 Research beyond COVID
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Olivier Drouin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/olivierdrouinmd
2) Olivier Drouin on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=%22Olivier+Drouin%22&btnG=
3) Olivier Drouin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivierdrouinmd/
4) Jonathan’s article on COVID aerosols and ventilation/filtration: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19/covid-19-air-both-problem-and-solution
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of the immune system? Plus: the omicron variant and its accompanying public health measures, and we go over what happens when scientists try to fulfill one of the promises of science: replicating results.
Block 1:
(2:46) Immunity: what it does, self versus non-self, antigens, HLA, innate versus adaptive, fever, skin
Block 2:
(12:07) Immunity: Geert Vanden Bossche, eosinophils, neutrophils, G-CSF, immune boosters, vitamin C, antibodies, T and B cells, immune memory, vaccines
Block 3:
(30:40) Omicron, public health measures, and booster doses
Block 4:
(48:34) Reproducibility of cancer studies
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Driving doggos: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-15864761
2) Explanatory videos on the immune system: https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Introduction_to_the_immune_system
3) Understanding how vaccines work: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/understanding-vacc-work.html
4) Understanding how COVID-19 vaccines work: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html
5) Cochrane review on vitamin C for the common cold: https://www.cochrane.org/CD000980/ARI_vitamin-c-for-preventing-and-treating-the-common-cold
6) Measles vaccine information: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-12-measles-vaccine.html#p4c11a4 and https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/measles-rubella-surveillance/2021/week-46.html
7) Interview with Dr. Paul Offit for New York Mag’s Intelligencer: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/12/omicron-dr-paul-offit-is-skeptical-of-boosters-for-all.html
8) Brian Nosek paper 1: https://elifesciences.org/articles/67995
9) Brian Nosek paper 2: https://elifesciences.org/articles/71601
10) New Scientist article: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2300455-investigation-fails-to-replicate-most-cancer-biology-lab-findings/
11) Amgen’s paper on the lack of replicability of cancer research: https://www.nature.com/articles/483531a
12) Jonathan’s paper on circulating microRNA signatures for cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5528532/
Music Credits:
Just Deep 2 by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/312-just-deep-2
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
When it comes to health and medicine, there are so many decisions to make and so much misinformation out there. Dr. Christopher Labos and Jonathan Jarry look at the body of evidence on these topics to tell you what’s solid, what’s iffy… and what’s crapola. The jingles, comedy, and bickering help the medicine go down.
Chris and Jonathan speak to coach René Dreifuss, the founder of Radical MMA in New York City and the co-host of the Martial Culture podcast, which has been described as “NPR for mixed martial arts nerds.” Medicine has had to wrestle with figuring out what works and what doesn’t over the years; so have the martial arts. From claims of manipulating your opponent’s qi in a fight to no-holds-barred Krav Maga self-defence, there are things that work in real life and things that really don’t. There are parallels to be drawn with the mystical alternative healings in wellness communities and with cult-like mentalities that move us away from evidence and into the predatory arms of eminence. René also addresses the physical risks and unhealthy side of martial arts, namely weight cutting and brain trauma.
Our patrons will have access to a bonus segment with René on Christmas Eve. It’s about ninjas and Chris’ desire to fight Jonathan.
5:07 The cultural underpinning of energy-based martial arts
11:10 Scientific versus non-scientific thinking
18:18 Groin hits and eye pokes aren’t effective
24:30 Sports improve over time
29:03 Mixed martial arts as an open source science
38:25 Myths about self-defence
47:09 Brain trauma
55:24 Weight cutting is very dangerous
1:10:16 The misunderstood rear naked choke
1:08:54 The Vulcan nerve pinch and Hollywood fights
1:13:55 Weapons-based martial arts: what works?
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The Martial Culture podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-martial-culture-podcast
2) René’s mixed martial arts gym: https://radicalmmanyc.com/
3) René’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/radicalmma
4) Martial Culture episode on woo in martial arts: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-martial-culture-podcast/episode/4-martial-arts-phony-53560245
5) Martial Culture episode on self-defence: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-martial-culture-podcast/episode/meet-people-where-they-are-86686510
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of obesity? Plus: the on-going downfall of Didier Raoult, purveyor of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, which dovetails into discussions about the Hongcheng magic liquid, the Galileo gambit, gluten and the backfire effect. And Chris answers listeners’ questions about genomics and cardiology and a syndrome called POTS.
Block 1:
Obesity myths: the body mass index (2:26)
Block 2:
Obesity myths: visceral adiposity, waist-to-hip ratio, obesity as a disease, fat and fit, the obesity paradox, exercising to lose weight, and a calorie is a calorie (10:20)
Block 3:
Didier Raoult and hydroxychloroquine (30:46)
Block 4:
Q&A: genomics and cardiology, and POTS (42:31)
-
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Is obesity a disease?: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179496/#b9-ms111_p0104
2) Different BMI cutoffs in different ethnic groups: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.106.635011 & https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(03)15268-3.pdf
3) How to measure waist circumference: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/index.html
4) Is obesity a disease?: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179496/
5) Metabolically healthy obese: https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2017.07.763
6) The obesity paradox: https://journals.lww.com/epidem/FullText/2013/05000/The__Obesity_Paradox__Explained.20.aspx
7) Kevin Hall’s research on isocaloric diets: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/104/2/324/4564649
8) Médiapart’s article on Didier Raoult (in French): https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/191121/les-equipes-de-didier-raoult-denoncent-les-falsifications-de-leur-patron-sur-l-hydroxychloroquine?onglet=full
9) Our episode on direct-to-consumer genetic testing: https://bodyofevidence.ca/023-direct-to-consumer-dna-testing-and-homeopathy
Music Credits:
Christmas Theme 3 by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4776-christmas-theme-3
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Unseen Horrors by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4569-unseen-horrors
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Happy Memory (loopable) by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8368-happy-memory-loopable-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jonathan and Chris speak to Natália Pasternak, PhD, the director of the Question of Science Institute. In trying to come to grips with COVID-19, Brazil was rocked by scandals involving research performed without consent and doctors being forced to prescribe treatment kits full of “miracle cures.” This led Pasternak to state that medicine in Brazil is effectively unregulated and to call for the impeachment of President Bolsonaro. Can science literacy fix these problems? Meanwhile, Chris and Jonathan try to blow each other’s minds and fail miserably. And they mention ICQ, not to be confused with IQC (Pasternak’s institute) or HCQ (a drug that doesn’t work against COVID)!
1:55 Natália in the Big Apple
2:50 Brazil’s dual healthcare system
4:42 Brazil and COVID-19: “a total mess”
7:25 Brazil’s COVID kit
16:42 TrateCov, the app that recommended proxalutemide
19:12 Scientific literacy and medical doctors… and homeopathy
30:09 Falling on the deaf ears of the Supreme Court
31:24 Calling for the impeachment of President Bolsonaro
38:04 Medicine in Brazil is essentially unregulated
41:46 Vaccines and the Brazilian paradox
49:04 The Question of Science Institute
53:05 How do we fix these problems?
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Natália writing for The Skeptic magazine: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/?s=pasternak
2) Natália writing for Medscape: https://www.medscape.com/index/list_14444_0
3) Natália’s magazine (in Portuguese): https://www.revistaquestaodeciencia.com.br/
4) Natália’s institute (most of the content in Portuguese): https://iqc.org.br/
5) Natália writing for O Globo (in Portuguese): https://blogs.oglobo.globo.com/a-hora-da-ciencia/
6) Natália on the radio (in Portuguese): https://audioglobo.globo.com/cbn/podcast/feed/835/hora-da-ciencia
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of endometriosis? Plus: Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children ages 5-11, and we go over why an aspirin a day is no longer suggested for many older adults.
Block 1:
Endometriosis: what it is and what might be causing it (2:59)
Block 2:
Endometriosis: risk factors, how common it is, diagnosis, treatments (8:37)
Block 3:
FDA approves Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for children 5-11 years old (26:18)
Block 4:
An aspirin a day to prevent cardiovascular disease? (40:19)
-
Jingle by Joseph Hackl
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Flow diagram of treatment of endometriosis from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: https://sogc.org/common/Uploaded%20files/SOGC%20Endometriosis%20COVID19%20Update-%20Endo%20Group%20Edits%20April%2018%202020.pdf
2) Use of CA-125 to diagnosis endometriosis: https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1471-0528.14055
3) Cochrane review of blood tests to diagnose endometriosis: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012281/full
4) Cochrane review of laparoscopic surgery to treat infertility associated with endometriosis: https://www.cochrane.org/CD011031/MENSTR_laparoscopic-surgery-pain-and-infertility-associated-endometriosis
5) Endometriosis time to diagnosis: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/18/4/756/596537
https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(19)30002-X/fulltext
6) FDA news release on authorization of Pfizer’s vaccine: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use-children-5-through-11-years-age
7) Pfizer’s press release on its trial of its COVID-19 vaccine in children: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-positive-topline-results
8) United States Preventive Services Task Force updated recommendation on aspirin for primary prevention: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/aspirin-use-to-prevent-cardiovascular-disease-preventive-medication
Music Credits:
Dreams Of Success (loopable) by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8459-dreams-of-success-loopable-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan speak to Effie Greathouse, Ph.D., the co-founder of the website Fluoride Exposed dedicated to explaining the science of fluoride and water fluoridation to the public.
2:30 What is Fluoride Exposed?
3:54 Why we put fluoride in drinking water
10:15 Fluoride-free toothpaste
12:00 Arguments against fluoridation
14:00 Fluoride and IQ
21:51 Effie’s origin story and mom groups online
27:19 The phrase “anti-science”
29:23 The Christopher Labos Trivia Show
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Fluoride Exposed website: https://fluorideexposed.org/
2) Fluoride Exposed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/explorefluoride
3) Fluoride Exposed on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FluorideExposed
4) Fluoride Exposed on Pinterest: https://tr.pinterest.com/fluorideexposed/
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of blood pressure? Plus: what seems to be causing multiple chemical sensitivity, and we come face to face with the difficulty of deciding if an activity is risky or not when you’re fully vaccinated.
Block 1:
Blood pressure: what the numbers mean (2:27)
Block 2:
Blood pressure: should you treat it, what to aim for, how to treat it, how best to measure it (8:56)
Block 3:
Multiple chemical sensitivity, what happens when tests come back negative, and the ethics of prescribing placebos (28:11)
Block 4:
Question about the HPV vaccine and the immune system (45:56)
Wrong numbers in Ottawa Heart Institute study scare people (48:12)
Is this risky? (53:16)
-
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) John Hay quote: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20776269/
2) Oslo study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7001898/
3) MRC study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2861880/
4) SPRINT study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1511939
5) ACCORD study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1001286
6) STEP trial: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2111437
7) SSaSS study on salt substitute: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2105675
8) ALLHAT trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195626
9) ACC/AHA systematic review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29133355/
10) Jonathan’s article on the INSPQ report on multiple chemical sensitivity: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health/zeroing-cause-multiple-chemical-sensitivity
11) The INSPQ report on MCS (French only): https://www.inspq.qc.ca/publications/2729
Music:
Fanfare for Space by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Guitar Hero by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4807-guitar-hero
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Good Ideas For A New Startup by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8159-good-ideas-for-a-new-startup
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan speak to two guests about the slow collapse of the body of evidence on ivermectin for COVID-19, with a particular focus on the oft-cited Elgazzar randomized controlled trial. Their first guest is Jack Lawrence, a Master’s student and disinformation researcher, who took the Elgazzar paper apart, finding evidence of plagiarism and of potential data fraud. Their second guest is Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, an epidemiologist, who appraised the Elgazzar study, the Carvallo “study,” and many others, and who reveals some of the telltale signs of scientific fraud.
