What's That Rash?

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2 DAYS AGO

There's a lot of fog around brain fog

Unfortunately many more people have heard about brain fog because of the pandemic and long COVID. But the symptom was first mentioned centuries ago, and has been associated with dozens of conditions. Norman and Tegan try to define brain fog, and explain why it can be difficult to treat. References: What is brain fog? - BMJ neuropsychiatry Subjective brain fog: a four-dimensional characterization in 25,796 participants Comprehensive Clinical Characterisation of Brain Fog in Adults Reporting Long COVID Symptoms Understanding the Experience and Impacts of Brain Fog in Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review Low-dose naltrexone use for the management of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 ‘Brain fag’: a syndrome associated with ‘overstudy’ and mental exhaustion in 19th century Britain

15 min
21 JAN

Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?

It can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to). But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction recently is that seed oils – think canola, sunflower, grapeseed – are terrible for you. Norman and Tegan unpack how that assumption has spread, and whether there’s any solid evidence to back it up. References: Biomarkers of Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Serum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of death: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study Omega-6 fats to prevent and treat heart and circulatory diseases Polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, mental health, and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies Perspective on the health effects of unsaturated fatty acids and commonly consumed plant oils high in unsaturated fat If you’re worried about inflammation, stop stressing about seed oils and focus on the basics

19 min
14 JAN

Can you get away with skipping your daily shower?

January is an especially sweaty time in Australia, so maybe park this life change until the weather cools down… But is it necessary to bathe every day? As we learn more about the microbiome on our skin, more and more people are questioning their hygiene routine. Norman and Tegan sniff out the evidence for and against regular washing. References: A natural history of hygiene The Cutaneous Microbiome and Aspects of Skin Antimicrobial Defense System Resist Acute Treatment with Topical Skin Cleansers The Role of Every-Day Cosmetics in Altering the Skin Microbiome: A Study Using Biodiversity How Often People in Various Countries Shower - The Atlantic What Happens When You Don’t Shower For Five Years - Science Friday

17 min
7 JAN

Should you base your diet on your blood type?

You might've heard of the blood type diet popularised in the 90s off the back of a best-selling book. It’s based on the theory that blood types emerged at different times in history, when our ancestors had very different diets. So does that mean certain foods are better for an A-, an AB+ or even an O-?As Norman and Tegan explain, it’s a complicated story. References: Blood type diets lack supporting evidence: a systematic review Blood Type Is Not Associated with Changes in Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Response to a Plant-Based Dietary Intervention Genetically Determined ABO Blood Group and its Associations With Health and Disease The Role of ABO Blood Type in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review

18 min
31/12/2024

The four steps you need to form a habit

There are MANY books out there on habit formation. Are they all saying the same thing? Some habits are more complicated than others. Some habits require us to untangle one automatic set of behaviours and replace them with another. It can be a long process — much longer than the 21 days that's often promised. Norman and Tegan tell us how to form a new habit, in far less than 300 pages, so you can get started. References Neurobiology of habit formation How the brain controls our habits - MIT Bridging the gap between striatal plasticity and learning Basal ganglia and beyond: The interplay between motor and cognitive aspects in Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation You are what you repeatedly do: Links between personality and habit How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world How does habit form? Guidelines for tracking real-world habit formation The role of habit in compulsivity Goal-Directed and Habitual Control in Human Substance Use: State of the Art and Future Directions

19 min
24/12/2024

Is that glass of red wine over Christmas dinner good for you?

'Tis the season to indulge. As you sit down with family and friends, an age-old debate might arise: does drinking a single glass of red wine make you healthier? In this episode first published May 1, 2024, Norman and Tegan try to find out the answer once and for all. 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

14 min
17/12/2024

Infrared, ultraviolet and LED therapy – can lights cure us?

You might have seen those robot-looking red light masks being sold for skincare purposes. You might have thought — looks technological, but does it work? It's not just red light. There are a spectrum of health claims from infrared to ultraviolet. Norman and Tegan go through the rainbow to assess where there's evidence, and where there's not. References: Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy: A Review of Recent Progress and Their Target Molecules for Cancer Therapy Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound Healing Visible Red Light Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Skin Fibrosis: Key Molecular Pathways Utilization of light-emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis Photodynamic Therapy Using HMME for Port-Wine Stains: Clinical Effectiveness and Sonographic Appearance Effect of Blue Light on Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review The efficacy of violet light in the treatment of acne Featured review: What are the benefits and risks of light therapy for treating atopic eczema? Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorder

20 min
10/12/2024

What's the lowdown on energy drinks?

Life can be exhausting, and while a nap might be in order, it’s rare you’ve got time to take one. Caffeine can come to the rescue, but you might not be a fan of tea of coffee. Energy drinks are an alternative, but are they any good for you? Norman and Tegan explain what modern energy drinks contain, and what the ingredients do. What's That Rash? is on YouTube! Subscribe to ABC Science to watch the podcast. References: Prevalence and Amounts of Common Ingredients Found in Energy Drinks and Shots International society of sports nutrition position stand: energy drinks and energy shots Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a systematic review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes Energy Drinks and Their Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a decaffeinated energy drink shows no significant acute effect on mental energy Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging This scientist treated her own cancer with viruses she grew in the lab

18 min

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Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.