For a good overview of how this whole Alabama situation started, click here.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/21/alabama-ivf-embryo-extrauterine-children-ruling#:~:text=In%20a%20first%2Dof%2Dits,in%20vitro%20fertilization%20(IVF).

Interested in the science of freezing eggs and embryos, read more here.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3980916/#:~:text=Embryos%2Foocytes%20cooled%20slowly%20to,CPA%20from%20the%20embryo%2Foocyte.

Want to check on that distinctions between embryo and fetus, take a look here.

https://www.medicinenet.com/embryo_vs_fetus_differences_week-by-week/article.htm

Interested in why blastocysts are usually transferred on day 5, then this if for you.

https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/health-news/obstetrics-gynecology-and-assisted-reproductive-technologies-art/is-embryo-transfer-on-day-5-high-success-rate/#:~:text=Day%205%20embryo%20culture%20technique,success%20is%20about%2050%25.

How good are humans at getting pregnant without assistance? Not very – read more here and here.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4470686/#:~:text=The%20live%20birth%20rate%20with%20natural%20conception%20was%20reported%20to,and%2065%2D83%25%20cumulatively.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5443340/

For more on preimplantation diagnosis, check this out.

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/decisions-to-make-about-your-embryos/#:~:text=The%20difference%20is%20that%20because,to%20have%20higher%20birth%20rates.

What’s the current thinking on how many embryos should be transferred from the petri dish? Read more here.

https://www.fertilitymemphis.com/ivf-art/how-many-embryos-should-we-transfer/

Interested in taking a look at the IVF success rate of different clinics, medical establishments in your state, the CDC has the answers here

https://www.cdc.gov/art/artdata/index.html

The placenta is truly amazing, for a quick overview try this page.

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/human-placenta-project/how-does-placenta-form

Sadly 1 in 6 couples will experience infertility issues:

https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility#:~:text=Around%2017.5%25%20of%20the%20adult,care%20for%20those%20in%20need.

And of those, science and medicine will not have the answer for 30%

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322174/

EPISODE RESOURCES:

In this episode we outline the basic differences between the American, largely profit-driven healthcare system and the UK’s National Heath System – socialized medicine to Amercans.

We then look in more detail at the claims and supplements presented in the tiktok video:

·       DAILY ENERGY DRINKS INCREASE RISK OF KIDNEY FAILURE BY UP TO 400%

·       HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FATALITIES, THIS WILL GREATLY REDUCE YOUR RISK. (OMEGA 3, 6 AND 9)

·       A SIMPLE HACK TO GET RID OF THEM PUFFY DARK CIRCLES AROUND YOUR EYES (IRON SUPPLEMENTS)

·       IF YOU SUFFER FROM BRAIN FOG AND STRESS, THIS WILL GET YOU BACK TO PEAK COGNITIVE FUNCTION (Genius Mind)

Here are some of the key resources that we found useful when doing our research for this conversation:

For an overview of the research into the health implications of energy drinks, click here.

 Want to know more about Taurine, check this out.

 Want to know what kills most people across the world each year? Then this is for you.

What are the potential benefits of omega 3, take a look here.

For a more detailed discussion of omega supplements, check this out.

Want to know why you’ve got dark circles under your eyes? Take a look at this list.

Key topics discussed:

How do pre- and probiotics differ and how can we include them in our diet?

What’s the difference between a microbiome and microbiota?

Why are bacteria not always the bad guys?

Should we think less about our brain and more about our gut?

How do ultra processed foods affect our gut health?

Ready, steady, discuss! Today, it’s a rapid-fire episode as Tess puts Dr. P on the spot and our duo get through a whopping 8 trending Tiktok lifestyle hacks.

Check out their thoughts on:

·       rice water and hair growth,

·       dry protein scooping,

·       magnesium supplements,

·       apple cider vinegar and cancer,

·       bovine colostrum,

·       dietary adjustments according to menstrual cycle,

·       bone broth,

·       non-dairy i.e nut/oat milks to bone broth.

The typical American adult is 3-5x more likely than their Japanese counterpart to develop and die from heart disease.  This week our WTYT team asks if the seaweed found in 20% of all Japanese meals might hold the key to these dramatically lower rates of heart disease as well many other aspects of health and wellness.  After all, Kim Kardashian and 1 billion TikTok viewers think so!

Our team used various studies to help form their thoughts and opinions on this topic, so if you’re keen to know more, check out the resources below:

 For a fabulous review of the research into this topic to date, pros and cons of sea weed consumption, HERE’s the place to start.

 Interested in those worms with Parkinsons disease? Click here to find out more.

Really, there’s as much protein in sea weed as a juicy steak?? Take a closer look.

Enthusiastic about the Korean study that looked at the effect of sea weed extract on blood cholesterol levels? Read more here.

Or how about that big Japanese study that showed interesting correlations but not necessarily causations.

Is getting your micronutrients from food rather than supplements better? (Hint: yes!!)

First time hearing about nutrient bioavailability and interested to know more?  Check out this article that talks about the bioavailability of iron being as miserable as 10%.

With more than 1 in 4 American adults regularly using melatonin, it seems long overdue that our team take a look at the pros and cons of this supplement.

the role of melatonin as the “sleep gate”, adenosine as the “sleep pressure” and why caffeine is such an effective sleep disrupter are explored. Our duo take us through the research, revealing that the sleep-related effects of melatonin appear to be real but small, whilst other physiological systems, notably reproduction, could be very negatively affected by regular melatonin use.

Our science lovers discuss the consequence for Americans of the over the counter availability of melatonin, including the large discrepancies between the stated and actual amount of melatonin in each capsule or gummy as well as the rise in pediatric melatonin poisoning over the last decade.

our mother and daughter team encourage everyone to explore the subject of sleep in a little more depth and suggest Matthew Walker’s wonderul book “Why We sleep” as a great place to start.

And finally, as mentioned by Tess during the episode, if you want to know more about the different rules governing the cosmetics industry vs. the rest of the world, check out this resource :)

Today’s discussion of Tess’ recent hospital admission reviews the symptoms and potential consequences of rhabdomyolysis as well as the creatine kinase and myoglobin tests employed to make this rare diagnosis.

 After Tess tells her story, our duo speculate on the involvement of eccentric (triceps) exercises alongside a “will to win” in deciding just who’s at risk of developing this uncommon, but sometimes, deadly disease.

0:00 – A reminder of where we got to in part one.

1:05 – Diving a little deeper into the science; what happens when we drink ice-cold water?

2:55 – Water intoxication and a “Wii for your wee”- the dangers of drinking too much water.

4:00 – Benefits of cold-water swimming.

4:55 – Dangers of cold-water swimming, including death. What’s the role of the involuntary gasp?

Here’s an additional, science-filled, review of the plusses and minuses of cold water swimming.

8:20 – A reminder about BMR.

8:30 – who was brave enough to spend 8-10 hours every day with the thermostat turned down?

9:05 – What’s the difference between white and brown fat?

10:00 – The importance of brown fat in cold-related weight loss.

11:05 – The unexpected benefits of experiments with cold air!

11:35 – How might this relate to various types of cryotherapy such as ice baths and RICE?

12:35 – Tempted to try taking a daily cold shower? just be careful you’re not too hot when you get in.

14:10 – Our duo’s conclusions.

as always, a reminder that although the science and discussion is provided in good faith, our podcast is for entertainment purposes only - always seek medical advice when considering diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes.