Get Real Health with Dr. Chana Davis: Recent Episodes
Get Real Health
Dr Chana Davis chats with experts in science and medicine to help you make informed choices. Learn about nutrition, fitness, vaccines, happiness, and more.
Tune in to learn about the promise and pitfalls of weight loss medications, with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician. This episode focuses on a popular medication called semaglutide, which is sold as Ozempic or Wegovy. Dr. Stanford explains how this drug works and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of what to expect. We also discuss how medications fit into the broader picture of obesity management and why Dr. Stanford is a vocal advocate for defining and treating obesity as a chronic disease.
Dr. Stanford is an internationally recognized leader in obesity medicine. She practices and teaches at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and is Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Dr. Stanford received her BS and MPH from Emory University as an MLK Scholar, her MD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine as a Stoney Scholar, her MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as a Zuckerman Fellow in the Harvard Center for Public Leadership, and her executive MBA as a merit-based scholarship recipient from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She completed her Obesity Medicine & Nutrition Fellowship at MGH/HMS after completing her internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Stanford is also the recipient of numerous awards for her leadership, advocacy, and service. Connect with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford Twitter @askdrfatima Instgram @askdrfatima https://askdrfatima.com
Disclosures: Dr. Stanford has advised or consulted for: Novo Nordisk, Calibrate, GoodRX, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gelesis, Eli Lilly, Rhythm, MelliCell, Vida Health, Vira Health, Sweetch
Tune in to learn about the social factors that shape our health with Dr. Annalijn Conklin. Social determinants of health, like education, food security, job security, social connections, and gender, play a major role in our health and disease. Dr. Annalijn Conklin is a social epidemiologist who studies how diseases like obesity and heart disease, are shaped by social factors, and how these intersect with gender. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia where she leads a research program to support healthy aging and reduce heart health inequities in Canadian women. Her diverse training experiences include a post-doc at UCLA on social policy and global health, a PhD in epidemiology from Cambridge, and a Master's in Public Health from Columbia University. This conversation challenges the popular narrative that health is a personal responsibility that we bear alone and encourages listeners to re-think what it means to make healthy choices. Connect with Dr. Annalijn ConklinTwitter @AnnalijnConklinhttps://pharmsci.ubc.ca/directory/annalijn-i-conklin Recommended ResourcesSocial Determinants of Health (World Health Organization): http://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/Beyond the Conversation community: https://beyondtheconversation.org
Join two geneticists to learn about your genes and direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Dr. Alex Dainis and Dr. Chana Davis both have PhDs in human genetics and are passionate about spreading their love of science. In this episode, we describe how our DNA makes us who we are, and explain basic concepts including genes, variants, transcripts and phenotypes. We also discuss the pros and cons of consumer genetic testing, including the way that genetic risks are often misinterpreted. Last but not least, we share how our scientific backgrounds shape the way we navigate the world, and why it's important to view science as a process, not a set of facts. Dr. Alex Dainis earned her PhD in genetics at Stanford University and is currently a freelance science communicator and video producer. Her successful social media channels bring biology, chemistry, and genetics to over 125,000 followers world-wide. Note: For professional help with a genetic medical condition, consult your physician and/or a genetic counsellor. Connect with Dr. Alex Dainis@alexdainis on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTokHelicase Media video production: https://helicasemedia.com/ Recommended Resources
Reactions by ACS: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJ9oJ2GUF8Vmb-G63ldGWgChemistry for Life Podcast: https://chemforyourlife.comThose Nerdy Girls: https://thosenerdygirls.orgScience Sam: https://www.samanthayammine.comSpace Gal: https://www.thespacegal.com/aboutUnbiased Sci Pod: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com
Join us to learn about your immune systems with Dr. Liz Marnik, a scientist, professor, and passionate science communicator. In this episode, Dr. Marnik sheds light on how our immune systems work, and what we can do to keep them in tip top shape. We also talk about immune health myths and misinformation, and why we should be skeptical of "immune boosting" and "anti-inflammatory" claims. Dr. Marnik has a PhD in genetics/immunology and is an assistant professor of Molecular Biochemistry at Husson University, in Maine. She is also very active on social media and Substack, where she writes about COVID-19, vaccines, and other immunology topics. Dr. Liz Marnik and Dr. Chana Davis (host) met through the unofficial "Nerdy Neighbourhood" - a group of clinicians, researchers, and public health experts dedicated to reaching the public with practical, digestible, science-based, information. Connect with Dr. Liz MarnikInstagram @sciencewhizlizNewsletter: https://fromthescienceclass.substack.comWebsite: https://www.elisabethmarnikphd.com/ Recommended ResourcesBritish Immunology Society: https://www.immunology.orgAmoeba Sisters: https://www.amoebasisters.com Members of the "Nerdy Neighbourhood"- Women in STEM who are passionate about science communicationFueled by Science: https://fueledbyscience.comThose Nerdy Girls: https://thosenerdygirls.orgUnambiguous Science: https://www.unambiguous-science.comUnbiased SciPod:https://www.unbiasedscipod.comSciMoms: https://scimoms.comImpact: https://www.impact4hc.com
Join me and Dr. Nicola Guess to talk about the highs and lows of monitoring your blood sugar, with a focus on people without diabetes. Dr. Guess explains what happens to our blood sugar levels when we eat carbohydrates, and how this differs between people who are diabetic and not diabetic. She also breaks down the different types of carbs, and why a glucose spike is not necessarily cause for alarm. We also discuss the pros and cons of closely tracking your blood sugar using CGMs, or continuous glucose monitoring devices.
As context, some people without diabetes are monitoring their blood sugar using devices that have long been used by people with diabetes. It's neither mainstream nor cheap, but is getting traction in the personalized medicine and biohacking communities. Dr. Nicola Guess is an expert in diabetes prevention and management, who brings a clinical, scientific and public health lens to the table. She see patients in her private clinical practice, and is a leading diabetes researcher at the University of Oxford. Connect with Dr. Nicola Guess* Substack: https://drguess.substack.com
* Oxford: https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/team/nicola-guess
* Twitter: @Dr__Guess
* Instagram: @dr__guess
Related episodesType 2 Diabetes Prevention: Dietary Strategieshttps://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/nicola-guess-2/Type 2 Diabetes Management: Dietary Strategieshttps://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/nicola-guess-1/ ResourcesAmerican Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.orgDiabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.ukDiabetes Canada: https://diabetes.ca/
Join me to learn about osteoporosis treatments with bone health expert Dr. Joy Wu. We discuss lifestyle and medications that can halt bone loss, or even help rebuild bone. Dr. Wu also sheds light on the biology of bone and some of the factors that inform the optimal treatment for each patient. Dr. Wu is a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis and other bone mineral diseases. She treats patients and leads cutting-edge research at Stanford University, where she is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Gerontology and Metabolism and Vice Chair of Basic Science in the Department of Medicine. This episode is the second of a two-part conversation. In part one, we discuss osteoporosis prevention. Connect with Dr. Joy WuTwitter @JoyYWuhttps://twitter.com/JoyYWuStanford profile:https://profiles.stanford.edu/joy-wu ResourcesBone Health & Osteoporosis Foundationhttps://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.orgOsteoporosis Canadahttps://osteoporosis.caHormone Health Network of Endocrine Societyhttps://admin.hormone.orgAmerican Society for Bone and Mineral Research (for physicians)https://www.asbmr.org/
Join me to learn about building and maintaining strong bones, with endocrinologist Dr. Joy Wu. Osteoporosis causes devastating bone fractures in millions of people every year, and there is a lot we can do to prevent it. In this episode, we discuss the causes, consequences, and risk factors for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Dr. Wu sheds light on what's going in inside your bones and the role of diet, exercise, hormones and medications. Dr. Wu is a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis and other bone mineral diseases. She treats patients and leads cutting-edge research at Stanford University, where she is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Gerontology and Metabolism and Vice Chair of Basic Science in the Department of Medicine. This episode is the first of a two-part conversation. In part two, we discuss osteoporosis treatment options. Connect with Dr. Joy WuTwitter @JoyYWuhttps://twitter.com/JoyYWuStanford profile:https://profiles.stanford.edu/joy-wu ResourcesFracture Prevention Facts & Myths (Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation)https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/preventing-fractures/general-facts/Osteoporosis Canadahttps://osteoporosis.caBone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the US Surgeon Generalhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20945569/Hormone Health Network of Endocrine Societyhttps://admin.hormone.orgAmerican Society for Bone and Mineral Research (for physicians)https://www.asbmr.org/ Related podcast episodesNavigating Menopausal Hormone Therapy (Dr. Carla DiGirolamo)https://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/carla-digirolamo-2/Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Risks & Benefits (Drs Avrum Bluming & Carol Tavris)https://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/avrum-bluming-carol-tavris-1/Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Setting The Record Straight (Dr. Avrum Bluming)https://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/avrum-bluming-2/
Join me for a conversation with emergency medicine physician, Dr. Shazma Mithani. We discuss preventative healthcare, tips for navigating the ER, and lessons from her high-pressure job that apply to daily life. Dr. Mithani also tackles medical myths and misinformation, including the potentially harmful belief that everything natural is good and safe. Dr. Shazma Mithani is an emergency medicine physician in Edmonton, Canada and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta. In addition to treating patients on the front lines, Dr. Mithani is very active on social media, where she busts myths, educates the public, and advocates for social justice. Connect with Dr. Shazma MithaniTwitter @shazmamithaniInstagram | Tik Tok | Facebook @drshazmamithaniTune into Everyday ER on CBC Resources8-1-1 Health Line (in Canada)Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.htmlAlberta Health Services: https://www.albertahealthservices.caScience Up First: Together Against Misinformation: https://www.scienceupfirst.com/
Join me for a deeper understanding of breast cancer, with Dr. Stephanie Graff, a medical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer. Dr. Graff sheds light on what breast cancer is, why it's such a diverse disease, and the role of genetic and lifestyle risk factors. We also discuss the rise of "expert patients" and the challenges and opportunities of navigating cancer in today's complex information environment. Dr. Graff cares for breast cancer patients at the Lifespan Cancer Institute in Rhode Island, where she is Director of Breast Oncology. She is also actively involved in cancer research and clinical trial design, and is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University. Dr. Graff is passionate about empowering patient advocates, and serves as a medical advisor to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Connect with Dr. Graff:Twitter @drsgraff: https://twitter.com/DrSGraffBrown University: https://vivo.brown.edu/display/sgraffLifespan Cancer Institute: https://www.lifespan.org/providers/stephanie-l-graff-mdPublication - The Rise of the Expert Patient in Cancer: From Backseat Passenger to Co-navigator.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35344398/ Resources:Cancer.Net - Oncologist-approved information about cancer (by American Society of Clinical Oncologists)https://www.cancer.netAmerican Cancer Society Breast Cancer Resourceshttps://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.htmlProject LEAD - Science training for advocates (by National Breast Cancer Coalition):https://www.stopbreastcancer.org/what-we-do/education/project-lead/Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Researchhttps://drsusanloveresearch.org
Join me to talk about sexual wellbeing in women with Dr. Kelly Casperson. This episode provides hope and direction for women struggling with low sexual desire - and their partners. Dr. Casperson is a urologist, coach and sex expert who is passionate about helping women to live their best love lives. She urges women to make an empowering mindset shift, and to educate themselves about their bodies and desires, and the societal factors that shape our sex lives. We also touch on the role of hormones, which have a role to play, but are rarely a quick fix. This episode is the second of a two part conversation with Dr. Casperson. In Part 1, we discuss urology: norms, problems, and solutions. For more from Dr. Casperson, check out her highly successful podcast and book, both entitled: You Are Not Broken. Connect with Dr. Kelly Casperson@kellycaspersonmd on Instagram and Facebookhttps://www.kellycaspersonmd.comYou Are Not Broken Podcast: https://www.kellycaspersonmd.com/podcast
Join us for a candid conversation about your urinary tract or "human plumbing" with Dr Kelly Casperson, a board-certified urologist who is passionate about empowering people to take care of their bodies. Urinary tract issues are incredibly common, yet rarely discussed. Dr. Casperson sheds light on "normal" urinary tract function and what can go wrong, including UTIs and incontinence. We also discuss potential solutions, including bladder training, pelvic therapy, and medical interventions. This episode is the first of a two part conversation with Dr. Casperson. In Part 2, we discuss her book: You Are Not Broken, and the broader topic of sexual wellbeing in women. Note: This show does not constitute personal medical advice; it provides general advice and resources for those who suffer from urinary tract issues. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your unique situation. For more from Dr. Kelly Casperson@kellycaspersonmd on Instagram and FacebookYou Are Not Broken Podcast: https://www.kellycaspersonmd.com/podcastWebsite: https://www.kellycaspersonmd.com Other resourcesAmerican Urological Association: https://www.auanet.orgCanadian Urological Association: https://www.cua.org
To kick off Season 3, host Dr. Chana Davis shares a bit about herself and her mission for the show. Dr. Davis gives a whirlwind tour of her journey from curious kid to geneticist to science communicator. She also sheds light on the passion for bringing you leading health experts to share practical information, helping you separate fact from fiction, and showing you how science is done. For more of Dr. Chana Davis' work, follow her on social @fueledbyscience and check out her website: www.fueledbyscience.com
Join us for a conversation about misinformation and science denial, with Dr. Sara Gorman. This episode will help you contribute to one of the most important battles of our times: the fight between misinformation and evidence-based information. Dr. Gorman sheds light on where misinformation comes, why we are all vulnerable, how to protect ourselves, and how to engage productively with others who have been misled. Dr. Sara Gorman is a public health expert and author who is passionate about fighting misinformation and creating a higher quality information environment for everyone. She has a Master's in Public Health from Columbia University and a PhD in English literature from Harvard. She is the co-founder of Critica Science, a community committed to making rational decisions about health and security. Her first book examines the psychology of healthcare decision making and irrational and beliefs; her second book (in progress) is about conspiracy theories and distrust in science. More from Dr. Sara Gorman- Twitter @critica_life- Critica Science: https://www.criticascience.org- Those Nerdy Girls: https://dearpandemic.org/ Dr. Gorman's Books- Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us- Modern Medicine: Conspiracy Theories and Distrust in the 21st Century (under contract with Oxford University press)Other resources and related links- Breast cancer screening mammography decision aid for women in their 40s: https://bsd.weill.cornell.edu- Breast cancer screening article on Those Nerdy Girls (by host Dr. Chana Davis): https://dearpandemic.org/breast-cancer-screening/- COVID-19 contagiousness article on Those Nerdy Girls (by host Dr. Chana Davis): https://dearpandemic.org/10-day-positive-contagious/ ABOUT THE SHOW Get Real Health is hosted by Chana Davis, PhD a scientist with a passion for helping others use science to make smart choices, big and small. Access more of her work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Join sleep expert Dr. Lauren Hale to learn about why is sleep important and how we can improve our sleep.
Many of us are not getting enough sleep, and paying a steep price. Dr. Hale explains that poor sleep impacts us in many different ways, from mood and energy, to food choices, to mental and physical performance. She also shares concrete tips for investing in sleep so that you can reap the rewards of good sleep.
Dr. Hale is a sleep health researcher and professor at Stony Brook University. She's on the Board of Directors of the National Sleep Foundation, serves on the National Scientific Advisory Board for the Children and Screens Institute and is the founding Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Health. Dr. Hale is also a founding member of Those Nerdy Girls at Dear Pandemic, where she answers questions about sleep health.
Links for Dr. Lauren Hale: Twitter @LaurenHalePhD Stony Brook University https://publichealth.stonybrookmedicine.edu/faculty/LaurenHale Those Nerdy Girls https://dearpandemic.org/nerdygirls/lauren-hale-ph-d-ma/
Resources: National Sleep Foundation https://www.sleepfoundation.org Sleep Health Journal https://www.sleephealthjournal.org Good Sleep Summary from NIH https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/04/good-sleep-good-health
ABOUT THE SHOW
Get Real Health is hosted by Chana Davis, PhD a scientist with a passion for helping others use science to make smart choices, every day. Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Join Dr. Carla DiGirolamo to learn about all things stress - the good, the bad, and the ugly. How and why does stress impact your health and wellbeing? What can you do about it? Today's conversation focuses primarily on midlife health in women, as this is Dr. DiGirolamo's area of expertise. We discuss how stress shows up in her fertility patients and her fitness coaching practice, and how we can reduce stress with a small investment of time and energy. Dr. DiGirolamo is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and obstetrician/gynecologist, and has a PhD in molecular pathobiology. She is also a certified menopause specialist, CrossFit Trainer and Nutrition Coach. Dr. DiGirolamo currently works as a fertility & menopause specialist at Boston IVF and as a private coach.
Note: For more from Dr. DiGirolamo, see Episode 44 on what expect during menopause and Episode 45 on navigating menopausal hormone therapy. Dr. Carla DiGirolamo's links: Athletic Aging newsletter: https://www.athleticaging.blog Website: https://fitforlifemd.com Social Media: @fitforlifemd
Join us to demystify menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo, a reproductive endocrinologist and menopause specialist. In this episode, we discuss: - The potential benefits and risks of menopausal hormone therapy - How to navigate different hormones, formulations and doses of MHT - What the term bioidentical means and how it's often misused - When hormone testing is useful, when it's not, and why
Dr. DiGirolamo has profound expertise in hormones, menopause, and mid-life health. She is a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and obstetrician/gynecologist, and has a PhD in molecular pathobiology. She is a certified menopause specialist through the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and a certified CrossFit Trainer and Nutrition Coach. Dr. DiGirolamo currently works as a private coach and as a fertility / menopause specialist at Boston IVF. Note: This episode is the second of a three-part conversation with Dr. DiGirolamo. In Part 1, we discuss what to expect during menopause. In Part 3, we discuss non-pharmaceutical (lifestyle) interventions like fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness. More from Dr. Carla DiGirolamo Athletic Aging newsletter: https://www.athleticaging.blog Website: https://fitforlifemd.com Social Media: @fitforlifemd Other Resources Joint position statement by the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on best practice recommendations for the care of women experiencing the menopause (June 2022) https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Optimising-the-menopause-transition-Joint-position-statement.pdf The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf Estrogen Matters (by Dr. Avrum Bluming & Dr. Carol Tavris; deep dive on breast cancer risk and hormone therapy) https://estrogenmatters.com/ Hormone Therapy: WHI Controversy Part 1 (Podcast with Dr. Avrum Bluming & Carol Tavris) https://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/avrum-bluming-carol-tavris-1/ Hormone Therapy: WHI Controversy Part 2 (Podcast with Dr. Avrum Bluming & Carol Tavris) https://fueledbyscience.com/podcast/avrum-bluming-2/
Join us for a conversation about the menopause transition with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo, a reproductive endocrinologist and menopause specialist. We dig into the gory details of what to expect and why changing sex hormones impact our minds and bodies in so many ways - from hot flashes, to body composition, vaginal changes, sex drive, depression, anxiety and more. We also discuss the vital importance of fostering a healthy mindset during this time of change.
Dr. DiGirolamo has a profound understanding of our complex hormonal systems thanks to her extensive medical training and PhD in molecular pathobiology. She is a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and obstetrician/gynecologist and a NAMS-certified menopause specialist. Currently, Dr. DiGirolamo is a partner at Boston IVF, where she helps her patients navigate menopause and fertility challenges.
Dr. DiGirolamo is also deeply passionate about life-long fitness and truly walks (and rocks!) the talk. She is a certified CrossFit Trainer and Nutrition Coach and loves empowering women to improve their health and vitality. Note: This episode is the first of a two-part conversation. In part two, we discuss menopausal hormone therapy and lifestyle interventions to help you thrive during menopause and beyond.
More from Dr. Carla DiGirolamo: Athletic Aging newsletter https://www.athleticaging.blog Website https://fitforlifemd.com Social Media @fitforlifemd
Other Menopause Resources: North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org
Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan joins us to talk about fitness, body composition, and metabolism, with a focus on women's health. We discuss practical ways to apply the latest research to support your health and fitness. Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD is a professor of exercise physiology and sports nutrition at UNC Chapel Hill. She directs the Applied Physiology Lab and is a fellow of several professional organizations including the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). Dr. Smith-Ryan has received numerous awards including Nutrition Researcher of the year and Young Investigator of the Year for the NCSA. Her research focuses on exercise and nutrition interventions to modify body composition, cardiovascular health, and metabolic function. She is extremely passionate about women's health and has recently been studying the menopause transition. In this episode, we discuss: * Body composition: Why the number on the scale is not the best predictor of health; how body composition is affected by menopause and aging. * Metabolism: What the term "metabolism really means, how it's measured, and how much we can, and cannot, control it. * Muscle: Why women should prioritize muscle mass; why building and maintaining high quality muscle is so important, especially as we age. * Fitness: Which types of exercise give you the most "bang for your buck"
Connect with Dr. Smith-Ryan through her website, Twitter or Instagram: https://www.asmithryan.com/ https://twitter.com/asmithryan https://www.instagram.com/asmithryan/ Studies Metabolic effects of menopause: a cross-sectional characterization of body composition and exercise metabolism (2022) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35231009/
Join nutrition scientist Megan Lee and host Dr. Chana Davis for a conversation about the link between food and mental health, with a focus on depression. Megan is a Senior Teaching Fellow and researcher at Bond University in Australia. She has a Bachelor in Psychology and is on the cusp of completing her PhD in Nutritional Psychiatry. Throughout her career, she has published research on food and mood, body image, disordered eating, and more. In this episode, Megan gives an overview of what we know, and what we don't know, about the link between diet and depression. Megan also sheds light on the murky relationship between depression and vegan / vegetarian / plant-based diets, a topic that she is actively researching. As always, this episode takes you behind the scenes to see how science is done and helps you navigate health headlines with confidence - and skepticism. Connect with Megan Lee on Twitter @meganleephd or her website: https://twitter.com/MeganLeePhD https://www.meganlovingmeagain.com Links: Plant-based dietary quality and depressive symptoms in Australian vegans and vegetarians: a cross-sectional study https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/4/2/e000332
Dr. Brenda Davy joins us to talk about what we drink and why it matters - from hydration, to fluoridation, to weight management.
Dr. Davy is a Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech. She earned her PhD in Human Nutrition and MS in Exercise Physiology and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Her areas of expertise include obesity and body weight regulation; water and beverage intake and health; diet and cardiovascular diseases; and dietary intake assessment.
This episode spans a wide range of topics including how beverages impact energy intake, how to stay hydrated, and how to make beverage choices that support your lifestyle and body weight goals. As always, we look behind the curtain to see how science is done, and how real scientists put their knowledge into practice.
Note: This conversation does not address controversial aspects of weight management like the harmful impacts of diet culture and weight stigma. Please see previous episodes with Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro (Ep #23) and Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford (Ep #28) for discussions of these important topics.
Connect with Dr. Brenda Davy on Twitter or at Virginia Tech: https://twitter.com/davybrenda https://www.hnfe.vt.edu/people/gpf/davy-b.html Resources: CDC Re-Think Your Drink: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html Rev Your Bev Campaign: https://revyourbev.com Fluoride and Health (Canada): https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/environment/fluorides-human-health.html Fluoride in Water (US CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html
Dr. Sarah Berry joins us to talk about the personalized nutrition, also known as precision nutrition.
This episode sheds light on why two people can respond very differently to the same foods, and shares the emerging science that is helping us understand how to optimize our diets. We discuss three key factors that influence our response to food, and, ultimately, our health: who we are, what we eat, and when we eat.
Dr. Berry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King's College London. Her research focuses on precision nutrition, postprandial metabolism, and the structure of food. She is also the lead nutritional scientist at Zoe, a personalised nutrition company. Zoe runs the world's largest nutrition-science study, called PREDICT, to understand the complex relationship between food and health.
Connect with Dr. Sarah Berry: Twitter King's College London Zoe
Links: JoinZoe.com
Dr. Deirdre Tobias joins us to talk about the relationship between diet, obesity, and health, with a focus on the role of processed foods.
Dr. Tobias is an epidemiologist who specializes in nutrition, obesity, and methods. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
This episode explores the following questions: - What are (ultra) processed foods? - What do we know about the link between food processing and obesity and related diseases? What do we not yet understand? - What are the limitations of the "whole is good and processed is bad" food rule? - How can we translate nutrition science into actionable advice for the public?
Drs. Tobias and Davis also share practical tips for how they shop and prepare foods for their families in a way that leverages the advantages of processed foods while ensuring high nutritional value.
More from Dr. Deirdre Tobias at Harvard and on Twitter.
Resources
The Harvard Nutrition Source https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
Studies
Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33027677/
Eliminate or reformulate ultra-processed foods? Biological mechanisms matter https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34699743/
The energy balance model of obesity: beyond calories in, calories out https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35134825/
Ultra-processed food consumption and excess weight among US adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29729673/
Dr. Deirdre Tobias joins us to break down how nutrition research is done and how it's translated, or mis-translated, into health headlines. The goal of this episode is to help you navigate flip-flopping nutrition headlines using practical tips and a basic understanding of nutrition research. Buckle up for a candid look at different types of studies, and a discussion of key concepts like causation, confounders and chance (p values). Dr. Tobias is an epidemiologist who specializes in nutrition, obesity, and methods. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
More from Dr. Deirdre Tobias at Harvard and on Twitter.
Resources: The Harvard Nutrition Source https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
Dive into the world of allergies with Dr. Samira Jeimy, an allergist and clinical immunologist. In her day job, Dr. Jeimy helps families prevent and manage all sorts of allergies, from drugs and vaccines, to chronic hives, to common foods allergens like peanuts and milk. On the side, she posts science-based tidbits on social media to help the public understand what allergies are, and what they are not. In this episode we discuss: * Biology: What causes allergies? What happens inside an allergic person? * Prevention: How can we prevent allergies allergies? Should potential allergens, like peanuts, be introduced early (spoiler, yes!). * Testing: How do allergists tests for allergies? Which allergy tests are NOT validated, yet commonly sold to the public? * Myths and misconceptions: How is the term allergy often misused? * Awareness: How can all of us practice allergy awareness?
Dr. Jeimy is assistant professor and program Director for the Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Western University, in Ontario, Canada. Links: * Dr. Samira Jeimy at Western University * Dr. Samira Jeimy on social: Homepage/Instagram/Twitter * The Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Studies: * Du Toit, 2015. Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy
Learn about the science of hormone health with Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, a board-certified endocrinologist and misinformation slayer.
Dr. Bloomgarden has expertise in thyroid health, pituitary disorders, and metabolic bone disease and has been working as a physician and educator for nearly a decade at Northwestern University. She will soon be transitioning to Director of Thyroid at the NorthShore University HealthSystem.
This episode covers a lot of ground, from what hormones are, to the definition of hormone health, to how our hormones change, from minute to minute and throughout our lives. Dr. Bloomgarden also shares valuable advice on what NOT to buy. She explains why it's vital to proceed with great caution when it comes to unregulated supplements and tests.
Dr. Bloomgarden is also a passionate science communicator who plays a leadership role in two science outreach non-profits, IMPACT, a volunteer coalition of healthcare professionals centered in Chicago and the Women in Medicine Summit.
Links: * Dr. Bloomgarden on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook * Dr. Bloomgarden at Northwestern University
Studies:
Pontzer, 2021. Daily energy expenditure through the human life course
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34385400/
Learn about the roles of nature and nurture in shaping our lives, with Dr. Nancy Segal, a leading expert in twin studies. Nancy Segal, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at California State University, Fullerton and Director of the Twin Studies Center. She has authored over 250 scientific articles and six books on twins and twin development. She is also a twin herself. Dr. Segal chats with host Dr. Chana Davis (a geneticist, and mother of twins) about how twins are studied, and what we have learned about the roles of genes and environment on height, intelligence, personality and more. They also share personal reflections on how we can apply this knowledge to the way we live, parent, and think about ourselves. Dr. Segal also shares a preview of her latest book, entitled Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart. Resources * Dr. Segal's website and books: https://www.drnancysegaltwins.org * Dr. Segal's faculty profile at Cal State Fullerton * International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki
Studies * Meta-analysis of the heritability of human traits based on fifty years of twin studies (Polderman et al, 2015) * Identical twins carry a persistent epigenetic signature of early genome programming (van Dongen et al, 2021)
Learn about making meat from plants from Dr. Sue Klapholz, VP of Nutrition & Health at Impossible Foods. Impossible makes plant-based foods designed to replace animal meat, including the shockingly realistic Impossible Burger. Dr. Klapholz has had a diverse career as a doctor, scientist, teacher, editor and writer. In this conversation she shares the inside scoop on: - How Impossible Foods creates "meat" from plants - Similarities and differences between proteins from plants and animals - How protein quality is measured - Why and how food manufacturers use microbes to produce ingredients - Why the word "processed" need not be a dirty word - The impacts of animal agriculture on the planet
Disclosure: I have a personal connection - but no financial connection - to Impossible Foods. I did my PhD in genetics at Stanford in the lab of Impossible's founder, Dr. Pat Brown. The company was launched in 2011, five years after I graduated. I'm grateful to know both Pat Brown and Sue Klapholz personally.
