The Body of Evidence

Latest Episodes:

065 - Diabetes and Masks Nov 08, 2020

Show notes

Diabetes: different types and what to do about them // Mask misinformation // To bank or not to bank your newborn’s cord blood

* Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

* Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

References:

1) The DiRECT Study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)33102-1/fulltext

2) The DiRECT Study, Two-Year Follow-Up: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(19)30068-3/fulltext

3) 2017 JAMA study on lifestyle interventions: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2648632

4) LABS study on bariatric surgery: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2664662

Music Credits:

Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 14 by Sascha Ende

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4662-cinema-blockbuster-trailer-14

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cartoon #8: COVID Retractions Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

Interview - Brennen McKenzie on Pets Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

Jonathan and Chris interview Dr. Brennen McKenzie, an evidence-based veterinarian who runs the “SkeptVet” blog. They separate what we know, what we don’t know, and what we think we know when it comes to pet care and address the pseudosciences of the animal world.

2:24 Evidence-based veterinary medicine

4:49 Extrapolating from human clinical trials

7:31 Do vets change their mind?

10:07 Acupuncture, homeopathy and chiropractic in the animal world

14:34 Pets and vaccines

17:25 A very special guest appearance

18:00 How to talk to vaccine hesitant pet owners

20:45 The cost of veterinary care

23:11 Placebos

27:52 Raw food diets

32:04 The word “zoopharmacognosy”

32:52 What should dogs and cats eat

37:57 What should dogs and cats NOT eat

40:28 CBD supplements

42:51 Declawing cats

44:17 Inside cat or outside cat

46:02 Supplements to change urine pH

46:40 Feline injection-site sarcomas

48:28 Omega-3s

48:49 Glucosamine

49:23 Cranberry supplements

50:35 New pet parents, take it all with a grain of salt

52:22 The shocking truth about pure breeds

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

Links:

1) Brennen’s website: https://skeptvet.com/Blog/

2) Brennen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkeptVet

3) Brennen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkeptVet

4) Brennen’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb8ihBYdSXq_DML1Y6CfbQ

5) Brennen’s book, Placebos for Pets: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51866692-placebos-for-pets

064 - Breastfeeding and Vaccine Placebos Oct 04, 2020

Show notes

Breastfeeding: its history, the quality of the evidence for it, and the alleged benefits to the baby and to the mother // Placebos in vaccine trials // Are we overreacting to COVID?

* Jingle by Joseph Hackl

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

References:

1) Breast feeding rates according to the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

2) Historical trends in breastfeeding: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/131/2/421S/4686960

3) Breastfeeding for pain control: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/3/e716.long, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12511452/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11927701/

4) Cochrane review on skin-to-skin care: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008435.pub3/full

5) Sucrose and warmth for analgesia: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/3/e607

6) Formula vs. donor breast milk for preventing NEC: https://www.cochrane.org/CD002971/NEONATAL_formula-versus-donor-breast-milk-feeding-preterm-or-low-birth-weight-infants

7) WHO review on short- and long-term benefits of breastfeeding: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/95585

8) Systematic review on breastfeeding practices and infant mortality: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26249674/

9) Belarus study on obesity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23483175/

10) Cochrane review on optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding: https://www.cochrane.org/CD003517/PREG_optimal-duration-of-exclusive-breastfeeding

11) Jonathan’s article about placebos used in vaccine trials: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health/placebos-used-vaccine-trials-do-not-please-everyone

12) Jonathan’s article about Sweden and the pandemic: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health/which-sweden-do-you-want-believe

Music Credits:

Amazing Plan by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3358-amazing-plan

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Harmony by DreamHeaven

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6497-harmony-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Interview - Jen Novakovich on Beauty Products Sep 20, 2020

Show notes

Chris and Jonathan interview Jen Novakovich, a science communicator and cosmetic chemist, on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the safety and efficacy of cosmetics and over-the-counter beauty products… and the drivel you need to be warned against.

2:03 Jen’s career path

4:20 Reversing the signs of aging

7:21 How much should you pay for a moisturizer?

9:37 The regulation of therapeutic claims

13:02 Topical vitamin C or niacinamide?

15:24 Hyaluronic acid or glycerin

16:55 Snail mucin

18:26 Coenzyme Q10

19:32 Tea extract

20:30 Collagen

21:09 Sunscreen and its detractors

25:15 It’s the dose that makes the poison

27:00 How sensitization can lead to skin allergy

31:28 Exfoliants

35:56 The issues with the clean beauty movement

38:00 Animal testing

42:10 When should you throw out makeup?

45:21 Lipsticks and sunscreen

46:48 Can lip balm cause a dependence?

