What's That Rash?

Why are people with arthritis being told to stop eating potatoes, tomatoes and egg plants? Vegetables in the nightshade family have been under scrutiny for decades, but the fad of cutting them out of our diets has seen a recent resurgence. Norman and Tegan investigate where all this shade comes from, and whether there's any evidence to support it. References: Deadly Nightshade: A Botanical Biography Flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins: are these plant-derived compounds an alternative to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis? A literature review Risk assessment of glycoalkaloids in feed and food, in particular in potatoes and potato-derived products α-Solanine attenuates chondrocyte pyroptosis to improve osteoarthritis via suppressing NF-κB pathway Antioxidants in Potatoes: A Functional View on One of the Major Food Crops Worldwide

We've been searching for a fountain of youth for millennia. How can we not only live longer, but live healthier for longer? Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is the latest anti-ageing candidate under the microscope. Norman and Tegan explain what it is, and whether supplements promising to boost NAD actually do what's advertised on the bottle. References: NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders What is really known about the effects of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in humans Dietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future Directions The use of a systems approach to increase NAD+ in human participants Specific ablation of Nampt in adult neural stem cells recapitulates their functional defects during aging

Vampires and werewolves and zombies, oh my! Where did all these monsters come from? Undiagnosed medical conditions might have fuelled the mythology behind some of these creatures. Norman and Tegan delve into why vampires drink blood, why werewolves howl at the full moon and how a hex might have its intended effect. References: ABC's FrankenScience: Can Vampires Get Syphilis? and Witchcraft or Just a Placebo? All in the Mind: What's behind a paranormal experience? Porphyria and Vampirism—A Myth, Sensationalized Moon and Health: Myth or Reality? The undead in culture and science Reversibility of apoptosis in cancer cells Medical practice and placebo response: an inseparable bond?

It’s hay fever season, and as you sniffle away next to an air purifier, you might be wondering why we haven’t cured such a common ailment. Allergic rhinitis, as it’s scientifically known, has plagued people for generations. It's thought up to 24 per cent of Australians suffer from it. Norman and Tegan run through what hay fever is, how we identified it and what can be done to treat it.  References: Allergic Rhinitis: A Review O Rose thou art sick… history of allergic rhinitis I’m considering allergen immunotherapy for my hay fever. What do I need to know? Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial The Potential use of Honey as a Remedy for Allergic Diseases: A Mini Review Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?

Many of us are disconnected from nature – we live in cities, work in offices, exercise indoors. There is a hypothesis that our disconnection from the earth itself – the ground – is causing a range of illnesses. But the people selling this hypothesis are also trying to sell you a range of expensive products. Norman and Tegan debunk a pseudoscience that has been gaining traction. References: Electrical Grounding Improves Vagal Tone in Preterm Infants Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence