Imagine a diet consisting only of two things: meat and dairy. Welcome to the carnivore diet, the internet's newest diet trend. Carnivores are all over social media raving about how the diet helped them lose weight and cure chronic disease — but is it legit? To find out, we talk to Courtney Luna, a TikTok influencer who has been a devout carnivore for more than two years, as well as Dr. Dan Benardot, an award-winning nutritionist who has worked with numerous US Olympic Teams. This episode tries to answer two meaty questions: why are people eating only meat and butter, and is this really the miracle diet it claims to be?

This episode was reported and produced by Justine Borgia, who is studying Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Nutrition at Emory University.

Studies referenced in this episode:

• “The Truth: Are Humans Vegetarian, Carnivore, or Omnivore? A Review Based on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Digestive Tract” (PDF)

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis

About HealthierU:

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

The Healthier U podcast from Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health addresses essential health issues in our changing world. This season explores topics like fad diets, birth control, mental health, microplastics, and climate change.

Experts, including nutritionists and medical professionals, share insights on the dangers of the carnivore diet, birth control side effects, and the need for period products in schools. The show also highlights the neglect of mental health in healthcare and concerns about microplastics affecting neurological health.

With a mix of scientific analysis and personal stories, Healthier U offers engaging perspectives on health. Tune in this spring for new insights into your well-being.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

Have you ever struggled with your mental health and sought answers for your problems on the internet or social media? If so, this episode is for you, as host Lauryn Palacio dives into the complex practice of self-diagnosis in psychiatry. While controversial, self-diagnosis is an alternative method of seeking mental health treatment used by those who may not have access to professional help. What is self-diagnosis? Why would I use it? Is it dangerous? How does it compare to professional diagnosis? Tune in for the answers to these questions and more.

If you are struggling with your mental health:

• Suicide Hotline Number: 988
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
• Mental Health America Self-Help Tools
• The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth): text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386
• DSM-V (PDF download)

Featured Guests:

• Dr. Charles Raison, MD, wears many hats, including Director of Research on Spiritual Health for Emory Healthcare and  visiting professor in the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory University.
• Tiffany Shear, one of Lauryn’s dearest childhood friends, shares how self-diagnosis started her on a path towards better mental health.

Student Highlight: Lauryn Palacio is pursuing a B.A. in Human Health at Emory University. In the future, she hopes to work as a public health coordinator, creating programs that increase marginalized communities' access to quality healthcare and health education.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/perils-of-using-the-internet-to-self-diagnose-4117449
• https://www.jmir.org/2019/11/e12278 
• Parental Attitudes Towards Mental Health, C.S Mott Children's Hospital
• Generational Attitudes Towards Mental Health, American Psychological Association
• Insured Rates Among Those With Mental Health Challenges, Mental Health America
• Public Health & Primary Care Department at Leiden University Medical Centre

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human H

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

In this episode of HealthierU, Bobby Mosely Jr. tries to answer the question: how does air pollution affect our health? Bobby speaks with Lauren Cohen, a student at Emory University, and Dr. Jeremy Sarnat, an associate professor at the Rollins School of Public Health. 

Featured Guests:

• Lauren Cohen is a junior at Emory University, studying sociology. She grew up in Singapore, where air pollution made her asthma worse.
• Dr. Jeremy Sarnat is Associate Professor at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health; he has published several research studies concerning the health effects of air pollution.

Student Highlight: Bobby Mosely Jr. is a junior at Emory University studying nursing.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• Children with Asthma
• 2009 Roadway Air Pollution
• 2022 Freight Findings
• College Study
• Premature Death
• 100 Companies Fact

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

When host Kayla Barry was diagnosed with PCOS in high school, she had to give up her beloved Swedish Fish. In this episode, Kayla explores the multifaceted world of sugar, from how it functions in the body to its place in history, with help of registered dietitians and academics.
 
Featured Guests:

• Sharon Rhodes is a registered dietician nutritionist (RDN) and nutritional consultant. 
• Alissa Palladino, an alumna of Yale University, is a registered dietician and certified personal trainer based in Atlanta.
• Cultural producer Sarah Lewis-Cappellari received her Ph.D. in Theater and Performance Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Passionate about addressing inequitable socio-political and cultural practices, she focuses her current research around the role of sugar in relation to racial imagination.

Student Highlight: Kayla Barry is a first-generation college student at Emory University. A Human Health major and Women’s and Gender studies Minor, Kayla hopes to pursue a career in health policy by demonstrating a commitment to approaching healthcare with a nuanced and inclusive perspective.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0259889
• https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/factors-contributing-higher-incidence-diabetes-black-americans 

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

Public school sexual education is patchy enough to begin with, but what about students who aren’t in the mainstream classes? For people with intellectual disabilities, sexual education is lacking at best and nonexistent at worst. With a population so susceptible to misunderstanding societal boundaries and sexual violence, it is important to provide adequate sex ed. In this episode, host Adele Fegley asks, how do we do this? 

