Organic fruits and vegetables are one thing, but the label is popping up on packaged foods too. Are they healthier for us because they’re certified organic? How much harm are pesticides doing to our health? Norman and Tegan dig into organic farming to find out whether they’re worth the extra price.  References: Organic Certification Explained Pesticides | Food Standards Australia New Zealand  Pesticides impacts on human health and the environment with their mechanisms of action and possible countermeasures - ScienceDirect Global analysis shows how pesticides leach into the environment - The University of Sydney Ecological impacts and management strategies of pesticide pollution on aquatic life and human beings - ScienceDirect A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health? Cellulose Surface Nanoengineering for Visualizing Food Safety Comparison of Different Home/Commercial Washing Strategies for Ten Typical Pesticide Residue Removal Effects in Kumquat, Spinach and Cucumber If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Should we all be vegetarian? Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?

What is silence, anyway? Well if you’ve got tinnitus silence can feel like a distant dream. There are many causes of the ringing or buzzing that many people hear despite there being no external sound. Norman and Tegan discuss some of the treatments – current and in the works – that could one day bring some peace and quiet. References: Intrinsic network activity in tinnitus investigated using functional MRI Auditory Resting-State Network Connectivity in Tinnitus: A Functional MRI Study | PLOS One Targeting the Limbic System: Insights into Its Involvement in Tinnitus - PMC  Chronic tinnitus and the limbic system: Reappraising brain structural effects of distress and affective symptoms - PMC  Gray matter declines with age and hearing loss, but is partially maintained in tinnitus | Scientific Reports  Therapy and Treatment Options | American Tinnitus Association Effects of tinnitus retraining therapy on patients with tinnitus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Effect of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy vs Standard of Care on Tinnitus-Related Quality of Life: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Otolaryngology  Neuromodulation for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis - Wiley Online Library 

If you're a keen gym-goer you might've heard conflicting advice about optimising your workout. Some people claim that doing both cardio (getting your heart pumping) and strength (getting those muscles pumping) on the same day might cancel out the benefits. Norman and Tegan unpack what concurrent training is, and what the evidence tells us about its effects. References A Brief Review on Concurrent Training: From Laboratory to the Field - PMC Concurrent Training: A Meta-Analysis Examining Interference of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises Compatibility of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training for Skeletal Muscle Size and Function: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Sports Medicine Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Sex and Training Status | Sports Medicine Concurrent training in team sports: A systematic review Specific Training Effects of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Exercises Depend on Recovery Duration Concurrent aerobic plus resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise alone to improve health outcomes in paediatric obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis The Effects of 12 Weeks of Concurrent and Combined Training on Inflammatory Markers, Muscular Performance, and Body Composition in Middle-Aged Overweight and Obese Males

Are you constantly getting scolded for pressing your cold feet against your partner in bed? Or told your hands are icy cold? It’s well known that some people run cold and others run hot. But why does this happen, and does it say anything about your health? Norman and Tegan unpack the physiology and get into some of the reasons we experience temperature differently. References: Individual differences in normal body temperature: longitudinal big data analysis of patient records | The BMJ Gender Matters! Thermal Comfort and Individual Perception of Indoor Environmental Quality: A Literature Review | SpringerLink Sex differences and aging: Is there a role of brown adipose tissue? - ScienceDirect Cool Temperature Alters Human Fat and Metabolism | National Institutes of Health (NIH)  A Review of Cultural Background and Thermal Perceptions in Urban Environments Outdoor thermal perception and adaptation of immigrants from cold climates to hot arid climate - ScienceDirect Drivers of diversity in human thermal perception – A review for holistic comfort models - PMC

You might've heard a friend complaining about their latest break-out and swearing off dairy products as a result. Or that friend might be you. It’s a common complaint, but does it have any scientific merit? Norman and Tegan explore whether consuming dairy can cause acne, and if so, how a glass of milk might lead to pimples. References: The Influence of Genetics and Environmental Factors in the Pathogenesis of Acne: A Twin Study of Acne in Women Patient Perceptions About Acne, Nutrition, and a Dietary Information Gap  Diet and acne: A systematic review Can the right diet get rid of acne? - American Academy of Dermatology Association  High school dietary dairy intake and teenage acne Effect of Chocolate on Acne Vulgaris - 1969 Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne Vulgaris

