What's That Rash?

Once you go looking, you realise there are scents in everything – from skincare to cleaning supplies to candles. And of course, perfume.Are there any implications to our health from taking in natural and synthetic fragrances from all these products?Norman and Tegan sniff out the evidence when it comes to scent, and whether we should be worried.References:The first chemist in history may have been a female perfumer – here’s how the science of scents has changed since - the Conversation A Smelling Trip into the Past: The Influence of Synthetic Materials on the History of PerfumeryHealth and societal effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products – University of MelbourneEffects by inhalation of abundant fragrances in indoor air – An overview Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway ObstructionCleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway ObstructionSynthetic Endocrine Disruptors in Fragranced Products Do fragrant products like perfume, toilet paper and baby wipes cause cancer? - Cancer Council Characterization of phthalates exposure and risk for cosmetics and perfume sales clerks Chemical exposure and lung function in fragrance industry employees Butter and Plant-Based Oils Intake and Mortality - JAMAIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Don't sweat it? Conventional vs natural deodorantsWhy is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?Are mobile phones giving us cancer?

Whether you can or not, it feels like a sign of fitness to be able to reach down and touch your toes.But how important is flexibility when it comes to your physical fitness? Is it a necessary part of healthy ageing?Norman and Tegan stretch through the evidence on flexibility – when does it count, and how can you achieve it?References:Genetics of Muscle Stiffness, Muscle Elasticity and Explosive StrengthGenetic associations of body composition, flexibility and injury risk with ACE, ACTN3 and COL5A1 polymorphisms in Korean ballerinasWhole-spine dynamic magnetic resonance study of contortionists: anatomy and pathologyPractical recommendations on stretching exercise: A Delphi consensus statement of international research expertsThe ideal stretching routine – Harvard HealthHow stretching actually changes your muscles - Malachy McHugh for Ted-EdIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bullWhat on earth is grounding?!Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

The battle between butter and margarine has been happening since margarine was invented in the 19th century.So have we figured out which one is better for your health – butter with its high saturated fat content, or margarine which is an ultra-processed food?Norman and Tegan unpack the winding history of this debate from its inception to the present day.References:The Butter Wars: When Margarine Was Pink – National Geographic The Butter-Margarine Controversy - 1946What the margarine vs butter argument says about nutrition – University of MelbourneDietary fats - Healthdirect What’s better, butter or margarine? - Diabetes Australia Serum cholesterol response to replacing butter with a new trans-free margarine in hypercholesterolemic subjectsIndividual Cholesterol Variation in Response to a Margarine- or Butter-Based Diet: A Study in FamiliesEffects of margarines and butter consumption on lipid profiles, inflammation markers and lipid transfer to HDL particles in free-living subjects with the metabolic syndromeBMI modifies the effect of dietary fat on atherogenic lipids: a randomized clinical trialFrom margarine to butter: predictors of changing bread spread in an 11-year population follow-upAssociation between dairy intake and multiple health outcomes: a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses | European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses on Consumption of Different Food Groups and Risk of All-cause Mortality - ScienceDirectIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Is emu oil the new snake oil?Is daylight saving time bad for us?Should you be avoiding nightshades?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

Curious about the no-poo movement? Discover why some are ditching traditional shampoos for homemade alternatives. Dive into the fascinating history of shampoo, tracing its roots back to India. Learn about the intricate world of hair care, from scalp microbiome concerns to the real ingredients in your products. Plus, find out what happens to your hair when you cut out shampoo altogether. Is washing your hair even necessary? The hosts tackle these questions with a blend of science and humor.

It’s marathon season, but whether you’re running 40 kilometres or four you might’ve wondered what it’s doing to your joints.It used to be thought things like osteoarthritis of the knee or the hip were caused by wear and tear, and running made things worse.Norman and Tegan jog through how the evidence has evolved, and answer the question: should you be hopping on the run club trend?References: Running and your knees - ABC listenEffects of Running on the Development of Knee Osteoarthritis: An Updated Systematic Review at Short-Term Follow-upThe Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisThe risk of osteoarthritis with running and aging: a 5-year longitudinal study. - AbstractCan marathon running improve knee damage of middle-aged adults? A prospective cohort studyHow much running is too much? Identifying high-risk running sessions in a 5200-person cohort studyUsing metformin to treat knee osteoarthritis - ABC listenChanging the brain to reduce pain and walk the Camino - ABC listenMetabolic syndrome meets osteoarthritis | Nature Reviews RheumatologyMechanical loading and orthobiologic therapies in the treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA): a comprehensive reviewLeisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality RiskIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Is sitting the new smoking?Sweaty sauna bathing for better healthIs being an Olympian bad for your health?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

