The standard way of testing for coronavirus is to shove a swab up your nose, and then run the sample through sensitive equipment in a pathology lab.

But while its the gold standard way of working out if someone is positive or not for COVID-19, it can take a while to get the result back.

So it is time to consider a different way of testing people where you need lots of tests done quickly - like sporting games, for example?

Also on today's show:

* NSW and VIC record slightly lower numbers

* How much Pfizer vaccine is going to waste (your comments/responses)

The quick, cheap test coming to a stadium near you?

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Science

Health & Fitness

Dementia is common – more than 400,000 Australians are living with it – but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing.

There are ways to lower your risk, and the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.

Norman and Tegan give us the top tips needed to lower your risk of developing the illness as you get older.

References:
Physical and Mental Activity, Disease Susceptibility, and Risk of Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on UK Biobank
Association of Lifespan Cognitive Reserve Indicator With Dementia Risk in the Presence of Brain Pathologies
Drugs Contributing to Anticholinergic Burden and Risk of Fall or Fall-Related Injury among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Dementia and Multiple Chronic Conditions

Can sudoku really keep your brain younger for longer?

Much has been said about the single glass of red wine. It's good for you, it’s bad for you, it's good for you again.

It can be confusing to follow.

Norman and Tegan take on this age-old health question — does a single glass of red wine have health boosting benefits?

References: 
The French paradox: Lessons for other countries
Moderate Wine Consumption and Health: A Narrative Review
Health Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate

A single glass of red wine for your health, yeah or nah?

Do you have your water bottle beside you right now? How close are you to reaching your daily water goal?

It can feel like a slog sometimes to meet the recommended two lites of water a day.

Norman and Tegan pour over the evidence to find out whether it's REALLY necessary to drink that much.

References:
Food and macronutrient intake of elite Ethiopian distance runners
Statement of the 3rd International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference

Your emotional support water bottle is probably too big

As the weather cools down, you may be noticing more people around you are dropping from cold or flu.

And with COVID-19 also in the mix, it’s understandable that many are wondering how they can boost their immunity to avoid getting sick so often.

Norman and Tegan take us through some of the approaches that have the evidence to back them up (and the ones that don’t).

References:
Nutrition and Athlete Immune Health: New Perspectives on an Old Paradigm
Effect of air pollution on the human immune system
Current Directions in Stress and Human Immune Function

How can you boost your immune system?

It can sometimes be tough to summon the motivation and energy to go to exercise. 

Well, there’s a product for that and it’s gaining popularity.

Pre-workout mixtures come in powders, pills, drinks, gummies — you name it, they’ve got it.

Norman and Tegan run through what they actually contain, and what the evidence says about their effectiveness…

Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!

References: 
Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review
Effects of Beta-Alanine on Muscle Carnosine and Exercise Performance:A Review of the Current Literature
Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021

The quick, cheap test coming to a stadium near you?

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