The Mediterranean diet is the most well studied dietary pattern out there. So – what is it? It’s more than just vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and sparing consumption of meat. Norman and Tegan take us through ALL the elements that make up this way of eating, which has been attributed to a myriad of health benefits. References Scientific evidence supporting the newly developed one-health labeling tool “Med-Index” Mediterranean diet and health outcomes: a systematic meta-review Perspective...
Aug 20, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast In some parts of the world sauna bathing is a daily activity. In Finland, it would even be rude to deny an invitation to get hot and sweaty with a business associate. As well as being culturally significant, the sauna has many touted health benefits – from protecting against cardiovascular disease, to fending off cognitive decline. Norman and Tegan sort through the evidence. References The multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies for extending the healthspan: A comprehensive review with a...
Aug 13, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many people go through phases of nail biting in childhood, and fewer people continue biting their nails into adulthood. It's a habit that can be difficult to break – especially when anxiety can be a trigger, along with boredom. Norman and Tegan take us through the current treatments available for people who want to stop munching on their cuticles. References Onychophagia and onychotillomania can be effectively managed Prevalence and correlates of clinically significant body-focused repetitive be...
Aug 06, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you're glued to your couch watching the Paris Games, you know that elite athletes are beyond impressive. But does that mean they're healthy? Not necessarily. Norman and Tegan unpack the positive and negative impacts of elite-level sport on the body and the mind. References Female and male US Olympic athletes live 5 years longer than their general population counterparts: a study of 8124 former US Olympians Long-term function, body composition and cardiometabolic health in midlife former athle...
Jul 30, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Offices are catching up to the idea that sitting for eight hours a day might not be great for your health. Standing desks, adjustable monitors and hand rests are common tools in the arsenal of ergonomics. But are we getting it all wrong? Norman and Tegan dispel some myths about the impact of office jobs on the body. References Having 'good' posture doesn’t prevent back pain, and 'bad' posture doesn't cause it Evaluating the Evidence on Sitting, Smoking, and Health: Is Sitting Really the New Smok...
Jul 23, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bodies are weird … but are they THAT weird? Sexually-induced sneezing has been written about in medical texts for hundreds of years. In this live episode from the World Science Festival Brisbane, Norman and Tegan explain what it is, and why it might happen. References Sneezing induced by sexual ideation or orgasm: an under-reported phenomenon
Jul 16, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast You've either seen it, or you've tried it. Ice baths are all the rage right now, in part because they claim to be an effective health and wellbeing booster. Is this just a fad, or is there solid evidence that dipping into freezing cold water can improve your immune system, calm down inflammation and better your mood? Norman went for the plunge – and lived to tell Tegan the tale. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love...
Jul 09, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Once you get past the initial ick-factor of toothbrush sharing, it's worth considering whether there are any actual harms. Whether we like it or not, our mouths are home to a unique microbiome. As Norman and Tegan explain, it's influenced by what we eat, who we kiss – and yes, who we might share a toothbrush with. References Armed to the Teeth—The Oral Mucosa Immunity System and Microbiota Assessment of Microbial Contamination of a Toothbrush Head with and without a Protective Cover: An Ex Vivo ...
Jul 02, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast There's no doubt people with coeliac disease should stay away from gluten, but what about the rest of us? There is nothing inherently harmful about gluten when it doesn’t cause you gut trouble. Norman and Tegan talk us through why a gluten-free diet is not necessarily a healthy one. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! References Avoiding gluten when you’re not a coeliac - Health Report Coeliac di...
Jun 25, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Feeling yuck? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of all that gunk you're coughing up? At least one of our listeners has … and she wants to know whether there’s any benefit to spitting or swallowing… In this live episode from the World Science Festival Brisbane, Norman and Tegan take us through the answer.
Jun 18, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast It might feel like this wrinkle-busting procedure has been around forever, but it's a relatively recent cosmetic concoction. At first, it was a procedure for already aged skin. Now 20-somethings are using it to try prevent wrinkles from ever forming. Norman and Tegan unpack how we got to this point, and the do's and dont's of the procedure. References: The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles - Cochrane review Botulinum Toxin and Muscle Atrophy:...
Jun 11, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast For the meat eaters still out there, you may be wondering how much is too much when it comes to your health. You will have to weigh up the benefits and the harms. Norman and Tegan take us through the recommendations, and the science to back them up. References: Health effects associated with consumption of unprocessed red meat: a Burden of Proof study Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-Analysis Plant-based diets and long-term health: findings from the EPIC-Ox...
Jun 04, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Apple cider vinegar is revered in wellness spaces for its health-giving benefits, but is there anything to it? There are claims it can aid with weight loss, boost your gut microbiome and manage blood sugar levels. Norman and Tegan explain how this salad dressing became so famous, and what the science tells us. References: Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Antibacteri...
May 28, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sometimes 24 hours doesn’t feel like nearly enough time to get everything done — those to-do lists aren't going to check themselves. Especially when you're spending around eight hours of that time in bed. Norman and Tegan assess whether it's possible to train yourself to sleep less without any of the negatives. References: Which Is More Important for Health: Sleep Quantity or Sleep Quality? Sleep in the Military Familial natural short sleep mutations reduce Alzheimer pathology in mice What's Tha...
May 21, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's an age-old adage that youth is wasted on the young – you don't know what you’ve got until it's gone. The aches and pains that start to linger longer as you approach your 30s can feel like a rite of passage. Norman and Tegan explore why this happens, and whether it's inevitable. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! References: Does your body really start falling apart in your 30s? - ABC Health...
