Causes or Cures
"For the Nerds and the Nerd Nots"
Causes or Cures is a health podcast hosted by Dr. Eeks—an independent, grassroots show driven by curiosity and a passion for breaking down complex health topics into bite-sized, easy-to-understand insights. Dr. Eeks works as a senior public health consultant in the realm of public health, epidemiology, and health communication. She's all about making science relatable and often uses a blue-collar sense of humor to drive the message home.
On this podcast, Dr. Eeks talks with experts from around the world (doctors, researchers, public health pros, and more) to dive into the latest hot topics in health and research, all in a down-to-earth kind of way. She also includes people with compelling stories of healing and "characters" because life is too boring and short to leave out characters. ;)
DISCLAIMER: Some topics are more controversial than others, so keep in mind that this is information only and not health advice. Dr. Eeks doesn't endorse any of her guests' views, and despite a strict health routine, nor does she endorse any products, supplements, oils, magic socks or potions. If an episode is sponsored by a company she likes, she will say so in the show notes!
Causes or Cures is not a "news site." It's about having conversations, and Dr. Eeks is confident that she can have a respectful conversation with anyone, even people who think far differently than she does. (At least that's been her experience at hole-in-the-walls & on the NYC sidewalks.) The point is to not take anything here as Gospel. Sometimes Dr. Eeks' dog Barnaby makes his opinion known, but the good news is that he's a smart dog. Most importantly, she hopes this podcast encourages folks to stay curious, empathic, hopeful, compassionate, honest, open-minded, and engaged. Freedom of discussion is a beautiful thing, delightfully messy, and one that many take for granted.
*The views on this podcast do not reflect the views of anyone she contracts with or consults for.
You can contact Dr. Eeks through her website, bloomingwellness.com.
If you are interested in sponsoring an episode, write erin@bloomingwellness.com.
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Causes or Cures
Do Artificial Sweeteners Affect Your Brain? The Latest Evidence with Dr. Claudia Suemoto
In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks talks with Dr. Claudia Suemoto in Brazil about her new 8-year study looking at whether artificial sweeteners are linked to changes in thinking and memory.
We cover:
• How she started studying dementia and why she became curious about sweeteners.
• What the research team hoped to learn and what they actually found.
• Why these results are different from older, one-time “snapshot” studies.
• Why the link between sweeteners and thinking problems showed up in people under 60, but not over 60.
• The seven sweeteners they studied and whether any looked more concerning than others.
• What a small decline on a cognition test really means in everyday life.
• Whether people who switch to sweeteners because of health issues make sweeteners look guilty.
• Whether there seems to be a “safe range” or if more sweetener means more risk.
• How to use studies like this when they show association, not proof.
• Easy ways to cut back on sweeteners without doubling your sugar.
• What policies she thinks make sense while we wait for more data.
• Her top tips for protecting your brain and lowering dementia risk.
If you want a clear, calm, evidence-based take on sweeteners and brain health, this episode is for you.
Guest Bio: Claudia Suemoto, MD, PhD, is a geriatrician and researcher at the University of São Paulo whose work centers on successful brain aging, dementia, and the cardiovascular risks that shape both. She runs the Suemoto Lab, directs the Biobank for Aging Studies, contributes to the major ELSA-Brazil cohort, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Suemoto has been recognized with major awards, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science honor and the Ewald W. Busse Research Award for her contributions to aging biology. She also serves in leadership roles with ISTAART and the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology.
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