Guest #1: Jack Lawrence
3:06 Jack reads the Elgazzar study
5:55 A plagiarized introduction
7:46 The paper’s claims
11:57 Skimming a paper versus actively looking for fraud
24:45 Deaths didn’t add up
31:23 The Guardian’s coverage
36:10 A broken system
Guest #2: Gid M-K
41:28 Most likely a fraud
46:34 Is this dataset real?
52:41 The Carvallo “study” may never have taken place as described
58:11 IVMMeta.com, an anonymous pseudoscientific website
1:04:16 Churning out bad meta-analyses
1:07:07 Gid’s verdict on ivermectin for COVID-19
1:12:23 Maintaining trust in science in the face of fraud
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Jack Lawrence on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackMLawrence
2) Jack Lawrence’s TimPoolClips account: https://twitter.com/TimPoolClips
3) Jack Lawrence’s blog post on the Elgazzar paper: https://grftr.news/why-was-a-major-study-on-ivermectin-for-covid-19-just-retracted/
4) Gid M-K on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GidMK
5) Gid M-K’s podcast, Sensationalist Science: https://soundcloud.com/senscipod
6) Gid M-K’s first blog post on the ivermectin saga: https://elemental.medium.com/ivermectin-for-covid-19-an-update-5e913bb49483
7) The Elgazzar study: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-100956/v3
8) Nick Brown’s blog post about the Elgazzar study: https://steamtraen.blogspot.com/2021/07/Some-problems-with-the-data-from-a-Covid-study.html
9) The Guardian’s coverage of the Elgazzar study: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jul/16/huge-study-supporting-ivermectin-as-covid-treatment-withdrawn-over-ethical-concerns
10) The BuzzFeed investigation into the Carvallo “study”: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/ivermectin-covid-study-suspect-data
11) IVMMeta website: https://ivmmeta.com/
Previously, on the Body of Evidence: Jonathan asked Chris to rank medical specialties from super-amazing to garbage! As Chris finds himself lounging on a beach in Greece, we release the conclusion to this special episode. You will learn so much about pathology, cardiology and other specialties, and you will finally hear which branches of medicine Chris thinks are GARBAGE! (sort of… for him… ‘cause he doesn’t like them… but we need doctors to do those things so….)
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Music Credits:
Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 6 by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/288-cinema-blockbuster-trailer-6
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of ergonomics? Plus: should a maker of vaping products have bought out an entire issue of an academic journal to publish its studies, and we answer questions from our listeners about osteoporosis and COVID contrarians.
Block 1:
Ergonomics: carpal tunnel syndrome and ergonomic keyboards (2:09)
Block 2:
Ergonomics: work breaks, arm supports, workplace interventions, standing desks, and computer glasses (11:27)
Block 3:
The controversy over Juul e-cigarettes and academic publishing (28:42)
Block 4:
Is this paper proof that strontium works for osteoporosis? (41:07)
What’s with MDs and PhDs becoming COVID contrarians? (45:33)
-
Jingle by Joseph Hackl
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Cochrane review on ergonomic keyboards for carpal tunnel syndrome: https://www.cochrane.org/CD009600/NEUROMUSC_ergonomic-positioning-or-equipment-for-carpal-tunnel-syndrome
2) Cochrane review on various interventions for reducing neck pain: https://www.cochrane.org/CD008570/OCCHEALTH_ergonomic-interventions-preventing-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-upper-limb-and-neck-among
3) Cochrane review on various interventions for reducing neck pain: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008570.pub3/full?highlightAbstract=ergonomic%7Cergonom
4) Cochrane review on various interventions for reducing neck pain: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012886.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=ergonomic%7Cergonom
5) Cochrane review on ergonomics in dentistry practices: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011261.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=ergonomic%7Cergonom
6) Cochrane review on workplace interventions: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010912.pub5/full?highlightAbstract=ergonomic%7Cergonom
7) Sydney Morning Herald article on the lack of science in ergonomics: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/a-difficult-position-experts-question-whether-ergonomics-holds-up-20180910-p502w5.html
8) Our previous episodes on vaping: https://bodyofevidence.ca/005-e-cigarettes, https://bodyofevidence.ca/052-baldness-and-vaping, and https://bodyofevidence.ca/056-drinking-water-and-olivier-bernard
9) Philadelphia Inquirer article on the Juul controversy: https://www.inquirer.com/health/juul-pro-vaping-research-seeks-to-influence-fda-regulation-e-cigarettes-20210710.html
10) The paper on strontium for osteoporosis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5310667/
Jonathan and Chris speak to Dr. Lindsay Duncan, a kinesiologist and co-director of the Theories and Interventions in Exercise and Health Psychology laboratory at McGill University. In light of the upcoming Summer Olympics, what are banned substances and why are they banned? How common is supplement use among athletes? And do superhero movies—with actors undergoing dramatic body transformations in a short amount of time—alter expectations in the gym?
1:45 Why are some competitive advantages allowed but not others?
5:17 The next frontier: gene editing
6:43 Banned substances cleared for medical use
11:29 Common performance-enhancing drugs
13:51 THC and alcohol
18:49 The possibility of accidental exposure
20:37 Protecting athletes from harm
26:09 Supplement use is incredibly common
29:04 The superhero physique
33:33 Celebrity trainers
36:48 Sleep and rest
40:25 Athletes’ use of social media
41:46 Preventing drug use in young athletes
44:22 Stripping away hype without affecting motivation
If you want to apply to be our social media manager, you find the details here: https://bodyofevidence.ca/looking-for-part-time-social-media-manager
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Lindsay Duncan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindsayDuncan9
What does the body of evidence have to say on the topic of fibromyalgia? Plus: assorted topical discussions about mixing COVID vaccines, the tiny/maybe/it’s nothing increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis with the RNA vaccines, and long-term immunity following COVID vaccination.
Block 1:
Fibromyalgia: what could be causing it? (3:00)
Block 2:
Fibromyalgia: diagnosing and treating it (10:02)
Block 3:
Mixing and matching COVID vaccines (28:20)
Block 4:
Myocarditis and pericarditis with the RNA vaccines (38:40)
Long-term immunity from COVID vaccines (51:35)
If you want to apply to be our social media manager, you find the details here: https://bodyofevidence.ca/looking-for-part-time-social-media-manager
-
Jingle by Joseph Hackl
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Prevalence of fibromyalgia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23203795/
2) Diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20461783/
3) Misdiagnosis of fibromyalgia, comparing physicians to criteria-based diagnosis: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acr.23731
4) FM/a blood test for fibromyalgia (Science-Based Medicine post): https://www.skepdoc.info/a-blood-test-for-fibromyalgia/
5) FM/a blood test for fibromyalgia (AAFP article): https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0501/p566.html
6) Economic benefits after receiving a fibromyalgia diagnosis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18311794/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23024016/
7) Exercise for fibromyalgia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28636204/
8) UK preprint on mixing and matching COVID vaccines (Com-COV trial): https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3874014
9) Ed Yong’s article on how the immune system is where intuition goes to die: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/covid-19-immunity-is-the-pandemics-central-mystery/614956/
10) Nature paper on long-term immunity after receiving a COVID vaccine: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03738-2
Chris and Jonathan speak to Dean Tania Bubela from Simon Fraser University, an expert on scientific innovations and intellectual property. The big question: as we try to get COVID-19 vaccines into more arms and in a more equitable fashion worldwide, should the patents pharmaceutical companies have on these vaccines be lifted? And what would a better system look like when the next pandemic hits us?
3:45 What is a patent?
8:00 Patents in biomedicine
12:58 To lift or not to lift COVID-19 vaccine patents?
17:15 The potential of the mRNA platform
28:30 Bill Gates, his love of IP, and the Oxford University-AstraZeneca deal
35:34 A better system involving public-private partnerships
40:51 Do we need pharma?
46:22 Does pharma deserve our trust?
If you want to apply to be our social media manager, you can find the details here: https://bodyofevidence.ca/looking-for-part-time-social-media-manager
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Tania Bubela on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bubela_tania
Liver disease (2:29 for part 1, 11:13 for part 2) // sleep disorder (28:42) // The omega-3 war (41:55), coffee and colorectal cancer (45:37), and RNA vaccines and myocarditis (48:44).
-
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Jonathan’s article on the OURA ring: https://mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health-technology/magical-ring-was-claimed-predict-covid-19
2) Coffee consumption and colorectal cancer prognosis: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2777346?utm_campaign=articlePDF&utm_medium=articlePDFlink&utm_source=articlePDF&utm_content=jamaoncol.2020.8479
Music Credits:
Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Morning Rhythm by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5338-morning-rhythm-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jonathan and Chris delve into the world of newborns and medical care for children with Dr. Clay Jones, a paediatrician who practices in Massachusetts and who regularly writes for the Science-Based Medicine blog. From preventing SIDS to treating a fever (or not), we go through our listeners’ questions. In a week, our patrons will get a bonus episode with more from Clay!
2:04 COVID-19 vaccines in kids
6:27 “I’m not anti-vaccine but…” says Texas paediatrician
12:17 Chiropractic in children and babies
20:07 Best temperature for newborns (in Fahrenheit!)
22:36 Are diapers bad for the baby?
25:25 Safe sleeping
30:00 What predisposes to SIDS?
32:16 Do newborns dream? (An Inception on Elm Street)
37:37 Baby slings and hip dysplasia
42:57 Long-term outcome of very premature babies
45:44 Apgar scores (to get into daycare)
48:28 Fever
51:49 Teething
54:44 Recurring infections in kindergarten
57:16 RyRy’s impossible question
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Clay Jones at Science-Based Medicine: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/author/clayjones/
2) Clay Jones on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SBMPediatrics
Menopause: definition, early menopause, hot flashes, gabapentin, clonidine, CBT, mindfulness, exercising, phytoestrogens, black cohosh, acupuncture, and hormone replacement therapy // Magic mushrooms versus antidepressants // A rant about merchants of doubt
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
-
Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
-
Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Age at menopause: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/16/9/2014/2915909
2) Age at menopause: https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e31820ed6d2
3) Ethnicity as a predictor of menopause: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwn046
4) Ethnicity as a predictor of menopause: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/153.9.865
5) Complementary therapies for menopause: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02005-7
6) Complementary therapies for menopause: https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e318199d5e6
7) Non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK72751/
8) Cochrane review of phytoestrogens: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001395.pub4
9) Cochrane review of black cohosh: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007244.pub2
10) Cochrane review of acupuncture: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd007410.pub2
11) Women’s Health Initiative study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195120
12) New trial comparing psilocybin to escitalopram for depression: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994
13) Jonathan’s video about the psychedelic renaissance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlYDMbxAdoo
14) Our episode on nootropics: https://bodyofevidence.ca/053-smart-drugs-and-fluoride
15) Our episode on antidepressants: https://bodyofevidence.ca/029-antidepressants-and-fluoride
Music Credits:
Tribute To Commondore by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7791-tribute-to-commondore
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Car safety: the evidence behind seatbelts, air bags, booster seats, winter tires, and turning right on red // the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine saga, with the risk of blood clots explained // the claim that 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 will develop a neuropsychiatric condition.