May 14, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dementia is common – more than 400,000 Australians are living with it – but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing. There are ways to lower your risk, and the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be. Norman and Tegan give us the top tips needed to lower your risk of developing the illness as you get older. References: Physical and Mental Activity, Disease Susceptibility, and Risk of Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on UK Biobank Association of Lifespan Cognitive Reserve Indicator Wit...
May 07, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Much has been said about the single glass of red wine. It's good for you, it’s bad for you, it's good for you again. It can be confusing to follow. Norman and Tegan take on this age-old health question — does a single glass of red wine have health boosting benefits? References: The French paradox: Lessons for other countries Moderate Wine Consumption and Health: A Narrative Review Health Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate...
Apr 30, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you have your water bottle beside you right now? How close are you to reaching your daily water goal? It can feel like a slog sometimes to meet the recommended two lites of water a day. Norman and Tegan pour over the evidence to find out whether it's REALLY necessary to drink that much. References: Food and macronutrient intake of elite Ethiopian distance runners Statement of the 3rd International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference...
Apr 23, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the weather cools down, you may be noticing more people around you are dropping from cold or flu. And with COVID-19 also in the mix, it’s understandable that many are wondering how they can boost their immunity to avoid getting sick so often. Norman and Tegan take us through some of the approaches that have the evidence to back them up (and the ones that don’t). References: Nutrition and Athlete Immune Health: New Perspectives on an Old Paradigm Effect of air pollution on the human immune sys...
Apr 16, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast It can sometimes be tough to summon the motivation and energy to go to exercise. Well, there’s a product for that and it’s gaining popularity. Pre-workout mixtures come in powders, pills, drinks, gummies — you name it, they’ve got it. Norman and Tegan run through what they actually contain, and what the evidence says about their effectiveness… Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! References: Multi...
Apr 09, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast When you get a headache, what do you reach for? Ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol? Over-the-counter painkillers can be difficult to differentiate, but they do vary, not only in their effectiveness but also in their side effects. Norman and Tegan talk us through how these drugs work, and which one might be best depending on your situation. References: Paracetamol versus ibuprofen – which works best and when? Is paracetamol effective for low back pain? The dangers of NSAIDs: Look both ways...
Apr 02, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Restless Legs Syndrome is a common condition with somewhat mysterious underpinnings… While it can be a side effect on an underlying condition, many people suffer for no known reason. Norman and Tegan take us through what we know, what we suspect and some of the treatments for those jittery legs… References: Iron and restless legs syndrome: Treatment, genetics and pathophysiology Iron-deficiency and dopaminergic treatment effects on RLS-Like behaviors of an animal model with the brain iron defici...
Mar 26, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kate Middleton announced via a video message that she is undergoing treatment for cancer. The Princess of Wales has been out of the public eye since Christmas. This is the first official announcement about her condition since she revealed she would be undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January. So what What do we know about Kate's cancer diagnosis? What is the likely treatment? And, given she is relatively young, what's the message for people who do have unexpected new symptoms? What is pre...
Mar 23, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Did you know that we're evolutionarily predisposed to seek out sweet treats? Simple carbs were harder to come by in caveman times than they are today. Now, the consensus is we all need to cut down our sugar intake. One way people are doing that is by replacing their sucrose with non-sugar sweeteners. Norman and Tegan explore whether this is actually a healthy alternative. References: Sweetness and food preference Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-ana...
Mar 19, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Although it’s often thought of as an adolescent affliction, acne can affect people well into adulthood. But some people seem to be immune to pimples. Why? Norman and Tegan investigate why some people are more prone to pimples than others, and what you might be able to do about it. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Repor...
Mar 12, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some people are mosquito magnets. The blood suckers do, in fact, have their favourites. And this could pose a major health risk. After all, mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on earth. Norman and Tegan take us through the science of why some people attract more mozzies than others. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ...
Mar 05, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast What's That Rash? is coming to the World Science Festival Brisbane! Bring yourself (and your non-communicable rash) to a live podcast recording with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor. We've got two double passes to give away to the Social Science event on March 22 for those who'll be in Brisbane. Send us your questions for a chance to win. AND it's an adults-only event with mature content and coarse language, so go wild — thatrash@abc.net.au We're not the only ones attending. All in the Mind will ...
Mar 03, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever been told to 'listen to your body' when it comes to fitness? It makes sense. You shouldn't push through injury, or past the point of exhaustion. But how far is too far? There are now dozens of apps and hundreds of advice columns on how best to 'listen to your body'. One strategy that's rising in the ranks is adjusting your workout routine to work alongside your menstrual cycle. Norman and Tegan explore whether this kind of tech is advancing faster than the research. References: Eff...
Feb 27, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast The only time most of us think about wisdom teeth is when they’re causing trouble. Do they have a use beyond causing pain (and leaving you with a hefty dental bill)? Norman and Tegan talk through the history of these meddlesome molars, and what happens when you ignore them. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report Refer...
Feb 20, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's say you're a pretty healthy person. You have a balanced diet, exercise regularly and don't have any health issues. A multivitamin can only help, right? Not necessarily. There are lots of multivitamins out there, catering to different circumstances. Norman and Tegan take us through the evidence for (and against) taking these catch-all supplements. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking ...
Feb 13, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