You might’ve been told by parents, teachers, colleagues, friends of friends to stop cracking your knuckles because it will give you arthritis. There’s a surprising amount of science going on when you crack a joint, and it suggests there’s very little risk of harming your bones. But as Norman and Tegan explain, there is one major risk – you could irritate everybody around you. References: Mathematical Model for the Sounds Produced by Knuckle Cracking | Scientific Reports Does knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers? The Consequences of Habitual Knuckle Cracking Effect of habitual knuckle cracking on hand function There might not be anything wrong with your creaky joints - the Health Report Misophonia: When sounds really do make you "crazy" - Harvard Health

When weighing up the health risks of getting a tattoo, most people are concerned about the risk infection. But recently the ingredients in tattoo ink have come under the microscope, with some being identified as potential carcinogens. Norman and Tegan take a look at the many substances used to create permanent art, and whether they carry any real harm to humans. References: Why Tattoos Stay Put | UCSF Synapse What's in my ink: an analysis of commercial tattoo ink on the US market - PMC Much ‘tattoo’ about nothing; Tattoo pigment mimicking breast microcalcifications on mammography Tattoo ink exposure is associated with lymphoma and skin cancers – a Danish study of twins | BMC Public Health Melanoma Arising in Tattoos: A Case Series and Scoping Review of the Literature Does tattoo ink give you cancer? - Cancer Council Australia 2016 report from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme

The carnivore diet asks people to eat entirely animal-based, and the most extreme followers restrict themselves to only meat. Many carnivores claims they feel great — better than they ever have. They have more energy and lose weight. Norman and Tegan tuck into the reasons why carnivores feel better in the short-term, and the dangers they're inviting in the long-term.   References:  Behavioral Characteristics and Self-Reported Health Status among 2029 Adults Consuming a “Carnivore Diet” - Current Developments in Nutrition Limitations of Self-reported Health Status and Metabolic Markers among Adults Consuming a “Carnivore Diet” - Current Developments in Nutrition Assessing the Nutrient Composition of a Carnivore Diet: A Case Study Model Yellowish Nodules on a Man Consuming a Carnivore Diet | Lifestyle Behaviors | JAMA Cardiology

Hot flashes. Night sweats. Aching joints. Sore boobs. Welcome to your body in perimenopause! In episode one of this four-part series, Yumi Stynes speaks to women in the thick of perimenopause and battling physical symptoms.  She also sits down with Dr Susan Davis, endocrinologist and world-leading expert on sex hormones and ageing to learn the best treatments for bothersome symptoms and how look after yourself in this stage of life. No sweat! Essential listening if you're going through perimenopause right now, or for those wanting to know what's over the hormonal horizon.

Do 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.  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

Microplastics are everywhere – they’re in the air, in the water and in our bodies. There’s plenty of evidence for that, but it’s still unclear what effects these microplastics are having on our health. Norman and Tegan unpack what we do and don’t know about these tiny specs of plastic, and what you might be able to do about them. References: Ingested microplastics: Do humans eat one credit card per week? A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction: a multi-site study in China  First evidence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: An emerging threat to female fertility Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events | New England Journal of Medicine Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains | Nature Medicine Chewing Gum Releases Hundreds of Microplastics In Your Mouth, Study Finds  

This week parts of Australia are preparing to wind back their clocks to mark the ending of daylight saving time. For a long time the country has been divided about the positives and the negatives of changing the clocks twice a year. Norman and Tegan look into the health effects of this shift – from the impact on sleep to medical procedures and road accidents. References: Basic concepts and unique features of human circadian rhythms: implications for human health | Nutrition Reviews | Oxford Academic Are Daylight Saving Time Changes Bad for the Brain? | Cerebrovascular Disease | JAMA Neurology Daylight Saving Time and Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis Daylight savings time transitions and risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: An interrupted time series analysis Embryo transfers performed during daylight savings time led to reduced live birth rates in older patients | Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Daylight saving time as a potential public health intervention Does lowering evening rectal temperature to morning levels offset the diurnal variation in muscle force production?