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Causes of death according to the CDC: https://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcause.html
2) Traffic safety facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812683
3) Booster seat use in older children in Washington state: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5522634/
4) The danger of premature graduation to seat belts for young children: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/105/6/1179
5) A new measure making winter tires mandatory in Quebec: http://conf.tac-atc.ca/english/resourcecentre/readingroom/conference/conf2010/docs/k2/fournier-e.pdf
6) Hilda Bastian’s article on the risk of clotting with AZ’s vaccine: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/03/astrazeneca-vaccine-blood-clot-issue-wont-go-away/618451/
7) The Lancet Psychiatry study on neuropsychiatric outcomes of COVID-19 patients: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00084-5/fulltext
Music Credits:
Dark Secrets (DECISION) by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/246-dark-secrets-decision-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Funny Adventures by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6048-funny-adventures
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response with epidemiologist Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz and compare it to Canada’s. Do lockdowns work? Are school closures necessary? Have we learned anything about how to manage a pandemic? The answers often turn out to be, “It depends….”
1:47 Gid in the eye of the European storm
3:45 Australia’s immediate response to COVID-19
5:52 Canada’s jet-lagged mandate to quarantine travellers
8:00 Was Australia lucky?
10:33 The May 2020 outbreak
14:58 Australians do love their laws / Right-wing liberals
20:00 Contact tracing in Quebec and Australia
25:45 The best approach to contain a pandemic
29:25 Did we learn anything?
35:12 Do lockdowns work?
38:30 Do lockdowns cause more benefits or harm?
40:45 Are school closures necessary?
44:55 The problem with the news
49:04 Predictions
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Gid M-K on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GidMK
2) Gid M-K’s blog on Medium: https://gidmk.medium.com/
3) Gid M-K’s podcast, Sensationalist Science: https://soundcloud.com/senscipod
In this special episode, Jonathan asks Chris to rank medical specialties from super-amazing to garbage! You totally won’t believe the specialty he ranks at the very top! But hey, while he’s ranking them, you might learn a thing or two about what these different breeds of doctors do! The recording ran long, so we’re splitting this into two episodes. Part 2 will be released at some point in the future. Subscribe so that you don’t miss it!
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
UTIs: sex differences / antibiotics / self-diagnosis / cranberry juice / probiotics / D-mannose / drinking water / peeing after sex / contraception / topical estrogen. iPhone 12’s effect on pacemakers and implanted defibrillators. COVID-19 vaccines: Johnson & Johnson’s / AstraZeneca’s / variants / scams.
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Statistics from the American Urological Association: https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/urologyhealth-extra/magazine-archives/summer-2016/understanding-utis-across-the-lifespan
2) Urinary Tract Infection Syndromes: Occurrence, Recurrence, Bacteriology, Risk Factors, and Disease Burden: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891552013000743?via%3Dihub
3) Patient-initiated treatment of uncomplicated recurrent urinary tract infections in young women: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11434727/
4) Antibiotic sparing strategy: https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h6544
5) Cochrane review on Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub5
6) Cranberry Extract for Symptoms of Acute, Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/1/12
7) Cochrane review on Probiotics for preventing urinary tract infections in adults and children: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008772.pub2/full
8) Systematic review of the literature on D-mannose for recurrent UTIs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32972899/
9) Fluid intake to prevent recurrent UTIs: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6584323/
10) Prevention and treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections in the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance-non-antibiotic approaches: a systemic review: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-019-05256-z
11) The Role of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Young Women With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: To Treat or Not to Treat? https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cis534
12) INESSS Antibiotic Guidelines: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/fileadmin/doc/INESSS/Outils/GUO/Anglo/Guide_InfectionUrinaire_EN_WEB.pdf
Music Credits:
Joy And Optimism (loopable) by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7580-joy-and-optimism-loopable-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3996-long-road-ahead
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jonathan and Chris discuss the impact of racism within the Canadian healthcare system with Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, an associate professor at Dalhousie University and the current holder of the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies. They talk about the effect of the pandemic on minorities and racialized groups, and why there’s more to Africa than elephants.
1:58 A Chair in Black Canadian Studies
4:40 Black medical students
11:14 The pandemic’s effect on minorities
17:08 The grey economy
18:07 Biological versus socioeconomic risk factors
28:48 How to have conversations about systemic racism
32:53 Canada’s “universal healthcare”
38:00 The meaning of anti-racism
43:00 #GotBlood2Give and the barriers to donating blood
53:23 The tainted blood scandal
55:42 Racism is impacting your patients’ lives
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) OmiSoore Dryden’s personal website: https://omisooredryden.com/
2) OmiSoore Dryden’s profile at Dalhousie University: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/community-health/our-people/our-faculty/omisoore-dryden-.html
3) OmiSoore Dryden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JRJCHAIR
4) Her article in The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-discriminates-against-black-lives-through-surveillance-policing-and-the-absence-of-health-data-135906
5) Jonathan’s article about race and biology: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-general-science/are-you-there-race-its-me-dna
Changing lifestyle habits: advertising, taxes, behavioural counselling, incentives, text messages, apps, scared straight, genetic information, city design // Delaying the second COVID-19 vaccine dose // COVID-19 update: colchicine, rapid tests, children and variants.
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Food marketing to children: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC416565/
2) Generalizable and robust TV advertising effects: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3273476, https://freakonomics.com/podcast/advertising-part-1/, https://freakonomics.com/podcast/advertising-part-2/
3) American Heart Association’s 7 ideal lifestyle factors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556343/
4) Cigarette taxes: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0204416
5) Cigarette tax in Colombia: https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/28/4/374
6) Cigarette tax in China: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(15)70095-1/fulltext
7) Cigarette tax in Lebanon: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5115647/
8) Cigarette tax in Korea: https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/25/2/141
9) Sugar tax in Philadelphia: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2733208
10) Sugar tax in Spain: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-7908-5
11) Cochrane review on smoking cessation: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013229.pub2/abstract
12) Review of smoking cessation apps: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21335258/
13) Cochrane review on encouraging exercise: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010392.pub2/full
14) Implementing sidewalks: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24380471/
15) The walking school bus: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3164094/
16) Impact of new bike lanes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23334767/
17) Recess in elementary school: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074953/
18) Gym class: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17328052/
19) Chris’ Montreal Gazette article on delaying the second vaccine dose: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-risks-of-altering-vaccination-protocols-are-unknown
20) Annals of Internal Medicine modelling study on alternative dose allocation strategies: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/m20-8137
21) McGill OSS live stream with Dr. Don Sheppard: https://youtu.be/peursUpKnx8
22) Report from Israel about effectiveness of one dose: https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n217
23) BBC article about Israel vaccine fears ‘out of context and inaccurate’: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55734257
24) Press release for colchicine trial: https://www.icm-mhi.org/en/pressroom/news/colchicine-reduces-risk-covid-19-related-complications
25) Pre-print manuscript for colchicine trial: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.26.21250494v1
26) Spartan Bioscience says Health Canada approves rapid COVID-19 test: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/spartan-bioscience-covid-19-test-approved-1.5885284
Music Credits:
End Of Summer by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6633-end-of-summer
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Dramatic Riser by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5401-dramatic-riser-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Dramatic Trailer by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5633-dramatic-trailer-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 15 by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4952-cinema-blockbuster-trailer-15
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 13 (99FIRE-FILMS AWARD) by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3137-cinema-blockbuster-trailer-13-99fire-films-award-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chris and Jonathan discuss expertise and intellectual humility with Alan Levinovitz, a professor of religion, frequent guest on A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, and the author of the book Natural. As facts, arguments, and content flood our attention, how can we know whom to trust when our health is at stake? This month’s drinking game revolves around the word “adjudicate.” Drink responsibly!
1:11 The Anthony Fauci lie
2:14 A theologian on expertise
9:12 Tribalism
16:04 John Ioannidis and COVID-19
21:34 ScientificConsensus.com
26:09 The onslaught of contrarian content
32:30 People should be suspicious of sexiness in their epidemiology
35:25 When your job is to uncover hidden truths….
39:30 A looming epistemic crisis and how to avoid it
49:16 On intellectual humility
57:33 Twitter hiatus
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Alan Levinovitz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlanLevinovitz
2) Alan Levinovitz’s book, Natural: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50128614
3) Thorpe’s Science editorial on the value of debating science in the public arena: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6526/213/tab-pdf
Jonathan and Chris take the time to go over the data on COVID-19 vaccines and to answer the many, many questions they have received about them.
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Cover of “Ooh Child” by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
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Special guest star: Morgan Sweeney of the Magic of the Mind podcast
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Index:
Vaccine Development
04:20 Types of COVID-19 vaccines
09:55 RNA vaccine technology
14:45 Rushed vaccines
20:18 COVID vaccine but no HIV vaccine?
23:44 Vaccine ingredients
27:31 COVID vaccines linked to HIV?
36:21 Manufacturing only Pfizer’s vaccine
Efficacy
40:20 Efficacy at preventing COVID-19
47:07 Vaccines and asymptomatic transmission
48:37 Duration of protection
50:23 Virus mutations and vaccines
Safety
54:06 Claim about RNA vaccines altering the genome
55:11 Claim about infertility
56:13 Side effects from the vaccines
58:50 Bell’s palsy and fainting
1:01:58 Long-term safety
1:05:06 Conspiracy theory about Big Pharma and liability
Practical Considerations
1:12:25 Cold storage
1:13:58 Two doses
1:15:17 Choosing your favourite vaccine
1:16:28 Who gets vaccinated first?
1:18:50 Masks and physical distancing after vaccination
1:19:27 What if if you have had COVID?
1:20:30 What if you are pregnant?
1:21:37 What if you are immunocompromised?
1:22:56 What if I have a history of severe allergies?
1:24:50 What if I am young and healthy?
1:25:46 What if I am a child?
1:26:29 When will things go back to normal?
