The Body of Evidence – Détails, épisodes et analyse

You thought your toddler was a handful. Have you heard of the She-Hulk toddler? You will learn what GPA means in a patient chart and how menstruation can be used to judge the health of a country, while Chris tries to figure out what is wrong with this tiny but ferocious patient.

Also: an announcement that will change The Body of Evidence forever….

Warning: this episode contains medical discussion of genitals.

A Block: The Case of the She-Hulk Toddler

(0:58) She has the strength of two toddlers! Also, puberty seems to have kicked in. What is going on with her?

B Block: Announcement

(32:29) Chris and Jonathan announce something.

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

* Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

Jonathan and Chris speak to Dr. Andrea Love, a microbiologist, immunologist, science communicator, and the director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation. The tick-borne illness known as Lyme disease is everywhere: on the news, on social media… but is it really near you? Dr. Love separates facts from fiction when it comes to Lyme disease, both the acute infection and the alleged chronic condition.

Correction (2024/07/24): Dr. Love wanted to correct a statement she made. She said that tick-borne relapsing fever does not occur in the U.S., but she meant that it did not occur in the eastern U.S. It does occur in western U.S. states but is caused by a different Borrelia species and spread by different ticks, so there is no overlap with Lyme disease. 

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

1) Andrea Love’s Substack, Immunologic: https://www.immunologic.org

2) American Lyme Disease Foundation website: https://aldf.com

What does the body of evidence say on acne and how to treat it? Plus: you’re going to want to pay attention to this latest study if you have food allergies, and Chris answers listeners’ questions about when to exercise, whether spinal cord stimulators work, and why some older adults are told that surgery would mess with their brain.

A Block: Acne

(0:59) Who gets acne; what causes acne; what are the risk factors for acne; how to treat both mild and moderate-to-severe acne.

B Block: New Food Allergy Drug

(34:16) A drug already approved to treat asthma, omalizumab (Xolair), can work against food allergies, including peanut allergy.

C Block: Answering Emails

(47:32) Questions about when is the best time to exercise (and whether or not you should be fasting); the benefits of spinal cord stimulators for people dealing with chronic pain; and why some older adults are being denied surgery.

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

* Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

References:

Prevalence of acne

1) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.045

2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788264/

Genetics as a cause of acne

3) https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.19621.x

Psychological toll of acne

4) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2008.07.013

5) https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.1997.18131897.x

Diet and acne: the impact of milk

6) https://doi-org/10.1016/j.jaad.2004.08.007

7) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.08.049

8) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17083856/

9) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.04.030

10) https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13835

Diet and acne: the role of carbohydrates (or glycemic load)

11) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.01.046

12) https://doi.org/10.1111/ced.12673

13) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04002.x

14) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.07.043

15) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.07.043

Stress and acne

16) https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.139.7.897

Overview of acne treatments

17) https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2003.618

18) The clinical trial of Xolair for food allergies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2312382

19) The Nature News Explainer on Xolair and food allergies: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00586-8

It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:

1) Jonathan on The Current to talk about wellness and skepticism: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/16040098-how-tell-wellness-trends-wrong

HIV: what is it, how do you get it, and what can medicine do about it // What we have learned about chloroquine, remdesivir and convalescent plasma against COVID-19 // Sex and cigarettes, as they relate to the pandemic

* Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada

* Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

Our scientific references seem to have gotten lost in the time vortex this month, and for that we apologize. If you need clarifications or proofs, don’t hesitate to contact Chris!

Music Credits:

“February”

by Vibe Mountain

Available through YouTube Studio Audio Library

Dantes Dream by MusicParadise

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5061-dantes-dream

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The United States government has filed a complaint for injunction against the main seller of a type of bleach claimed to cure people of autism, COVID-19, and cancer. Jonathan speaks to Amanda Seigler, the executive director of Fierce Autistics and Allies, to bring him up to speed.

Fierce Autistics and Allies on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FierceAandA

Fierce Autistics and Allies on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/381958535858842/

Amanda Seigler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fierceautie

Amanda Seigler on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fierceadvocate/

Jonathan and Chris speak to David Robert Grimes, physicist, cancer researcher and science writer, about 5G and why we believe things that aren’t true.

1:00 A physicist who studies biology

2:46 What is radiation?

4:16 Harm from radiation

7:02 5G

13:01 Why can’t 5G cook us?

15:51 Genuine concerns about 5G

19:26 The psychology of conspiracy theorists

23:41 Schrödinger’s bin Laden

28:00 5G and COVID and the Towering Infernos

31:16 Electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome

37:05 Talking to believers

41:05 Live. Die. Repeat.

