The hottest Medicine Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Many Forms of Vitamin K

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. The names 'vitamin K1' and 'vitamin K2' are historical artifacts based on their initial sources.
  2. The length and saturation of the tail structure of vitamin K determine how it is distributed to different tissues in the body.
  3. Different forms of vitamin K, like MK-4 and MK-7, have unique roles in the body, such as MK-7 being better at supporting blood clotting and reaching bone, while MK-4 plays a role in gene expression and inhibiting the growth of certain cancers.

The Journal of the American Medical Association Finally Questions Whether the FDA Should be Approving Useless No-Evidence Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. The evidence suggests that drugs lowering cholesterol may not actually prevent heart attacks by lowering cholesterol, but by clearing LDL from the bloodstream more quickly.
  2. The FDA approved cholesterol-lowering drugs based on their ability to lower cholesterol levels, without concrete evidence of preventing heart disease.
  3. Recent studies have suggested that some cholesterol-lowering drugs like ezetimibe may not effectively prevent heart disease, sparking questions about the approval process and physician prescribing practices.

Isoprenes

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 08
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Isoprenes are essential compounds found in every living cell, with various important functions in the human body such as being precursors to cholesterol and coenzyme Q10.
  2. Humans obtain crucial isoprene compounds from their diets, which are not produced by the body, and they are also present in medicinal plants like licorice.
  3. Isoprenes play a vital role in the synthesis of glycoproteins, which are essential for cell communication, and are involved in anchoring proteins to cell membranes for various functions.

Q&A with Zubin Damania

The Bigger Picture • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. The post features a Q&A session with Zubin Damania, a well-known medical doctor and the face behind ZDoggMD YouTube channel.
  2. To access the full post and archives, readers can start a 7-day free trial subscription to The Bigger Picture newsletter.
  3. Existing paid subscribers can directly sign in to read the entire content without any trial periods.

Chemical warfare against the common cold

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. US Chemical Warfare Service experimented with chlorine for treating respiratory infections, like colds, and saw promising results in the 1920s
  2. Chlorine treatment gained initial popularity post-World War I but faced criticism for lack of control groups and evidence of effectiveness
  3. Commercial products like the 'Kilacold Chlorine Bomb' were promoted for treating various illnesses but eventually dwindled in use due to shifting priorities and lack of scientific support
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Defeating the death microbe

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
💾 History Medicine
  1. In 1895, there was a belief in a 'Death Microbe' that threatened human mortality, leading to speculation about immortality.
  2. Advertisements and stories around the Death Microbe highlighted societal and moral implications of potential immortality.
  3. The concept of the Death Microbe was likely a hoax perpetuated through newspapers, sparking creative works but not impacting real medicine.

'The knowledge of things': Jane Sharp's art of midwifery

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
💾 History Medicine
  1. Jane Sharp's 'The Midwives Book' was a pioneering midwifery manual written in English by a woman. It aimed to educate midwives on anatomy and help women understand pregnancy and childbirth.
  2. Sharp's work highlighted the importance of practical experience and anatomical knowledge for midwives, emphasizing the need for women to have access to education in the field.
  3. The book not only served as a guide for midwives but also empowered women by providing information and reassurance about pregnancy and childbirth, promoting a sense of agency over their reproductive health.

'Fopperous pisse-maximes': the art of urine-casting

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
💾 History Medicine
  1. Physicians in history believed they could diagnose diseases solely from urine samples, but it was not an accurate method.
  2. Urine inspection has a long history in medicine, but ancient physicians saw it as part of a more comprehensive examination, unlike medieval European doctors who often relied solely on urine for diagnoses.
  3. Doctors in the past used 'uroscopy' to interpret urine colors and traits to determine different diseases, but the approach was lacking in scientific accuracy and often relied on deception.

A fortune-teller’s love potion

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💾 History Medicine
  1. A fortune-teller claimed to have a magical substance called 'Zep' that could influence the future and reveal a person's future beloved.
  2. Two sisters spent their savings on this 'Zep' substance, hoping to find husbands, but ended up losing a significant amount of money and facing threats from the fortune-teller.
  3. The fortune-teller's past involved criminal activities and despite her claims, the magical substance did not work, leading to legal consequences for her and disappointment for the sisters.