Links: Bio for Dr. Sue Klapholz Impossible Foods blog on Medium Studies: Safety Evaluation of Soy Leghemoglobin Protein Preparation Derived From Pichia pastoris, Intended for Use as a Flavor Catalyst in Plant-Based Meat https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29642729/ Assessment of the potential allergenicity and toxicity of Pichia proteins in a novel leghemoglobin preparation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33171209/ A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34226581/ Perspective: The Public Health Case for Modernizing the Definition of Protein Quality https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31066877/ Dietary protein quality evaluation in human nutrition https://www.fao.org/ag/humannutrition/35978-02317b979a686a57aa4593304ffc17f06.pdf
Dr. Janine McCready, an infectious disease physician, joins Dr. Chana Davis to talk about COVID-19 and kids. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on kids and the rest of society, and share their thoughts on vaccinating their own young children. Dr. McCready treats patients at the Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) in Toronto and has been supporting schools and childcare centres in East Toronto throughout the pandemic. She is also Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and Associate Director of Infection Prevention and Control at MGH. Some of the questions covered include: - How can I tell if my kid has COVID-19? - Which kids are at higher risk of severe COVID-19? - Do healthy kids need to worry too? - What role do kids play in spreading COVID-19 to others? - How do the risks associated with vaccines for kids stack up against the burden of COVID-19 infections? Short term? Long term? Note: This episode was recorded in October 2021, when COVID-19 vaccine trials in kids (5-11) were completed but had not yet been approved and rolled out. Studies: Characteristics of children admitted to hospital with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada in 2020 Predicting SARS-CoV-2 infections for children and youth with single symptom screening COVID-19 resource for the public: ScienceUpFirst - fighting misinformation with digestible science on social media Health Canada COVID-19 resources Public Health Ontario COVID-19 resources More from Dr. McCready: Dr. McCready at the Micheal Garron Hospital Dr. McCready on Twitter
Dr. Anna Blakney, a research scientist who specializes in RNA medicines, takes a deep dive into mRNA vaccines.
She explains what's in mRNA vaccines (including plant vs animal origins), how they are made, and what happens inside your body when you get jabbed. She also the long history of mRNA vaccines and how they have been tested. Dr. Blakney also shares tips for being an informed consumer and sussing out reliable information, a topics she is passionate about.
Dr. Blakney is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia. She completed a PhD in bioengineering and a research fellowship on RNA medicines at Imperial College London.
Links:
- Dr. Anna Blakney lab page
- Dr. Anna Blakney on TikTok
- Team Halo United Nations: Connecting the public with COVID-19 researchers
- Gene therapy vs mRNA vaccines - what's the differences? (Fueled by Science post)
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Join Dr. Chana Davis for gems from Season One, Ep 19-28. She shares expert insights on a wide range of topics spanning hormone replacement therapy, type 2 diabetes, weight stigma, intuitive eating, obesity, and fighting misinformation. Topics and guests: * 19) Hormone replacement therapy: Risks vs benefits (Dr. Avrum Bluming & Dr. Carol Tavris) * 20) Hormone replacement therapy: Navigating options & bioidenticals (Dr. Avrum Bluming, USC) * 21) Dietary Strategies for Managing Type 2 Diabetes (Dr. Nicola Guess, University of Westminster) * 22) Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors and Prevention (Dr. Nicola Guess, University of Westminster) * 23) Diet Culture and The Anti-Diet Movement (Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro, VitaminPhD) * 24) Intuitive Eating & Weight Neutral Approaches (Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro, VitaminPhD) * 25) Making Sense of Health Headlines for COVID-19 and More (Dr. Lindsey Leininger, Dear Pandemic & Tuck School of Business) * 26) Vaccine Hesitancy and Pandemic Denial (Dr. Lindsey Leininger, Dear Pandemic & Tuck School of Business) * 27) Obesity Causes and Treatments (Dr. Fatima Stanford, Harvard Medical School) * 28) Tackling Weight Bias and Weight Stigma (Dr. Fatima Stanford, Harvard Medical School) Note: Ep 19-28 were recorded February 2021 to June 2021.
ABOUT THE HOST Dr. Chana Davis is a scientist with a PhD in genetics from Stanford University who loves helping others make informed choices using science. See more of Dr. Davis' work on her website: https://fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Join Dr. Chana Davis for the best gems from Season One, episodes 11-18. Get science-based advice from leading experts and insights into how science really works.
Topics and guests:
- 11) GMOs and our food supply (Dr. Anastasia Bodnar, SciMoms & Biology Fortified)
- 12) COVID-19 and your immune system (Dr. Galit Alter, Harvard, MIT & MGH)
- 13) COVID-19 vaccine development (Dr. Galit Alter, Harvard, MIT & MGH)
- 14) Building a Healthy Plant-Based Diet (Dr. Pamela Fergusson, RD, PhD)
- 15) Body Weight Goals and Plant-Based Diets (Dr. Pamela Fergusson, RD, PhD)
- 16) COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing Programs (Dr. Zoe McLaren, University of Maryland)
- 17) Why processed is not a dirty word (Food Science Babe)
- 18) Debunking the dirty dozen (Food Science Babe)
Note: Ep 11-18 were recorded September 2020 to January 2021.
ABOUT THE HOST
Dr. Chana Davis is a scientist with a PhD in genetics from Stanford University who loves helping others make informed choices using science.
See more of Dr. Davis' work on her website: https://fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Join Dr. Chana Davis for the best gems from Season One, Episodes 1-10. You'll get practical advice on healthy choices, insights into how science really works, and personal stories from the scientific front lines.
These conversations were recorded from March 2020 to Aug 2020 - a unique time to witness science in action.
Topics and guests: * 1) COVID-19: What to do and why (Dr. Jennifer Gardy, Gates Foundation) * 2) Building a Healthy Gut Microbiome (Dr. Brett Finlay, University of British Columbia) * 3) Toxicology Basics & Healthy Food Choices (Dr. Alison Bernstein, Michigan State University and SciMoms) * 4) Which diet is best? It depends! (Dr. Christopher Gardner, Stanford University) * 5) The science of COVID-19 - Strains, testing and transmission (Dr. Bronwyn MacInnis, Harvard University & MIT) * 6) Evidence-based health entertainment (Dr. Maya Adam, Stanford University) * 7) Vaccines- Informed choices save lives (Dr. Yvonne "Bonnie" Maldonado, Stanford University) * 8) How To Be Happier: Science-Based Tips and Insights (Prof. Elizabeth Dunn, University of British Columbia) * 9) Exercise For Better Health (Dr. Rachele Pojednic, Simmons University ) * 10) COVID-19 - Know your risk (Dr. Caroline Buckee, Harvard School of Public Health)
ABOUT THE HOST
Dr. Chana Davis is a scientist with a PhD in genetics from Stanford University who loves helping others make informed choices using science.
