Scientific Health: Education and Human Performance

Have you ever set a reading goal only to realize that listening to the audiobook on your commute was a much easier, just to have your friends tell you, “listening is not the same as reading.” Have you wanted to encourage your kids to be better readers or develop the skills to be a critical reader? Only to have them succumb to the draw of the tablet or device over the book. Does it really matter how we get our book?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

There is a current political push to reclassify a growing number of potential therapeutics from being a potential drug to being a supplement. But could moving synthetic peptides under DSHEA's dietary supplement framework be a serious public health mistake? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to support what is being...

We have discussed already issues of oversimplification leading to misinformation being a foundation of much of the dietary advice that we encounter on a daily basis. But what about another bit of oversimplification that can have a fundamental impact on how we talk about how our body works and what it means to be healthy. Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

Social media has fundamentally reshaped how individuals conceptualize health, identity, and self-improvement. Recently, there has been a movement labeled as "maxxing" that pushes the notion of what is healthy and what behaviors should be used to achieve health. As with many fads related to health we have mixture of pseudoscience and logical fallacies pushing a health narrative, but what is the impact of the emerging “maxxing” trends across social media platforms on our health? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

We’ve been taught that sugar is the villain of the diabetes story, but how true is that story?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to support what is being published, please make sure to subscribe and become a supporter on the substack.

We've all heard that we learn best if taught with our preferred learning style, but does this idea match what you know about how the brain works and how we learn?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to support what is being published, please make sure to subscribe...

We see social media stories, the memes and hear the shorthand of "Almond." A label that specifies the lifestyle. One rooted in a mom's focus on diets of Caloric restriction, obsessive "clean eating," the other founded on a dad's obsession with biohacking, exercising to the max, and eating to ensure correct "macros." LIfestyles that apply the facade of trying to help kids be "healthier," all while projecting their own insecurities about their bodies and their body image onto their children.

While the term began as a meme, actions that are housed under "just teasing" it has evolved...

There has been a recent stream of social media posts from HHS Secretary RFK Jr calling into question the safety of sugar-sweetened beverages from Starbucks and DunkinDonuts. But is there a concern we should have about these beverages? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to support what is being published, please make sure to subscribe...

In the endlessly rotating carousel of diet trends, few formulas capture public attention like a rule built around memorable numbers. The latest entries in the numerical nutrition sweepstakes are the “30-30-30” and “30-30-3” plans. Both promise structure, simplicity, and metabolic magic. Both are spreading rapidly across social media. And both sit at an uncomfortable intersection between evidence-based health principles and the seductive pull of diet culture.

But are these plans legitimate health strategies — or simply the newest iteration of the same old wellness cycle?Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our...

There has been a lot of discussion about the scientific credibility of the MAHA influenced dietary guidelines recently. But with the rollout of the media and online resources that was met with the rollout of ad blitzes for eating "good food" to counter the messages from others related to accepting the more nuanced understanding of diet, exercise health we need to ask, what's the problem with moralizing food choices? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

There has been a lot of political discussions around the deployment of ICE and DHS through the US, with protests and interactions with officers leading to less than desired responses by some of the DHS and ICE personal. Some want to blame it on lack of training and teaching, but what about the laxity of fitness standards. Is having low fitness a potential avenue for explanation and a way to solve some of these issues. Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

We have all been, or see, the student pouring over flashcards of vocab terms, constantly reciting their times-tables. We sit in awe of the Jeopardy champion's ability to seemingly remember every little detail about the most arcane bit of trivia. See the piano student spending hours-upon-hours playing their etudes.

But what if I told you that none these actually lead to learning or are a signs of knowledge. Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

There is a lot of talk about the flaws in the most recent guidelines for nutrition and food groups, but how true are the concerns and more importantly are the recommendations more flawed than any of the other recommendations? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to support what is being published, please make sure to...

There has been a continual eroding of trust in recommendations that we see from public health agencies. An erosion of trust that is coupled with under qualified professionals being placed in positions of power where instead of seeking truth from evidence there is a resounding push toward advocating opinion to form public health policy. An erosion of trust the leads to a question, if not the CDC and the NIH then who should we listen to?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

It's a new year and time to establish that new year's resolution. But how can we use what we know about how the human body works to make sure this won't be another year of the Yo-Yo diet?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to support what is being published, please make sure...

Peptides, marketed as sophisticated, cleaner alternatives to conventional anabolic steroids, have rapidly transitioned from obscure university research findings to a staple of injectable items pitched by the fitness influencers, praised for their supposed ability to melt fat, build lean muscle, and speed recovery with minimal side effects. But why has peptides exploded in popularity within the fitness and “brosphere” of social media? Is there a fundamental physiological property that peptides can provide or are we just trapped in another fad?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

“How can I tell if I’m being fed misinformation or disinformation? Couldn’t the person just be offering an alternative view?”

Well, that got me thinking… what do I look out for? What are the things that can immediately let us know they’re not providing alternatives but are instead offering disinformation and misinformation. And no. This is not solely an American problem. Nor is it a problem of the modern world

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

It's the time of year where we hear warnings about not letting our holiday meals make us "fat," where we strategize workouts to "offset" our holiday meals. But will our holidays undo all of the progress we've made and is this a healthy way to approach our holidays?

Well, let's talk about that...

If you need help with body image issues or think you might have an eating disorder, here are some online resources:

BetterHelp-Therapist Link

Eating Disorder Resource Center

Psychology Today-List

ANAD.org

Please...

There is a side to the MAHA-movement that has been relatively ignored, even if this side of the movement was MAHA before MAHA. took off.. the MAHA dads…a movement that intends to help men “renovate their manhood” but it comes with an unintended cost for men and particularly young men... body image issues. But how does a movement meant to make us healthy lead to issues with body image?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

The aisles throughout modern supermarkets have become a testament to a pervasive nutritional ideology: the more protein, the better. Protein-fortified water. Yogurts, energy bars, even coffee and juices seem to brag about the amount of protein contained in their products. The macronutrient that once resided primarily in the domain of serious athletes and bodybuilders or those on specialized weight-loss programs has now infiltrated mainstream products or beverages. But is there a scientifically valid argument to this trend or is it just another nutrition fad… what are the purported benefits and potential drawbacks, the scientific evidence (or lack thereof) supporting cl...

Creatine supplements have long been popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes... sometimes thought of as being the "legal" steroid. But the interest in creatine has exploded, with social media influencers touting the benefits of creatine for everything from muscle gains to boosting cognition and even preventing metabolic diseases, with some even saying that it can help to regulate blood sugar.. But what is creatine and is it a panacea?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

We've heard that walking is okay to be physically active. There's even memes and fitness campaigns to "get your steps in" each day.But is it an exercise that can make you fit? And what should we believe with so many myths and misconceptions surrounding walking?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to...

Defying Decay…using exercise to prevent the effects of getting older? We are a country that is getting older. This means that there is a growing population where the primary concern is seeking ways to continue to live independently, or relatively independently for as long as possible.

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

If you want to...

There is a push coming from HHS advocacy panels and some medical organization recommendations that using wearable fitness devices may be a means to limit or treat the chronic "lifestyle" diseases that seem to be everywhere and threaten everyone. Everything from the simple pedometers to the heart rate monitors and even the continuous glucose monitors are all being touted as a means to ensure we can prevent chronic diseases. But what does the science say? What can we use these devices for and what are these devices being recommended as being able to do?

Well, let's talk...

The information is everywhere. We can find it at the tips of fingers by doing simple internet searches. Yet, there are people that seem to either refuse to learn what science has to offer as factual evidence, or more importantly unlearn the myths and misconceptions that they hold on to... but why is that, are they just old dogs that can't learn a new trick or is something more?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

Well, they warned us it was coming and most health scientists and neurologists were very skeptical. And rightfully so... Sept 22, 2025 U.S.. HHS released their "cause of autism" and I'm scratching my head thinking... "Really...are your sure about that? Acetaminophen causes autism? Well, let's talk about that...

HHS "Fact Sheet": https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/autism-announcement-fact-sheet.html

Please make sure to follow our work on:

How the weight management ideas that seem the simplest are often the ones that are misleading you.

We're revisiting two ideas that seem to weave their way into any discussion we have about the myths and misconceptions for how our body works. Ideas that have become so ingrained into our ideals about how our body works—the simple suggests that you need so many servings of specific foods to eat if you want to have a healthy body or that if you eat fewer Calories than you “burn,” you lose weight. If you eat more, you gain.

