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Things you do or are exposed to early in life, including during fetal development, can actually affect your health later in adulthood. Normally, we're unaware of it, and it's difficult to make the connection. Today, Dr. Cheryl Rosenfeld dives into some of the research regarding placentas and their key implications in every life. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Cheryl Rosenfeld discuss how prenatal exposures can alter placental function, fetal brain development, and later-life health, with varying effects based on fetal sex. They expose the dangers of BPA and substitutes such as BPS, the importance of the neurotransmitters created by the placenta to the developing fetal brain, and the surprising results Dr. Rosenfeld has found in her research into maternal probiotic supplementation.     Key Takeaways: The placenta is an endocrine organ. There are sex differences in the placenta between male and female fetuses.  The placenta provides neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, to the brain. If there's not enough serotonin, that could compromise early brain development and make a child unfortunately vulnerable to diseases later in life. While many people try to avoid BPA, we are all impacted by it or by one of its substitutes. In a side-by-side study shot with BPA and BPS (a common substitute), it was found that both of them have equally harmful effects on the placenta.   "Essentially, all the fetal organs depend on that placenta. So if you affect the function of the placenta, it will affect the vital processing of all the other fetal organs." —  Dr. Cheryl Rosenfeld   Connect with Dr. Cheryl Rosenfeld: Professional Bio: https://cvm.missouri.edu/pathobiology-and-integrative-biomedical-sciences/faculty/cheryl-s-rosenfeld-dvm-phd/  ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cheryl-Rosenfeld    Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qluXCCYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Rosenfeld+Cheryl+S&sort=date      Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]     Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000 — so why are we seeing more cases and deaths than in the last 30 years? Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo reveals the hyper-local vaccination gaps driving the resurgence, and why preparing for the next pandemic starts on your block, not in Washington. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo discuss the recurring nature of pandemics that require prevention, preparedness, and coordinated action from global, national, and local organizations, institutions, and communities. They discuss the current preparedness systems, where they are working, and where they could be strengthened, as well as breaking down some vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and the future risks of pandemics.    Key Takeaways: Pandemics happen regularly throughout history. We are not going to be able to prevent them from happening, but we can prepare for them in a way that will not put everything on hold and upend lives (or cause deaths).  Pandemic means a global spread. It does not have to be deadly; it just has to be global. When talking about pandemics, respiratory viruses are the pathogens that are most worried about.  Transparency in preparedness not only is shown to help the individuals in that one country, but also other countries because decisions can be made based on more complete information. Immunization works by having the majority of a population covered by the vaccine. When more people are vaccinated, everyone can be protected. This makes the more immediate community, such as your child's school vaccination rate, more important than a larger population, such as the state or national vaccination rate.    "There's a lot of stuff wrong with the world right now, and a lot of it is at the global level or at the national level. But the good news is that preparedness is a bottom-up exercise. It starts in your community, and just like when I talked about, it really matters what the vaccination coverage is in your school, in your kid's school, or what it is in your community. What happens locally absolutely matters." —  Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo   Connect with Jennifer Nuzzo: Professional Bio: https://pandemics.sph.brown.edu/people/jennifer-nuzzo-drph  Research: https://vivo.brown.edu/display/jnuzzo  X: https://x.com/JenniferNuzzo    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennifernuzzo.bsky.social    Website: http://thepandemiccenter.org/    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Daniel Aaron discuss the inadequate oversight of food additives by the FDA, particularly the agency's GRAS or "Generally Recognized as Safe" process, which allows unsafe additives to reach the market without proper scrutiny. Dr. Aaron highlights industry conflicts of interest, the lack of reporting requirements, the need for stricter regulation to protect public health, and discusses what is needed for the FDA to be better able to make impactful changes.     Key Takeaways: The majority of food additives in the US are not vetted by the FDA. Since 1958, food additives have been presumed safe until proven otherwise.  The Clean Eating movement in the US is indicative of the skepticism of the American food supply.  While the FDA used to maintain a list of GRAS substances, today, reporting to the FDA is not required.  Europe uses a more precautionary approach to food additives. The EFSA must approve all chemical substances prior to their use in foods.  Food additives are known to cause synergistic harm. However, the FDA poorly regulates single additives, so it is not surprising that its consideration of interacting chemicals is insufficient.   "The FDA is the most accountable to corporate power. The largest impediment, in my view, to food regulation is funding. FDA's Food Center has been underfunded for decades. Further funding from Congress is needed, but our legislators often are supported by industry that doesn't necessarily want a more robust review of food additives." —  Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D.   Episode References:  Bystanders to a Public Health Crisis: The Failures of the U.S. Multi-Agency Regulatory Approach to Food Safety in the Face of Persistent Organic Pollutants by Katya S. Cronin: https://scholarship.law.gwu.edu/faculty_publications/1725/  EFSA: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en  FDA Food Center: https://www.fda.gov/food    Connect with Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D.: Professional Bio: https://faculty.utah.edu/u6052921-DANIEL_G_AARON/hm/index.hml  Email: [email protected]    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of staying up to date on your vaccines is? Well, new research is showing that not only does it help to prevent the disease the vaccine is protecting you from, but it may also reduce your risk of Alzheimer's and other dementia related diseases.  In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Paul Schulz discuss the exciting discovery that influenza vaccines may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 40%. Dr. Schulz's research suggests that high-dose vaccines (offered to those over the age of 65) are more effective, particularly in women. Additionally, other vaccines like shingles, pneumococcus, and Tdap also showed protective effects.    Key Takeaways: Every neurologist knows that when your Alzheimer's patient gets pneumonia, a UTI, bronchitis, a hip fracture, a hip replacement, or any inflammatory process in the body, it makes their Alzheimer's a lot worse. Over the age of 65, patients are typically given a 4x dose of the influenza vaccine for as long as it is available. Evidence shows that the regular dose reduces Alzheimer's by about 40%, while the high dose reduces it by about 15% more.  Other types of vaccines, including for shingles, pneumococcus, and Tdap, also show effectiveness in the reduction of Alzheimer's and related dementias.    "The conclusion was that compared to people with no influenza vaccines, which turns out to be very common, unfortunately, in the United States, three annual vaccines out of six years is associated with a 20% reduction in Alzheimer's risk for up to eight years that we know of so far." —  Dr. Paul Schulz   Connect with Dr. Paul Schulz: Professional Bio: https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/dr-paul-e-schulz-md-2/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-schulz-199a9944/  Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MoJcqd4AAAAJ&hl=en    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Worried about what your forgetfulness really means and whether it's just aging or the start of something more serious? Listen in as memory expert Dr. Zaldy Tan breaks down the different types of dementia, how early detection really works, and what you can do now to protect your brain and plan for the future.   In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Zaldy Tan discuss his new book, "What to Remember When You Are Forgetting," which addresses cognitive decline and dementia. Dr. Tan discusses the main types of dementia, the importance of early diagnosis, and how dementia varies from age-related cognitive decline. They also dive into the steps that people can take now to help strengthen their minds and things to do to help assist those you love who you may suspect have dementia or have been diagnosed.      Key Takeaways: Currently, about 7.5 million people are diagnosed with dementia. That number is likely twice that, as about 50% with dementia are living with it unaware of the diagnosis until the late stages.  There are around 100 types of dementia - the most common ones are Alzheimer's Disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.  Memory and other cognitive functions do change as we get older. Divided attention and working memory do decline as we age, and that is a normal part of aging.  Different types of dementia are caused by different pathologies. As such, the treatment and prognosis will be different.  A dementia diagnosis does not always mean that you have to quit your job. It may mean that you have to talk to your employer about reasonable accommodations to make sure you are safe and able to complete your tasks.    "We shouldn't think of dementia as monolithic. Those days are gone. A precise and accurate diagnosis is really important." —  Dr. Zaldy Tan   Connect with Dr. Zaldy Tan: Professional Bio: https://researchers.cedars-sinai.edu/Zaldy.Tan  LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/zaldy-tan-5426a639b  Book: What to Remember When You Are Forgetting: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Zaldy-Tan/232701319    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Have you ever wondered how trolls, bots, and paid influencers are quietly manipulating what you see online and why even smart, skeptical people fall for it? Today, disinformation expert Dr. Darren Linvill pulls back the curtain on the tactics that bad actors are using to try and shape our beliefs.    In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Darren Linvill discuss the various forms of digital deception and the strategies used by state actors to manipulate global discourse. Dr. Linvill distinguishes between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation and gives examples of each, including tactics used by different international organizations from Iran, China, Israel, North Korea, and others. He also discusses the psychological impact that this disinformation has on humanity.     Key Takeaways: Fraud is the oldest form of disinformation, and it's rampant across social media. It's a multi-billion-dollar industry.  The main way that AI is being used right now to disseminate false information, disinformation, whether it's fraud or political disinformation, is the scale at which this content is created.  Sometimes there is not enough information to attribute disinformation accounts to a specific person or group. Sometimes it can be traced either through the content being posted or similar information on other websites.  