Green Docs Nathaniel DeNicola, Bruce Bekkar

Description:
That’s right, there’s a new Mother of Dragons- many, in fact.  This episode the Green Docs honors expectant mothers in this Chinese "Year of the Dragon" with a special guest – Nate’s wife, Kyndell, who is expecting their little fire-breather this summer.  She talks about what it’s like to be married to an Ob/Gyn (her OB FOB), how to navigate the new digital marketplace for pregnancy and parenthood, and the best time to discuss environmental topics with moms-to-be.  Sneak preview: it’s not at 6 AM before coffee.
 
Nate and Bruce steer you through the latest headlines your OB might have missed: like what it really means to be born under the auspices of the dragon zodiac; dissecting new analysis on how the United States truly ranks among global maternal health (probably better than you think); and good news for moms who want to avoid that sugary diabetes test – a new gene study that could make us sour on the sweetener challenge.  Tune in to the Season 2 Finale for all this plus Bruce’s recommendation to Nate and Kyndell for a baby name: Brucina?  A little dragonian.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Show Links   Pending
What does it mean to be a “Mother of Dragons” per the Smithsonian:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-is-the-year-of-the-dragon-considered-so-lucky-180983764/
 
Risk of maternal mortality in the US may have been overestimated relative to other countries:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/01/31/united-states-maternal-mortality-crisis-statistics-health/
 
A new, improved way to make an early diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240416/Placental-IGFBP1-A-key-factor-in-development-of-gestational-diabetes.aspx

In this episode we’re joining forces with FIGO – the international federation of gynecology and obstetrics; basically like the UN for Ob/Gyn – to bring you a special earth day episode.  We’ll be hearing from voices around the globe – like Dr. Ditas Decena from the Philippines, Dr. Jim Zhang from China, and Rashmi Joglekar from UCSF – on what earth day means to them, and what in the world it has to do with family health.
 
 
Links:
EV sales slowing: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/13/ev-euphoria-is-dead-automakers-trumpet-consumer-choice-in-us.html
Redfin air pollution with listings: https://www.fastcompany.com/91028713/looking-for-a-new-home-redfin-will-now-show-you-air-quality-data-for-any-property-listing
A more nuanced approach to Divestment strategies: https://www.unpri.org/academic-blogs/the-effectiveness-of-divestment-strategies/11204.article
PFAS chemical exposure and bad birth outcomes: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805449
 
 

 
How much screen time is safe for your kids?  Does it really put them at risk for depression and anxiety?  And what’s the story with encapsulating- and eating- your placenta…?  In this episode we bite into all those questions with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, or as you may know him on instagram, “Dr. Gator.”  He brings his expertise as a Pediatrician, Integrative Medicine physician, and author of the book “Parenting At Your Child’s Pace”, to give you the incisive answer to these and other pressing questions parents face today.  You might be surprised by his take on social media.
Nate and Bruce dissect the latest headlines: how a magic marker accident made Trader Joe’s recall thousands of pounds of their popular chicken soup dumplings, the rapid benefits of eating an organic diet, and unsettling data on whether kids actually spend less time outdoors than prison inmates- there’s a reason they’re called the “Anxious Generation.”  Speaking of anxiety, the guys share their strategies for college basketball’s March Madness tournament – and why Nate’s dog, Dagny, may be the leader of the pack.  Until next time, ‘later gator!
Show Links:
Trader Joe’s Chicken Dumpling recall  https://www.vox.com/23815696/trader-joes-recalls-falafel-cookies-soup-food-safety-fda-broccoli-cheddar-rocks-insects
Environmental Working Group’s 2024 “Dirty Dozen” report
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
Study: better brain development for kids eating organic food
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749121009866
 
Kids spend less time outdoors then prison inmates
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/25/three-quarters-of-uk-children-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prison-inmates-survey
Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
https://richardlouv.com/
Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, author of Parenting at Your Child’s Pace
https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Your-Childs-Pace-Pediatricians/dp/1454952490
 Study: chronic conditions increasing in children
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2015/14_0397.htm#:~:text=Chronic%20disease%20is%20not%20unique,patients%20(4%2C5)
Rising rates of diabetes and obesity in US kids https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/12/30/youth-diabetes-surge-cdc-study/10966164002/
Study: rising rates of ADHD in children: increased recognition or overdiagnosis? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9616454/
Safe medication use while breastfeeding (CDC)  https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/contraindications-to-breastfeeding.html
Social media and mental health: a collaborative review (New York University)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w-HOfseF2wF9YIpXwUUtP65-olnkPyWcgF5BiAtBEy0/edit
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
Dr. Jonathan Haight, author of The Anxious Generation
https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/
Project TENDR
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP358
   