I...

What do we know? What do we think we know? What can we prove?

It's the slogan needed for us to have any hope for a fruitful discussion on health, on wellness, on public health, and in science. But what if we are pulling from a different set of "know," "think," or "prove" in the conversation?

We've spent the last few episodes trying to dig through the misinformation and disinformation that is out there in the public conversations on the changes in health policy. Unfortunately, the words we are using have the ability to lead...

What can we take away from the MAHA "Make Children Healthy Again" assessment based on scientific validity and why is it problematic that we are basing recommendations based the MAHA initiative?

Well, let’s talk about that….

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/sci.health.performance/

Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@sci.health.performance

Bluesky @scientific-health.bsky.social

If you want to s...

Misinformation and disinformation are nothing new, as the saying goes: A lie spreads around the global many times before the truth gets out of bed. But when people with power are spreading the lies and the rate of spread by which the lie spread means that not only has the amount of lies gotten worse but the depth of misinformation has become more pervasive than in recent history. Leading to a lack of information that impact not only their personal health decisions. but are decisions that impact all of us.

But why do we buy the misinformation...

There has recently been some new research indicating that forgetfulness, memory loss, and a host of neurodegenerative diseases have at the heart of them metabolic issues. Issues that impact the ability to clear metabolic waste from the brain and even causes storage of the neurons fuel source, when there should not be storage. So, is memory loss, dementia and possibly neurodegenerative disease a metabolic issue? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com<...

Why it is problematic that RFK Jr. and the MAHA initiative is forcing the CDC to comply with theirs and the current administration’s viewpoints regarding public health, and why everyone should be worried if we can’t do anything to stop it.

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/sci.health.performance/

Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@sci.health.performance

If you want to support what...

In the summer of 2025, the current presidential administration decided to turn-back the clock on the means that we assess and teach fitness to children in the educational system of the United States. Changes that reflect a desire to take us back to an earlier time, a perspective meant to reflect ideals of the MAHA-movement that governs the current push for public health. But this change of initiative leaves us to ask the question... Will it get them off the couch? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https...

Aligning with the project that we are undertaking to hopefully end body weight bullying in elementary education, we discuss the impact that body weight bully has across the lifespan for the person and what we can do to counter its dangerous effects. Impacts of body weight bullying... let's talk about that.

Help support our project: by sharing and donating. https://gofund.me/cafcd9ff

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https...

With the growth in using artificial intelligence in healthcare and wellness it behooves us to ask a simple question. Can artificial intelligence design an effective periodized workout plan?

Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/sci.health.performance/

Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@sci.health.performance

If you want to support what is being published, please make sure to...

There is a quote that generally is misattributed to Albert Einstein that stipulates we should teach things as simple as possible... and given the reverence we have for the man, it tends to lead to oversimplification of very complex ideas of human biology and physiology. Oversimplification that might be the crux of the problems we have been pushing back against. Is the desire to oversimplify the cause for the misinformation and disinformation problems? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

If you’ve never heard of biohacking before, don’t stress… You’re not alone. Is this just another fad or manipulation of a scientific term to get clicks and followers, or is this really a thing? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/sci.health.performance/

Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@sci.health.performance

If you want to support what is being publishe...

There has been a lot of news about the NFL banning the use of smelling salts. But is there a rationale for making the ban? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/sci.health.performance/

Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@sci.health.performance

If you want to support what is being published, please...

A few months ago, a colleague popped into a discussion board asking how they might be able to use their continuous glucose monitor to teach students about metabolism and health. A few weeks ago, a news article asked if glucose monitors are the best fitness tracker.. Both comments got me thinking...why is everyone going glucose monitor crazy? Well, let's talk about that...

Please make sure to follow our work on:

YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Scientific.Health.Education

Substack @ https://jeclark.substack.com

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/sci.health...

A discussion related to a project that hopes to empower kids against bullying through beautiful stories and resources. Where we are hoping to get your support to help make a real difference! Please share and donate. https://gofund.me/cafcd9ff

With the amount of time that children and adolescents spend in school we need to start to look at how we can make schools a wellness oasis. In this discussion we will revisit some previous talking points on how to get students to be active during the school day, what teachers and educators can do to...