At the end of the day, people will believe what they want to believe, regardless of whether it is true or has been fact-checked as false.    "At the end of the day, all of us humans are emotional animals. And we are interpreting the world around us, including the information we find on social media, through an emotional lens, especially when it comes to the communities that we're a part of, and our emotional attachments to those communities and our emotional needs that we derive from those communities, that absolutely affects the lens through which we interpret information." —  Dr. Darren Linvill   Episode References:  Clemson University Media Forensics Hub: Spot the Troll - https://spotthetroll.org/    Connect with Dr. Darren Linvill: Professional Bio: https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/about/profiles/darrenl  Twitter: https://x.com/DarrenLinvill?lang=en   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-linvill-6673655b  Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gQl4PlQAAAAJ&hl=en    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Drowning in wellness hype, viral "experts," and five-star opinions that feel more real than facts? In this episode, law and public health scholar Timothy Caulfield exposes the certainty illusion — how "scienceploitation", predatory journals, and weaponized opinions quietly shape what we believe about our health.   Today, Therese Markow and Timothy Caulfield discuss Tim's latest book, break down the misinformation drivers that are contributing to the delegitimization of scientific expertise, and the three illusions that are being used to distort public perception. From influencers and celebrities to predatory journals and politicians, it feels like "experts" are constantly bombarding us with information, but how do we know what is true? Listen in to find out more.    Key Takeaways: So many of the misconceptions about health and science are now closely tethered to political ideological positions.  Influencers are having a greater impact on beliefs around health than ever before. For example, the sale of Ivermectin spiked after a Joe Rogan conversation with Mel Gibson. Be aware of products and studies that are using scienceploitation and publishing in predatory journals. While they may look legitimate, they often do not have proper science behind the claim.  Most health halos- words like "organic" or "natural" or, now, "protein" do not necessarily make the food or product healthy. But it does often convince people to buy.    "Your personal identity, your personal community has just a tremendous impact. So if you can manipulate those opinions, you can manipulate people's perceptions, their beliefs, and maybe even their actions." —  Timothy Caulfield   Episode References:  The Certainty Illusion: What You Don't Know and Why It Matters: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735245886  Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Documentary: https://gem.cbc.ca/harder-better-faster-stronger  What is the manosphere? I went inside to find out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzHZFv-Ezg    Connect with Timothy Caulfield: Professional Bio: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/law/research/health-law-institute/people/timothycaulfield.html  Threads: threads.net/@caulfieldtim  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/caulfieldtim.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caulfieldtim/  X: https://twitter.com/CaulfieldTim    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timothy.caulfield.792  Books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/authors/255688/timothy-caulfield    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]     Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

The last few decades have seen a continuing rise in really serious and often fatal health problems. The list is long: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infertility, autoimmune diseases, and autism, just to name a few. While vulnerability to disease often has an underlying genetic predisposition, there have to be environmental triggers to set these diseases in motion. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Aly Cohen discuss just these topics and what we can look for on a daily basis, as well as the small changes that we can, individually, do to make our lives a little healthier.     Key Takeaways: It's estimated there are about 95,000 chemicals available on the US market for everything we use from cleaning products, makeup, and everything we use. The US has only banned 5 chemicals since 1976. European countries have banned around 1200, on average. There are resources out there to help you to vet the products you are using in your life, such as The Environmental Working Group and Skin Deep Database.   "The goal is less is more - use fewer products, the products that you use, if you want to use them, just vet them." —  Dr. Aly Cohen   Connect with Dr. Aly Cohen: Website: https://thesmarthuman.com/  TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSCeP0hyuTI  Show: https://thesmarthuman.com/podcast/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSmartHuman  Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574591840716 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb6NhglVIu6ruM19QNhpJDw  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aly-cohen-md-facr-0b570749/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmarthuman/  Book: https://thesmarthuman.com/dr-aly-cohen-and-dr-fred-vom-saals-new-book-available-now/    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Have you or someone you loved considered taking antidepressants for mental health, but had concerns? Listen in as Dr. Andrew Novick talks about the research and the science behind these drugs and other options for those struggling with MDD and other mental health concerns.    In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Andrew Novick discuss major depressive disorder (MDD) and its treatment options. Dr. Novick explains the key characteristics of MDD and discusses some of the many treatment options, which include psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, and pharmacological interventions like SSRIs. He highlights the effectiveness of esketamine for treatment-resistant MDD, and also addresses the controversy surrounding SSRIs and the potential of new treatments like psilocybin, noting ongoing research and regulatory challenges.    Key Takeaways: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can begin in childhood, but can often show up as irritability rather than other traditional depressive symptoms that we would see in adults. It's also more common to see it manifest during puberty, rather than before. Treating MDD does not require starting with psychotherapy. Medication can help more immediately, especially because there is an obstacle to accessible therapy for a lot of people. It can also be a tool used in tandem with therapy.  While there are no blood tests or simple diagnostic tests to see if you have depression, like with an infectious disease model, there are some brain scans that can show signs of depression, especially across wide populations of individuals.  There is no one gene that is associated with MDD. However, through research, many different genes have been identified, often related to brain function and stress response.    "If depression goes untreated, the most awful consequence of that is potential suicide." —  Dr. Andrew Novick   Connect with Dr. Andrew Novick: Professional Bio: https://som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/29109  ResearchGate:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew-Novick  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annovick    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

From testosterone craze headlines to myths about prostate cancer, fertility, and aggression, men are getting a lot of confusing messages about their sexual health. Today, urologist and men's health expert Dr. Justin Dubin cuts through the noise with science-backed answers to the questions men are often too embarrassed to ask.   In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Justin Dubin discuss listener questions regarding men's sexual health. Dr. Dubin explains the nuances of testosterone levels, noting that normal ranges vary and can impact overall health. He highlights the importance of addressing low testosterone, which can lead to significant health issues, including all-cause mortality. He dives into the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, emphasizing the need for proper medical guidance. Additionally, Justin addresses the stigma around men's health, the role of direct-to-consumer testosterone sales, and the impact of prostate cancer treatments on sexual function.     Key Takeaways: Health is not just about living longer; it should also be about living better.  There are different forms of testosterone. The majority of it, about 98%, is bound to other proteins. Free testosterone is what can bind to your receptors. There is really good data suggesting that men with low testosterone die at a younger age; they have a higher all-cause mortality. It's not just a mood; it's not just a sex thing. It is an overall marker for your health. If you are interested in future fertility and you have low testosterone, do not take real testosterone replacement therapy; there are alternative options. Before you go on any medication, you should know the risks and benefits of what you are thinking of taking.   "If I can stop making men think with their penises and start making them think about their penises, I think we can get a lot more guys healthier, a lot more guys happier, and a lot more guys doing the things that they want to be able to do inside and outside the bedroom." —  Dr. Justin Dubin   Episode References: Guideline-Discordant Care Among Direct-to-Consumer Testosterone Therapy Platforms: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2799297    Connect with Dr. Justin Dubin: Professional Bio: https://baptisthealth.net/doctors/justin-dubin/5921802  Website: https://www.themanuppod.com/  Man Up Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FkEhH04XdxruNg1xxsEdo  YouTube: http://youtube.com/@themanuppod  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dubin-m-d-9a9b7917/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindubinmd/?hl=en  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/JustinDubinMD    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]     Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Do you ever feel exhausted by home life, even when the chores look "even"? This episode uncovers the hidden mental load running beneath every household and reveals how it quietly shapes stress, careers, and relationships.   Today, Therese Markow and  Dr. Allison Daminger discuss her research on cognitive labor, which reveals gender inequality in household decision-making. Allison interviewed 92 couples, and they discuss the results found between both queer and heterosexual couples throughout the study. These decisions were categorized into 10 domains, ranging from maintenance to health to childcare. Throughout the episode, Allison emphasizes the need for couples to recognize and address the imbalances, suggesting starting with low-hanging fruit and fostering a growth mindset to achieve a more equitable division of labor.     Key Takeaways: In different-sex households, cognitive labor is overwhelmingly shouldered by women, with roughly 80% of such homes being woman-led across domains like schedules, childcare coordination, finances, and home maintenance. Same-sex couples tend to divide cognitive labor more deliberately and flexibly, often discussing who does what and viewing roles as changeable rather than fixed by gender stereotypes. Unequal cognitive labor carries real costs - chronic exhaustion, career compromises, and relationship strain - making it crucial for couples to name this work, question "it just happened this way" narratives, and experiment with small, intentional rebalances in specific domains. Women's lives changed dramatically in the second half of the twentieth century, in a way that men's lives did not. However, there is now an emerging trend that seems to show more men feeling a pull toward the traditional household cognitive load often carried by women.   "One reason that my research has resonated with a lot of people is that it's given them language to explain something that they experience every day. People know that they're doing a lot, but until they recognize this as a form of work that is taxing, it can be easy to kind of downplay what you're contributing to your family, especially when it feels like you and your partner are sharing the physical work relatively equitably." —  Dr. Allison Daminger   Connect with Allison: Professional Bio: https://www.allisondaminger.com/about  Substack: https://allisondaminger.substack.com/    Website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisondaminger  Book: What's On Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life - https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-on-her-mind-the-mental-workload-of-family-life-allison-daminger/585e2aa7eac0a0ea    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Scott discuss narcissism, its clinical definition, and the characteristics of "malignant narcissism". Dr. Scott explains that narcissism involves patterns of grandiosity, a need for constant admiration, a lack of empathy, high levels of manipulation, and the narcissist's "kryptonite" - criticism. They view themselves as the victim, never at fault. Despite their arrogance, they are very insecure. Dr. Scott also discusses why treatment is challenging and why therapy often focuses on managing symptoms rather than the deeper core issues. They can't see that they have a problem, and thus are resistant to treatment.    Key Takeaways: The myth of Narcissus illustrates the danger of excessive self-focus, which is the hallmark of narcissism in clinical terms and is becoming increasingly common in some aspects of our modern society.  Narcissists are very good at manipulation. They consciously will do things to sort of manage their image in the eyes of others. They may appear to show empathy at times in a relationship, but it's usually more of a means to an end than a genuine concern for the feelings of others. Criticism is like kryptonite to a narcissist, so even the mildest critique can provoke a strong defensive reaction: anger, denial, or shifting the blame to somebody else. You cannot change a narcissist's behavior, but you can control your own responses to it. Think about limits and then give yourself leeway within those to protect your own mental health.    "[Narcissists] might mimic empathetic behaviors to achieve their own ends, but it's more about manipulation than genuine caring. So they can understand maybe what empathy looks like, but not really get how it feels and how it's supposed to feel and how those behaviors are supposed to be rooted in something inside them." —  Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.   Connect with Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Twitter: https://x.com/ElizabethScott  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AboutStressManagement/  Website: https://drelizabethscott.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.elizabethscott/  Book: 8 Keys to Stress Management: https://www.amazon.com/Keys-Stress-Management-Mental-Health-ebook/dp/B00AJUKO5M    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

What if the biggest risk factor for cancer, heart disease, and dementia isn't your genes, diet, or blood pressure but aging itself? Listen in as biogerontologist Dr. Matt Kaeberlein reveals how understanding the biology of aging could add not just years to our lives, but healthy decades, and why your dog might hold some of the most important clues.   In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Matt Kaeberlein discuss aging research. He explains that aging is characterized by damage accumulation and loss of resilience, leading to functional decline. Matt highlights the hallmarks of aging, such as deregulation of nutrient sensing and DNA damage, and the potential of interventions like rapamycin to slow aging. He notes that biological age is a significant risk factor for major diseases, and that understanding and addressing aging biology could significantly extend human lifespan. They also discuss the Dog Aging Project, with 55,000 participating dogs, which aims to uncover genetic and environmental factors influencing health and longevity in pets.    Key Takeaways: Our bodies are constantly being exposed to stress, and stress can move us out of the optimal zone of function. When we're young, we're very resilient and able to come back to optimal function. As we get older, we lose that resilience. When we slow aging in laboratory animals, we prevent the onset and progression of all of the major age-related functional declines and diseases simultaneously, because we've slowed biological aging. Based on what's possible in mice, it is estimated that we could potentially gain 2-3 additional decades of life if we can achieve this in humans. There is a genetic component to longevity; however, how big that genetic component is to longevity is hotly debated. The environment is also a large contributor.    "Biological age is the single greatest risk factor for nine of the top 10 killers in the United States, and it's not a small effect. The magnitude of effect from biological aging dwarfs all of the other risk factors combined…it's useful to appreciate how important biological age is to the risk of developing many of the chronic diseases and functional declines that limit quality and quantity of life for most people." —  Dr. Matt Kaeberlein   Episode References:  Dog Aging Project: https://dogagingproject.org/  Dog Aging Institute: https://dogaginginstitute.org/  Longevity for Dogs: https://www.youtube.com/@LongevityForDogs    Connect with Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: Professional Bio: https://halo.dlmp.uw.edu/people/matt-kaeberlein/  Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22kaeberlein+m%22[author]    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mkaeberlein  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein/    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Hidden in your water, food, and even your blood, forever chemicals (PFAS) are nearly impossible to destroy - and now U.S. regulations are being rolled back. Listen in to how PFAS became unavoidable, what they're doing to our health, and whether we can ever truly get rid of them.   In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Carrie McDonough discuss perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. PFAS, which include PFOA and PFOS, are persistent organic pollutants used in various products, such as Teflon for your cooking pans and Scotchgard. While there are natural molecules that incorporate fluorine, the compounds we are most concerned about when we talk about PFAS cannot be synthesized naturally and are difficult to break down. Dr. McDonough discusses exposure risks, how we are exposed, and the efforts that have been made to regulate these chemicals. She emphasizes the need for better detection methods and remediation strategies.     Key Takeaways: While some PFAS are excreted from the human body, many are not and linger in our blood and cells. A lot of pollutants accumulate in the adipose fat in the human body. However, PFAS are mostly found in proteins and membranes, such as the kidney, liver, and blood.  The first clue that PFAS were widespread in humans was back in the 1970s. However, the results were inconclusive - they just didn't have the instrumentation they needed to confirm it or the standards from the companies in order to identify the PFAS. Biomagnification causes creatures, including humans, that are higher up the food chain to have higher concentrations of PFAS than those lower in the food chain. This includes those who are herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.  Companies have been putting these things out into our environment for decades; for some amount of that time, they knew that they were doing it and that they were toxic, but didn't tell anyone. There is really no way to protect anyone from these chemicals that we did not consent to being in our bodies.    "If you're not living in an area with highly contaminated water, or some kind of large contamination issue, your main source of PFAS is probably your diet." —  Dr. Carrie McDonough   Episode References:  Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe: https://www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story  PFAS leave fingerprints in your blood – researchers are figuring out how forever chemicals transform in your body to read these clues: https://theconversation.com/pfas-leave-fingerprints-in-your-blood-researchers-are-figuring-out-how-forever-chemicals-transform-in-your-body-to-read-these-clues-280396 Dark Waters: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9071322/  They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals by Mariah Blake: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554198/they-poisoned-the-world-by-mariah-blake/    Connect with Dr. Carrie McDonough: Professional Bio: https://www.cmu.edu/chemistry/people/faculty/mcdonough.html  Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Xq5HrPYAAAAJ&hl=en  Website: https://groups.chem.cmu.edu/mcdonough/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrieamcd    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Peptides are being sold online as miracle fixes for energy, healing, and longevity—but what if the science behind them is shaky, or even dangerous?    In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Leigh Baxt pull back the curtain on the peptide craze, revealing what we really know (and don't know) about these heavily marketed "biohacks." They discuss the complexities and risks of unapproved peptides, which are often marketed for health enhancement. Dr. Baxt explains what peptides are and speaks to those drugs that are FDA-approved, like GLP-1 agonists and insulin, but also highlights the safety concerns of unapproved peptides, such as BPC-157 and TB-500, which lack appropriate clinical trial data and are often synthesized in unregulated labs. Dr. Baxt emphasizes the importance of proper clinical trial processes and regulatory oversight to ensure drug safety and efficacy.    Key Takeaways: A peptide is just a short chain of amino acids. They can be created synthetically, they can be isolated, and they are natural. The body doesn't care whether a peptide is "natural" or synthetic; what matters is its exact molecular structure. FDA-approved peptide drugs go through years of rigorous testing in animals and humans to prove both safety and effectiveness before reaching the market. Calling something "scientifically proven" can be misleading when the underlying evidence is weak, preliminary, or based only on rat studies. Especially as much of the "science" cited on peptide marketing sites comes from small, limited animal, or cell studies, not large, controlled human trials.  Just because a product is available online or from a compounding pharmacy does not mean it is FDA-approved, well-studied, or safe; consumers must look beyond hype and ask what evidence truly exists. A naturally occurring peptide is generally not going to be suitable for use therapeutically.   "You can say that something is scientifically demonstrated because it showed something interesting in a rat. The key is that the people may not ask that, because a lot of times people hear 'scientific terminology' and it makes something sound really legitimate, but it doesn't mean that there's solid data." —  Dr. Leigh Baxt   Evaluation of Research Grade Peptides Marketed Directly to Consumers Reveals Extensive Variability in Purity and Measured Abundance: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202604.1748    Connect with Dr. Leigh Baxt: Professional Bio: https://www.mskcc.org/profile/leigh-baxt  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-baxt-314b877    Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: [email protected]   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.