What's That Rash?

Should you wait to swim after eating?

It’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

Is retirement bad for you?

Last 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

Diet vs exercise: which is more important?

A 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

Why you don't need to avoid seed oils

It 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

Should you opt for aluminium-free deodorant?

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.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