References:
1) COVID19 Vaccine Tracker: https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/how-do-vaccines-work/
2) Previous segment on RNA vaccines: https://bodyofevidence.ca/062-infertility-and-rna-vaccines
3) Episode of Sawbones on COVID-19 vaccines: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sawbones/covid-vaccine-questions-and-answers/
4) Previous episode on HIV: https://bodyofevidence.ca/061-hiv-and-covid-19-therapies
5) AntiAntiVax: https://antiantivax.flurf.net/
6) Ingredients in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/12/09/1013538/what-are-the-ingredients-of-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine
7) Ingredients in Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines/moderna.html#a11
8) The University of Queensland’s COVID vaccine and false positive HIV tests: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australian-covid-vaccine-terminated-due-to-hiv-false-positives-20201210-p56mju.html
9) The Lancet letter about the use of adenovirus type 5 used in vaccines: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32156-5/fulltext
10) FDA briefing document on Pfizer’s vaccine: https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download
11) FDA briefing document on Moderna’s vaccine: https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/download
12) Data on duration of protection from vaccine in phase I trial participants: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2032195?query=RP
13) An in-depth, very scientific explanation for why RNA vaccines can’t alter your genome: https://www.deplatformdisease.com/blog/no-really-mrna-vaccines-are-not-going-to-affect-your-dna
14) The nurse who fainted during vaccination did not die: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-nurse-covid-vaccine-dead-idUSKBN29629G
15) Canadian no-fault vaccine injury program announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2020/12/government-of-canada-announces-pan-canadian-vaccine-injury-support-program.html
16) A look at vaccine safety in the past 20 years: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-2726
Breast implants: reasons why, the (not so) good old days of regulatory freedom, benefits, risks, silicone vs. saline; the fear of statin side effects; a very special kind of cat video.
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The number of breast implants per year: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/new-statistics-reveal-the-shape-of-plastic-surgery & https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2018/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2018.pdf
2) A report of a study by the Institute of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44775/
3) Survey of breast augmentation surgery satisfaction: https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/1994/12000/The_Efficacy_of_Breast_Augmentation__Breast_Size.9.aspx & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5682175/
4) FDA recommendations on breast implant complications and screening post-implantation: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants
5) Study linking textured implants to anaplastic large cell lymphoma: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2667737
6) Health Canada recall of textured breast implants: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2019/69520a-eng.php
7) Silicone gel implants taken off the market in 1992: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199206183262525
8) Silicone gel implants reinstated in 2006: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/washington/17cnd-breast.html
9) New England Journal of Medicine review of implant safety: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK68334/
10) Annals of Internal Medicine review: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M15-1169?doi=10.7326%2FM15-1169
11) Institute of Medicine report on implants: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44775/
12) Re-operation rates: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26202563/
13) Trailer for the TV show NURSES (for no reason): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_cWMDtD28
14) Chris’ Gazette article on people reporting side effects from statins: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-statins-have-a-proven-track-record
15) Catspiracy: https://vimeo.com/482278265
Music Credits:
Summer Swing 2018 by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3160-summer-swing-2018
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Loving Modern Technology by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7056-loving-modern-technology
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Blockbuster Atmosphere 9 (Sadness) by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/304-blockbuster-atmosphere-9-sadness-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Inspiring Advertising by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5515-inspiring-advertising-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Lights by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5309-lights-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3942-jingle-bells
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jonathan talks with Matthew Remski, the co-host of the Conspirituality podcast, on the merger between the worlds of spirituality and of grand conspiracy theories. The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by a rise in people who believe that nothing is as it seems, that everything is connected, and that the world is on the verge of a major awakening. Matthew himself once trusted his intuitive knowledge of his body until it landed him in the hospital.
2:22 What is conspirituality
6:41 The yearning for an awakening
11:00 Intuition as a guide to knowledge
16:50 The red pill… and the black pill
23:45 The X-Files
29:19 JP Sears and COVID-19
38:11 The self vs. the common good
42:00 The false medical claims of yoga
47:20 Manipulative fraud or self-deluded?
52:36 How Matthew talks to conspiritualists
1:00:35 Conspirituality in 2021
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Matthew Remski’s Conspirituality podcast: https://conspirituality.net/
2) Matthew Remski’s website: https://matthewremski.com/wordpress/
3) Matthew Remski on Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewremski
4) The 2011 paper that defined “conspirituality”: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13537903.2011.539846
5) Jonathan’s article on JP Sears: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-critical-thinking-pseudoscience/clown-prince-wellness
6) Conspirituality podcast episode on BKS Iyengar: https://conspirituality.net/wellness/bonus-yoga-teachers-are-not-doctors-doctors-are-not-priests/
7) Jonathan’s article on Sayer Ji: https://mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience/popular-health-guru-sayer-ji-curates-scientific-literature-his-bachelors-degree-philosophy
8) Matthew’s article on QAnon in Canada: https://thewalrus.ca/when-qanon-came-to-canada/
Chris and Jonathan interview Dr. Ivan Oransky, the co-founder of Retraction Watch which tracks retractions of scientific papers. They discuss how papers get published, how they get retracted, and what a better system might look like.
1:29 How scientific papers get published
3:44 Journals are businesses with a bizarre business model
13:52 No more COVID-related retractions than expected
17:10 Science by press release in part to prevent insider trading
20:04 Jade amulets against COVID-19
26:33 Zombie papers
30:43 A dramatic increase in retractions but they are still rare
36:50 Why are mistakes caught after publication?
42:20 Going to science heaven
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) The Retraction Watch website: https://retractionwatch.com/
2) Retraction Watch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RetractionWatch
3) Ivan Oransky on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivanoransky
4) The Retraction Watch newsletter: https://us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4f35c1f2e9acc58eee0811e78&id=a15d7de264
5) Jonathan’s article on the jade amulet: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-critical-thinking-pseudoscience/paper-argues-amulet-may-protect-covid-should-it-have-been-published
6) Retraction Watch’s original article on the jade amulet: https://retractionwatch.com/2020/10/29/amulets-may-prevent-covid-19-says-a-paper-in-elsevier-journal-they-dont/
7) The jade amulet paper’s retraction notice: https://retractionwatch.com/2020/11/16/co-authors-of-paper-on-covid-19-and-jade-amulets-blames-the-online-press-and-social-media-for-misinterpretation-in-retraction-letter/
8) The Surgisphere retractions: https://retractionwatch.com/2020/06/04/lancet-retracts-controversial-hydroxychloroquine-study/
Diabetes: different types and what to do about them // Mask misinformation // To bank or not to bank your newborn’s cord blood
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
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Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The DiRECT Study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)33102-1/fulltext
2) The DiRECT Study, Two-Year Follow-Up: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(19)30068-3/fulltext
3) 2017 JAMA study on lifestyle interventions: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2648632
4) LABS study on bariatric surgery: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2664662
Music Credits:
Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 14 by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4662-cinema-blockbuster-trailer-14
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Jonathan and Chris interview Dr. Brennen McKenzie, an evidence-based veterinarian who runs the “SkeptVet” blog. They separate what we know, what we don’t know, and what we think we know when it comes to pet care and address the pseudosciences of the animal world.
2:24 Evidence-based veterinary medicine
4:49 Extrapolating from human clinical trials
7:31 Do vets change their mind?
10:07 Acupuncture, homeopathy and chiropractic in the animal world
14:34 Pets and vaccines
17:25 A very special guest appearance
18:00 How to talk to vaccine hesitant pet owners
20:45 The cost of veterinary care
23:11 Placebos
27:52 Raw food diets
32:04 The word “zoopharmacognosy”
32:52 What should dogs and cats eat
37:57 What should dogs and cats NOT eat
40:28 CBD supplements
42:51 Declawing cats
44:17 Inside cat or outside cat
46:02 Supplements to change urine pH
46:40 Feline injection-site sarcomas
48:28 Omega-3s
48:49 Glucosamine
49:23 Cranberry supplements
50:35 New pet parents, take it all with a grain of salt
52:22 The shocking truth about pure breeds
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Brennen’s website: https://skeptvet.com/Blog/
2) Brennen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkeptVet
3) Brennen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkeptVet
4) Brennen’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb8ihBYdSXq_DML1Y6CfbQ
5) Brennen’s book, Placebos for Pets: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51866692-placebos-for-pets
Breastfeeding: its history, the quality of the evidence for it, and the alleged benefits to the baby and to the mother // Placebos in vaccine trials // Are we overreacting to COVID?
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Breast feeding rates according to the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm
2) Historical trends in breastfeeding: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/131/2/421S/4686960
3) Breastfeeding for pain control: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/3/e716.long, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12511452/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11927701/
4) Cochrane review on skin-to-skin care: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008435.pub3/full
5) Sucrose and warmth for analgesia: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/3/e607
6) Formula vs. donor breast milk for preventing NEC: https://www.cochrane.org/CD002971/NEONATAL_formula-versus-donor-breast-milk-feeding-preterm-or-low-birth-weight-infants
7) WHO review on short- and long-term benefits of breastfeeding: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/95585
8) Systematic review on breastfeeding practices and infant mortality: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26249674/
9) Belarus study on obesity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23483175/
10) Cochrane review on optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding: https://www.cochrane.org/CD003517/PREG_optimal-duration-of-exclusive-breastfeeding
11) Jonathan’s article about placebos used in vaccine trials: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health/placebos-used-vaccine-trials-do-not-please-everyone
12) Jonathan’s article about Sweden and the pandemic: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health/which-sweden-do-you-want-believe
Music Credits:
Amazing Plan by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3358-amazing-plan
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Harmony by DreamHeaven
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6497-harmony-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Chris and Jonathan interview Jen Novakovich, a science communicator and cosmetic chemist, on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the safety and efficacy of cosmetics and over-the-counter beauty products… and the drivel you need to be warned against.
2:03 Jen’s career path
4:20 Reversing the signs of aging
7:21 How much should you pay for a moisturizer?
9:37 The regulation of therapeutic claims
13:02 Topical vitamin C or niacinamide?
15:24 Hyaluronic acid or glycerin
16:55 Snail mucin
18:26 Coenzyme Q10
19:32 Tea extract
20:30 Collagen
21:09 Sunscreen and its detractors
25:15 It’s the dose that makes the poison
27:00 How sensitization can lead to skin allergy
31:28 Exfoliants
35:56 The issues with the clean beauty movement
38:00 Animal testing
42:10 When should you throw out makeup?
45:21 Lipsticks and sunscreen
46:48 Can lip balm cause a dependence?
51:20 The new hand sanitizers
53:26 Toxic sanitizers recalled
- Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Jen Novakovich’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/theecowell/
2) Jen Novakovich’s podcast: https://www.theecowell.com/
3) Hand sanitizers recalled by Health Canada: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/73385a-eng.php#affected-touches
Stomach ulcers: what causes them, what doesn’t, why they’re like ninjas, the usefulness of cameras, and how to treat them without resorting to surgery // the debate over airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus and how the virus affects children // COVID-19’s impact on blood vessels and what’s happening with “long haulers” // A word about Plandemic: InDoctorNation
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Ed Yong’s article on COVID-19 long haulers: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/long-haulers-covid-19-recognition-support-groups-symptoms/615382/
2) Jonathan’s article on coronavirus patent disinformation: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-pseudoscience/patently-false-disinformation-over-coronavirus-patents
Music Credits:
Sings In The Fields by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5302-sings-in-the-fields-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cursed Intro by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5624-cursed-intro-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Countdown by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4865-countdown
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Time Is Now by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/395-time-is-now
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
How can you as a patient better navigate the healthcare system? Chris takes you through the labyrinth from his side of the gurney. From the emergency department to the hospital bed, from your regular doctor visit to your medical record, the secrets to medical success and happiness (and how to win friends and influence people) will be shared! Money back guarantee!
0:00 Apology
2:03 Corrections on our special episode on blood
6:09 Visiting the Emergency Department (or ER or A&E)
22:40 Being admitted to the hospital
32:46 The doctor will see you now
46:00 Your medical record
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Links
1) Our previous episode about the healthcare system: http://bodyofevidence.ca/special-the-healthcare-system
2) Our appearances on CTV Montreal News (the clips are usually uploaded Thursdays and Fridays around 1:30PM ET): https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.1332485
Guest host Morgan Sweeney asks Chris and Jonathan about blood! You will learn that blood is not a magical elixir but rather “water and stuff.” Featuring references to Archer, The Simpsons, Ryan George, and a recurring digression into Stephen King’s work, for some reason. After discussing King’s IT, it’s becoming obvious that The Body of Evidence is no longer a family-friendly show.
1:38 Why blood?
3:35 Handling blood is fine but this other bodily fluid?
5:12 Blood transfusions are not always blood transfusions
13:37 The theory behind why women have fewer heart attacks
14:46 Blood is transport
16:07 Where’s the DNA?
19:10 Chris’ medical license gets revoked
22:51 Criteria for donating blood
28:00 HIV and blood donations
34:02 The bad incentives of blood money
38:26 Chris’ kitchen blood drive
40:30 Stephen King’s The Dead Zone
43:47 The Shining traumatized Jonathan
44:46 It ends with children, uh, having a….
49:30 Blood: keep it on the inside
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Links
1) Morgan’s podcast, Magic of the Mind: http://magicofthemind.ca/
2) Canadian Blood Services: https://www.blood.ca/en
3) Ryan George’s Pitch Meeting for IT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dw4u2A9F4g
Music Credits
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
Jonathan and Chris interview Dr. Elisabeth Bik, a science detective who has dedicated herself to identifying and reporting image duplications in the scientific literature that can be due to errors… or to fraud. This interview is part of a continuing series on bad science, including the special “Science Is a Human Enterprise” (part 1 and part 2) and the interview with Dr. Brian Nosek.
1:16 How Dr. Bik became a science detective
3:28 Duplications
10:43 Music or no music?
11:10 Screening 20,000 papers for duplications
16:38 Speed versus accuracy in the age of COVID
17:41 The failures of peer review
21:37 Dr. Bik’s frustration
24:55 Justice League versus Paper Mill
34:33 Make a wish for a healthier science
39:27 Dr. Bik’s drinking game
43:02 How fraudsters may cheat automation in the future
46:05 Will the cockroaches scare the public?
- Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Links:
1) Dr. Bik’s paper on screening 20,000 articles for duplications: https://mbio.asm.org/content/7/3/e00809-16
2) Dr. Bik on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicrobiomDigest
3) Dr. Bik’s website: https://scienceintegritydigest.com/
4) PubPeer: https://pubpeer.com/
Infertility: why we’re having fewer babies, sperm counts, myths and facts, the blame game, and infertility treatments // RNA vaccines // COVID-19 mega-update: convalescent plasma, chloroquine, remdesivir, blood vessel disease hypothesis, children with Kawasaki-like complication, antibody tests, and face shields.
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Prevalence of infertility according to the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/key_statistics/i.htm#impaired
2) Age and female fertility: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2014/03/female-age-related-fertility-decline
3) Causes of infertility: https://www.bmj.com/content/291/6510/1693
4) Declining sperm counts: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28981654/
5) Boxers versus briefs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30102388/
6) Laptops and sperm counts: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/20/2/452/603276
7) Stress and infertility: https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d223
8) Zinc for infertility: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2758450
9) Success rates of IVF: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30032255/
10) Add-on therapies for IVF: https://bit.ly/2NmAx3C
11) Convalescent plasma randomized trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2766943
12) The on-going Canadian trial for convalescent plasma against COVID-19: https://www.blood.ca/en/convalescentplasma
13) The Guardian investigation into the Surgisphere chloroquine paper: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/03/covid-19-surgisphere-who-world-health-organization-hydroxychloroquine
14) The latest preliminary report on remdesivir: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2007764
15) The Elemental blog post on the blood disease hypothesis: https://elemental.medium.com/coronavirus-may-be-a-blood-vessel-disease-which-explains-everything-2c4032481ab2
16) The Lancet’s review and meta-analysis of face shields for SARS and MERS: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext
Music Credits:
Blockbuster 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5618-blockbuster-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Dawn Of The Apocalypse by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5627-dawn-of-the-apocalypse-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
End Of Days by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5405-end-of-days-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Chris and Jonathan speak to Brooke Binkowski, journalist and managing editor for Truth or Fiction, about social media’s misinformation problem and why we need more journalists to figure out what’s real from what’s fake. This interview contains more political opinions than the rest of our show because of the subject matter.
0:38 Brooke gets hoisted by her own petard
3:21 Social media became a source of news
4:02 The danger posed by Alex Jones
6:26 Two points of view on Plandemic
14:00 Collaborating with Facebook on fact checking
27:23 The radicalization coalition
34:40 Social media’s influence on newsrooms
38:33 Brooke’s dream of reparations
41:49 Free speech on the Internet
45:19 How to solve the fact-checking problem
50:40 The magical power of journalism
54:10 The soft science hard sell
57:18 On finding credible sources
1:02:09 “Get it back!” But how?
- Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Big thanks to ThatMTLGuy for the microphone loan to save Chris from subpar sound quality.
Links:
1) Truth or Fiction: http://www.truthorfiction.com
2) Brooke on Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooklynmarie
3) Brooke on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooke.binkowski
4) Where that SWAT team Plandemic footage came from: https://www.truthorfiction.com/researcher-behind-retracted-paper-launches-anti-fauci-campaign/
5) Study on the anti-vaccine movement on Facebook: http://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2281-1
There’s a lot of interest in alternative health books, so I wanted to read one and report back on it, without demolishing or dismissing it. I did a one-hour live stream talking about the Medical Medium’s book Life-Changing Foods. I hope the tips I give on this stream can help people who are attracted by these types of books.
You can watch the stream here: https://youtu.be/kP4sXDWL7u4
HIV: what is it, how do you get it, and what can medicine do about it // What we have learned about chloroquine, remdesivir and convalescent plasma against COVID-19 // Sex and cigarettes, as they relate to the pandemic
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Our scientific references seem to have gotten lost in the time vortex this month, and for that we apologize. If you need clarifications or proofs, don’t hesitate to contact Chris!
Music Credits:
“February”
by Vibe Mountain
Available through YouTube Studio Audio Library
Dantes Dream by MusicParadise
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5061-dantes-dream
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The United States government has filed a complaint for injunction against the main seller of a type of bleach claimed to cure people of autism, COVID-19, and cancer. Jonathan speaks to Amanda Seigler, the executive director of Fierce Autistics and Allies, to bring him up to speed.
Fierce Autistics and Allies on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FierceAandA
Fierce Autistics and Allies on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/381958535858842/
Amanda Seigler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fierceautie
Amanda Seigler on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fierceadvocate/
Jonathan and Chris speak to David Robert Grimes, physicist, cancer researcher and science writer, about 5G and why we believe things that aren’t true.
1:00 A physicist who studies biology
2:46 What is radiation?
4:16 Harm from radiation
7:02 5G
13:01 Why can’t 5G cook us?
15:51 Genuine concerns about 5G
19:26 The psychology of conspiracy theorists
23:41 Schrödinger’s bin Laden
28:00 5G and COVID and the Towering Infernos
31:16 Electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome
37:05 Talking to believers
41:05 Live. Die. Repeat.
47:12 The Irrational Ape
- Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus Q&A with Grimes about the antivaccine movement and COVID-19.
Links:
1) David Robert Grimes’ website: https://www.davidrobertgrimes.com/
2) His book, The Irrational Ape: https://www.davidrobertgrimes.com/copy-of-research-papers
3) David Robert Grimes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drg1985
A comprehensive look at COVID-19 and its infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2, also known as “the coronavirus.” Jonathan and Chris are joined by Dr. Matthew Oughton, an infectious disease specialist, to share the state of the evidence about the current pandemic. Recorded March 26th, 2020.
4:25 How is the disease transmitted?
18:18 What do we know about the virus?
23:47 What are the signs and symptoms?
36:50 How do we test for it?
44:09 What can doctors do?
57:48 How do we avoid it?
1:02:51 Common questions
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Cover song by Joseph Hackl
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Additional original music by Seth Donnelly
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Music Credits:
Emotional Sad Strings by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6011-emotional-sad-strings
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Travelling With Friends by AlekSound
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5938-travelling-with-friends
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Jonathan, Chris, and special guest Nicholas Koziris discuss the popular novel House of God by Samuel Shem, a thinly veiled fictional account of Shem’s year as a medical intern at a major hospital in Boston, published in 1978. They discuss despair, suicide, and doctors lusting after busty nurses. But they mostly look at how much medicine has (or hasn’t) changed in the past 50 years. This episode contains adult themes and language.
The book: https://bit.ly/2W6tEbI
0:00 First impressions
8:19 Women
17:42 Patients
26:00 Laws of the House of God
36:51 Buff and Turf
41:15 House of God: The Movie
45:43 Compassion and judgment in healthcare
55:30 House of God vs. Scrubs (vs. ER)
1:01:00 Parting thoughts and lots of dead bodies
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Music Credits
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
Expressive Blockbuster by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5349-expressive-blockbuster-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Dantes Dream by MusicParadise
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5061-dantes-dream
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Chromatic Fantasia (Bach BWV 930) by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3504-chromatic-fantasia-bach-bwv-930-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Raindrops by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5590-raindrops-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Morgan Sweeney, who has collaborated with us in the past, has created a podcast that uses storytelling set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons to teach people about the ways of the human brain. It’s called Magic of the Mind, and we are sharing its second episode, on perception and attention, because we, uh, have cameos in it. Enjoy!
To listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-of-the-mind/id1498237612
Magic of the Mind website: magicofthemind.ca
Magic of the Mind on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MagicoftheMind1
Arthritis: what it is; osteoarthritis vs. inflammatory arthritis; rheumatism; the risks and benefits of treatments // biosimilars, the “generic drugs” of biologics // Q&A: Chris’ qualms about omega-3 supplements for your heart // The Health Canada Ministry of Truth // Natural products claiming to cure cancer
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Additional original music by Seth Donnelly
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Reference:
1) Cochrane review on exercise for arthritis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26405113
2) Aquatic exercise and arthritis: https://www.cochrane.org/CD005523/MUSKEL_aquatic-exercise-people-osteoarthritis-knee-or-hip
3) Weight loss and arthritis improvement: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17204567
4) Tylenol meta-analyses:
https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h1225
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31744-0/fulltext
5) Review on topical NSAIDs: https://www.cochrane.org/CD007402/SYMPT_topical-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-acute-musculoskeletal-pain-adults
6) Capsaicin as a treatment for chronic pain: https://www.cochrane.org/CD007393/SYMPT_capsaicin-applied-skin-chronic-neuropathic-pain-adults
7) Corticosteroids injections:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26490760
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28510679
8) Knee braces and orthotics: https://www.cochrane.org/CD004020/MUSKEL_braces-and-orthoses-for-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee
9) Duloxetien for knee pain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26176791
10) Glucosamine and chondroitin: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa052771?url_ver=Z39.88-2003𝔯_id=ori:rid:crossref.org𝔯_dat=cr_pub%3dwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
11) Trials fo knee surgery for arthritis: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1505467
12) The omega-3 for cardiovascular disease meta-analysis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31567003?fbclid=IwAR31Z3qq07L9RULPuvFVyzTKavjgde3Mgl_A2LD7BTtw2u4ZZNvat8wAzEU
13) The CTV report on homeopathy: https://bit.ly/2IlNRSx
14) Bad Science Watch report on natural health products and cancer claims: https://badsciencewatch.ca/natural-health-product-retailers-sell-cancer-cures/
Music Credits:
Meanwhile in Bavaria by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4028-meanwhile-in-bavaria
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Countdown by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4865-countdown
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Imagefilm 036 by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/2941-imagefilm-036
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Chris and Jonathan speak to Paul Ingraham, a former massage therapist and author of the website PainScience.com, about the many myths surrounding massages. It will blow your socks off.
1:14 Training as a massage therapist
3:22 Chris wants to massage people
4:47 PainScience.com
10:29 Chris’ big massage reveal
11:43 Increasing circulation
17:46 Tightness
22:00 Do massages detox or toxify the body?
30:25 Post-exercice massages
34:07 Inflammation
36:43 May the fascia be with you
39:46 The endorphins that weren’t there
42:45 Tiger Balm and Its Rubefacient Orchestra
45:28 Clearing the C-spine
46:22 Does Paul recommend massages (and chiropractic)?
49:59 Massages for depression and anxiety
51:50 The complex puzzle of chronic pain
54:47 Paul takes us to his site
- Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Paul Ingraham’s website: https://www.painscience.com/
2) 34 Surprising Causes of Pain: https://www.painscience.com/articles/surprising-ways-to-hurt.php
Flu: Cold vs. flu; the anatomy of a virus; when viruses make a MegaZord; diagnosing, preventing and testing for the flu // coronavirus disease COVID-19 // update on talc and ovarian cancer
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Vox pop by David Lonstein
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com.
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Jonathan’s upcoming public events: https://jonathanjarry.com/category/events/
And Chris will be at ComSciConCan 2020: https://comscicon.com/comscicon-can-2020
Reference:
1) JAMA paper on talc and ovarian cancer: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2758452
Jonathan and Chris speak to Stephan Guyenet, Ph.D., the author of the book The Hungry Brain and the creator of the health book review site Red Pen Reviews, about hunger, obesity, and the highs and lows of debating a journalist on one of the biggest platforms on the Internet.
0:00 Introduction
2:00 How evolution shaped our brain
3:20 Hunger
9:00 The disconnect between hunger and energy needs
15:12 The stressed-out brain of an obese mouse
18:54 Weight loss drugs targeting the brain
21:50 It’s a thermostat… but not really
28:00 Stress and obesity
29:44 Debating journalist Gary Taubes on The Joe Rogan Experience
36:14 False balance on massive platforms
39:32 Rhetoric and the unstructured debate
44:42 Stephan’s eating habits
47:54 Informative reviews of health and nutrition books
51:40 Rewards: food, sex and gold
- Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links:
1) Stephan’s book, The Hungry Brain: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29243729-the-hungry-brain
2) Stephan’s website: https://www.stephanguyenet.com/
3) Stephan Guyenet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/whsource
4) Red Pen Reviews: https://www.redpenreviews.org/
5) Stephan on the Joe Rogan Experience: https://youtu.be/vA3QavPp1Ho
Salt: what is it and what does it do to the body? (with Star Wars references!) // Telling Australians to stop drinking // Q&A with our listeners // YouTube cracks down on pseudomedicine
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Vox pop by David Lonstein
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl
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Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com.
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Review of MSG: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10736382
2) Sources of sodium: He FJ, MacGregor GA. Reducing population salt intake worldwide: from evidence to implementation. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2010; 52:363.
3) DASH diet study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11136953
4) TOHP study: https://www.bmj.com/content/334/7599/885.long
5) John Ioannidis’ editorial: https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/45/1/264/2364034
6) Prison study editorial: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11103
7) Alcohol Abstinence in Drinkers with Atrial Fibrillation: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1817591
One day, Trysha Gellis’ heart just stopped pumping blood. She lost consciousness and almost died… but CPR saved her life. Today, we hear her story and our medical experts explain what doctors do to investigate what went wrong with her heart on that day. Thankfully, it involves cute anesthesiologists.
- Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) Living Proof CPR Training: https://www.livingproofcpr.com
2) Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s CPR Videos: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/get-involved/learn-cpr
Drinking water: alkaline, thirst, bottled, lead // Interview with Olivier Bernard (thepharmafist.com) on vitamin C, harassment, and winning the John Maddox Prize // Vaping update: EVALI and popcorn lung
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Vox pop by Sarah Swinwood
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Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada
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Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com.
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The JAMA study on water intake and kidney function: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2680548
2) Filter numbers: http://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/listings_leadreduction.asp; http://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/water-quality/water-filters-testing-treatment/standards-water-treatment-systems
3) Places where you can test your water in Quebec: http://www.ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/accreditation/PALA/lla03.htm?fbclid=IwAR2u1zqvmnb03uklvROVsjCPsLqljFdUcjO2qv3tM0XMyQJhRCRzLokkCMA#outaouais
4) SWET Trial: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21324289
Chris and Jonathan were interviewed on stage by a reporter from the McGill Tribune newspaper as part of their annual conference on journalism and the media. They discuss how they met, their respective backgrounds, the challenges of podcasting, and many more.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Prostate cancer: how common, how to detect it, how to treat it (should we?) // Artificial lights and sleep with Morgan Sweeney // Should we really be eating more meat now?
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Vox pop by David Lonstein
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl of Voodoo Jazz
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Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com (including "House of Leaves").
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) ERSPC randomized trial of prostate cancer screening: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=10.1016%2Fj.eururo.2012.05.068
2) ERSPC randomized trial of prostate cancer screening: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30824296
3) Quality of Life study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1201637
4) Chemoprevention study 1, PCPT: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1215932
5) Chemoprevention study 2, REDUCE: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0908127
6) Surgery vs. radiation vs. active surveillance: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1606220
Chris and Jonathan speak to Anne Borden, Amanda Seigler, and Melissa Eaton who are campaigning against phony autism cures.
0:55 Alternative treatments for autism and why they exist
3:28 Going undercover on Facebook
5:00 MMS or the bleach cure
11:00 The pushback against activism
12:31 How social media companies have responded
14:10 Chelation therapy
23:45 Pro-science celebrities
26:00 Special diets
27:40 The medical community and applied behaviour analysis (ABA)
34:24 Humane interventions for autism
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
The petition against toxic “cures” in the US:
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-bring-legislation-against-toxic-cures-in-the-united-states-eaa2029c-36c3-4d4d-97ca-08f0a06e1f84
Links:
1) Autistic Self Advocacy Network: https://autisticadvocacy.org
2) Foundations for Divergent Minds: https://www.divergentminds.org
3) Autistic Inclusive on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticinclusivemeets/?eid=ARCCGmkCnb1ATBL515bePaUSQV_8izJNK01wQ1Ku9NXFjiD2a6Cs60-92t8dG3_WXfB1pUWkF23ArXuA&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100008073797054&fref=tag
Social:
1) Melissa Eaton on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.eaton.98
2) Amanda Seigler on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.seigler.3517
3) Anne Borden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AgainstCures
4) Anne’s podcast: http://noncompliantpodcast.com
Breast cancer screening: self-exams, mammograms, ductal carcinoma in situ, Angelina Jolie // The book “Bottle of Lies” and the safety of generic drugs // When cancer research misses its target
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Vox pop by Morgan Sweeney
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Jingle by Joseph Hackl of Voodoo Jazz
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Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com.
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Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
1) The Malmö Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3142562
2) The Canadian National Breast Screening Study: https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g366
3) The 2012 Lancet Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23117178
4) The Cochrane Collaboration Review: https://www.cochrane.org/CD001877/BREASTCA_screening-for-breast-cancer-with-mammography
A questionable plate of spaghetti produces something unexpected: Chris' teddy bear can now speak! Once the acid trip wears off, Jonathan and Chris discuss study aid drugs or "nootropics", like Ritalin being used by 12-year-olds to get better grades. Do these stimulants work and are there side effects? They also discuss Adderall, racetams, omega-3s, ginseng, gingko biloba, and the cocaine of Silicon Valley bros, modafinil. Also: a comprehensive look at the fluoride-and-IQ study that came out and should certain populations all get a combo pill regardless of whether individuals need it?
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly, Epidemic Sound, and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called "Digressions"! Check it out!
LINKS: The Body of Evidence video on ear candles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GfunNxHHkw
Fluoride and IQ study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2748634
REFERENCES: FDA warning letter against nootropics: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-inve...
Ritalin and academic performance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29353323
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/06/study-ritalin-doesnt-...
Health Canada warning on modafinil https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2019/70201... Cochrane reviews on omega-3s, gingko, and ginseng:https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007986.pub2/...https://www.cochrane.org/CD003120/DEMENTIA_there-is-no-convincing-eviden...https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007769.pub2/...
Chris and Jonathan discuss “the” healthcare system and how medicine is being practiced, with all its flaws and needs for improvement. Chris quickly starts going into too many details, but fear not: Jonathan pulls him back. This conversation will be of particular interest to Canadians, but we welcome anyone with open hearts (especially if you bring food).
01:29 There is no Canadian healthcare system
04:24 How do doctors get paid
08:16 Who decides how many patients a doctor sees in a day
12:54 Wait times and the US healthcare system
20:24 Our partially centralized medical record system
22:35 The quest to find a family doctor
27:43 US vs. Canada: FIGHT!
31:26 Pharmacare
34:48 Does the US have more cutting-edge medical treatments
39:19 “You’ve NEVER SEEN SPARTACUS?!”
41:30 Malpractice lawsuits
44:28 Access to healthcare
47:34 Publicly-funded, privately-delivered solutions
51:58 Chris’ #1 frustration
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Chris tries to shave Jonathan’s head as a poorly thought-out prophylactic measure against baldness. Meanwhile, comedian Jacob Meza interviews the cast of his comedy show: do baseball caps cause baldness… or treat it? Back in the studio, the boys talk about the many reasons why people lose their hair; Rogaine and Propecia; whether or not women can go bald; and the fact that it’s not technically testosterone that’s to blame for baldness. Also: peacocks; vaping may help you quit cigarettes but it many not help you quit nicotine; sunscreen chemicals in the blood; and the return of Dr. Bob Bobinovitz.