If you're short-sighted or long-sighted, have astigmatism or double vision, you now live in a world where glasses can help you out. But there's a misconception hanging around that wearing spectacles weakens your eyes over time, and so some people avoid getting their vision checked. Norman and Tegan focus in on how glasses work and the long term impacts of wearing them. References: When time outside doesn't slow short-sightedness - the Health Report The history of spectacles - the College of Optometrists To Correct or Not Correct? Actual Evidence, Controversy and the Questions That Remain Open Undercorrection of myopia enhances rather than inhibits myopia progression Interventions to slow progression of myopia in children - Cochrane Review

We 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. 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

Protein is having its moment — walk any supermarket aisle and you'll find product after product boasting its protein content.  Do you need to be loading up on protein through powders or processed foods, or can you meet your goals with whole foods? Norman and Tegan unpack why protein is important and how much you need each day.  References: Protein - Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Tips to boost protein in your diet from Dietitians Australia How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution Association between dietary protein intake and risk of chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Long-time listeners would have heard Norman decrying fine particulate air pollution and its negative effects on health. But when it’s all around us – on our worksites, in our offices and on our motorways – how are you supposed to protect yourself? Norman and Tegan explain what fine particulate air pollution is, and what it does to the body once it’s breathed in. References: Estimates of global mortality burden associated with short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) The health effects of fine particulate air pollution Ambient (outdoor) air pollution - World Health Organization Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) - Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Air pollution is not ‘the new smoking’: comparing the disease burden of air pollution and smoking across the globe, 1990–2017 East Side Story: Historical Pollution and Persistent Neighborhood Sorting

Cramping muscles are common, whether they’re associated with exercise or not. Knowing what causes them can help people avoid them or treat them, but for many people it's not a simple story. Norman and Tegan talk through some of the theories behind this painful phenomenon, and why magnesium might not be the answer. References: Muscle cramps: A comparison of the two-leading hypothesis Influence of Hydration and Electrolyte Supplementation on Incidence and Time to Onset of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps - Cochrane Review A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study assessing the efficacy of magnesium oxide monohydrate in the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps Pickle Juice Intervention for Cirrhotic Cramps Reduction: The PICCLES Randomized Controlled Trial Australian Institute of Sport's sports supplement framework: pickle juice

Hair loss is common, but there are many different causes and potentially many different treatments. From topical ointments to light therapy, to scalp massage routines. What works to slow, or even reverse, hair loss? Norman and Tegan comb through the evidence for approved treatments and too-good-to-be-true snake oil. References:  Male pattern baldness - Healthdirect Male Androgenetic Alopecia with an overview of treatments - NIH Female pattern hair loss - Healthdirect What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here's what the science says - ABC News Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) for Treatment of Hair Loss Autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy for pattern hair loss: A systematic review

What's That Rash? is returning to the World Science Festival Brisbane for another year.  Norman and Tegan will be answering the health questions everyone (at WSFB) is asking, 10am on March 30 at Queensland Museum Theatre.  Check out the event here and send in your questions to thatrash@abc.net.au  

The use of mushrooms in medicine goes back centuries, but there’s still a lot to learn about the bioactive compounds in fungi. There are many claims surrounding 'functional mushrooms' – types of mushrooms thought to have medicinal properties beyond simple nutrition. These include lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, shiitake and turkey tail. Norman and Tegan forage through the evidence for using mushrooms against cancer, to boost the immune system and to amplify cognition. We're doing a live show! Catch What's That Rash? at the World Science Festival Brisbane on March 30th.  References: Aboriginal use of fungi Medicinal Mushroom Supplements in Cancer: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies Fungal beta-glucans as adjuvants for treating cancer patients – A systematic review of clinical trials A review of the effects of mushrooms on mood and neurocognitive health across the lifespan Mushrooms magnify memory by boosting nerve growth - University of Queensland