47:12 The Irrational Ape

* Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus Q&A with Grimes about the antivaccine movement and COVID-19.

Links:

1) David Robert Grimes’ website: https://www.davidrobertgrimes.com/

2) His book, The Irrational Ape: https://www.davidrobertgrimes.com/copy-of-research-papers

3) David Robert Grimes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drg1985

A comprehensive look at COVID-19 and its infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2, also known as “the coronavirus.” Jonathan and Chris are joined by Dr. Matthew Oughton, an infectious disease specialist, to share the state of the evidence about the current pandemic. Recorded March 26th, 2020.

4:25 How is the disease transmitted?

18:18 What do we know about the virus?

23:47 What are the signs and symptoms?

36:50 How do we test for it?

44:09 What can doctors do?

57:48 How do we avoid it?

1:02:51 Common questions

* Cover song by Joseph Hackl

* Additional original music by Seth Donnelly

* Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

Music Credits:

Emotional Sad Strings by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6011-emotional-sad-strings

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Travelling With Friends by AlekSound

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5938-travelling-with-friends

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Jonathan, Chris, and special guest Nicholas Koziris discuss the popular novel House of God by Samuel Shem, a thinly veiled fictional account of Shem’s year as a medical intern at a major hospital in Boston, published in 1978. They discuss despair, suicide, and doctors lusting after busty nurses. But they mostly look at how much medicine has (or hasn’t) changed in the past 50 years. This episode contains adult themes and language.

The book: https://bit.ly/2W6tEbI

0:00 First impressions

8:19 Women

17:42 Patients

26:00 Laws of the House of God

36:51 Buff and Turf

41:15 House of God: The Movie

45:43 Compassion and judgment in healthcare

55:30 House of God vs. Scrubs (vs. ER)

1:01:00 Parting thoughts and lots of dead bodies

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Music Credits

Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

Expressive Blockbuster  by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5349-expressive-blockbuster-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Dantes Dream by MusicParadise

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5061-dantes-dream

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Chromatic Fantasia (Bach BWV 930) by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3504-chromatic-fantasia-bach-bwv-930-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Raindrops  by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5590-raindrops-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Morgan Sweeney, who has collaborated with us in the past, has created a podcast that uses storytelling set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons to teach people about the ways of the human brain. It’s called Magic of the Mind, and we are sharing its second episode, on perception and attention, because we, uh, have cameos in it. Enjoy!

To listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-of-the-mind/id1498237612

Magic of the Mind website: magicofthemind.ca

Magic of the Mind on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MagicoftheMind1

Arthritis: what it is; osteoarthritis vs. inflammatory arthritis; rheumatism; the risks and benefits of treatments // biosimilars, the “generic drugs” of biologics // Q&A: Chris’ qualms about omega-3 supplements for your heart // The Health Canada Ministry of Truth // Natural products claiming to cure cancer

* Jingle by Joseph Hackl

* Additional original music by Seth Donnelly

* Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.

To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.

Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!

Reference:

1) Cochrane review on exercise for arthritis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26405113

2) Aquatic exercise and arthritis: https://www.cochrane.org/CD005523/MUSKEL_aquatic-exercise-people-osteoarthritis-knee-or-hip

3) Weight loss and arthritis improvement: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17204567

4) Tylenol meta-analyses:

https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h1225

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31744-0/fulltext

5) Review on topical NSAIDs: https://www.cochrane.org/CD007402/SYMPT_topical-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-acute-musculoskeletal-pain-adults

6) Capsaicin as a treatment for chronic pain: https://www.cochrane.org/CD007393/SYMPT_capsaicin-applied-skin-chronic-neuropathic-pain-adults

7) Corticosteroids injections:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26490760

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28510679

8) Knee braces and orthotics: https://www.cochrane.org/CD004020/MUSKEL_braces-and-orthoses-for-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee

9) Duloxetien for knee pain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26176791

10) Glucosamine and chondroitin: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa052771?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

11) Trials fo knee surgery for arthritis: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1505467

12) The omega-3 for cardiovascular disease meta-analysis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31567003?fbclid=IwAR31Z3qq07L9RULPuvFVyzTKavjgde3Mgl_A2LD7BTtw2u4ZZNvat8wAzEU

13) The CTV report on homeopathy: https://bit.ly/2IlNRSx

14) Bad Science Watch report on natural health products and cancer claims: https://badsciencewatch.ca/natural-health-product-retailers-sell-cancer-cures/

Music Credits:

Meanwhile in Bavaria by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4028-meanwhile-in-bavaria

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Countdown by Alexander Nakarada

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4865-countdown

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Imagefilm 036 by Sascha Ende

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/2941-imagefilm-036

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/