The Blended Science Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nkazi Mkhwanazi, PhD.
We explore how scientific knowledge can help solve significant problems that humanity grapples with daily.
This episode is about Cherrisse Naidoo's journey with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Her story is impressive, tune in and get some more insight. Below are chapters for your convenience:
00:00 - Introduction
02:28 - Diagnosis
04:31 - Life before diagnosis
05:42 - Childhood challenges
06:10 - Difficult beginning
08:49 - Listen to your body
10:00 - Low glycaemic index (GI)
12:36 - Strict diet from mom
14:09 - Awareness, family and friends
15:08 - C-Peptide
17: 09 - HBA1c
17: 22 - Fear of taking insulin
17:58 - Current dietary approach
20:03 - Breakfast
20:36 -Message to people living with diabetes
24:15 - Fashion line (Donna Interna Fashions)
26:26 - Gratitude
29:16 - Outro
Follow Chirrisse using the link below:
https://web.facebook.com/DonnaInterna
Reference paper
Marton, L. T., Pescinini-e-Salzedas, L. M., Camargo, M. E. C., Barbalho, S. M., Haber, J. F. dos S., Sinatora, R. V., Detregiachi, C. R. P., Girio, R. J. S., Buchaim, D. V., & Cincotto dos Santos Bueno, P. (2021). The Effects of Curcumin on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.669448
Chat with us on the following.
Twitter https://twitter.com/nkazi_dr
Email: mkhwanazibn900@gmail.com
This interview was about Nonto Khanyile , who lives with a chronic illness (CIPO). Her journey to diagnosis is unique and her resilience is amazing. Here is a story about science and hope. Please see time stamps below for your convenience.
00:00 Guest Introduction
3:10 - Life Before CIPO
4:48 - Misdiagnosis and diagnosis with CIPO story
12:10 - Medications to improve motility, diet and feeding tubes
18:17 - Knowing more about her condition and sepsis
19:08 - Urinary tract infection (UTI) and sepsis
20:15 - Awareness about CIPO
21:33 Pain management and motility challenges
25:28 - Leaving work due to CIPO and medical boarding
30:07 - Prayer and support
34:36 Gratitude
38:44 Outro
Follow Nonto on socials :
1. Instagram: living_with_cipo
2. Tik tok: nontokhanyile
3. Youtube: Nonto Khanyile
Chat to us @ blendedsciences1@gmail.com
Nkazi and Khwezi discuss a very timely topic on how microplastics impact the environment which in turn affects human health. Please see the timestamps below for your convenience:
00:00 Intro
01:11 What are microplastics?
03:32 Why is plastic is everywhere
04:40 Microplastics in human samples,
07:20 Possible research project on the Mediterranean Diet?
09:15 Obesogenic effects of microplastics and plastic additives. a) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), b) oxidative stress and c) microbiome and Gut Dysbiosis. (1, 2) 14:50 Practical steps to limit the exposure
18:49 Lunch box and container alternatives
21:37 Research Gaps and Basic science
24:20 Outro
References
1. Kannan K, Vimalkumar K. A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:724989.
2. Yee MS, Hii LW, Looi CK, et al. Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021;11(2).
In this Episode, Khwezi and Nkazi look at the pleasure and pain balance as inspired by the Book " Dopamine nation". Tune in and be inspired to pursue pain for pleasure. For your convenience please see the timestamps and references below.
0:00 - Introduction
02:04 - Wisdom in pursuing pain pursuing
04:32 - Physical exercise as a stressor
06:50 - Physical exercise and addictions
10:13 - Community engagement and sports
10:36 - Exercise, mood, and anxiety
11:30 - Meaning of happiness
12:14 -Temperature-induced pain
16:33 - Homeostatic mechanisms
20:55 - Pursuing pain through exposure therapy
25:35 - Man’s search for Meaning—Tragic optimism
28: 45 - Closing remarks
29:41- Outro
References
1. Laukkanen JA, Laukkanen T, Kunutsor SK. Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(8):1111-21.
2. Gravel H, Coombs GB, Behzadi P, et al. Acute effect of Finnish sauna bathing on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and reactive hyperemia in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Physiol Rep. 2019;7(13):e14166.
3. Lembke A. Dopamine nation: Finding balance in the age of indulgence: Penguin; 2021.
4. Frankl VE. Man's search for meaning: Simon and Schuster; 1985.
Nkazi and Khwezi explore the importance of self-binding which is an interesting way to control addictions. Below are the timestamps for your convenience, please enjoy.
