On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle the very complex (and oft misunderstood) microbiome, specifically, the gut microbiome.
We highlight recent buzz surrounding the microbiome and claims circulating on social media. We discuss what the microbiome actually is, the diversity of the gut microbiome, some data on implications of disruptions to it, and the countless factors that influence it. We recap probiotics (briefly) and supplements that people take to "optimize" their microbiome. We discuss some recent studies-- including one on artificial sweeteners and how they "change" our microbiome—and how they are being misinterpreted. We end with a discussion on at-home microbiome tests which tout their ability to help us hack our health. (Spoiler alert: they are not diagnostic and are a waste of your money.) You definitely don't want to miss this!
Check us out on Substack and Instagram:
www.theunbiasedscipod.substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipod
Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com, with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line.
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying An At-Home Microbiome Test? This Might Make You C.Diff-erently.

Dr. Jessica Steier, a public-health expert is the host of Unbiased Science, a podcast devoted to objective, critical appraisal of available evidence on health-related topics relevant to listeners’ daily lives. Follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipod

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Science

Health & Fitness

Dr. Joe Schwarcz, a world-renowned chemist and science communicator joins the pod to address some commonly asked questions! They kick-off the conversation by discussing the concept of superfoods and the need for a balanced diet, as well as the role of vitamins and supplements. They also touch on the origins of the belief that vitamin C can cure the common cold, tracing it back to Dr. Linus Pauling (and discuss the impact of eminence versus evidence). They walk through the evidence (or lack thereof) that vitamin C has role in treating the common cold. Dr. Joe discusses the exploitation of indigenous cures by American settlers and the rise of alternative medicine. The conversation touches on the topic of benzene and its potential toxicity (but that we do not need to throw out our sunscreen). Dr. Joe emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medicine and the need to distinguish between legitimate scientific research and quackery. You do NOT want to miss this!
Get a copy of Superfoods, Silkworms, and Spandex: Science and Pseudoscience in Everyday Life on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3xTS110
All our sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/from-a-to-zinc-the-chemistry-of-what-we-consume

(00:00) Music and Intros
(07:05) The McGill Office for Science and Society
(26:46) Vitamins, Supplements, and the Myth of Vitamin C as a Cure for the Common Cold
(35:08) The Exploitation of Indigenous Cures by American Settlers
(43:25) The Role of Evidence-Based Medicine in Distinguishing Legitimate Research from Quackery
(52:53) Final Thoughts: The Importance of Science in Improving Public Health

Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com, with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line.

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. The information provided herein do not represent the views of our employers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From A to Zinc: The Chemistry of What We Consume

In this episode, Jess is joined by Dr. Joey Munoz to discuss various topics related to nutrition, including the monetization of expertise, the role of supplements, and the marketing tactics used in the supplement industry. They emphasize the importance of evidence-based claims and the need for individualized approaches to supplementation. The conversation covers the importance of dose and type of supplements, the limitations of marketing claims, and the Yuka app's oversimplification of food ratings. The hosts discuss the need for nuance and context in nutrition, the role of overall dietary patterns, and the potential for food anxiety and disordered eating caused by black-and-white labeling. They emphasize the importance of individual goals and habits, rather than focusing on good and bad foods. You do not want to miss this!

All our sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/yuka-app-yummy-or-yucky-lets-dish-on-nutrition
(00:00) Intros
(08:53) The Role and Considerations of Supplements
(24:00) Sports Nutrition and Supplements
(27:55) Glycine
(35:27) The Importance of Dose and Type of Supplements
(38:11) The Yuka App
(41:51) The Need for Nuance and Context in Nutrition
(53:13) Final Thoughts: Contradictions and Financial Incentives in the Nutrition Space

Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com, with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line.
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. The information provided herein do not represent the views of our employers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yuka App Yummy or Yucky? Let's Dish on Nutrition

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Dr. Matthew Facciani, social scientist, to talk about media literacy, misinformation, and polarization. The two kick things off with a conversation about mis- and disinformation and why some people are more susceptible to it. They then shift gears slightly to chat about motivations behind the intentional spread of false information. Next, they share some media literacy tips and ways to spot red flags of misinformation. They bring tech into the conversation and discuss the role of AI in the future of debunking misinformation. We hope you'll walk away from this episode with some techniques to protect against bad information online!
All our sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/fall-of-the-house-of-misinformation

(00:00) Intros
(06:23) Interest in Misinformation and Belief Formation
(10:33) Susceptibility to Misinformation
(16:56) Motivations Behind Spreading Misinformation
(25:36) Navigating the Information Landscape
(31:41) The Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Debunking Misinformation
(39:28) Challenges in Quantifying Misinformation
(43:07) The Impact of Political Ideology on Belief in Misinformation
(47:19) Final Thoughts: The Importance of Humility and Collaboration in Addressing Misinformation

Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com, with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line.

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. The information provided herein do not represent the views of our employers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fall Of The House Of Misinformation: Science At Work

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess is joined by Emmy-winning Executive Producer and Journalist, Mosheh Oinounou to talk about communication. The two discuss the ways they are both committed to disseminating non-partisan information to the general public. They discuss balancing the credibility of information, nuance, and context with the clickbait nature of social media and the ways we consume information online. They share some tips for effective communication as well as red flags of misinformation. This is a very interesting conversation that you do not want to miss!
All our sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/mo-science-mo-problems

(00:00) Intro and a Message from Jess
(09:25) Intro to Mosheh
(12:18) The Challenge of Remaining Unbiased
(13:45) Understanding Multiple Perspectives and Reliable Sources
(17:53) Exploring Complex Topics: Israel-Gaza Conflict and Politics
(22:41) The Impact of Chemicals in Our Food
(30:11) The Need for a Toolkit in Science Reporting
(31:17) Balancing Accuracy and Clickbait in Science Reporting
(33:43) The Impact of Algorithms on Information Spread
(37:28) Nuanced Communication in Climate Change Reporting
(42:22) Introducing First Stop News: News for Children and Media Literacy

Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com, with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line.

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. The information provided herein do not represent the views of our employers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo' Science, Mo' Problems? (with Mo News!)

On this week's episode of the pod, Jess chats with Meghann Featherstun about the Netflix docuseries, "You Are What You Eat." The pair kick things off with a summary of the premise of the docuseries (which centers around the purported benefits of a vegan diet) and the study upon which it was based, the "Stanford Twin Study". They dig deeper into the specifics of the study design, study findings, strengths, and limitations. The two discuss certain clinical markers used in the study to piece together the impacts of a vegan diet (compared to an omnivorous diet). They more generally discuss ways to improve your health through nutrition and debunk some common myths and misconceptions. You do not want to miss this!

Stanford Twins Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/38032644/

All our other sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/you-are-what-you-eat-netflix-docuseries

(00:00) Intros
(01:14) Introduction of Megan Featherston
(04:33) Overview of the Stanford Twin Study
(06:42) Vegan Diets and Heart Health
(08:47) Microbiome and Gut Health
(13:43) Conflicts of Interest
(22:03) Vegan Foods and Health
(23:56) Fish in the Diet
(28:21) Microbiome Claims
(30:05) Biological Clock and Aging
(34:20) Considerations for Dietary Changes
(36:12) Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com, with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line.

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. The information provided herein do not represent the views of our employers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying An At-Home Microbiome Test? This Might Make You C.Diff-erently.

Download our free app to listen on your phone