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Dr. Chan's
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23.01.2022 What a surreal & strange time we're all experiencing together. COVID19 has changed the very fabric of society & hopefully has made us rethink what we consider to be important. It got me thinking about how fragile yet resilient we are as human beings, who think we rule & control our planet . . We have developed technology & society beyond the wildest dreams of our ancestors. Yet, a tiny non-living piece of DNA can cause havoc across the globe, killing millions & halting econom...ies. The 1919 Spanish flu infected a 1/4 of the world's population (500m) & killed around 100m people . . But what is a virus? Viruses are the most common biological entity on the planet- lined up, they would cover the length of our whole galaxy . . Made up of a genomic strand of DNA or RNA containing its reproductive code, viruses are protected by a plasmid protein layer. Some viruses, like COVID19, also have a fatty lipid envelope. This layer is dissolved by soap & the virus is totally destroyed which is why washing your hands is so effective in preventing COVID19's spread . . Despite these actions, viruses aren't alive. Their survival depends on using the cells of other organisms. When they are in the environment alone, they are wrapped up in a virion particle that can survive for short periods of time . . The ultimate hackers, viruses have molecules on their virion layer that attaches to protein receptors on host cells, allowing them to gain entry. Here they use the cell's parts to make more virions that explode out of the cell to go on infecting other cells . . Many viruses are harmless to humans, but ones like COVID19 cause severe inflammation & a cytokine (immune) storm. This leads to viral pneumonia, or a secondary bacterial pneumonia, both of which can be deadly . . Suffice to say, we are reminded that we are a fallible part of nature AND that we have the ability to work together against these challenges . . Spread your love like it's a virus & #stayathome . . #virus #covid19 #science See more
19.01.2022 Hello fermenty foodie friends! Wow it has been a stretch... and the world has changed dramatically for all of us. Hope you are all hanging in there, wherever you may be. Special hugs to my fellow Victorians as we go into Lockdown 2.0... I have absolute faith that our community can stand together to protect each other against this stubborn and deadly microbe . . I took this long break from socials because it has been a pretty tumultuous time for my little family I realised t...hat my lifelong conditioning which causes me to attach my self worth and identity to DOING needed to be addressed. Not to mention that I often find social media to be anxiety provoking in relation to the aforementioned DOING. It was time for me to learn to take it easy, enjoy my delicious bubbarino and find a little quiet in this noisy world . . That said, I have greatly missed sharing science nerdery with you all! Especially since, now more than ever, we need sensible, truthful science advocacy with no agendas. I don't think I need to elaborate on why! . . So I will be posting as regularly as I can again! . . Love to hear what you have all been feeling (and doing) in this new COVID land that we inhabit. Did you ferment anything fun in the last few months? Any new nutrition/ fermenty scientific studies you've read about you'd like me to explore? . . Big love . . #fermented #fermentation #ferments #science #nutrition #sciencerocks #research #covid19 #microbiology #guthealth #gutmicrobiota See more
17.01.2022 You've probably seen these headlines proclaiming that kimchi & sauerkraut protect us from COVID19. This 'evidence' from a 'study' went viral. Many fermented food companies now refer to this study to sell product & fermented food sales are way up. THIS MAKES ME SO MAD! . . Let me explain. There is an article in a low ranking journal that is NOT a study. It is a loose commentary. The actual study is still in pre-print, which means it has NOT been peer-reviewed or published. It ...is irresponsible of media outlets to put info from such studies out there! . . The team used data from an existing European database to look at fermented food consumption in each country, & then correlated it with COVID19 mortality rates. They found that the more fermented vegetables a country's population consumed, the lower their death rates . . Their hypothesis is based on research showing that antioxidant-rich diets may contribute to lowered levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2). ACE2 is converted into ACE, an enzyme in the lungs, which may be the main entry point for Sars-CoV-2 into cells . . Can you guys see how this is a long shot? They made sure to say that their results do not confer causality, & that there are many factors that contribute to COVID19 mortality rates. But then what is the actual point of your poorly-conceived & -designed study?? Viral headlines? . . Infuriatingly, they conclude by saying they only looked at Europe but BTW African & Asian countries also have low death rates, & they eat fermented vegetables. This is outright irresponsible to imply!! South Korea was not studied, so neither was kimchi! . . Eat all the ferments. Enjoy them as part of a healthy diet. Just don't think they are going to save you from COVID19 or 'boost' your immunity #staysafe . . #fermentedfoods #ferments #sauerkraut #kimchi #covid19 #guthealth #science #research #fermentation See more
16.01.2022 Ferment-Isolation goodness! A delivery from the wonderful @kaokaomiso of a tsunami of umami! . . Made in Daylesford from carefully sourced ingredients, Kaori's expert hand creates some of the best miso I have ever tasted! Her Korean BBQ sauce is next level & where else can you get freshly handmade black bean and soybean natto? Also very excited to try her Shio Koji. Plus local apricot umeboshi. OMG feeling so uplifted just looking at these treasures .... . The best way to pimp up your home cooking is to use fermented condiments and marinades like these.. Exactly what we need in this surreal time. The microbes in these ferments predigest proteins, enhance flavours, increase nutritional access, intersct favourably with out gut microbiome and support immune function. BUT LET'S BE REAL IT'S ALL ABOUT THE YUMMY NOM NOMS . . Very lucky that Kaori lives locally... but fret not friends, she ships Australia wide! Head to her website to get some red hot umami in your arsenal . . Follow her on IG for her excellent meal ideas too. You go girl!! . . #fermented #fermentation #miso #koji #koreanbbq #natto #fermentevrything #umami #guthealth #flavour #quarantinecooking See more
09.01.2022 Calling all BIPOC fermenters! Are you passionate about fermentation? Do you have a fermenting business? Whether you produce ferments for sale or teach fermenting classes or both, I want to talk to you! . . I am writing an article for an international food publication on BIPOC fermenters. You can be from anywhere in the world. If you'd like to find out more and have a chat, please contact me here via Insta or FB messaging, or at [email protected] .... . #fermented #fermentation #ferments #asianfermentation #fermenteverything #culture #guthealth #microbiology See more