00:00 Introduction and welcome
1:23 Feedback from the previous episode
1:38 Insight following 30 days without social media
5:00 Guilt and social media “re-use”
7:02 steward of time and stealing company time
8:00 Self-binding, use of filters to limit internet use
11:39 addicted to destruction
13:49 Khwezi’s view on self-binding
15:43 Self-binding as a two-edged sword
18:36 Accountability
19:50 Looking ahead (upcoming episode)
20:59 Outro and closure
Recommended apps (no affiliations)
-
Block site (chrome and explore extension)
-
Self-control (chrome and firefox)
-
Forest
Reference
1. Anna Lembke. Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
This episode is about "Dopamine fasting". At the same time, this concept may not be widely accepted in the scientific community; we think about how useful it is to abstain from our "drugs of choice". We trust this motivates you to control your life and think about prioritising your goals. "Drug of choice" refers to anything that we can potentially be addicted to e.g. social media, gaming etc.
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Guest Introduction
01:16 Dopamine Nation (Dopamine Fasting)
03:25 Insight
03:50 D.O.P.A.M.I.N.E used as an acronym
04:35 D. Gathering Data
07:03 O. Objectives-How does your drug of choice help you?
11:11 P. Problems – that comes with addiction
14:00 Pain and pleasure balance
18:35 A. Abstaining from the drug of choice
21:15 M. Mindfulness
22:08 I. Insight
23:30. Dopamine fasting critiques
25:36 N. Next step [what to do after the fasting]
27:18 E. Experimenting
29:35 Support groups and truth-telling
30:40 How to get the book if you are a South African
31:42 Gratitude
32:47 Outro
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Dr Oluwole, a medical doctor and a neuroscientist discusses some fundamental science on addiction and shares his journey from medicine into a career in research. The timelines for our conversation is below for your convenience.
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Guest Introduction
1:46 Motivation to Pursue a Career in Neuroscience
06:41 Transition from Medicine to Research
08:55 Addiction
09:42 Definition of addiction
10:43 Why Study addiction?
12:45 The science of Addiction (Dopamine)
15:06 Addiction and the reasoning ability
16:06 Empathy
17:35 Drugs, alcohol vs internet, food, sex, and gambling addiction
24:47 Does addiction run in the family? Genetic and environmental factors.
29:20 Can treatment completely restore brain function? [re-wire the brain]
31:23 Relapse
38:38 The importance of family support
39:14 Gratitude
41:26 Outro- Happy Holidays
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Dr Lebo, a Nutrition Consultant, shares her expert knowledge and practices regarding weight loss. She additionally shares valuable lessons on prioritizing clients and giving the best treatment. This episode comes at a crucial time when obesity and metabolic disorders are rising; let us learn from the best and not wait for January to start losing weight.
Dr Lebo is reachable at afiya.eluya@gmail.com or on her Facebook page @Dr Lebo.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
In this episode, Dr Laurencia Govender unpacks the importance of eating vegetables and fruits for better health. She also gives practical tips that can be incorporated daily. Be inspired by her story and enjoy. The timestamps are shown below for your convenience:
0:00 - Introduction of the guest
2:30 - Dr Govender’s motivation to study Dietetics
04:54 – National Nutrition week (eat more vegetables and fruits)
07:56 – Are fruits pro-obesity or anti-obesity?
13:23 – The benefits of vegetables and fruits
15:53 – Practicality of incorporating vegetables and fruits
22:00 – Tips on cooking vegetables
23:41 – Tips on preparing healthy snacks
26:24 – Prep your veggies on Sundays
27:22-Importance of Gratitude
30:14-For more details on the Nutrition week, please visit: http://www.nutritionweek.co.za/
32:16-Outro
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
0:00 - Guest Introduction
03:19 - Overcoming failure
05:39 - From refuse collection to a PhD in Soil Science
08:32 - Motivation to pursue a career in Soil Science
10:48 - Nutrient poor soils
13:41 - Nutrients that are deficient in certain soils
15:31 - Managing soils better
17:21 - Magnesium
18:15 - Unemployment
20:23 - Support from the community
22:41 - Currency
24:22 - Closing remarks and outro
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Dr Chelopo-Mgobozi talks to us about her journey and encourages scientists to be innovative, especially if their hypothesis does not work out as planned.
