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Alkaline ( High pH) water is a very popular wellness product,and one you'll see in natural stores across the country.The alkaline diet is also trendy, with many websites and books dedicated to it. Both alkaline water and the alkaline diet are linked to various health benefits, but is there any solid evidence to support these claims?
In this Causes or Cures episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Tanis Fenton via a phone call. She is a researcher who studied the alkaline diet, alkaline water and potential health effects.Through her research, she discovered that health claims made about alkaline water and the alkaline diet are unfounded and make no sense on a basic scientific level.
Dr. Fenton is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary, a Registered Dietitian, Epidemiologist and Evidence Analyst for Dietitians of Canada. She is the Nutrition Research Lead for Alberta Health Sciences.

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In this episode, Dr. Paul Héroux joins Dr. Eeks to discuss electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from everyday sources like cell phones, WiFi, Bluetooth, and emerging technologies such as 5G.

Dr. Héroux, a physicist and researcher studying the biological effects of electromagnetism, shares his perspective on how EMF exposure may interact with the body, including potential mechanisms that have been explored in laboratory and experimental settings.

We also take a closer look at a growing consumer market—EMF shields and protective devices—and discuss why many of these products are not supported by strong evidence, and in some cases, may not function as intended.

Importantly, we place this conversation in the context of the broader scientific landscape. Current evidence from major public health and regulatory bodies generally does not support a clear link between typical everyday EMF exposure and adverse health effects, though research is ongoing and continues to evolve.

Dr. Paul Héroux holds a PhD in physics and is a researcher focused on electromagnetic field exposure and biological effects. He serves as a Medical Scientist in the Department of Surgery at the McGill University Health Center and leads InVitro Plus, a toxicology laboratory studying the therapeutic and potential pathological effects of electromagnetism. 

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In the world of wellness, skepticism around commercial sunscreen is at an all-time high. Wellness bloggers, moms, influencers and others have taken to creating their own sunscreen with various SPF claims. But are these "natural", homemade sunscreens effective at all? What's in them? How is their SPF value being determined?
In this podcast, Dr. Eeks has a conversation with Dr. Julie Merten about her recently published research, "Pinterest Homemade Sunscreens: A Recipe for a Sunburn." Dr. Merten answers the above questions and in general, discusses the widespread dissemination of wellness advice from "wellness advocates" on social media and what that means for consumers. Dr. Eeks asks Dr. Merten about concerns over some of the chemicals in certain sunscreens, and Dr. Merten offers her advice on how to avoid them and still protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer.
Dr. Merten is an associate professor of public health at the University of North Florida. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Public Health Review and Chair of the Skin Cancer Prevention Task Force for the Northeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative. Her research involves behavioral skin cancer prevention. Take a listen!

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Our continual reliance on wireless technology has increased our exposure to EMF ( Electro Magnetic Field) radiation like never before. While technology companies continue to produce faster and smarter wireless technology at rapid rates, they don't seem to ever address safety issues when it comes to EMF exposure and our health. (Mainly because they don't have to.) The good news is that independent researchers and scientists, some previously featured on this podcast, have performed animal studies and written up human case studies concerning EMF exposure. That growing body of evidence suggests that EMF exposure is certainly not benign, absolutely impacts mammalian cells, and the World Health Organization should, at the least, readdress the dangers of EMF exposure. It has been linked to brain tumors, heart tumors, ADHD and cognitive impairment, neurological issues and infertility issues. It seems especially harmful when exposed as a child or while in-utero. Many health advocates call EMF the "new smoking."  Yet, it's everywhere and only getting worse. As my guest for this podcast aptly puts: "We can no longer do a controlled experiment on EMF exposure, because it's everywhere. We are all currently part of the experiment."
Dr. Pritchard is a researcher and professor at Bournemouth University in the UK and a professor of Psychiatry at The University of Southampton School of Medicine. He is internationally known for his work on suicides and child abuse. Recently, he has been using data provided by the World Health Organization to document changing rates in deaths due to neurological diseases in developed nations. These neurological diseases include ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkison's Disease, and early-onset dementia. The trend Dr. Pritchard has documented is significantly increased rates of deaths overall, with the USA having the highest increase over the last several years. He has also documented more cases of early-onset dementia, as early as forties and fifties, especially in the US. What is causing this increase? Dr. Pritchard offers his theory ( and more) on this podcast.

To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.com
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Anyone who struggles with depression or knows someone who struggles with depression should listen to this podcast.  Dr. Douglas Watt is a forensic neuropsychologist with over 30 years of clinical practice. He has degrees from Harvard and Boston College, has served as the director of clinical psychology in two Boston teaching hospitals and has been on the faculty of the Boston University School of Medicine for 15 years. He teaches classes on affective neuroscience and its implications.
In this podcast, Dr. Watt joins Dr. Eeks  to discuss his theory for depression, The Social Brain Hypothesis, and why he believes depression is an evolutionary shut-down mechanism, the chemical imbalance theory is reductive and why conventional antidepressants fall short. He discusses what social rejection and loss of relationships does to us neurologically and why folks with an impaired capacity to make meaningful social attachments can become addicted to social media as a failed replacement for real-life intimate connections. Finally, he discusses why playfulness is a great promoter of intimacy, play as a mammilian prototype, play deficit and what we can do to fix it.
 This is a longer podcast, but it's full of wise gems. I highly recommend listening to at least some of it. Depression and chronic loneliness are both increasing around the globe, and Dr. Watt offers a solid reason why. 
( Apologies for the clicking noise- I think that was from his phone/laptop, and couldn't remove it entirely!)  :)

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Do you think the current political climate is impacting our mental health..., or are you living under a rock? If you are living under a rock, do you have room for a few more?  Just kidding, sort of.
There's been a surge of requests for therapists due to stress, anxiety and relationship troubles due to the current political situation. Social media sites are saturated with tribal and reductive back-and-forths that only increase our individual and collective sense of angst. Long-term friendships have dissolved, marriages have ended, Twitter is a battlefield and toxic stress is the name of the game. In short, we've come a long way, baby.
In this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Gabriel Nathan, chief editor of OC87 Recovery Stories, about the state of our mental health in the current political climate, why our interactions are toxic and broken, and what can be done to move us towards recovery.   
 Be mindful that specific people and events are mentioned in this podcast, and though not the intent, some things mentioned might offend or anger you. Erin and Gabe have different political opinions, but let this serve as a fair warning to those whose blood pressure rises when politics comes up. 

