Unbiased Science

Latest Episodes:

Homeopathy: Much Ado About Nothing (Literally, Nothing) Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod we tackle yet another controversial topic: homeopathy!

We kick things off with a discussion of the homeopathy industry and its growing popularity in the U.S. and around the world. We next dive into the history of homeopathy, how it came to be, and its two guiding principles. We discuss some of the most commonly used homeopathic remedies and how they are developed. Next, we discuss the science (or lack thereof) of homeopathic remedies and studies that have investigated the effectiveness and safety of these products. We spend some time talking about the risks of homeopathy and warnings that the FDA has issued regarding toxicity concerns. We finish things off with a discussion of homeopathy around the world and some well-known campaigns on this topic. You don't want to miss this one!

PLEASE 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.

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Food Allergy: The Real Dill! Food Sensitivity? Not Eggs-actly… Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode of the pod, we tackle the common question: “do food sensitivity tests work?”

To answer this, we bring on Dr. David Stukus, clinical allergist and immunologist. First, we discuss the differences between food allergies, intolerances, and the very vague term ‘sensitivity’. We chat about what true food allergy and intolerances are, and how they can be diagnosed. We then jump into the term food sensitivity, and the principle of many of these at-home food sensitivity tests. We spend some time discussing how these tests work, which are based on measuring a type of antibody called IgG, and how that does not indicate whether someone is ‘sensitive’ to a given food. We wrap up with some practical guidance on what to do if you suspect a food allergy, as well as the warning to not seek clinical advice from a stranger online!

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I'm Hot, Sticky Sweet...Cuz I Have Dia-be-tes Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we address myths and misconceptions about diabetes.

We welcomed a very special guest who openly describes her life with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We discuss what diabetes is and do a brief overview of glucose and the glucose/insulin signaling pathway. We talk about the disease burden of diabetes and when it is typically diagnosed. We address common myths such as all cases of diabetes are the same and are caused by a bad diet and eating too much sugar, diabetes is curable through special diets and supplementation, and that diabetics can't have sugar. We discuss different ways to treat and manage diabetes but emphasize that there is no known cure for T1D. We talk about hypo- and hyperglycemia and the factors that impact blood glucose levels. We spend some time discussing T1D's impact on fertility and pregnancy, the impact of insulin on weight gain, and how healthcare providers sometimes misdiagnose T1D for other conditions.

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My Neck, My Back... Is Chiropractic Whack? Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode of the pod, we tackle a very controversial topic... chiropractic.

We have lost count of the number of messages we have received on chiropractic and felt it was time to dig into the evidence. We start off the episode with a description of chiropractic, the history of the industry, and the training/credentials needed to become a chiropractor. We spend a little time talking about the title of "doctor" and how it can be misleading. Next, we do a deep dive into the literature. We describe several studies (including RCTs) and some potential biases that limits our ability to generalize findings. We discuss some of the claims made by chiropractors and the data (or lack thereof) that are available to support those claims. We spend some time talking about the safety and adverse events associated with chiropractic with extra attention paid to issues among children. We talk about the impact of chiropractors on the anti-vaxx movement and the general proclivity of people who are attracted to alternative medicine to fall prey to misinformation.

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Pour Some Artificial Sweetener On Me Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s pod, we bring on a special guest to help us answer the question: are artificial sweeteners harmful?

We begin with a brief discussion of what artificial sweeteners are, some common ones we use, and why they are no calorie.

We then dive into the common myths, debunking claims that consuming artificial sweeteners cause weight cause, insulin resistance, cancer, infertility, and affect your microbiome (spoiler: they don’t).

We also reiterate the fact that “the dose makes the poison”, and many of these myths originated from animal studies that were based on giving enormous doses of these substances to rodents, which is not reflective of real-life scenarios in humans.

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The Pod Is Back And We're Here To Talk Mutations (Hey-La-Day-La, The Pod Is Back!) Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

We're back, friends!

On this first episode of season 2, we answer the question, "what’s the update on variants and vaccine effectiveness?"

We kick things off with a snapshot of the overall COVID-19 case rate, mortality and hospitalization data, and vaccine uptake. Next, we define some terminology-- specifically the difference between efficacy and effectiveness. We then discuss clinical trial and real-world effectiveness data for the three vaccines currently in use in the United States (Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J). Of course, we had to talk boosters-- so we summarize the recent recommendations from the FDA and CDC, and what they mean for Americans. Next, we talk about Delta and some of the other variants that have people talking these days. We wrap things up by clarifying that vaccines do, in fact, prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through a few different mechanisms including reduced viral load, shortened infectious period, and overall reduced risk of infection. We hope you enjoy! We have lots of exciting episodes lined up for this season so stay tuned!