51:20 The new hand sanitizers

53:26 Toxic sanitizers recalled

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

Links:

1) Jen Novakovich’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/theecowell/

2) Jen Novakovich’s podcast: https://www.theecowell.com/

3) Hand sanitizers recalled by Health Canada: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/73385a-eng.php#affected-touches

063 - Stomach Ulcers and COVID-19 Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

Stomach ulcers: what causes them, what doesn’t, why they’re like ninjas, the usefulness of cameras, and how to treat them without resorting to surgery // the debate over airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus and how the virus affects children // COVID-19’s impact on blood vessels and what’s happening with “long haulers” // A word about Plandemic: InDoctorNation

* Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

References:

1) Ed Yong’s article on COVID-19 long haulers: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/long-haulers-covid-19-recognition-support-groups-symptoms/615382/

2) Jonathan’s article on coronavirus patent disinformation: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-pseudoscience/patently-false-disinformation-over-coronavirus-patents

Music Credits:

Sings In The Fields by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5302-sings-in-the-fields-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cursed Intro by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5624-cursed-intro-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Countdown by Alexander Nakarada

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4865-countdown

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Time Is Now by Sascha Ende

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/395-time-is-now

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Special - Navigating the Healthcare System Aug 02, 2020

Show notes

How can you as a patient better navigate the healthcare system? Chris takes you through the labyrinth from his side of the gurney. From the emergency department to the hospital bed, from your regular doctor visit to your medical record, the secrets to medical success and happiness (and how to win friends and influence people) will be shared! Money back guarantee!

0:00 Apology

2:03 Corrections on our special episode on blood

6:09 Visiting the Emergency Department (or ER or A&E)

22:40 Being admitted to the hospital

32:46 The doctor will see you now

46:00 Your medical record

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Links

1) Our previous episode about the healthcare system: http://bodyofevidence.ca/special-the-healthcare-system

2) Our appearances on CTV Montreal News (the clips are usually uploaded Thursdays and Fridays around 1:30PM ET): https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.1332485

Special - Blood Jul 05, 2020

Show notes

Guest host Morgan Sweeney asks Chris and Jonathan about blood! You will learn that blood is not a magical elixir but rather “water and stuff.” Featuring references to Archer, The Simpsons, Ryan George, and a recurring digression into Stephen King’s work, for some reason. After discussing King’s IT, it’s becoming obvious that The Body of Evidence is no longer a family-friendly show.

1:38 Why blood?

3:35 Handling blood is fine but this other bodily fluid?

5:12 Blood transfusions are not always blood transfusions

13:37 The theory behind why women have fewer heart attacks

14:46 Blood is transport

16:07 Where’s the DNA?

19:10 Chris’ medical license gets revoked

22:51 Criteria for donating blood

28:00 HIV and blood donations

34:02 The bad incentives of blood money

38:26 Chris’ kitchen blood drive

40:30 Stephen King’s The Dead Zone

43:47 The Shining traumatized Jonathan

44:46 It ends with children, uh, having a….

49:30 Blood: keep it on the inside

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Links

1) Morgan’s podcast, Magic of the Mind: http://magicofthemind.ca/

2) Canadian Blood Services: https://www.blood.ca/en

3) Ryan George’s Pitch Meeting for IT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dw4u2A9F4g

Music Credits

Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

Interview - Elisabeth Bik, Science Detective Jun 21, 2020

Show notes

Jonathan and Chris interview Dr. Elisabeth Bik, a science detective who has dedicated herself to identifying and reporting image duplications in the scientific literature that can be due to errors… or to fraud. This interview is part of a continuing series on bad science, including the special “Science Is a Human Enterprise” (part 1 and part 2) and the interview with Dr. Brian Nosek.

1:16 How Dr. Bik became a science detective

3:28 Duplications

10:43 Music or no music?

11:10 Screening 20,000 papers for duplications

16:38 Speed versus accuracy in the age of COVID

17:41 The failures of peer review

21:37 Dr. Bik’s frustration

24:55 Justice League versus Paper Mill

34:33 Make a wish for a healthier science

39:27 Dr. Bik’s drinking game

43:02 How fraudsters may cheat automation in the future

46:05 Will the cockroaches scare the public?

* Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Links:

1) Dr. Bik’s paper on screening 20,000 articles for duplications: https://mbio.asm.org/content/7/3/e00809-16

2) Dr. Bik on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicrobiomDigest

3) Dr. Bik’s website: https://scienceintegritydigest.com/

4) PubPeer: https://pubpeer.com/

062 - Infertility and RNA Vaccines Jun 07, 2020

Show notes

Infertility: why we’re having fewer babies, sperm counts, myths and facts, the blame game, and infertility treatments // RNA vaccines // COVID-19 mega-update: convalescent plasma, chloroquine, remdesivir, blood vessel disease hypothesis, children with Kawasaki-like complication, antibody tests, and face shields.

* Jingle by Joseph Hackl

* Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

References:

1) Prevalence of infertility according to the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/key_statistics/i.htm#impaired

2) Age and female fertility: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2014/03/female-age-related-fertility-decline

3) Causes of infertility: https://www.bmj.com/content/291/6510/1693

4) Declining sperm counts: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28981654/

5) Boxers versus briefs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30102388/

6) Laptops and sperm counts: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/20/2/452/603276

7) Stress and infertility: https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d223