In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Tami Rowen discuss the listener questions that arose from her last episode on Critically Speaking. From drinking soy milk as a substitute for estrogen, the complex relationship between the number of children you have and breast cancer risk, dense breast tissue, early menstruation, hormone replacement therapy, and more. Listen in for the answers to your questions!

Key Takeaways:

• Soy is not in any way a substitute for estrogen. How it affects your circulating estrogens depends on your age.

• While the number of kids you have is inconclusive regarding its relationship to breast cancer, breastfeeding has been shown in every study to be preventative against breast cancer.

• The number one killer of women is heart disease. It's not breast cancer.

"A period is a bleed in response to ovulation, and that is coming from the level of the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, and uterus, so you can have a problem at any of those levels." — Dr. Tami Rowen

Episode Reference:

• Welcome to the Wild West of Testosterone: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-the-wild-west-of-testosterone/id1708072320?i=1000743735353

Connect with Dr. Tami Rowen:

Professional Bio: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/tami.rowen

Website: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/tami-rowen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtamirowen/

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Haley Hersant discuss a study by Dr. Hersant and her colleagues that reviewed over 100 brain and memory supplements. They found 18 common ingredients grouped into three categories: those with scientific evidence of benefit, those with no compelling evidence, and those with mixed results. They discuss the results of this study and emphasize the need for more rigorous testing. While not giving medical advice, they caution against potential interactions with prescription medications and advise listeners to do their research as well as talk to their own providers.

Key Takeaways:

• The most common factor across all of these ingredients that had some benefit is that, theoretically, they are known to decrease inflammation and help activate cellular repair pathways.

• The FDA does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements before they are put on the market, so it primarily regulates them once they are already on the market. This is different from traditional pharmaceuticals.

• If you are taking supplements, do report them when completing a medical history with your doctor, as they can interact with your prescriptions, vitamins, and other supplements.

"For many people, it could be harmless to be taking these supplements. They may be wasting their money without getting much benefit. But health-wise, they may be okay. However, whenever you start mixing a lot of different supplements, or are taking supplements with prescription medications, there are certainly some risks that can come into play." — Dr. Haley Hersant

Episode References:

• Over the Counter Supplements for Memory: A Review of Available Evidence

Connect with Dr. Haley Hersant:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-hersant-79a0b12a4/

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Adam Morgan discuss Adam's new book, A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, which explores the life and legacy of Margaret C. Anderson. Margaret was a pioneering figure in modern literature, the founder of "The Little Review" in Chicago, and one of the key figures in fostering the Chicago literary renaissance. They talk about the challenges she faced, despite her initial successes, why her physical appearance often overshadowed her contributions, and the impact on young girls today that Margaret also faced during her time.

Key Takeaways:

• "The Little Review" served as a platform for uncensored conversations about literature and art, including experimental works that were often undiscovered during her time.

• The Comstock Act was a group of federal laws that banned the mailing of "obscene materials" and was upheld, in part, through censorship at what is now the USPS. This resulted in many copies of "The Little Review" being burned or otherwise destroyed before they could arrive at their subscribers.

• We are seeing the same rhetoric used by conservative lawmakers today that was used in the early 20th century against Margaret Anderson, despite no evidence to support it. They argued that if young girls read "obscene literature," they would turn to a life of immorality, prostitution, or partner with people not approved of by their parents.

"She was not a saint, but there were a lot of things to admire about her courage and her sense of agency." — Adam Morgan

Connect with Adam Morgan:

Professional Bio: https://adam-stephen-morgan.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/adamm0rgan

Book: https://adam-stephen-morgan.com/a-danger-to-the-minds-of-young-girls/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thefrontlist.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamm0rgan

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social

Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.