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Ditch The Labcoat

Ditch The Labcoat

By: Dr. Mark Bonta
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 Candid conversations between healthcare experts, every Wednesday at 5am EST on Labcoat.fm, your destination for evidence-based insights into the world of medicine, with no holds barred debate about hot topics in healthcare. This is for all the closet doctors, nurses, pharmacists and all others who are deeply fascinated about medicine but view the headlines with science-based skepticism.© 2024 ditchthelabcoat.com - All Rights Reserved Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Raw Milk and Allergy Pet Peeves with Dr. Samira Jeimy

    Raw Milk and Allergy Pet Peeves with Dr. Samira Jeimy
    Jun 11 2025
    Welcome back to Ditch the Labcoat, the podcast where we cut through the noise and myths swirling around modern healthcare—one evidence-based conversation at a time. I’m Dr. Mark Bonta, and in today’s episode, get ready to hear from one of our returning guests: Dr. Samira Jeimy, allergist, immunologist, associate professor, and the straight-talking force behind Allergies Explained.

    Dr. Jeimy is here to tackle her “Top 10 Propaganda Pieces” as an allergy expert—the big healthcare myths, media soundbites, and outright scams that drive her up the wall. From debunking the so-called ‘immunity debt’ theory and the raw milk craze, to exposing the truth behind pricey food intolerance tests and the seductive marketing of wellness supplements, she brings a blend of humor, clinical wisdom, and no-nonsense clarity.

    You’ll hear why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe, how supplement and testing industries prey on patient anxiety, and why stories—more than science—often shape the health choices we make. Dr. Jeimy also takes us inside the real conversations she has with patients confused by allergy myths, and how she helps untangle fact from fiction, one appointment at a time.

    Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a chronic allergy sufferer, a concerned parent, or just tired of being bamboozled in the supplement aisle, this episode brings fresh perspective, sharp debunking, and a dose of laughter to your feed. So cozy up and get ready to ditch the misinformation, as we dive into the truth behind the top allergy and immunology myths with Dr. Samira Jeimy.

    Episode Highlights

    1. Immunity Debt Myth Don't believe the narrative that lack of infection "weakens" your immune system; real harm comes from infections, not their absence.
    2. Food Intolerance Tests Are Useless Expensive food intolerance tests measure exposure, not intolerance, leading to wasted money and unnecessary diet restrictions.
    3. Natural Isn’t Always Safe “Natural” products (like raw milk, plant oils) aren’t automatically safe—many can cause harm or severe allergic reactions.
    4. Eczema Not About Food Eliminating foods often doesn’t cure eczema; the real issue is inflammation of the skin, not food allergies.
    5. Overtesting Creates False Allergies Unnecessary allergy testing leads to false positives, unhelpful labels, and dangerous food restrictions.


    Episode Timestamps

    4:16 — Influencer Impact on Health Information
    6:35 — "Storytelling's Impact in Tech and Health"
    12:51 — Health Concerns or Misdirection?
    16:52 — Food Desensitization and Lifestyle Changes
    20:07 — Countering Misinformation on Allergies
    21:46 — Dietary Restrictions and Relationship Strain
    25:24 — Immune System Overreaction Dangers
    27:48 — Benadryl: Canada's Sole IV Antihistamine
    31:12 — Dairy, Sugar, and Skin Health
    35:08 — Unreported Complementary Health Treatments
    38:52 — The Limitations of Unvalidated Diagnostic Tests
    42:46 — Dr. Jamie: Compassionate Healthcare Advocate


    DISCLAMER >>>>>> The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.


    >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.


    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University.
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    44 mins
  • Surviving the Stigma with Dr. Dov Gebien

    Surviving the Stigma with Dr. Dov Gebien
    Jun 4 2025
    In this episode of Ditch the Lab Coat, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with Dr. Dov Gebien for a deeply personal and raw conversation about addiction, stigma, and redemption within the medical profession. Dr. Gebien, an emergency physician, shares his courageous story of opioid addiction—tracing his journey from the initial dependency that crept in after multiple back surgeries, through the devastating fallout of withdrawal, arrest, and prison, to his eventual recovery and fight to reclaim both his medical license and sense of self.The episode explores the culture of medicine and the harsh judgment often faced by healthcare professionals struggling with substance use. Dr. Gebien opens up about the profound shame and isolation that accompany addiction, explaining how secrecy and fear of exposure perpetuate suffering. He discusses how his turning point came when he finally “came clean,” recounting the unexpected compassion from some colleagues, but also the widespread mistreatment and lack of understanding he encountered—especially compared to how the system treats those with alcohol use disorder or physical illness.Dr. Gebien and Dr. Bonta delve into how the medical system, historically complicit in the opioid crisis, continues to stigmatize opioid addiction in its ranks, and they candidly address the punitive versus rehabilitative paths offered to healthcare workers in crisis. Dr. Gebien reflects on how recovery transformed his approach to medicine, fostering empathy and changing the way he relates to patients facing addiction.Now a community physician, public speaker, and researcher with published work on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Dr. Gebien unpacks his reinvention and the ongoing challenges of regaining trust and credibility within his field. The episode is a powerful meditation on perseverance, accountability, and hope—the “hard-won kind” forged through adversity.Episode Highlights1. The Power of Honesty : Telling the truth about addiction, even when it’s painful, is the starting point for recovery and lightens the emotional burden.2. Compassion Over Judgment : Healthcare needs more compassion and less stigma toward addiction—judgment only deepens isolation and suffering for both patients and clinicians.3. Addiction Knows No Boundaries : Opioid addiction can affect anyone—doctors, professionals, or neighbors—not just the stereotypical “skid row” population.4. Burnout Breeds Judgment : Compassion fatigue and harsh attitudes in emergency medicine can lead to diminished empathy for those with addiction struggles.5. Redefining Professional Redemption : Recovery and return to practice after addiction require perseverance, transparency, and a willingness to rebuild credibility from scratch.6. Forgiveness and Second Chances Reintegration into medicine is possible, but it demands humility, hard work, and meeting rigorous requirements to ensure public safety.7. Continuous Recovery Accountability Structured support systems—therapy groups, monitoring, and regular check-ins—are vital in maintaining long-term recovery and reducing relapse risk.8. Experience Builds Better Doctors Personal hardship, including addiction and recovery, can foster stronger empathy, better listening skills, and more effective patient care.Episode Timestamps3:32 – Resilient Hope Amid Adversity9:32 – Addiction's Story: A Broader Insight10:54 – Opioid Dependency Misunderstanding17:12 – Compassion in Addiction Treatment21:07 – Forgiveness and Reintegration in Healthcare23:39 – Challenges Reveal True Character27:13 – Recovery: Holistic Approaches Versus Cure29:38 – Expressing Myself Through Recovery33:20 – Challenges of Reintegration for Felons37:01 – Healthcare Workers' Untreated Disorders Insight39:10 – Diaphragm Cramp Research Breakthrough42:33 – Rediscovering Purpose in Medicine45:00 – Secrets, Addiction, and Consequences48:44 – Finding Hope After DisgraceDISCLAMER >>>>>> The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions. >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests. Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University.
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    50 mins
  • The Present and Future State of Medicine with Dr. Erwin Loh

    The Present and Future State of Medicine with Dr. Erwin Loh
    May 28 2025
    Welcome back to another eye-opening episode of Ditch the Lab Coat with Dr. Mark Bonta! While we usually dig into the science behind medicine’s biggest questions, on this episode, Dr. Mark is joined by the extraordinary Dr. Erwin Loh — a powerhouse at the intersection of medicine, law, healthcare leadership, and medical futurology. Dr. Loh is not only the President of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and National Director of Medical Services for Calvary Healthcare in Australia, but he’s also a trusted voice on LinkedIn, where he untangles medical breakthroughs and ethical dilemmas for his global audience on the daily (sometimes 5 to 10 times a day!)—all while juggling life as an executive and dad.Together, Mark and Erwin tackle some of the most pressing—and headline-worthy—topics in medicine today. They dig into Long Covid: what it is, why it’s not just "all in your head," and why the recognition of this condition is also reshaping how we think about elusive illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. If you’ve wondered what’s really happening with the mysterious gut microbiome, the resurgence of old viruses, or the risks of misinformation in today’s media chaos, you’ll find answers grounded in the latest evidence, not just the loudest opinions.But that’s not all—they venture into the weird and wild wonders of scientific progress, from the looming issue of plastics in our cells to CRISPR gene editing and the promises (and perils) of AI in healthcare. Along the way, you’ll hear why microplastics might be the “asbestos of our age,” how mixing vaccines can make you a lightning rod for online trolls, and why being cautiously optimistic about humanity’s next steps—despite climate change, pandemics, and deepfake bioweapons—is not just reasonable, it’s necessary.Whether you’re a science junkie, a future-watcher, or simply want a hopeful, no-nonsense take on where medicine is headed (and how it affects your life), this episode delivers smart, ethical, and accessible conversation. Pour yourself something strong, turn your curiosity up to eleven, and get ready for a tour de force of myth-busting, insight, and inspiring optimism from two voices at the cutting edge of healthcare.Tune in for the kind of honest, evidence-based, and thought-provoking discussion you won’t find anywhere else—right here on Ditch the Lab Coat!Dr Loh's Links( https://www.linkedin.com/in/erwinloh/ )( https://x.com/erwinloh )Episode HighlightsLong Covid: Real and Varied Long Covid is a legitimate, multifaceted syndrome. Most cases improve within two years, but symptoms and underlying mechanisms differ widely.Post-Viral Syndromes Aren’t New Long-term illness after viral infections, like after influenza or Epstein Barr, has long existed—Covid just spotlighted this issue.Chronic Illness Recognition Grows Long Covid research is giving more credibility to conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia within the medical community.Silent Illnesses Challenge Healthcare Illnesses without definitive biomarkers, such as Long Covid, are harder to diagnose and treat, often leading to patient stigma.Microbiome’s Expanding Influence Our gut, skin, and oral microbiomes profoundly affect physical and mental health, though much remains to be discovered about exactly how.Viruses and Chronic Disease Links Viruses may contribute to diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancers, and possibly Alzheimer’s, highlighting new frontiers in research.Gene Editing: Transformative Power CRISPR technology lets us precisely edit human genes, promising cures for some diseases but raising major ethical and safety concerns.AI: Double-Edged Healthcare Tool AI accelerates medical discovery and innovation but can also enable harmful outcomes, including creation of bioweapons or misinformation.Plastics: Ubiquitous Unknown Threat Microplastics are everywhere, even in our cells. The true health risks are not fully understood but raise serious environmental and biological questions.Episode Timestamps4:22 – Long Covid: Global Challenge and Uncertainty9:31 – Recognizing Long Covid's Impact10:47 – Exploring Long Covid Treatments16:39 – Unknown Frontiers in Science18:22 – Understanding Microbiome and Disease Dynamics21:04 – COVID Vaccination Journey and Hybrid Immunity24:42 – LinkedIn: Fewer Trolls, Richer Conversations29:04 – Gene Therapy via Phage Infections31:58 – Genetic Correction: Hope and Ethics36:54 – AI and Humanity's Existential Challenges41:14 – Future of Microplastics and Society44:24 – AI, Cognition, and Future Governance46:28 – "Medical Futurology with Irwin Lowe48:31 – "AI in Medicine: Trust MattersDISCLAMER >>>>>> The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and ...
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    49 mins

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