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COVID-19: Can We Treat It? (Treat It?) No One Wants To Be Defeated! Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod, we answer a question that we receive quite frequently: What are the current effective COVID-19 treatments?

We spend some time discussing how attempts have been made to repurpose existing medications for treatment which saves time rather than developing new ones from scratch. We kick things off with remdesivir-- the only FDA-approved treatment for adults and some children who require hospitalization. We discuss how remdesivir works and present some real-world evidence of its impact on mortality and time-to-discharge from the hospital. Next, we tackle monoclonal antibody treatments which have received emergency use authorization from the FDA to treat mild/moderate COVID-19 illness in adults and some older children. We discuss some other treatments (such as Baricitinib plus remdesivir) and Tocilizumab. We also discuss Dexamethasone and present some trial data on its use in improving mortality rates as compared to usual care. Next, we spend some time discussing nutritional supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, and particularly vitamin D which has received a lot of attention (mainly by supplement sellers). We briefly talk about the current status of ongoing clinical trials, using the oral antiviral Molnupiravir as an example. Next, we talk at length about Ivermectin and the mixed and weak evidence that has led the FDA, NIH, and WHO to conclude that there are insufficient data for the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Finally, we close the episode with a discussion of Hydroxychloroquine and the fact that clinical trials were halted early due to lack of effectiveness.

We are taking a break for the summer, but plan to come back with some exciting content in season 2! Stay safe, everyone!

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Do You Need Probiotics? Trust Your Gut. Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we answer the question, "are probiotics beneficial?"

We kick things off with a description of probiotics and, more generally, all the microorganisms that live in symbiosis with us (collectively called the microbiome). We discuss the complexity of our microbiome and the fact that no two people have the same microbial cells (not even twins)! We spend some time talking specifically about the gut microbiome and different bacterial species that it is composed of. Next, we dig into the literature to explore the evidence (or lack thereof) of the benefits of probiotic therapy. We specifically investigate the use of probiotics for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, yeast infections and other urogenital issues, colic in infants, and necrotizing enterocolitis in very-low-birth-weight infants. We talk about different types of probiotics-- specifically refrigerated versus shelf-stable and the variety of probiotics on the market. Finally, we dive into the U.S. regulation of probiotics and quality control issues with unregulated probiotics, as well as potential harms of probiotics for specific sub-populations at high-risk.

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E-Cigarettes: A Nicoteenage Wasteland (Part 2) Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we continue our conversation on e-cigarettes. Last week, we focused on the harms of nicotine itself, but this week we start our discussion on the harms of other ingredients in e-cigarettes including toxic chemicals and heavy metals. We spend some time discussing popcorn lung-- a serious lung disease caused by e-cigarette use. We discuss the flavorings in e-cigarettes and some recent research conducted on their impact on health outcomes including vascular issues, cardiac health, and wound healing. We dig into the current body of evidence on whether e-cigarettes are an effective cessation tool (spoiler alert: the evidence is mixed) and how some smokers become dual users of traditional cigarettes and e-cigs. We also discuss how many people (especially youth) are looking to quit vaping and some resources available to assist them in their cessation efforts. We then discuss how vaping can lead to smoking initiation among non-smokers (especially youth). Finally, we discuss some issues around regulation and the legality of marketing tactics.

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E-Cigarettes: A Nicoteenage Wasteland May 31, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we address the question: are e-cigarettes harmful?

We kick things off with an introduction to e-cigs -- what they are, and the different types of e-cigs on the market. We discuss the global e-cigarette and vape market and the blurred lines between the vaping and tobacco industries. We spend some time discussing how e-cigarettes compare to traditional, combustible cigarettes. We talk about e-cigarette smoking rates and how they are on the rise among teenagers. We tackle the topic of nicotine and detail many of the things it does to our bodies including physical, pharmacologic, and psychodynamic effects-- as well as its impact on our immune system and biological processes. Next week, we will continue the discussion on e-cigarettes and their impact on smoking initiation among youth and non-smokers, as well as their potential as a smoking cessation tool. We hope you'll tune in!

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