Podcast
What's That Rash?
Hosted by ABC Australia · EN
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.
72episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Should you wait to swim after eating?
Jan 2700:14:42Summary readyIt’s so common to tell kids to wait an hour after eating to swim that many of us never question it.But what are the actual consequences of jumping straight back in the pool after you’ve had your lunch?Norman and Tegan tackle whether this advice is grounded in evidence, and discuss what you should actually avoid.References: Scouting for boys - 1908 The International Lifesaving Federation medical position statement 2014 Effect of food consumption on 200-yard freestyle swim performance The National Drowning Report 2025 Monday’s medical myth: wait 30 minutes after eating before you swim – the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Does magnesium work against muscle cramps? Why do you feel so tired after a big meal? Is being an Olympian bad for your health? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryIs retirement bad for you?
Jan 2000:22:28Summary readyLast year Norman made the shocking statement that people shouldn’t retire because it’ll be bad for their brains.After an influx of requests, we’ve looked at the evidence not only when it comes to brain health, but heart health, metabolic health and mental wellbeing.Norman and Tegan unpack the complex story of what happens to your brain and body when you retire – depending on the job you had.References: How Retirement Was Invented: The earliest schemes for financial support in old age were pegged to life expectancy Towards higher retirement incomes for Australians: a history of the Australian retirement income system since Federation Impact of retirement transition on health, well-being and health behaviours: critical insights from an overview of reviews Effect of retirement on cognitive function: the Whitehall II cohort study Retirement or no Retirement? The Decision’s Effects on Cognitive Functioning, Well-Being, and Quality of Life Risk of Cognitive Declines With Retirement: Who Declines and Why? The Impact of Retirement on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies Retirement and mental health: Analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-being The Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity? The Role of Meaning in the Retirement Transition: Scoping Review Life after work: how we can support retirees – R U OK? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement? At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you? How much protein do you REALLY need? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryDiet vs exercise: which is more important?
Jan 1300:21:49Summary readyA few weeks into the new year you might be reassessing your resolutions and wondering where to put your energy. Is it possible to choose between diet or exercise? Or are the two inherently intertwined?Norman and Tegan try to untangle the untangleable, pitting diet and exercise against one another in different arenas. References: The history of nutritional sciences Casimir Funk: The scientist who gave us the word 'vitamin' How the Seven Countries Study contributed to the definition and development of the Mediterranean diet concept: A 50-year journey Coronary Heart Disease and Physical Activity of Work Long-term effectiveness of diet-plus-exercise interventions vs. diet-only interventions for weight loss: a meta-analysis Efficacy of dietary intervention or in combination with exercise on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review Diet or diet plus physical activity versus usual care in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: the Early ACTID randomised controlled trial Trading off dietary choices, physical exercise and cardiovascular disease risks If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why Norman won't shut up about the Mediterranean diet Why the carnivore diet is so risky Is botox worth a shot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryWhy you don't need to avoid seed oils
Jan 600:17:44Summary readyIt can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to).But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction recently is that seed oils – think canola, sunflower, grapeseed – are terrible for you.Norman and Tegan unpack how that assumption has spread, and whether there’s any solid evidence to back it up.References: Biomarkers of Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Serum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of death: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study Omega-6 fats to prevent and treat heart and circulatory diseases Polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, mental health, and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies Perspective on the health effects of unsaturated fatty acids and commonly consumed plant oils high in unsaturated fat If you’re worried about inflammation, stop stressing about seed oils and focus on the basics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryShould you opt for aluminium-free deodorant?
Dec 3000:18:31Summary readyWe haven’t always suppressed our sweat or our natural body odour, but in many cultures now it’s expected we’ll all try to smell our best.You might be seeing more ads for ‘natural’ deodorants that promise to keep you fresh without any harmful ingredients.Norman and Tegan talk through those ingredients, and whether they carry any risks.This episode first aired on March 19, 2025. References: The specific biochemistry of human axilla odour formation viewed in an evolutionary context Use of Aluminium in Antiperspirants - Australian Department of Health Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute Antiperspirants - National Kidney Foundation How Advertisers Convinced Americans They Smelled Bad - Smithsonian Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why do some people pee more often?