Mocktails:
Key ingredient: Gatorade 
https://acultivatednest.com/blue-hawaii-mocktail-drink-recipe/
https://vegcharlottenc.com/2023/04/16/the-accidental-mocktail/
 

Irish eyes are smiling this St. Patrick’s Day as the Green Docs share a pint with Dr. Edgar Mocanu, a Dublin-based fertility specialist and president of the International Federation of Fertility Societies.  He brings his unique global perspective to the fertility question on everyone’s mind: what on earth is going on in Alabama?  The answer might surprise you.  Dr. Mocanu also weighs in on the latest trends: how diet can improve fertility, why we worry about jacuzzis and getting pregnant, and how to avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals.  There’s a reason they say geniuses pick green.
 
Nate and Bruce unpack the latest news: what you haven’t heard about the Alabama decision on embryos and personhood; how three parents can sometimes be better than two; and the shocking reunion of twins separated at birth and then reconnected nineteen years later via a TikTok video.  All worthy of an Irish blessing!  You’ll also learn about Nate’s recent undercover mission in Washington DC, and see if Bruce can pass the tests of a true Irishman?  Slainte!



Alabama rules frozen embryos are children
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/health/ivf-alabama-abortion.html
 
Three’s company two: UK delivered its first child conceived from … 3 parents
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65538866#
 
Twins separated (actually stolen) at birth are reunited by a TikTok video
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68055420
 
Pesticides and sperm quality
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/global-decline-sperm-concentrations-linked-common-pesticides-rcna125164#
 
More Joy campaign
https://www.iffsreproduction.org/morejoycampaign/
 
Microplastics in placentas
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/27/microplastics-found-every-human-placenta-tested-study-health-impact#:~:text=The%20research%2C%20published%20in%20the,common%20plastics%20detected%2C%20after%20polyethylene.
Mocktails:
Zero-Proof Guinness 
https://www.guinness.com/en-us/beers/guinness-0
How to pour a Guinness 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKbVwv6yMOs
 

Show Notes:
What is “integrative medicine” and why has it gotten so popular?  This episode explores this approach to illness – and boosting wellness- with Dr. Edison de Mello, the founder and head of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in Santa Monica, California.  As the author of a book called Bloated, Dr. de Mello shares his views on the many connections of our gut microbiome to our overall health as well as the benefits and risks of vaginal “seeding” of newborns to help boost their immune systems.
Speaking of the gut flora, Nate and Bruce start off with new research that shows how even light exercise can boost their health, helping protect us in the process.  The guys also share new evidence of a “flavor window” for the successful introduction of healthy foods to babies, potentially preventing many food fights down the line.  They also answer some listener questions and share the story of Ai-Hin, the clever Chinese panda that faked pregnancy to get better food and air conditioning- and who can blame her?
 
 
Show Links:
Microbiome and exercise
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/new-microbiome-research-reveals-exercise-may-impact-gut
 
UCLA Health: exercise and gut flora health
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/new-microbiome-research-reveals-exercise-may-impact-gut
 
“Flavor window”: how to get your kids to eat vegetables
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/serenity-kids-brings-bold-global-134100744.html#
 
Giant Panda fakes pregnancy to receive nicer food and round-the-clock care
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/giant-panda-in-china-fakes-pregnancy-to-receive-nicer-food-and-roundtheclock-care-9693743.html
 
Alcohol and sexual function in women
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/26/well/mind/alcohol-sex-orgasm.html
 
NIH National Center for Integrative Health definition of integrative health
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name
 
Gut Microbiome facts  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4191858/#:~:text=There%20are%2010x%20the%20number,and%20weighing%20approximately%202%20kilograms.
 
2023 study of spore-based probiotics and gut/skin health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9918080/
 
American Museum of Natural History: 99% of our unique genes are microbial, not human
https://www.amnh.org/explore/science-topics/microbiome-health/meet-your-microbiome
 
Dr. de Mello’s book, Bloated
https://www.amazon.com/Bloated-Reclaim-Your-Health-Without/dp/0999194925
 
Dunkin Donuts with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and J-lo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve2miT5iF2M
 
 
Mocktails:
Virgin Caipirinha - Tudo Bem!
Health
Lime: Mint:  Rosemary: Thyme: INGREDIENTS
1 lime, cut into wedges 1.5 teaspoons white, granulated sugar 1 ounce Seedlip Garden 108 2 ounces Lyre's White Cane Spirit 2 dashes All The Bitter Orange bitters DIRECTIONS
In a rocks glass, muddle the lime wedges with sugar and bitters. Fill the glass with ice, add both spirits, and stir to chill. Garnish with a lime wheel. RECIPE NOTE
You’ll need some time and a little muscle when muddling the limes. The goal is to extract the juice, but also to get the sugar into the lime peel, releasing the fruit's aromatic oils.
 
MAKE IT MINDFULLY LOW ALCOHOL
Want to session some Caipirinhas all afternoon without getting too smashed? Try mixing 1 ounce of an alcoholic white rum (or cachaça if you have it!) with 2 ounces of Seedlip Garden.
 
https://allthebitter.com/blogs/recipes/caipirinha-non-alcoholic-cocktail-recipe
 
Health
Lime: vit c and antioxidants; helps improve iron absorption Mint: auntie nausea Rosemary: NOT as a supplement in pregnancy; improve mood Thyme: reduce bloating

Show Notes
Have you ever wondered how consumer goods get recalled?  In this episode the Green Docs spill the tea with Tamara Rubin, the woman behind many of those recalls related to lead and food toxicity  – including most recently calling out Stanley Cup Tumblers.  You may have seen Saturday Night Live satirizing the safety of these “Big Dumb Cups.”  Tamara brings her experience as the mother of two children with lead poisoning to drive her passion as an activist and filmmaker – and as the “Lead Safe Mama” she delivers everything you need to know about protecting you and your family from toxics at home.
Bruce and Nate also review the rise in premature births across the US and share a little-known risk factor you can avoid.  They also weigh in on the "take your shoes off at the door" controversy; or as Sex and the City called it, "a woman's right to shoes."  Finally, they identify yet another benefit of garlic – hint: it involves removing lead.  They even incorporate garlic into a wellness mocktail helpfully named, “you don’t have to take your cloves off.”  And if you thought that ingredient was surprising – wait until you hear what they have to say about giraffe milk. 
Show Links
Stanley Cup tumblers with lead
https://abc7chicago.com/stanley-cups-lead-oversize-tumblers-tiktok/14378499/
Preterm birth rates rising in the US
https://abc7chicago.com/stanley-cups-lead-oversize-tumblers-tiktok/14378499/
Should you take your shoes off at the door?
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/07/health/remove-shoes-germs-wellness/index.html#:~:text=Taking%20off%20shoes%20at%20the,can%20be%20a%20thoughtful%20gesture.
Tamara Rubin’s website: leadsafemama.com or tamararubin.com
Saturday Night Live’s “Big dumb cups”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2tUO2mp99Q
Tamara’s lead documentary, MisLEAD
https://tamararubin.com/2023/01/a-link-to-my-film/
Federal guidelines for homes with lead-based paint (Housing and Urban Development)
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/lbp/hudguidelines
Lead-safe renovation guidelines for homeowners (EPA)
https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers
Preterm birth and air pollution
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/c-change/subtopics/climate-change-and-pregnancy-preterm-birth/
Preterm birth and heat
https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3811
Our research into both air pollution and heat and preterm birth
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2767260?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=061820
 
Mocktails
We Don't Have to Take Our Cloves Off garlic mocktail:
https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/we-dont-have-to-take-our-cloves-off-roasted-garlic-cocktail/
Garlicky Citrus Non-Alcoholic Bloody Mary: 
https://spiceworldinc.com/health/delicious-mocktails-for-a-dry-january/
If you like your mocktails to have a little bit of kick to them, then you will love the Garlicky Citrus Non-Alcoholic Bloody Mary. Since this recipe contains tomato juice, you can receive nutritional benefits from it. Tomato juice is said to be a great  source of vitamin C, vitamin B, and potassium. To discover how this mocktail can benefit your health, follow these steps to make it! 
To make this mocktail, you will need: 
3 cloves of Spice World’s Organic Peeled Garlic, roasted  Drizzle of olive oil  1 tablespoon of horseradish  1 cup of tomato juice  ½ of a jalapeno  1 orange slice  Half of a lemon  1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce  Optional: garnish with a celery stick  Directions: 
In a small pan with a drizzle of olive oil, roast your Spice World’s Organic Peeled Garlic under medium heat until slightly brown in color.  Muddle together your roasted garlic, orange slice, lemon, jalapeno, and horseradish in a shaker.  Add in your tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce and then shake. Add ice to a class and pour in the drink.  Garnish with a celery stick if desired. Enjoy!