'Horrible bubbles': the whale bath for rheumatism

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💾 History Medicine
  1. In the 1890s, people sought relief for rheumatism by immersing themselves in a rotting whale in New South Wales.
  2. The whale cure involved sitting in the whale's decomposing blubber for hours, with the belief that the gases released would cure rheumatism.
  3. Although the whale bath brought temporary relief for some, the side effects and the return of rheumatism often outweighed any initial benefits.

Thankful Taylor and the serpent within

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. The legend of the 'bosom serpent' blurs the line between folklore and medicine, with stories of creatures living inside humans causing torment and sparking disbelief in communities.
  2. In the case of Thankful Taylor in the 1870s, a real snake was extracted from her, shedding light on an unusual medical phenomenon.
  3. The tale of internal creatures reflects the fears and beliefs of different eras and cultures, serving as a way to explain physical or emotional pain despite lacking definitive scientific explanations.

Expelling the enemies of nature: antimonial cups

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. Antimonial cups in the 17th century were used for purging the body of diseases, albeit violently, showcasing the notion of enduring discomfort for a perceived cure.
  2. The use of antimony in medicine goes back to ancient times, with antimonial cups being a popular method of taking antimony-infused wine despite being banned in France, showcasing how popularity can grow even when something is prohibited.
  3. John Evans, a colorful character from the 17th century, sold antimonial cups in London and faced criticism for his promotion of the cups as a cure-all medicine, despite concerns about the dangerous nature of antimony.

The wonder-worker Madame Enault

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. Madame Enault, a 19th-century medicine show performer, used elaborate costumes and exotic promises to draw crowds and sell her questionable elixirs.
  2. Her show featured free tooth extractions and treatments for minor ailments, which acted as a sales pitch for her 'Indian Malachite' and 'Chinese Caustic' remedies.
  3. Despite facing criticism and legal troubles, Madame Enault's showmanship and unconventional medical practices continued to attract attention and controversy throughout her career.

Healers' wheels: Victorian doctors and their bicycles

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. Victorian country doctors embraced bicycles for efficient travel, especially after the introduction of the safety bicycle and pneumatic tires.
  2. Doctors adopting bicycles needed to consider practical aspects like owning two bikes for emergencies, preventing theft, and choosing comfortable saddles.
  3. Bicycles provided country doctors with not just a mode of transport, but also leisure and respite from their demanding careers.

Petticoat physic: the opposition to Lady Doctors

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. Opposition to women's medical education in the 19th century was not unanimous within the male medical profession, with debated arguments against female doctors including concerns about their suitability, impact on marriage, and emotional capacity.
  2. Critics of female doctors expressed doubts that female patients would prefer a doctor of their own sex, citing potential lack of comfort and believing women to be emotionally, intellectually, and physically unsuitable for the profession.
  3. Concerns were raised about the impact of women becoming doctors on marriage, with worries about neglecting household duties, raising children, and the societal implications of married women practicing medicine.

The Quack Doctor - now on Substack

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. The Quack Doctor newsletter on Substack explores medicine's intriguing history, delving into various themes beyond just fraudsters and marketers.
  2. Expect posts on health, disease, crime, macabre events, historical figures, and book reviews from The Quack Doctor.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for updates and support the work of The Quack Doctor.

Sidelined

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Getting hurt can change your plans quickly. The author had to cancel a climb after realizing their toe pain was serious.
  2. Traditional medicine, like using salt and garlic, can be common in some places. Local knowledge can be really useful for treating injuries.
  3. Accessing healthcare can be different in other countries. In Africa, it's possible to get treatment for very low costs, but it might involve long waits.

Want To Buy: A Placebo

KCKlatt’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Placebo-controlled trials help determine how well treatments work. They compare a new treatment to a fake one to see if there's real effectiveness.
  2. Learning about placebos is important in science when designing experiments. It’s one of the basics taught in research training.
  3. High-quality studies give us confidence in treatment results. Well-done trials show if a treatment is actually helping people.