Vox pop by Jacob Meza, host of Comedy Crowd Off, the Heckling Game Show.
Jingle by Joseph Hackl.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Jonathan and Chris interview Ryan Armstrong, the executive director of Bad Science Watch, a consumer protection watchdog and science advocacy organization. They discuss what Bad Science Watch does; the lobbying forces surrounding Health Canada; homeopathy; the antagonist in Braveheart; the Stop Nosodes campaign; vaccine misinformation on social media; chiropractic complaints not taken seriously; innate intelligence; predatory practice building; how to lodge a complaint, the Ryan way; internecine squabbles between vitalists and evidence-based chiropractors; osteopaths and podiatrists; chiropractors and physical therapists; should pseudomedical practitioners have an order; Ryan’s dream of a national science agency; and Chris’ controversial question.
LINKS:
Bad Science Watch’s website: https://badsciencewatch.ca
Ryan Armstrong on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryarmst
Ryan changes his mind regarding the self-regulation of the chiropractic profession: https://posttruthhealth.ca/index.php/2019/05/17/the-failure-of-self-regulation-of-the-chiropractic-profession-is-an-urgent-public-health-crisis/
Stop Nosodes: http://www.stopnosodes.org
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
A discussion around ice cream reveals that Jonathan may have fallen into the Twilight Zone. Comedian Jacob Meza goes to ComicCon to talk diet pills and accidentally meets “a good swallower” he knows. Back in the studio, the boys discuss the green coffee bean marketing apocalypse; how to spot fake diet pills; and genuine pharmaceuticals that may kill you, give you hallucinations, or make you leak. The biggest question is: will losing 10 pounds make a difference to your health? Also: hot yoga (not to be confused with goat yoga) and an injectable drug for women who want… to want to have sex.
Vox pop by Jacob Meza, host of Comedy Crowd Off, the Heckling Game Show.
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
References:
Retracted Green Coffee Bean paper: http://www.dovepress.com/retraction-randomized-double-blind-placebo-controlled-linear-dose-peer-reviewed-article-DMSO
FTC complaint against green coffee bean makers: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/09/green-coffee-bean-manufacturer-settles-ftc-charges-pushing-its
Dr. Oz statement: https://www.doctoroz.com/page/recent-developments-regarding-green-coffee-extract
Cochrane review on GLP agonists: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=21975753
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the McGill Office for Science and Society, a university-backed office dedicated to separating sense from nonsense, Jonathan moderated a panel discussion entitled “Talking Science in the Age of Fake News”. The panelists were Prof. Joe Schwarcz, the director of the Office; Timothy Caulfield, host of a User’s Guide to Cheating Death on Netflix; Carly Weeks, health reporter for The Globe & Mail newspaper; and Ryan Armstrong, director of Bad Science Watch.
They discussed trends in pseudoscience; how men and women are differently targeted by bunk; stem cells; newspapers running ads for quackery; false balance in the media; native advertising; the opioid crisis; deplatforming an antivaxxer; social media momentum; academic apathy; when scientists talk to journalists; mandatory childhood immunizations; chiropractors self-regulating; hate mail; Deepak Chopra; and whom should the public trust?
To watch the video for the entire event (which included a look back at the history of the McGill OSS and flash talks from each of the panelists): https://youtu.be/aztSt-hnS9I
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
An unexplained bout of amnesia leads Jonathan to completely change his mind about Chris’ interior decoration choices. For the 50th episode of their podcast, the boys have friends over who will help them explain what’s been in the news lately. A dentist and a paediatrician talk about human touch; a chemistry and gender studies double major comments on the line between male and female in competitive sport; and an Apple fanboy and his sui generis podcast co-host talk about wearables… IN MICE!
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
No bonus Patreon show this month because this episode is a mother!
Chris and Jonathan interview Timothy Caulfield, former guest of the show, health policy expert, and one of the major pro-science voices quoted in the Canadian media. They discuss solutions to vaccine hesitancy; “dancing” on Twitter; the rise of “bro science”; what recently made Tim very happy (hint: it involves the government); and Tim’s new TV show.
Timothy Caulfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaulfieldTim
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
The boys travel back to 1998 to change history (and inadvertently alter the course of cutlery). Ada speaks to autistic artists to know what the media gets wrong in its portrayal of autism. Back in the studio, Jonathan and Chris discuss why it looks like rates of autism are increasing, the likely cause of autism spectrum disorder, interventions real and imaginary, and how long you have to wait to get a diagnosis (Jonathan’s reaction will surprise you). Also: what’s happening with measles cases in New York; the mere thought of coffee leads to… what?; and our second winner takes home the coveted prize in our on-going raffle.
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Links mentioned by the artists interviewed:
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AspiGurl web comic: https://aspigurl.com
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Sara Luterman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/slooterman
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Autistic Self-Advocacy Network: https://autisticadvocacy.org
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Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network: https://awnnetwork.org
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Autistics United Canada: https://www.autisticsunitedca.org
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Autistics 4 Autistics Ontario: https://a4aontario.com
Jonathan and Chris interview Brian Nosek, a professor of psychology and the co-founder and director of the Center for Open Science. They discuss problems and solutions in modern scientific research, such as committing scientists… to stick to a protocol.
Table of contents.
2:00 The culture of science.
4:18 Publications as currency for career advancement.
7:53 What researchers tell each other at the bar.
10:22 Cynicism.
12:48 The solution to climate change (not really).
18:24 The paper is advertising for the research.
22:16 Weaknesses of the peer review process.
23:58 One data set, many scientists, different conclusions.
27:29 Resistance to sharing.
29:52 The road to the Center for Open Science.
37:49 Signs of success.
44:10 The generational gap in openness.
46:55 Registered reports.
LINKS:
The Center for Open Science website: http://www.cos.io
Project Implicit: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
For scientists, the Open Science Framework: http://www.osf.io
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
An ill-timed surprise spells heart trouble for our favourite cardiologist. But what exactly is a heart attack, and how does it relate to strokes and angina? Do you need a stress test? What are the warning signs of a heart attack? Is stress a trigger? And what do you do if your friend complains of chest pain, short of filming it for the ‘gram? Also: eggs are no longer sunny side up in the media, but it’s all due to deeply flawed data collection; the results of a local investigation into poop pills (will make sense); and the first winner of our raffle!
To register for the McGill OSS’ 20th Anniversary Event: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/channels/event/oss-20th-anniversary-event-talking-science-age-fake-news-295743
Vox pop by Jacob Meza of the So It Is Told podcast.
Jingle by Joseph Hackl.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod. This episode also featured “Are You in Heaven” by Lobo Loco.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out! This episode’s theme is CPR.
—
References
Differences between men and women in the symptoms of heart attacks: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1738716
Emotional triggers of a heart attack: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7671353
Natural disaster triggers of a heart attack: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(83)91439-3/fulltext
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?8651102
Can the World Cup trigger heart attacks? Carroll D, Ebrahim S, Tilling K, Macleod J, Smith GD. Admissions for myocardial infarction and World Cup football: database survey. BMJ. 2002;325:1439–1442.
Jonathan and Chris interview Jonathan Howard, a neurologist in New York who wrote a book that will make you, the patient, understand a bit more how your doctor is thinking. Howard is interested in how the brain fires (and misfires), which led him to write this book about the biases in the thinking of doctors and patients that can lead to correct answers… but that sometimes result in errors.
This episode plunges you into a real-life episode of ER, with medical scenarios that will illustrate what went wrong. It’s medicine from the brain’s side of the gurney!
LINKS:
The book: https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319932231
Jonathan Howard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JHowardBrainMD
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Chris loses his mind when he misses his after-dinner cookie, which leads the boys to talk about fasting! Ada asks students about their thoughts on the issue, which range from mentioning Terry Crews to believing monks can survive for months without eating. Back in the studio, it’s time to catch up on the hundreds of definitions of fasting and to answer the questions: does fasting work? compared to what? and can people stick with it? Oh, and does it make you live longer? Also: Color Genomics’ DNA kit and what happens when you bypass a genetic counsellor and medical geneticist to find out if you have disease-causing mutations in your genes; young blood transfusions and the confusion over Elizabeth Bathory’s fate; and our first ever contest with prizes! Don’t wait 3 months to listen to this episode!
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Jillian Kate.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Chris gets surprisingly aggressive (and hairy) during a football match, which leads the boys to discuss concussions. Jacob goes to a hockey game and finds a lot of people who are intimately familiar with mild traumatic brain injuries. How common are they, what’s the treatment for them, and should you let someone with a concussion fall asleep? Perhaps more importantly, would you let your kid play football (or hockey)? Also: a new iteration of the Canadian Food Guide gets rid of food groups; talcum powder strikes back; probiotics make surprising appearances in our food supply if we are to believe Canadians; and a joke few people will get. It’s Skeptics with a—wait, wrong show.
Vox pop by Jacob Meza of the So It Is Told podcast.
Jingle by Joseph Hackl.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
—
References
*Studies showing that helmet use reduces injuries in sports
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Johnston KM, McCrory P, Mohtadi NG, Meeuwisse W. Evidence-Based review of sport-related concussion: clinical science. Clin J Sport Med 2001; 11:150.
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Sulheim S, Holme I, Ekeland A, Bahr R. Helmet use and risk of head injuries in alpine skiers and snowboarders. JAMA 2006; 295:919.
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Russell K, Christie J, Hagel BE. The effect of helmets on the risk of head and neck injuries among skiers and snowboarders: a meta-analysis. CMAJ 2010; 182:333.
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Hollis SJ, Stevenson MR, McIntosh AS, et al. Incidence, risk, and protective factors of mild traumatic brain injury in a cohort of Australian nonprofessional male rugby players. Am J Sports Med 2009; 37:2328.
*Study of cognitive rest in adolescents post concussion
Thomas DG, Apps JN, Hoffmann RG, et al. Benefits of strict rest after acute concussion: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics 2015; 135:213.
*Study about prognosis post concussion
Triebel KL, Martin RC, Novack TA, et al. Treatment consent capacity in patients with traumatic brain injury across a range of injury severity. Neurology 2012; 78:1472.
*Studies about CTE
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Bieniek KF, Ross OA, Cormier KA, et al. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy pathology in a neurodegenerative disorders brain bank. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 130:877.
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Mez J, Daneshvar DH, Kiernan PT, et al. Clinicopathological Evaluation of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Players of American Football. JAMA 2017; 318:360.
*Study linking NFL and Alzheimer’s
Lehman EJ, Hein MJ, Baron SL, Gersic CM. Neurodegenerative causes of death among retired National Football League players. Neurology 2012; 79:1970.