A post from Queensland Health has been ridiculed after for urging people not to kiss their pets or let them sleep in the same bed.So how do the risks of pet ownership stack up to the presumed benefits of having a furry (feathery or scaly) friend?Norman and Tegan take a look at the evidence – and some of its flaws – and reignite the age-old cat vs dog debate.References:If you have a pet as a kid, does this lower your risk of asthma and eczema? | WEHIZoonotic diseases and pets | American Veterinary Medical Association Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors | PNASPet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the LiteratureIs Dog Ownership Associated with Mental Health? A Population Study of 68,362 Adults Living in EnglandNo beneficial associations between living with a pet and mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large UK longitudinal sample - ScienceDirectPet ownership, loneliness, and social isolation: a systematic review | Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric EpidemiologyThe Relationship Between Attachment to Pets and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Systematic Review Pet ownership and maintenance of cognitive function in community-residing older adults: evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) | Scientific ReportsDog owners are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people without a dog: An investigation of the association between dog ownership and physical activity levels in a UK community | Scientific Reports A modest protective association between pet ownership and cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis | PLOS OneDog, cat, bird, fish, and other pet ownership and mortality: Evidence from the HILDA cohortLong-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners | Scientific ReportsIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!How worried should you be about microplastics?Is daylight saving time bad for us?MSG's messy myths and racist tropesYou can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

It’s hay fever season, and as you sniffle away next to an air purifier, you might be wondering why we haven’t cured such a common allergy.Allergic rhinitis, as it’s scientifically known, has plagued people for generations. It's thought up to 24 per cent of Australians suffer from it.Norman and Tegan run through what hay fever is, how we identified it and what can be done to treat it. This episode first aired on October 23, 2024. References:Allergic Rhinitis: A ReviewO Rose thou art sick… history of allergic rhinitisI’m considering allergen immunotherapy for my hay fever. What do I need to know?Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trialThe Potential use of Honey as a Remedy for Allergic Diseases: A Mini ReviewCan you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

It’s a tale as old as air travel … you’re off on a whirlwind holiday but spend the first week suffering from fatigue.If you ask anyone about jet lag they’ll have their own tips, but what are some evidence-based ways to reset your body clock?Norman and Tegan talk through some of the ways you can adjust to a totally different timezone.References:Time-zone effects on the long-distance air traveler - 1969Jet lag syndrome: circadian organization, pathophysiology, and management strategiesAn Abrupt Shift in the Day/Night Cycle Causes Desynchrony in the Mammalian Circadian CenterThe genetics of mammalian circadian order and disorder: implications for physiology and diseaseHow To Travel the World Without Jet LagEastward Jet Lag is Associated with Impaired Performance and Game Outcome in the National Basketball AssociationManaging Travel Fatigue and Jet Lag in Athletes: A Review and Consensus StatementMelatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag | Cochrane ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Chronotypes: Early birds vs night owlsIs daylight saving time bad for us?What is the perfect nap duration?

Dive into the intriguing world of the 'Don't Die Movement,' where Bryan Johnson invests heavily in his quest for eternal youth. Discover the extreme health regimen he follows, from cutting-edge supplements like metformin to unconventional plasma injections. The conversation tackles the ethical dilemmas of longevity research and the socio-economic divide in accessing these advancements. Explore the complexities of aging, including the potential of gene therapy and the intricate balance of lifestyle choices versus scientific interventions on our quest for longer, healthier lives.

The hosts tackle the age-old dilemma of moldy food with a fun game, 'Cut or Chuck.' They explore the fascinating duality of mold, celebrating its culinary use while warning about dangerous mycotoxins. Dive into the history of penicillin's discovery and its cultural implications. The discussion also unpacks the evolutionary role of disgust, emphasizing its importance in health behaviors. Plus, learn the truth behind mold safety and the health risks associated with exposure. It's a moldy adventure worth your attention!