To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.com
To read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.
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In this episode, Dr. Eeks interviews renowned cancer epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Miller, on why he believes our widespread use of cell phones and exposure to wireless technology may be fueling a future cancer epidemic, especially in young people. He talks about the data, mechanisms of action, why folks don't seem to take this threat seriously and why technology companies don't feel the need to mitigate risk. While this is his belief based on his expertise and research, it's not a widespread belief and no mitigation efforts or warnings have been issued by regulatory bodies. Given our widespread use of wireless tech, it's worth hearing what he has to say.
Dr. Miller is a trained medical doctor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto's Dall Lana School of Public Health. He is a longtime advisor to the World Health Organization and was the Senior Epidemiologist for the International Agency for Research on Cancer. He also served as the Head of Epidemiology at the German Cancer Research Center and as a consultant to the Division of Cancer Prevention of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. He's published numerous studies on the epidemiology of breast cancer; cancer evaluation and screening tools; environmental causes of cancer, and cancer control measures. Dr. Miller has served as the director of the epidemiology unit for the National Cancer Institute of Canada, a clinical professor for the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McMaster University and was the Chairman for the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics at the University of Toronto.

He's received numerous awards for his work, including: The Medal of Honour from the International Agency for Research on Cancer; The Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Society for Preventive Oncology; and The Distinguished Contributions Award from the Canadian Society of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 

To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.com
To read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.
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Benzodiazepines (Benzos) are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world for anxiety. Despite how common they are, most people, including doctors and pharmacists, don't know the extent of benzodiazepine withdrawal, including the vast array of symptoms, nor do they know how to treat it. Many doctors and stakeholders confuse addiction with chemical dependence, which can be extremely frustrating for the person going through withdrawal, who took the medication as prescribed. Folks afflicted often turn to online forums and seek out others with similar withdrawal symptoms for advice. They are part of the "prescribed harm" community. Between searching for answers and managing symptoms, many people become so frustrated and exhausted that they resort to taking their own lives. As Dr. Huff mentions in the podcast, in the past year alone, she knows of at least 30 people who were going through benzo withdrawal and ended up killing themselves.
 In this podcast, Dr. Huff opens up about how she felt while on benzodiazepines and her horrific experience coming off of them. She talks about the guidance she did/did not receive and what ultimately helped her. She does not mince words.
 Dr. Christy Huff is a cardiologist by training, a mom and currently serves as director of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition. 

To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.com
To listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.
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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks interviews Dr. Fiorella Belpoggi about the potential health risks of wireless technology and radiation from EMFs (electromagnetic fields). The safety of EMFs is in the news due to the rollout of 5G and because of a recently resurfaced petition to the World Health Organization that was signed by 250 scientists warning about EMF exposure and health effects. That said, there have been no randomized controlled animal trials involving 5g. The 2 largest animal trials to date did not evaluate 5g. There has been no formal guidance to minimize exposure and no regulatory body has stated that there needs to be such guidance.
 
Dr. Belpoggi is the head of research at the Ramazzini Institute in Italy and Director of the Cesare Mal-toni Cancer Research Center, where she has worked since 1981. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and has done research on a variety of environmental exposures, including pesticides, plastics, food additives and hormones. To date, she has performed the largest animal study involving EMF (cell phone) exposure and cancer risk, which is covered in this interview, along with her recommendations for use of cell phones and wireless technology. ( For those with short attention spans, a summary of her recommendations will also be included in Dr. Eeks' blog at bloomingwellness.com.)
 
Dr. Belpoggi is a fellow of the International Academy of Toxicologic Pathology; a member of the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology, and she has served as an expert witness or adviser for the European Parliament, the World Health Organization, the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs, and the European Center for Environmental Health.

Keep in mind that this podcast is just a conversation. It's not health or medical advice. In other words, enjoy the talks, but don't run to the hills with anything. 

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In this episode of Causes Or Cures, Dr. Nicole LePera talks about her own personal journey and health struggles, her approach to overcoming them and how that experience, plus her experience with others as a professionally trained psychologist, guided her approach to healing the mind and body. With Dr. Eeks, Dr. LePera talks about whether the holistic lifestyle is accessible to everyone, how aging affects mindset, how to handle the challenges of social media and use it in a way that's beneficial for the mind and body, and the steps anyone can take, right now, to enhance his/her mind-body wellness journey. She's also very candid about facing obstacles and what keeps her motivated. 
 Dr. LePera was trained at Cornell University and The New School as a traditional psychologist and went on to find the Mindful Healing Center in Philadelphia, where she focuses on relationships, gut health, sleep, cellular health, belief and mindfulness. She has close to 1 million followers on Instagram, and you can follow her here.

To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.com
To read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.
Or you can listen to it from Google Play or Walmart!
Or follow her on Instagram here.
Or Facebook here.
Subcribe to her newsletter here!

Support the show