Featured Guests:

• Dr. Laurie Sperry is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Yale University. A leading expert in preventing those with Autism from committing sexual crimes, she also works with people who have been incarcerated.
• Aidan Fegley, Adele’s older sibling, was diagnosed with Autism at a young age and has helped her understand how people with intellectual disabilities experience the world.
• Michele Fegley, Aidan and Adele’s mother, has worked tirelessly to ensure Aidan has a proper well-rounded education—including sex ed.

Student Highlight: Adele Fegley is a student in Emory University’s Center for the Study for Human Health. She has spent much of her university time researching sexual education for disabled folk and how to improve it.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.elevatustraining.com
• https://healthyrelationshipscurriculum.org
• https://teachingsexualhealth.ca
• https://www.amazon.com/Against-Law-Social-Boundaries-Straight/dp/1931282358
• https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2021/november/how-do-autistic-individuals-interact-with-criminal-justice-system    
• https://behavioruniversity.com/sperry-lectures/bcba-ceus-internet-safety
• https://siecus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SIECUS-2021-Youth-with-Disabilities-CTA-1.pdf
• https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/adolescent-sexual-health/equitable-access-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-care-for-all-youth/the-importance-of-access-to-comprehensive-sex-education/ 

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health,

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

Nursing shortages are nothing new in the United States—the problem goes back almost a hundred years. And since men make up only 12% of the nursing workforce, the solution appears simple: Get more men to join the ranks. But how? On this week’s episode, host Daniel Sung explores what keeps men from pursuing nursing as a career, and what can be done to help alleviate the shortage.

Featured Guests: 

• Jonathan Son is a second-year undergraduate at Emory University on the pre-nursing track.
• Dr. Sydney Spangler is associate professor at Emory’s Nell Hodgson School of Nursing, with a joint appointment in the Department of Global Health at Rollins School of Public Health.
• Curry Bordelon is Vice President of the American Association for Men in Nursing.

Student Highlight: Daniel Sung is a second-year undergraduate at Emory University majoring in Chemistry and Film & Media on the pre-med track. He has never made a podcast before.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://doi.org/10.1177/10608265221108209
• https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15402
• https://nursejournal.org/articles/male-nurse-statistics/
• https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/workforce-issues/where-did-all-the-nurses-go 

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

In this episode, Alexa Espinosa explores the science of happiness, from ancient Greece to Japan and beyond. A TikTok creator shares his experience using the Japanese concept of Ikigai to enhance life satisfaction; science suggests it might even help people live longer. Later, Emory’s “purpose professor” discusses the importance of aligning one's life with a meaningful mission. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration into the multifaceted science of happiness and practical strategies for leading a more fulfilling life.

Featured Guests:

• Dr. Christine Whelan is Emory University’s “Purpose Professor,” as well as a professor of consumer science in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also a bestselling author and the creator of the lecture series Finding Your Purpose.
• Jonah Reynolds makes social media content focused on happiness and longevity. Find him on TikTok @Jonahreynolds

Student Highlight: Alexa Espinosa is a dedicated senior at Emory University pursuing her B.A. in Human Health. Born and raised in Dallas, Alexa brings a passion for health and wellness to the engaging conversations on HealthierU. She is set to graduate in 2024.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35141667/ 
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606522000104
• https://www.thoughtco.com/eudaimonic-and-hedonic-happiness-4783750
• https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/japan-demographics/#life-exp

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj; additional audio from BenSound and Pixabay.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

Everyone knows an athlete. What is harder to know is why so many of them are at risk for developing an eating disorder: as high as 25%, according to some research. In this episode, host Meg Woodward takes a deep dive into this question with the help of an eating disorders counselor and an athlete in recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, contact the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) helpline at 888-375-7767.

Featured Guests:

• Herani Argoe is a therapist and licensed professional counselor working with adolescents and young adults who have eating disorders.
• Laurel Carlson is a former athlete, pageant contestant and disordered eating survivor.

Student Highlight: Meg Woodward is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player and 2024 Emory graduate majoring in psychology. She was inspired to pursue this question after working as a behavioral health technician for an eating disorder treatment center. 
Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24050467/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25416025/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32525767/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24001492/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14712163/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16177594/ 
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245588#burning-energy 

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH

Maternal death rates in the Black community are alarming. Some think the solution may lie in empowering Black mothers to give birth at home, with culturally appropriate assistance offered by doulas. In this episode, host Amaris Calhoun draws on evidence-based research and interviews to explore possible solutions to this crisis that could foster a more inclusive and equitable approach to maternity care.

Featured Guest: Ms. B Williams has been an Atlanta doula for more than 20 years. She specializes in “creating the ultimate labor and birth experience with glowing confidence and inner and outer beauty.”

Student Highlight: Atlanta native Amaris Calhoun is a third-year student at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health. Her academic focus centers on combating maternal mortality and advocating for reproductive rights, with a particular emphasis on fostering equitable healthcare solutions within maternal care.

Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality/2021/maternal-mortality-rates-2021.htm 
• https://www.whijournal.com/article/S1049-3867(20)30100-6/fulltext 
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537019301191
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555483/ 

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj; additional music from Blue Dot sessions.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

Follow Us:

Blog: Exploring Health

Facebook: @EmoryCSHH

Instagram: @EmoryCSHH

Twitter: @EmoryCSHH