See more of Dr. Davis' work on her website: https://fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a leading obesity expert, discusses weight bias and weight stigma.
As an obesity physician, Dr. Stanford treats people with obesity daily, and sees the challenges they face due to weight bias and weight stigma. This conversation exposes the origins of these biases, why they are so harmful, and how we all have roles to play in defeating them - especially as parents and family members. Dr. Stanford also speaks to the parallels between racism and obesity discrimination.
This episode is the second of a two part conversation. Part one explores the complex causes of obesity and Dr. Stanford's personalized approach to treatment.
Dr. Fatima Stanford is also an internationally recognized physician, scientist, educator, and policy maker, affiliated with Mass General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School. She holds a Medical Degree, a Master's in Public Health, and a Master's of Public Administration. She completed a fellowship in obesity medicine & nutrition and a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics.
Links
- Test Your Weight Bias: Harvard Implicit Test
- Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford's Harvard profile webpage
Book: Facing Overweight and Obesity: A Complete Guide for Children and Adults
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford challenges the way we think and talk about obesity. In this episode, she discusses obesity causes, treatments, and how to support loved ones battling this disease.
As a physician specializing in obesity medicine, Dr. Stanford has treated countless children and adults with obesity in her practice at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also an internationally recognized scientist, educator, and policy maker, affiliated with the Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Stanford explains why obesity should be viewed, treated, and talked about as a disease process. She sheds light on why overweight and obesity have become so common, why it's not as simple as "eat less, move more" and why popular diets rarely offer a solution.
This episode is the first of a two part conversation. In part two, we discuss weight stigma and how we all have a role to play in identifying and defeating it.
Dr. Stanford holds an MD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, a Master's in Public Health from Emory University, and a Master's of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She completed her Obesity Medicine & Nutrition Fellowship at MGH/HMS after completing her internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford has published several books including Facing Overweight and Obesity: A Complete Guide for Children and Adults.
Learn more about Dr. Stanford on her Harvard profile page.
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Lindsey Leininger, PhD, a public health scientist and educator, shares advice on how to deal with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and pandemic denial.
She shares practical tips for engaging with others who hold different beliefs, in a way that is respectful, impactful, and rooted in science. She invites all of us to join the anti-misinformation army, armed with effective communication skills and solid facts.
Dr. Leininger is on faculty at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College where she teaches courses on making sense of medical data. She holds a PhD in health policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. As part of an all-female team of “Nerdy Girl” scientists, she helps run the @Dear Pandemic platform on social media, with over 900 answers to questions from the public.
This episode is the second of a two part conversation. In part one, Drs Leininger and Davis share tips for separating fact from fiction by boosting your scientific literacy, data literacy and media literacy.
Resources:
Dear Pandemic website
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Lindsey Leininger, PhD, a scientist and educator, shares tips for making sense of health headlines, and separating fact from fiction.
She believes that access to accurate, digestible, science-based information is a right, and a strong social determinant of health. Her tips span scientific literacy, data literacy and media literacy. While the conversation centers on COVID-19, it applies to all health topics.
Dr. Leininger is a public health scientist and educator, who is on the front lines of COVID-19 science communication. As part of an all-female team of “Nerdy Girl” scientists, she runs the COVID-19 educational campaign @Dear Pandemic on social media, with over 900 answers to questions from the public.
Dr. Leininger is on faculty at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College where she teaches courses on making sense of medical data. She holds a PhD in health policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
This episode is the first of a two part conversation. Stay tuned for part two - all about vaccine hesitancy, anti-vax, and COVID-19 denial.
Links:
- Dear Pandemic website (also on Instagram and Facebook)
- Poynter
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Gabrielle Fundaro, PhD a scientist and nutrition coach, discusses intuitive eating and the benefits of "weight neutral" approaches to eating.
Through science and personal stories, she explains why rehabilitating our relationship with food, and lifting self-imposed bans on "bad" foods, can be both liberating and healthy. Fundaro describes the basic principles of intuitive eating, how it intersects with mindful eating, and who may benefit from this approach.
This episode is the second piece of a two part conversation. In part one, Dr. Fundaro sheds light on the anti-diet movement, weight stigma, and the (imperfect) link between health and body size.
Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro is a certified health and sports nutrition coach with a PhD in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech.
Find more of Dr. Fundaro's work on social at @vitaminphd and at https://www.vitaminphdnutrition.com/
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Gabrielle Fundaro, PhD, a scientist and nutrition coach, provides a whirlwind tour of diet culture and the anti-diet movement.
Dr. Fundaro advocates for a broad view of wellness, and provides an evidence-based view of both the risks and benefits of intentional weight loss. She shares a brief history of diet culture and the anti-diet culture, and an introduction to the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement and the emerging concept of "healthism".
This conversation is the first of a two part conversation. In the next episode, Dr. Fundaro discusses weight neutral dietary approaches, including intuitive eating.
Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro is a certified health and sports nutrition coach with a PhD in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech.
Find more of Dr. Fundaro's work on social at @vitaminphd and at https://www.vitaminphdnutrition.com/
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Nicola Guess, PhD, MPH, RD shares science-based advice for preventing type 2 diabetes through diet and nutrition. As researcher and dietitian, her insights on reducing risk through diet, are both practical and data-driven.
This episode is the second of a two part conversation. Check out part one for Dr. Guess' insights on type 2 diabetes management.
Dr. Nicola Guess runs a private clinical practice as a registered dietitian (RD) focused on type 2 diabetes. She is also an Associate Professor at the University of Westminster, a Research Fellow at King’s College London, and co-director of CityDietitians. In addition to her RD training and experience, Dr. Guess holds a PhD in Diabetes Prevention and a Master's of Public Health.
Learn more about Dr. Guess and her work through City Dieticians
DISCLAIMER: This conversation does not constitute personal medical advice.
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Nicola Guess, PhD, MPH, RD, is a leading expert on type 2 diabetes prevention and management. In this conversation, she explains why our diets can radically impact the course of type 2 diabetes, and how she helps her patients find what works for them. Check out part two for insights on type 2 diabetes prevention.
Dr. Guess runs a private clinical practice as a registered dietitian (RD) focused on type 2 diabetes. She is also an Associate Professor at the University of Westminster, a Research Fellow at King’s College London, and co-director of CityDietitians. In addition to her RD training and experience, Dr. Guess holds a PhD in Diabetes Prevention and a Master's of Public Health.
Learn more about Dr. Guess and her work through City Dieticians
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Avrum Bluming discusses menopausal hormone replacement therapy, and his passion for empowering women to make choices rooted in science.
Bluming explains the different estrogen replacement strategies, from bioidenticals, to Premarin, to patches, including what we know, and what we don't know, about these options. He also shares insights into the notorious Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study that sparked many common, yet unfounded, fears and explains why there is such a disconnect between the science and the headlines.
This episode is the second of a two part conversation. Check out part one for an overview of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Avrum Bluming is a hematologist, medical oncologist, professor, and cancer researcher. In addition to treating women with breast cancer for four decades, Bluming was a clinical professor of medicine at University of Southern California and a senior investigator for the US National Cancer Institute.