0:09 – Guest Introduction
2:22 – Motivation to pursue a career in Science
5:08 – PhD research in nanotechnology and tuberculosis
09:36 – TB treatment compliance
11:47 – Dealing with unexpected results
18:38 – Azanzi Health solutions
24:00 - Unemployment
25:20 – Encouragement for women
31:06 -Closing remarks
32:43 – Outro
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Dr Chihambakwe talks to us about the importance of Spine care and shares interesting contrasts between low resourced and well-resourced settings. Below is the episode breakdown with corresponding timestamps.
0.00 - Introduction
1:05 - Guest Introduction
02:23 - Motivation to study Chiropractor
7:00 - Low back and neck pain
10:07 - Low back pain and weight gain
14:30 - Low back pain in low resourced communities
20:30 - Nkazi's grade 2 Story about back pain
22:17 - Back pain in office workers
24:38 - Tips for office workers
29:52 - Standing Desks
31:57 - Closing remarks
Chat to us @ blendedsciences1@gmail.com You can purchase Dr Chihambakwe's book at Amazon; the book's title is Twenty 20: Twenty. A reflection.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
0:57 - Introduction of the Guest
1:35 - Definition of Agricultural engineering (Bioresource Engineering)
3:14 - Motivation to Pursue Agric engineering
6:11 - Technologies developed by Agric engineers
8:54 - Technology for drying fruits vs conventional technologies
15:56 - Biogas Production, potential to create electricity
21:00 - Encouragement for Women
23:17 - Outro
Here are some of Khuthadzo's papers for your perusal, enjoy:
- Biogas Production Potential from Agricultural and Agro-Processing Waste in South Africa:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12649-017-9923-z
- The kinetics of thin-layer drying and modelling for mango slices and the influence of differing hot-air drying methods on quality:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021012858
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Anele breaks down grief, various stages of grief and how they may differ per individual. She also touches on how to help a grieving child.
Her contact details are as follow:
Mobile: +27 448 8201
Email address: anelezeekode@gmail.com
Socials:
-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anele-Nkwanyana-Registered-Counsellor-710018206058720/
-
Instagram: @Nkwanyana_Anele
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Dr Nkazi Explores the Psychology of the Crowd in response to the unrest, racial tension and looting seen in South Africa.
0:39 – Definition of A Crowd
01:53 – Impulsiveness, irritability and being easily changeable
05:10 – The Crowd is readily influenced by the suggestions of others
05:54 – Having simple and exaggerated sentiments
06:41 – The morality of crowds
09-20 – Closing remarks
Chat to us via email @ blendedsciences1@gmail.com
Reference
Le Bon, G. (2002). The crowd: A study of the popular mind: Courier Corporation.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
0:00-Intro
2:00 – Guest Introduction and Background
5:06 – Stress and Anxiety
9:20 - Anxiety
10:00 - Anxiety vs depression (mood disorders)
12:15 - Anxiety disorders
15:00 - Causes of Suicide and mental health
17:52 - What we can do
19:45 - The importance of crying
21:14 - Closing remarks, wellness facilities
24:42 – Outro
Mental health resources
- South African Depression and Anxiety Group - https://www.sadag.org/
2.Focus on the family - https://www.focusonthefamily.com/
We sincerely apologies for the background noise.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Our Guest Asiphe Mashinini, shares about how childhood trauma can pre-dispose adults to anxieties. Children face different types of adversities, especially in Africa; this is an opportunity to learn how we can do better.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
This episodes defines imposter syndrome (IS). The common symptoms of IS are also discussed with a few coping tips for those living with the condition.
Material partially quoted by Nkazi is listed below:
-
Bronnie Ware. The top five regrets of the dying(2011). Hayhouse. https://bronnieware.com/blog/regrets-of-the-dying/
-
Hibberd, Dr Jessamy. The Imposter Cure: How to stop feeling like a fraud and escape the mind-trap of imposter syndrome . Octopus. Kindle Edition.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
This episode briefly looks at the blend of general adaptation syndrome (GAS) and modern doctrines of stress. Nkazi, also provides the tools he uses to manage stress.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Londiwe Khanyile, a podiatrist, shares tips on maintaining healthy feet. She further explains the development and progression of peripheral neuropathy, which can be pre-screened at her practice.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message
Learn from an Exercise Physiologist Dr Thaane about the importance of physical exercise to maximize health and longevity.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nkazi-mkhwanazi7/message