Don’t mind Chris’ newfound psychic powers: do fitness trackers like Fitbits actually work? They monitor our heart beats, they count our steps and calories burnt, but do they do it accurately? And can they help us lose weight? Also: you’ll never believe what actually motivates people to exercise; early detection is not as easy as it sounds; does Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder cause cancer and should you even use baby powder in the first place; and how to judge the merits of a scientific paper when you’re not a scientist.
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Jillian Kate.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Jonathan and Chris interview Pixie Turner, a London-based nutritionist who used to be, according to her, a “wellness wanker”. And then she publicly changed her mind about food.
They discuss her formerly obsessive relationship with nutrition; eating for Instagram; the turning point in her life; the vicious Instagram vegan posse; becoming an inadvertent Trojan horse on social media; why wellness mainly targets women; her thoughts on the carnivore diet; the demonization of carbs; orthorexia; Belle Gibson and the Medical Medium; which nutrition books to trust; how to fight misinformation; and why so many of her clients ask her, “Can I eat this?”
LINKS:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixienutrition/
Website: http://www.pixieturnernutrition.com
Pixie’s First Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36272948-the-wellness-rebel?from_search=true
Pixie’s Second Book (pre-order): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40969801-the-no-need-to-diet-book?from_search=true
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
The boys end up in the jungle with varying degrees of immunological protection and Chris subdues a jungle cat. So what are the arguments against vaccination and are they warranted? They discuss arguments like better sanitation, Big Pharma conspiracies, aborted fetuses, autism, chemical preservatives and “too many, too soon”. In a surprising twist, the Catholic Church comes to their defence. Also: Jacob Meza sees a big difference in how young and old people view vaccines; the world’s first genetically edited babies are here (maybe); and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada recommends people with the disease up their dosage of vitamin D.
Vox pop by Jacob Meza of the So It Is Told podcast.
Jingle by Joseph Hackl.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!
Jonathan and Chris interview Nick Saik from Know Ideas Media, a filmmaker who specializes in communicating about food and agriculture online.
They discuss trust in farmers; going to filmmaking school and ending up working on the set of Supernatural; GMOs; precision agriculture; antibiotics in meat; the A&W dilemma; the romantic ideation of food production; RoundUp; orthorexia; chemical-free food; trust in institutions; why only big companies can afford to sell you GMOs; lab-grown meat; what if almonds had nipples; the skeptical movement; how to argue online; and why raising money to do this type of communication is extremely challenging.
WORD OF THE WEEK:
Ag = agriculture
LINKS:
The cat herding commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ0ur5GKC0w
Nick’s nut milking video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJCTIPWPNtw
Know Ideas Media on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/knowideasmedia
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Jonathan and Chris interview Cameron M. Smith, professor in the department of anthropology at Portland State University. They discuss what is anthropology; what it’s like teaching evolution in the United States; what the theory of evolution is; what we’ve learned from the fossil record; whether or not humans are still evolving; what a hominin is; the revival of Lamarck’s theory; and Cameron’s real-life adventures on inhospitable terrain and his prediction for humanity’s new space age. And you will learn a new word: gemmule!
Cameron Smith was a guest of the Trottier Public Science Symposium in October 2018 in Montreal, and you can watch his talk on the space suit he designed by clicking here: https://youtu.be/h7uIV2PFD70?t=2810
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
A risky session on Tinder brings up the topic of Chris’ cat allergy. Meanwhile, comedian Jacob Meza learns from college students that the rise in allergies might be due to chemicals, antibiotics, or GMOs. Back in the studio, the boys talk about just how common allergies are, problems with the hygiene hypothesis, and what treatments are available. Also: is there a link between organic food consumption and cancer risk, and Jonathan talks about how amazing QED was while Chris reports back on his conference experience and on the relativists who want more farm animals to save us from global climate change!
This podcast is now available with more puppies than ever.
Vox pop by comedian Jacob Meza. His podcast is So It Is Told.
Jingle by Jillian Kate.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
It’s Two Men and a Baby as Jonathan realizes that Chris takes odd bets and ends up with an infant to care for. Has childbirth been over- or under-medicalized? Ada talks to clueless university students about the miracle of life. Do epidurals make mothers too “chill”? The boys discuss maternal mortality rates, what can go wrong while giving birth, and water births (wait! how does the baby not drown?). Also: how can crowdfunding platforms identify appeals for quack cancer treatments, and the difference between primary and secondary prevention when it comes to “an aspirin a day”. It’s episode 42, meaning it contains the answer to life, the universe, and everything. And there’s a special guest star who’s totally not the boyfriend of one of our contributors.
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Joseph Hackl.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Lost on the highway, the boys look for a cell phone signal and wonder about the potential dangers of their lifeline. Comedian Jacob Meza explores the possibilities of groin cancer while learning that some people may be scared of cell phones but are unwilling to give them up. Back in the studio, Chris and Jonathan discuss fava beans; the Larry King Show and brain cancer; subgroup analyses (which lie, they always lie); what male rats got that other rodents didn’t; infertility; ICQ; and pacemakers. Also: how prevalent are peanut allergies and do peanut bans in school really work? Plus an interview with Dr. David Gorski on the U.S.’ right-to-try laws: how they compare to compassionate use and what is the link to libertarianism.
For more on right-to-try laws, David Gorski’s blog post from June 4th: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/right-to-try-is-now-law-let-patients-beware/
David Gorski writes for Science-Based Medicine and Respectful Insolence.
Vox pop by comedian Jacob Meza. His podcast is So It Is Told.
Jingle by Jillian Kate.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Jonathan and Chris interview Michael “Marsh” Marshall, project director of the Good Thinking Society and the vice-president of the Merseyside Skeptics Society in England. They discuss how Marsh and Simon Singh met; what a skeptical charity does; why Marsh interviews people with fringe beliefs; changing people’s minds with nudges; the Good Thinking Society’s campaign to stop the NHS from funding homeopathy in the UK; how PR releases get used by journalists to create “churnalism”; and crowdfunding campaigns for alternative cancer cures.
Michael Marshall on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrMMarsh
The Good Thinking Society website: https://goodthinkingsociety.org
The podcasts Marsh is involved with: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/podcasts/
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Returning from a memorable fishing trip, the boys tackle the evidence behind omega-3s, a group of molecules known as “PUFAs!” (try not to laugh). They talk about the EPA; kinky and bent molecules; carnivorous chickens; cardiovascular disease and brain development. Also: how big trials can go wrong; and an interview with Dr. Emma Jones on palliative care, cultivating quality of life, collaborations in paediatric oncology, and myths about medicinal cannabis!
Julia Belluz’s article about the PREDIMED trial paper retraction: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/6/20/17464906/mediterranean-diet-science-health-predimed
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Joseph Hackl.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Jonathan was recently part of a panel discussion on the state of skepticism: what the movement does poorly and how to move forward. The recording was hosted by Grant Ritchey and Clay Jones of the Prism Podcast (and also of Science-Based Medicine), and featured Lydia Finch and Michael Marshall.
You can find the episode by looking up the Prism Podcast on your favourite podcatcher or by clicking on this link.
If you stay until the end of the hour you will hear Chris clapping.
Part 2 of 2. Chris and Jonathan sit down to demystify how scientific research is conducted and what actually goes on in a lab. They talk about the following: data analysis; statistical literacy among scientists; cherry picking; biostatisticians’ greatest complaint; “students should figure it out!”; meta-analyses; hypothesis testing; publishing; structure of a paper; the secret appendices; peer review; open data; registered reports; types of journals; opening a Dairy Queen; and things are improving. Seriously, science is awesome… but its practice could be improved.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Chris and Jonathan sit down to demystify how scientific research is conducted and what actually goes on in a lab. They talk about the following: defining terms; Ang Lee’s Hulk; laboratory hierarchy; graduate studies; postdocs; salaries; job opportunities; what scientists do with the 61 hours a week they work on average; funding; managerial skills; hiring practices; harassement; rewarding results instead of the process; subpar research; and negative findings. Also, Simpsons references galore.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Jonathan and Chris interview three of the Science Moms: Alison Bernstein, Kavin Senapathy, and Natalie Newell. They discuss a bevy of important topics, such as the Dirty Dozen shopping list; the social justice aspect of GE and anti-GE activism; Monsanto; conflicts of interest in research; epigenetic; and, of course, Natalie’s film, Science Moms; also, Chris’ Spider-Man Theory of What Scares People.
The Science Moms documentary can be accessed at ScienceMomsDoc.com, while the moms themselves continue their adventure, bringing good science to the public, at SciMoms.com. You can follow Natalie Newell at @NCNewell; Kavin Senapathy at @KSenapathy; and Alison Bernstein at @MommyPhD2.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
A shameless Chris removes his belt at an all-you-can-eat buffet, which leads Jonathan to talk about the keto diet. How does it compare to other diets and will it do anything to your diabetes, cancer, or epilepsy? Learn about the mysterious food stuff known was “tufo”; hear someone say “carby” a lot; and watch in horror as Jonathan drinks a whole bottle of nail polish remover. Also: how does hormone replacement therapy compare to vaginal moisturizers for vaginal dryness; Chris talks about how much he loves the phrase “clot busters” and what to watch out for if you think you’re having a stroke; and Jonathan and Chris have a very important announcement. They placed it at the end of the show so that you have to listen to the whole episode to get to it.
The JAMA Internal Medicine paper on the estrogen tablet vs. vaginal moisturizer trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2674257?redirect=true
Vox pop by Ada McVean of the McGill Office for Science and Society.
Jingle by Jillian Kate.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
Jonathan interviews public health and consumer advocate Ryan Armstrong, in whom the College of Chiropractors of Ontario is now taking a special interest. They discuss the internal split between “straights” and “mixers”; the Canadian origin of the chiropractic discipline; the College’s monitoring of Ryan’s public criticism; the divine claims of some practitioners; the safety of fast thrusts; the chiropractor-antivaxx link; and more. Ryan weighs in on two important questions: can chiropractors self-regulate and can the profession be moved to a more science- and evidence-based position?
Ryan’s blog is PostTruthHealth and you can find him on Twitter at @RyArmst
Music by Seth Donnelly.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.
The podcast’s third-year anniversary celebration turns out to be the perfect time to discuss coffee. Does it prevent disease… or cause disease? Why are pregnant women told to avoid excessive caffeine consumption if it’s a wonder drug? And, if it’s a drug, is it addictive? We discuss its purported links to miscarriages, birth defects, fertility, cardiac risk, blood pressure, cancer, migraine, and Parkinson’s disease. Plus: why complications are not the same as medical error, and the really bad study that led to the pronouncement that cell phone exposure was associated with increased risk of miscarriages.
The BMJ article on medical errors being the third leading cause of death: http://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i2139
The Vox.com article on cell phones and miscarriages: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/2/15/17008482/cellphones-cancer-miscarriage-health
Details on the Science Moms screening taking place on March 26: https://mcgill.ca/oss/channels/event/science-moms-film-screening-and-panel-discussion-284437
Jingle by Joseph Hackl of Voodoo Jazz.
Additional music by Seth Donnelly and Kevin MacLeod.
Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.