Together with Dr. Carol Tavris, Bluming literally wrote the book on post-menopausal estrogen therapies. Learn more about Bluming, Tavris and their book, Estrogen Matters, including links to the latest scientific studies at: https://estrogenmatters.com/
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Davis chats with Dr. Avrum Bluming and Dr. Carol Tavris about the pros and cons of taking estrogen during menopause and beyond. Bluming, a breast cancer expert, and Tavris, a psychologist, are both passionate about empowering women to make an informed choice rooted in solid science.
In this conversation, they reveal that many common fears around hormone therapy are not supported by the latest evidence, and stem from a misinterpreted study two decades ago. They also explain that hormone replacement therapy can offer far more than just relief from hot flashes, with potential benefits ranging from bedroom to boardroom (cognitive function) to bones and beyond.
This episode is the first of a two part conversation. In the second part (coming soon), Bluming and Tavris dive deeply into why the conclusions presented by the Women's Health Initiative Study two decades ago were deeply flawed. Both episodes contain important lessons on how research findings are communicated - or miscommunicated - to clinicians and the public
Dr. Avrum Bluming is a hematologist and medical oncologist who has been treating women with breast cancer for forty years. Bluming has worked as a clinical professor of medicine at USC and as a senior investigator for the US National Cancer Institute. He holds an MD from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Carol Tavris is a social psychologist who is highly regarded for her efforts to promote science, skepticism, and gender equality. Tavris has written several influential books including Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts". She holds a PhD in social psychology from the University of Michigan.
Bluming and Tavris have literally written the book on this controversial topic. Their 2018 book - Estrogen Matters - has been described as: "A compelling defense of hormone replacement therapy, exposing the faulty science behind its fall from prominence and empowering women to make informed decisions about their health."
Learn more about Estrogen Matters, including links to the latest scientific studies at: https://estrogenmatters.com/
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Food Science Babe joins Dr. Chana Davis for a chat about the dirty dozen, and organic vs conventional pesticides.
The "dirty dozen" is a list created by the EWG with the stated goal of helping consumers decide "when you should splurge for organic produce".
Food Science Babe is a food scientists committed to "facts not fears". In this conversation, she debunks the dirty dozen, exposing the unscientific methods and pro-organic funding interests behind it. She also sheds light on how pesticides are tested and regulated, and why conventional and organic pesticides are not as different as you think.
It turns out that both organic and non-organic fruits and veggies are safe, and that anyone can see this for themselves through publicly available pesticide testing programs (e.g. the US Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program).
Food Science Babe has worked in the food industry for over 10 years in both the conventional and organic sectors as a Food Scientist and Engineer. She has a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
Learn more from FoodScienceBabe on social (Facebook & Instagram & Twitter)
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Food Science Babe joins Dr. Chana Davis to talk about processed foods, and why "processed" is not a dirty word.
We have all heard it: "Eat whole foods, with five ingredients or less, and ingredients you can pronounce". Is this rule supported by science?
Food Science Babe explains why a black-and white view of processed foods as "bad" or "toxic" is not only scientifically unfounded but potentially harmful. She highlights debunks common misconceptions around additives, and shares core concepts to help you shift from fear-based to fact-based choices.
Learn more from FoodScienceBabe on social (Facebook or Instagram)
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Zoe McLaren, PhD takes you on a deep dive into COVID-19 testing programs.
This conversation covers how to optimally make use of COVID-19 testing, how to use regional COVID-19 testing data to understand your local situation, and why broad COVID-19 testing programs are a powerful tool for managing the pandemic. Dr. McLaren also peers onto her crystal ball to share her thoughts on what we may see in this next phase of the pandemic, now that vaccines are arriving.
Dr. Zoe McLaren holds a PhD in Public Policy and Economics from the University of Michigan and is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She has worked extensively in infectious diseases, including HIV, TB, and COVID-19. She has written and spoken about COVID-19 testing policies and is currently developing methods to estimate COVID-19 prevalence.
Learn more about Dr. McLaren here and follow her on Twitter at @zoemclaren
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Pamela Fergusson, RD, PhD shares tips on how to customize a plant-based diet to meet your goals, whether that means losing weight, gaining weight, or fueling athletic performance.
The conversation gets into tailoring food choices, meal timing, and portion size, and touches briefly on psychological considerations.
Guest Dr. Pamela Fergusson is a registered dietitian with a PhD in nutrition from the University of Liverpool. She and her family embrace a plant-based diet and love helping others to do the same.
Find more of Dr. Fergusson's tips and recipes on her website and on social (Instagram, Facebook).
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Pamela Fergusson, RD, PhD shares advice for building a healthy plant-based diet that meets all your nutrient needs. As a scientist, registered dietitian, and plant-based advocate, her advice marries science, passion and experience.
She discusses which nutrients to be aware of, and which come easily, and shares simple tips for easily covering your nutritional bases. She also shares advice on how to gauge whether or not you may be at risk of a deficiency, and what NOT to do on a plant-based diet.
Guest Dr. Pamela Fergusson is a registered dietitian with a PhD in nutrition from the University of Liverpool. She embraces a plant-based diet for her whole family and loves helping others to do the same.
Find more of Dr. Fergusson's tips and recipes on her website and on social (Instagram, Facebook).
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Galit Alter, PhD, a leading immunologist with expertise in vaccines, shares insights what we can expect from a COVID-19 vaccine, and when they will become available.
Note: This interview was recorded on October 2, 2020 - before COVID-19 vaccine trials were completed.
Questions discussed include:
- How effective will COVID-19 vaccines be?
- How long will they protect us?
- How will their safety be ensured?
- What types of vaccines are leading the pack?
- When will they be ready?
This episode is the second part of a two part conversation. Part one discussed the immune response to COVID-19.
Galit Alter, PhD is a Professor of Medicine at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard and co-Director of Harvard's Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Dr. Alter received her PhD in experimental medicine from McGill University.
Learn more about Dr. Galit Alter
Links:
- COVIDexplained.org
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Galit Alter, PhD joins host Dr. Chana Davis to discuss why COVID-19 infections can be either deadly or invisible - and why age, health, and obesity matter so much. Dr. Alter, a leading immunologist, sheds light on how our immune response to viral infection shapes our fate.
Questions include:
- Why do kids tend to escape COVID-19 infection with little to no symptoms?
- Why are older adults at such high risk of severe disease?
- What is the biology beneath the other key COVID-19 risk factors (e.g. obesity, hypertension, immunocompromised state)?
- How does COVID-19 compare to other viruses?
- Can we "boost" our immune systems?
This episode is part one of a two part conversation. Part two is focused on what to expect from COVID-19 vaccines.
Galit Alter, PhD is a Professor of Medicine at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, where she studies the immune response to viral infections, and how to use this knowledge to improve vaccines. She is also co-Director of Harvard's Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Dr. Alter received her PhD in experimental medicine from McGill University.
Learn more about Dr. Galit Alter
Links:
- COVIDexplained.org
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Anastasia Bodnar, PhD a plant geneticist, joins Chana Davis, PhD a human geneticist, for a conversation about GMOs - Genetically Modified Organisms. What are GMOs? Are they safe? Where and why are they in our food?
