Unbiased Science

On this week's episode of the pod, we cover yet another dietary fad (this time for humans): intermittent fasting (IF).We are joined by Meghann Featherstun, a board-certified sports dietitian, to discuss this popular diet and dig into the evidence. We kick things off with a discussion of what the IF diet entails and the different ways that people do it. We spend some time discussing caloric restriction and the data supporting extended longevity, which has been co-opted by the fad diet movement. Then, you guessed it, we turn to the data and discuss studies conducted on IF for weight loss, obesity, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and glucose control. We answered a bunch of questions for our "Heard from the Herd" segment and close things out with a discussion of the potential risks of the IF diet. You don't want to miss this!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the pod, we discuss a very important topic: body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We invite a special guest, Robyn Stern (an LCSW specializing in treating BDD) who has personal experience navigating this disorder and openly shares her story. We kick things off with a discussion of prevalence and incidence of BDD and how it is likely underreported. We dive into the definition of BDD and how it is, in fact, a mental health condition and discuss some recent studies investigating predictors of BDD. We discuss some common signs and symptoms, diagnosis of BDD, clinical impact, and management and treatment. We disentangle BDD from disordered eating, from which it is entirely distinct, and from dysmorphia (including subsets of dysmorphia such as Zoom dysmorphia). We wrap things up with a discussion of the impact of social media and current trends in BDD diagnoses. You don't want to miss this episode!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast explores the dangers and controversies of fad pet diets, including raw food and grain-free diets. It discusses the rise of misinformation in the pet food industry and the risks of vegan and vegetarian diets for cats. The importance of evidence-based veterinary medicine and the potential health risks during the holiday season are also discussed.

In this holiday-themed episode, the hosts share 12 science facts that they wish everyone knew, including debunking misconceptions about chemicals, natural products, and organic labeling. They also discuss the complexity of the microbiome and the importance of critically appraising studies. The episode highlights scientific developments, such as mRNA vaccines, nuclear fusion, and gene therapy.

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle two techniques that are growing in popularity: dry needling and cupping. We kick things off with a discussion of the difference between acupuncture and dry needling. We discuss the specifics of dry needling and its purported benefits and uses. Then, you guessed it, we turn to the data and critically appraise the quality of studies on this topic. We next discuss the potential side effects and risks of dry needling, though rare, as well as the training (or lack thereof) that is required of practitioners of this technique. Next, we dive into cupping! We discuss its history and roots in early Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern medical practices and cultures. We discuss dry cupping versus wet cupping (which sounds a lot like bloodletting) as well and their purported benefits. We spend some time talking about the popularization of cupping in pop culture and its impact on societal acceptance of this practice. We dig into the data and available studies on cupping and theories about cupping's mechanism of action (most of which have no evidence to support them). We discuss the risks of cupping, costs of getting cupping done, and training for cupping practitioners. We wrap things up with a bit of a philosophical reflection on the dangers of accepting these fringe alternative practices on general distrust of science. You don't want to miss this!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle acupuncture!We kick things off with a discussion of the practice of acupuncture and its roots in Traditional Chinese medicine. We discuss the growing industry of acupuncture in the US, specifically, and some related practices such as cupping, acupressure, and more. We shift the conversation over to health policies and public and private insurance coverage of acupuncture. Next, we chat about the conditions that are purported to be addressed by acupuncture and-- you guessed it-- the available evidence (or lack thereof) supporting these claims. We chat about some of the limitations of existing research on this topic, including difficulty creating appropriate control groups for comparison. We then discuss some potential risks of acupuncture and the importance of chatting with your clinician before deciding to book an appointment! We wrap things up with a brief discussion of the potential overlap between acupuncture and falling prey to pseudoscience and fringe treatments that don't have evidence to support them. You don't want to miss this!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the pod, we tackle another topic that gets unfounded negative attention: gluten. And to help us with this, we are joined again by clinical allergist and immunologist Dr. Dave Stukus.We start things off with a discussion of what gluten is (spoiler: it’s a protein) and what foods it is found in. We move onto a conversation about medical issues that would require someone to avoid gluten, such as celiac disease and wheat allergies and how they are diagnosed, as well as clinical symptoms. We talk about the emergence of the gluten-free food industry, and how it has led to the belief that gluten should be avoided unnecessarily. We talk about some pseudoscience that commonly circulates, including claims that gluten can alter your microbiome and create inflammation. We even touch on differences between wheat grown in the US versus Europe. TL;DR: if you don’t have a specific medical reason, enjoy all the bread!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle a topic inspired by Thanksgiving-- tryptophan! (You know, the amino acid found in turkey that people claim makes us hit the couch after we polish off our Thanksgiving plate!)Well, we dish (pun intended) on its biochemistry and its relationship to serotonin and melatonin. Next, we dive into the claims about whether it makes us sleepy, how much of it is found in turkey, and discuss the (many!) other sources of tryptophan in foods other than turkey. We spend some time talking about L-tryptophan supplements and whether there is evidence that they can help with sleep issues, as well as anxiety and/or depression. We wrap things up with a discussion on the potential harms of L-tryptophan supplements, including drug interactions and a rare muscle disorder. You may pick up some interesting nuggets and factoids that you can bring to the Thanksgiving table! This is our last episode before Thanksgiving, but will be back in a couple of weeks. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the pod, we cover a very timely and important topic-- influenza (aka the flu) and the flu vaccine.Yes – we know we tackled this a couple of years ago, but with some concerning data from the Southern Hemisphere and early data from the Northern Hemisphere on the 2022 flu season, we figured it was worth revisiting. We present the latest population health statistics and trends, as well as predictions for this flu season. We give a refresher on influenza viruses and why they mutate faster than other viruses. We discuss flu shots and who should get them, and why it's important to get an annual flu shot (especially this year!) even if you're healthy and have never had the flu before. We of course address some common flu vaccine myths and misconceptions. You can find a flu vaccine by visiting vaccines.gov and entering your zip code. Tune in to learn more about the flu and flu vaccines (and schedule your shot today)!A note on this episode: Unbiased Science is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals, families, and communities by producing and delivering educational content that builds health and scientific literacy. We have received funding from Seqirus, one of the world's largest influenza vaccine companies with a unique singular focus on influenza (the flu) to develop and disseminate evidence-based content related to the flu and flu vaccines. This campaign is entirely educational, not promotional. Unbiased Science is in total control of the development of content.Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the pod, we talk THC (the high-producing cousin of CBD that we tackled last week). We kick things off with a molecular biology primer on THC, endocannabinoids, and why marijuana elicits a high. We discuss THC's effects on the brain and how it impacts movement, learning, and cognitive function. We take a brief detour to tackle the legality of marijuana and some reasons why people advocate for and against its decriminalization. We chat about Delta 8 THC (and how it is different from Delta 9) and its growing popularity. Next, we spend some time covering different ways that THC can be consumed and the respective ways body and mind are impacted. We of course tackle the available evidence on THC's effectiveness against several outcomes such as chronic pain, anxiety, and neurological issues, as well as potential harms. We wrap things up with a brief conversation about whether marijuana is a gateway drug. Yep, we hit all the high points-- pun intended. You don't want to miss this!Check us out on Substack and Instagram:www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipodPLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices