Episode Summary:Dr. Dan discusses the science behind the hot trend of camel milk and its anti-diabetic properties. Episode References:Zero prevalence of diabetes in rural India where camel milk is consumed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17098321See here for a review article on the health benefits of camel milk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27432772Anticancer properties of camel milk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30583676Anti-diabetic effects of camel milk on type 2 diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30452940Camel milk can support health of people with type 1 diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24200025 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19459752Camel milk and kidney health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29667662Clinical measurements of autism are significantly improved after drinking camel milk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26577969 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24375082Consumption of unpasteurized camel milk can cause bacterial infections: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26796768 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27038818

Episode Summary:Dr. Dan breaks down the known science regarding intermittent fasting.Topics discussed are as follows:Introduce intermittent fastingDifferent types of intermittent fastingIntermittent fasting in the scientific literature Potential mode of action of intermittent fastingChallenges and potential issuesKey takeawaysFuture outlookEpisode References:See here for a review of different types of intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4516560/pdf/nihms663671.pdfCaloric restriction and intermittent fasting cause weight loss to the same degree: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29700718Intermittent fasting can reduce body fat in obese subjects: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30683819Intermittent fasting can reduce triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31377182Periodic fasting can increase efficacy of cancer therapies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27557543Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting in asthma: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17291990Intermittent fasting and bone health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30903600Intermittent fasting supports healthy gene expression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31356832Athletic performance isn’t increased by intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31283627Intermittent fasting and arthritis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2837251Long term mood is increased with intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17263085Safety precautions in intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29405359

Episode Summary:Dr. Dan discusses what is known in the scientific literature about the health benefits, challenges, and future outlook of essential oils.Topics discussed are as follows:Definition of essential oilMolecular composition of essential oilsWhat is the actual published science behind essential oils?Potential problems with essential oilsKey takeaways and future outlookEpisode References:Essential oils and quorum sensing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31497567Benefit of essential oils in aromatherapy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29743387Anti-inflammatory properties of shisandra essential oil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31463498 Essential oils not effective against metabolic syndrome: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31478290

Episode Summary:The actual science regarding elderberry is the topic Dr. Dan tackles on this episode.Episode References:Elderberry as a food colorant: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31247974Phytonutrients in elderberry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29241318Elderberry reduces cold-like symptoms: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30670267Flu duration shortened by elderberry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9395631Compounds in elderberry bind to the flu virus: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19682714Elderberry does not improve metabolic health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14749743Potential connection between elderberry and the microbiome: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b00247

Episode Summary:Dr. Dan discusses what is actually known in the scientific literature regarding the keto diet.Episode References:The keto diet in the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31204451See here for a good review on the science of the ketones diet: https://www.nature.com/articles/ejcn2013116Keto diet can change composition of the microbiome: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(18)30520-8The keto diet changes levels of microRNA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30474543There could be health issues with eating pattern too low in carbohydrates:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(18)30135-X/fulltext

Episode Summary:Dr. Dan discusses a science-based eating pattern that can lower blood pressure.Episode References:Blood pressure prevalence by the WHO: https://www.who.int/gho/ncd/risk_factors/blood_pressure_prevalence_text/en/Original New England Journal of Medicine report on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9099655/See here for a good review of the DASH eating plan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5509411/ Substituting either protein or fat for carbohydrates in the DASH plan is effective: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16287956/DASH can help manage gout: https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1794Diabetes management and DASH: https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/2/76DASH can lower risk of chronic kidney disease: https://www.kidney-international.org/article/S0085-2538(19)30168-1/fulltext Insomnia reduced in people on DASH: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-019-2220-6Less than 1% of the US population follows the DASH plan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18268173/

Episode Summary:Dr. Dan describes the best science-based methods to repel those pesky mosquitos.Topics discussed are as follows:Synthetically derived insect repellents Naturally derived insect repellentsFactors that attract or repel mosquitosSummary and future outlookEpisode References:See here for a nice review of insect repellents: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29410208Effectiveness of DEET: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12097535DEET is absorbed through the skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3625951Premature death of red blood cells using DEET: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30880218Icaridin is effective at controlling malaria outbreaks: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28339462PMD is a effective insect repellent: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17067054Citronella isn’t effective at repelling mosquitos: https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/17/1/24/29963802-nonanal attracts mosquitos: https://www.pnas.org/content/106/44/18803Sweat attracts mosquitos: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5799038/Alcohol consumption and mosquito attraction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12083361/Eating bananas attracts mosquitos: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6315685/

The word "diet" is my most hated word in the english language. Diet means short term, non-sustainable, drudgery, gimmicky, burden, and pain. In this episode I discuss basic princioles of how one can eat healthy food sustainably long term—as opposed to a white-knuckle diet.

Episode Summary:The scientific efficacy of the popular bean diet is the topic tackled by Dr. Dan on this episode.Topics discussed are as follows:What is the bean diet?Nutritional composition of beansScientific literature on the bean dietIs the bean diet scientifically legit?Future outlook and summary Episode References:Early reference on the bean diet: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5851199Legumes are rich in polyphenols: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29113066Bean consumption and cancer mortality: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29352655Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes by eating beans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28392166Bean consumption and weight loss: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1384247Mood might be increased by eating beans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29062805A legume rich diet can support health blood-lipid levels: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19939654Bean consumption can reduce levels of inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19889807

Episode Summary:Dr. Dan discusses the scientific literature behind different types of mushrooms.Topics discussed are as follows:Introduction to mushroomsMushrooms with science based evidenceBest ways to get mushrooms into our dietsFuture outlook and summary Episode References:Reishi mushroom and immune health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30317947Metabolic syndrome reduced using reishi mushroom: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30806268Safety of reishi mushroom: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14756912Neuroprotective properties of lion’s mane mushroom: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30934760Lion’s mane mushroom and aging: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31084539Mood improvement with Lion’s mane: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31118969Safety of lion’s mane mushroom: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24810469Anti-inflammatory properties of red belted conk mushroom: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24810469Chaga and cell cycle health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29800742Liver health protected using chaga: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26853962Turkey tail mushroom and microbiome health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25006989