Learn about the three different categories of GMO foods, where GMOs are found in our food supply, how GMOs are tested, and how GMOs are labeled (or not). Get the scoop on the new Bioengineered food label in the United States and how it compares to the non-GMO project label.
Dr. Bodnar also sheds light on the origins of the anti-GMO movement and some of the broader issues surrounding the GMO debate, such as food security and supporting farmers.
Dr. Bodnar is a co-founder of SciMoms and Policy Director of Biology Fortified, a non-profit organization that fosters conversation about issues in food and agriculture. She has worked for the USDA in risk assessment and risk management and for the US Army in public health and environmental inspections. Dr. Bodnar holds a PhD from plant genetics with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture, from Iowa State University.
Learn why Dr. Davis and Dr. Bodnar are both passionate about helping the public understand biotech.
Links:
- Intro to GMOs (SciMoms)
- Social Consequences of the GMO debate (SciMoms)
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Caroline Buckee, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, talks about navigating risk in the midst of a pandemic.
We are all asking the same questions: Is it worth the risk? What can I do to mitigate risk? What will happen if I get COVID? Whether you're grappling with back-to-school, birthday parties, haircuts, fitness classes, or grocery shopping, science can help you make informed choices.
Dr. Buckee shares science-based insights on COVID-19 transmission, severity, immunity, and the factors that will shape the future of the pandemic. She also reflects on the science of science - how the COVID pandemic has provided a rare glimpse of the dynamic nature of science, and how we, and our COVID models, are still learning.
Dr. Caroline Buckee is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Associate Director of the Centre for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard's School of Public Health. Learn more about Dr. Buckee.
NOTE: This video was filmed on 24 August 2020 and all information was up-to-date as of that date.
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Rachele Pojednic, PhD, a nutrition and exercise scientist, dishes practical advice on how to reap the many benefits of exercise at any age, and busts common exercise myths along the way. As a researcher, educator, coach, and spin instructor, she truly "walks the talk".
Dr. Pojednic sets the record straight on: - What is lifestyle medicine and how does it differ from alternative medicine? - What can exercise - and other types of physical activity - do for my body? - How much exercise does it take to reap these benefits? - When does exercise help lose weight, and when does it not move the needle? - Which types of exercise are best? (e.g. cardio, strength? low intensity? high intensity?) - Is exercise safe for the elderly?
Dr. Rachele Pojednic is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Simmons where her research and teaching focus on i) nutrition and physical activity education for healthcare professionals; ii) nutrition and physical activity interventions for muscle recovery and healthy aging.
Pojednic holds a PhD from Tufts University in Biochemical & Molecular Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and Masters of Education in Physical Education and Coaching. She is a former Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School's Institute of Lifestyle Medicine and founder of Strong Process: a wellness education platform.
See more from Dr. Rachele Pojednic on her website and on social at @rachelepojednic
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Happiness expert Prof Elizabeth Dunn, PhD shares insights into the science of happiness, and tips for being happier.
Dunn sheds light on a wide range of questions: - How do we define and measure happiness? - Can we control our happiness - or is hard-wired into our DNA? - Can money buy happiness? - How can we spend our money - and time - in ways that boost happiness? - Do smartphones impact our happiness? Can we minimize any negative effects? - How has COVID-19 pandemic life changed our happiness and feelings of social connection?
Prof Elizabeth Dunn is a leading researcher in the science of happiness. She is a professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia where she heads up the Happy Lab. She is also author of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending, and keynote speaker (e.g TED, TEDx, Pop!Tech).
Links:
- Twitter @DunnHappyLab
- Sign up for one of Prof Dunn's happiness studies
- Prof Dunn's TED talks and more
- Book: Happy Money by Dr. Dunn
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Bonnie Maldonado, Stanford's Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, sheds light on the risks and benefits of childhood vaccines. She speaks to the dramatic effect that vaccines have had on childhood mortality, the dangers of dismissing the disease we now rarely see, and the safety hurdles that vaccines must jump through in order to be approved.
Drs Maldonado and Davis discuss how to use science-based resources to guide the choices we make for ourselves and our children, and why the anti-vax movement continues to thrive despite its lack of scientific support.
Maldonado's bottom line is clear: vaccines save lives, and their safety risks are minuscule compared to their benefits.
More information about Dr. Maldonado from Stanford University.
Links:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- HealthyChildren.org (by American Academy of Pediatrics)
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Maya Adam, Stanford's Director of Health Media Innovation, shares her passion for creating "evidence-based health entertainment" - health education messages that are fun and accessible across cultures and countries.
Dr. Adam and Davis also discuss their shared passion for healthful, family-friendly home cooking.
Learn more about Dr. Adam and Stanford's Center for Health Education.
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Bronwyn MacInnis, PhD is on the front lines of tracking the COVID-19 pandemic through genomics tools (RNA and DNA). She shares insights into COVID-19 transmission, strains (variants), and testing. It turns out that the word "mutation" need not always be scary.
Dr. MacInnis is director of pathogen genomic surveillance in the Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where she is also an institute scientist. She has a long history of being a "genomic sleuth" and worked on many other infectious diseases before COVID-19, including malaria and Zika virus.
Her COVID-19 work is in collaboration with the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Learn more about Dr. MacInnis here.
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Christopher Gardner, PhD, a nutrition scientist and professor at Stanford University, shares the latest science on diet wars. Spoiler alert: there is no one best diet for weight loss.
Dr. Gardner explains what we have learned from decades of research comparing different diets including trials that he led (e.g. the 2018 DIETFITS trial that compared moderate low-fat and low-carb diets). In this conversation, he shares some of the common themes among long term winners and how to put this into practice.
For more from Dr. Gardner, check out his frequent tweets.
Links:
Effect of Low-Fat vs Low-Carbohydrate Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults and the Association With Genotype Pattern or Insulin Secretion: The DIETFITS Randomized Clinical Trial
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Alison Bernstein is a toxicology expert and science communicator. She explains how potentially harmful compounds are tested, and how she approaches risk assessment in her daily life as a mother.
Buckle up for a speedy primer on toxicology fundamentals, including hazard, risk, and exposure, and be prepared to rethink what you stress about (including pesticides).
Dr. Bernstein is Assistant Professor at Michigan State University where she studies toxicants. She is also co-founder of SciMoms and runs a popular page called MommyPhD.
Links:
- Risk in Perspective (by SciMoms)
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Brett Finlay, a microbiome researcher, shares insights into the little zoo that lives inside your gut.
What's in there? How does it impact your health? How do researchers study it? What can you do to get yours into tip top shape?
[NOTE: This interview was recorded Feb 20, 2020, prior to COVID-19 becoming a serious outbreak]
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
Dr. Jennifer Gardy is a genomic sleuth who uses DNA and RNA to track infectious disease outbreaks. In this conversation, she sheds light on the science of epidemiology - including the key factors that determine outbreak severity.
Dr. Gardy is Deputy Director, Surveillance, Data, & Epidemiology at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She is also a stellar science communicator, who has narrated popular TV shows and authored science books for kids including "It's Catching: The Infectious World of Germs and Microbes" and "It Takes Guts".
Follower her on Twitter at a https://twitter.com/jennifergardy
NOTE: This interview was recorded on March 1, 2020, before COVID-19 had taken off around the world.
HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD
Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)