Dec 2300:17:14Summary readyDo you find yourself complaining that you've got a small bladder, as you run to the toilet for the third time in an hour?There are many reasons a person might pee more than others, including some scary medical conditions. But as Norman and Tegan explain, in most cases your bladder is just deconditioned and you need to get your urinary tract into shape. This episode first aired on April 15, 2025. References: Bladder control: Lifestyle strategies ease problems A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of a product containing pumpkin seed extract and soy germ extract to improve overactive bladder-related voiding dysfunction and quality of life Pumpkin Seed Oil Extracted From Cucurbita maxima Improves Urinary Disorder in Human Overactive Bladder Prosta Fink Forte capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Multicentric surveillance study in 2245 patients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySunscreen spectacular: UV protection, SPF drama, endocrine disruptors
Dec 1600:22:17Summary readyThere have been many discussions this year about sunscreen, its effectiveness and its ingredients.Whil there are some unknowns, what we’re sure of is sunscreen’s ability to protect us from the sun’s ageing and cancer-causing rays.Norman and Tegan slip, slop, slap some questions about sunscreen: SPF scandal, endocrine disruptors and vitamin D concerns.References: How does sunscreen work? - Cancer Council Sunscreen: a brief walk through history We tested the SPF claims of 20 sunscreens. 16 failed - CHOICE TGA statement on CHOICE SPF sunscreen findings Safety Review of Seven Active Sunscreen Ingredients – July 2025 Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial Mineral vs chemical sunscreens Can your sunscreen expire? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is there such thing as TOO much sun protection? We all need a daily dose of sunlight — but how much? Can you get away with skipping your daily shower? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryDo the benefits of creatine go beyond the gym?
Dec 900:23:27Summary readyCreatine is getting a lot of hype lately, at least according to our listeners.It’s being pushed for everything from menopause to dementia for its supposed energy-boosting, brain-boosting benefits.Norman and Tegan explore what is really going on with creatine outside of its muscle-building potential.References: Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Metabolic Basis of Creatine in Health and Disease: A Bioinformatics-Assisted Review - Nutrients Creatine in Health and Disease Creatine supplementation for older adults: Focus on sarcopenia, osteoporosis, frailty and Cachexia Single dose creatine improves cognitive performance and induces changes in cerebral high energy phosphates during sleep deprivation Creatine monohydrate pilot in Alzheimer's: Feasibility, brain creatine, and cognition The Effects of 8-Week Creatine Hydrochloride and Creatine Ethyl Ester Supplementation on Cognition, Clinical Outcomes, and Brain Creatine Levels in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women (CONCRET-MENOPA): A Randomized Controlled Trial It Is Not Just About Storing Energy: The Multifaceted Role of Creatine Metabolism on Cancer Biology and Immunology Creatine Supplementation for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Scientific Rationale for a Clinical Trial International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is it safe to dose yourself with pre-workout? Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments? Is that glass of red wine over Christmas dinner good for you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBest time of day to exercise?
Nov 2500:16:36Summary readyWhen you’ve got a busy schedule, it’s important to just exercise when you can. But if you have the luxury of choice, is there an optimal one?You might’ve even heard that exercising at certain times of day can lead to harm.Norman and Tegan run through the evidence around heart attacks, workouts and what happens when you’re a morning or a night person.References: Association of the time of day of peak physical activity with cardiovascular mortality: Findings from the UK Biobank Study Setting your clock: associations between timing of objective physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk in the general population Best Time of Day for Strength and Endurance Training to Improve Health and Performance? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis Gold, silver or bronze: circadian variation strongly affects performance in Olympic athletes Diurnal variation in tennis service The effects of exercise session timing on weight loss and components of energy balance: midwest exercise trial 2 If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Chronotypes: early birds vs night owls Does magnesium work against muscle cramps? Norman tried an ice bath so you don't have to Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryShould you aim for an alkaline lifestyle?
Nov 1800:20:38Summary readyHumans are slightly alkaline – your blood should be a pH between 7.35 to 7.45. Anything outside that range can be life-threatening.So why are you being told to follow an alkaline diet? Proponents of the diet claim it can tackle everything from osteoporosis to cancer.Norman and Tegan do a litmus test on the alkaline-acid balance and whether it’s a driver of chronic disease.References: Physiology, Acid Base Balance The effect of acid ash and alkaline ash foodstuffs on the acid-base equilibrium of man Urine pH is an indicator of dietary acid–base load, fruit and vegetables and meat intakes: results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk population study Why is there so much on the internet about the alkaline diet and cancer? – MD Anderson Low-grade metabolic acidosis as a driver of chronic disease: a 21st century public health crisis Diet-Induced Low-Grade Metabolic Acidosis and Clinical Outcomes: A Review If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why Norman won't shut up about the Mediterranean diet Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol? MSG's messy myths and racist tropes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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