Latest news with #DrZacTurner
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Huge blood test myth has finally been busted
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores whether or not blood tests are back for you. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I saw a doctor on Instagram saying that getting blood tests can make you more sick, because the more blood you have drawn, it's taking away your immune system? Is that true or just social media pseudoscience? – Amanda, 27, Gold Coast ANSWER: If I had a dollar for every time an 'Instagram doctor' spread weird health advice, I'd be rich enough to launch my own line of overpriced supplements and film it shirtless in a rainforest. Let's get straight to it: The claim that drawing blood somehow removes your immune system is complete nonsense. According to this so-called 'Medical Medium' (who, by the way, says his info comes from a spirit – yes, really), taking blood for tests will make you sicker because it weakens your immune system. That's not just wrong, it's dangerously misleading. Here's why you shouldn't panic if your GP orders a blood test – and why listening to ghost-guided wellness influencers could do more harm than a few millilitres of blood ever could. Blood tests don't drain your immune system – just your TikTok feed. Let's bust the myth first: Your immune system doesn't live in your blood like it's floating around in a tiny lifeboat. Yes, some immune cells are in your bloodstream, but they're constantly being produced by your bone marrow and lymphatic system. Drawing a small amount of blood doesn't cripple your defences, it gives your doctor valuable clues to help strengthen them. Standard blood tests typically take about 5–10ml of blood. That's around two teaspoons. The average adult has five litres of blood. You've probably lost more than squeezing a pimple or stubbing your toe in the dark. Even if you get extensive testing done, say 50ml worth, it's still less than 2 per cent of your total blood volume. Your body replenishes that quickly, usually within 24–48 hours. Unless you're a lizard person (or actively haemorrhaging), you'll be just fine. But what about people who feel worse after blood tests? This is where things get a bit nuanced. Some people do feel faint, dizzy or tired after having blood drawn. But that's more to do with how the blood was taken (and whether you had breakfast) than the blood itself. Feeling queasy is often linked to: Vasovagal response (a fancy way of saying your body freaks out at needles), Low blood sugar, or anxiety. These are temporary reactions, not signs your immune system is crumbling. Where did this bizarre idea come from? The quote in question comes from Anthony William, aka the 'Medical Medium'. He claims to hear health advice from a spirit (who apparently skipped immunology class). He's not a licensed doctor, has no formal medical training, and has previously claimed celery juice can cure everything from anxiety to shingles. He's also built a multimillion-dollar wellness empire promoting unproven health advice, often to people who are desperate and vulnerable. That, in my opinion, is the real sickness. Sure, he throws in the odd disclaimer like 'work with your doctor,' but that's like a car salesman saying 'test the brakes' while handing you a steering wheel held on with duct tape. Here's what you actually should do around blood tests If you're sick or dealing with chronic illness, your doctor might want to order blood work to understand what's going on. That's a good thing. The faster you get the right diagnosis, the faster you can get the right treatment. Some basic tips for a smooth blood test experience: • Drink plenty of water beforehand (it makes veins easier to find) • Don't skip meals unless told to fast • If you get dizzy, let the phlebotomist know, they can take extra care • Rest afterwards if needed, and have a snack That's it. No sage burning or spirit communication required. The only thing scary about blood tests is the fact that some influencers think they're dangerous. Removing 5ml of blood won't wreck your immune system – but believing Instagram pseudoscience just might. Blood tests are safe, essential, and can literally save your life. And if someone tells you otherwise while claiming to get their health info from ghosts, maybe it's time to unfollow. You've got this. Dr Zac Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Can you really choose the gender of your baby?
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores whether you can choose your baby's gender. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I'm a proud mum to four beautiful boys, but I've always dreamed of having a little girl. I've heard there's new research and even special events around choosing the sex of your baby – but how much of that is actually true? I came across an article recently about gender-selective pregnancies overseas, which honestly sounded a bit scary. Is there any real science behind gender selection, or is it just another gimmick targeting hopeful mums like me? – Courtney 39, Gold Coast ANSWER: Hi Courtney, It's a great question – and a big one. Gender selection sits right at the intersection of science, ethics and deeply personal family decisions. And yes, you're absolutely right to feel like this is popping up more in conversations and even at so-called 'information nights'. Let's start with the science. The only proven way to choose the sex of your baby is through Preimplantation Genetic Testing, which happens as part of IVF (in vitro fertilisation). This involves creating embryos in a lab, then testing a few cells from each one to screen for genetic conditions – and in the process, revealing the embryo's sex chromosomes (XX for girls, XY for boys). Some overseas clinics – particularly in the United States – allow patients to use this information purely to select the sex of their baby. But here in Australia, that's not allowed unless there's a serious medical reason, such as avoiding sex-linked genetic diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Even then, it has to go through a strict ethics approval process. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines are clear: non-medical gender selection isn't permitted. So if someone is advertising ways to choose your baby's sex outside of IVF or for non-health-related reasons, they're either pushing questionable science – or bending the rules. You mentioned seeing events in your city. That wouldn't surprise me. There's been a quiet rise in 'fertility tourism,' where some Australian families go overseas to access services that aren't available here. A 2022 report on the ABC Health Report detailed this trend, and it raised some big questions around access, ethics, and the role of privilege in fertility choices. At the same time, there's a growing number of 'natural' gender selection methods being promoted: sperm sorting, timing intercourse based on ovulation, and eating certain diets to influence pH levels. I hate to break it to you, but the science just isn't there. A 2020 review published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online found no solid evidence that these techniques reliably influence a baby's sex. In reality, most of these methods are just dressed-up wishful thinking. Now, zooming out a bit – your mention of India is important. The country has long struggled with gender-selective termination due to cultural preferences for sons. Since 1994, it's been illegal for doctors there to reveal the sex of a baby during pregnancy scans, precisely to prevent this kind of discrimination. But enforcement is patchy, and in some regions, the gender imbalance remains stark. It's a confronting example of how access to sex selection, when paired with societal bias, can create deep long-term issues. That's why we tread so carefully here in Australia. A 2017 study in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that the vast majority of Australians are opposed to gender selection for non-medical reasons. People are rightly concerned that allowing it could open the door to reinforcing gender stereotypes – or worse, shifting social norms around what makes a 'preferred' child. That said, I want to acknowledge how deeply human this desire can be. I've had many patients – often those with two or more children of the same sex – ask, gently and sometimes sheepishly, if there's anything they can do to 'try for a girl' or 'finally get their boy'. These aren't people with bad intentions. They're just parents dreaming of a particular shape for their family. And while that's totally understandable, it's important to approach it with facts, not false hope. So, is gender selection real? Yes, in specific, medically justified IVF contexts. But if someone's offering shortcuts – no IVF, no ethics review, just a supplement or a schedule – it's likely not backed by real science. When in doubt, speak with a licensed fertility specialist. They'll walk you through what's legal, what's ethical, and what's just clever marketing. Sometimes the most powerful thing medicine can do is help us understand what can't be controlled – and make peace with it. Dr Zac. Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Huge coffee mistake you're making everyday
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner deep dives into the best – and worse – time to drink that cup of coffee. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I love coffee but I also know it can be a great stimulant to help me get through the day. Is there a science behind what time of the day I can have a coffee when it is most beneficial to give me that extra bit of zing in my step, whether it's getting my work done, or going to the gym, or even staying awake at night during a movie? I'm keen for any information you can give me. – Joel, 33, Gawler SA ANSWER: Hi Joel, Let me start with the hard truth: most people are drinking coffee at the absolute worst time of the day — and it's sabotaging their energy without them even realising it. Yes, I'm talking about that beloved first thing in the morning coffee. The sacred moment when bleary-eyed Australians stumble toward the kitchen like zombies hunting for espresso. But here's the kicker — that cup might actually be setting you up for a massive crash before morning tea. You're drinking coffee too early — and here's why that's a problem You see, your body already has its own built-in coffee machine. It's called cortisol. Every morning, about 30–60 minutes before you wake up, your body starts pumping this natural energy hormone. By the time you've had a stretch and checked your phone, cortisol is peaking — meaning you're already wired (or should be). Now here's where it gets messy: if you down a coffee during that cortisol surge, you're stacking caffeine on top of your body's natural stimulation. That might sound like a great energy hack, but in reality, it can cause jitteriness, anxiety, and over time … tolerance. That means your daily double shot is doing less and less for your focus and mood. And let's not even talk about the stomach dramas. Oh, and that midmorning slump? The one that hits like a bus around 10am? Blame early caffeine. When you drink coffee right after waking, there's hardly any fatigue for it to block — so when the caffeine wears off, you fall off a chemical cliff. The smarter time to sip The golden window for your first coffee is 60 to 90 minutes after waking. Why? • Cortisol has peaked and is gently declining, so caffeine won't tip you over the edge. • Adenosine (your body's 'tiredness' signal) has started to build — and caffeine can finally do its real job of blocking it. Drink it then, and you'll feel more alert, avoid the crash, and ride the caffeine wave like a pro. But what if you hit the gym early? Now, Joel — if you're one of those rare people who enjoy exercising at sunrise (can't relate, personally), you can bend the rules. Caffeine before training can boost endurance, motivation and power output — as long as you slept well. Just go easy on the dose. Even half a cup can do the trick. No sleep? Be warned — early caffeine can block leftover adenosine too soon, setting you up for a post-gym nosedive. Sometimes, training without caffeine helps reset your body's sensitivity and prevents dependency. One more thing … stop sipping after 2pm Caffeine has a half-life of about six hours — so that innocent 3pm flat white could still be messing with your sleep at 9pm. If you're wondering why you're wired at bedtime after one afternoon cup, now you know. Final word Your coffee isn't the enemy — your timing is. Get it wrong and you'll feel anxious, dependent, and crashy. Get it right, and your cup becomes a performance-enhancing, focus-boosting, feel-good tool. So next time you roll out of bed and reach for the espresso machine — pause. Let your body wake up naturally first. Then let that coffee work with your biology, not against it. Trust me, Joel — your 10am self will thank you. Yours in better buzzes, Dr Zac Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventive health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Here's what you're really inhaling in vapes
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores the truth about vaping. QUESTION: Hey Dr Zac, I've heard that some of the vapes coming into Sydney now have synthetic fentanyl added to make them more addictive. These are the ones from China and they're illegal. Is this just BS made up by the government to force us to buy vapes from the doctor — or is there any truth to it? – Rory, 23, Nowra, NSW ANSWER: Hi Rory, This might sound like a wild rumour you'd expect from the depths of Reddit — but brace yourself, because the truth is even more disturbing. Yes, illicit vapes being smuggled into Australia have been found laced with synthetic opioids, including protodesnitazene, a lab-made chemical that's up to 100 times stronger than morphine. These aren't just whispers — this was confirmed in both Australia and the UK in 2025. One puff of a contaminated vape? It could be your last. We're not talking metaphor here. We're talking respiratory arrest in minutes. You wouldn't accept a mystery pill from a stranger, but vapes from dodgy imports? Same danger, prettier packaging. Let's break down what you're actually inhaling You were built for clarity, stamina, freedom — not breathing a chemical cocktail. Every puff of a vape is like pouring gravel into the engine of your body — your lungs, your heart, your brain. Here's what's commonly hiding inside: • Nicotine – often more concentrated than cigarettes, and it hits your brain within seconds • Flavouring agents – including diacetyl, which causes 'popcorn lung' (a permanent lung disease) • Solvents – which turn into formaldehyde and acrolein when heated • Heavy metals – from the heating coil: lead, tin, nickel • And now: synthetic opioids – which can kill you before you even realise something's wrong. These chemicals aren't listed. These devices aren't tested like medication. You're breathing blindfolded. Why vaping is far more dangerous than you think The design of modern vape devices is one part science, one part sinister. They're engineered for maximum addiction speed — delivering a powerful nicotine hit faster than cigarettes. The younger you are, the worse the effect: vaping rewires your brain's reward system and primes you for lifelong substance addiction. Even without synthetic opioids, vaping can: • Reduce your oxygen capacity by 15–20 per cent in just one to two years • Cause irreversible lung damage • Shrink your VOâ‚‚ max — the oxygen your body uses during exercise • Leave you breathless walking up stairs at 25 Some young Aussies are presenting to clinics with the lungs of a 65-year-old smoker — after only a few years of vaping. That's not shock value. That's medical fact. And it's not just your lungs Vaping doesn't stop at damaging your lungs. It quietly targets your entire body: • Heart: raises blood pressure, hardens arteries, increases heart failure risk by 19 per cent • Brain: reshapes dopamine pathways, heightens risk of future drug use • DNA: causes cell mutations, accelerates ageing, and suppresses immunity The chemical mix also weakens your lungs' defences, making you more prone to pneumonia, bronchitis, and even severe Covid complications. You might feel fine now — but like asbestos and leaded petrol, vaping's true toll hits years after it's too late to undo the damage. So Rory … government scare campaign? Here's the honest truth: Governments aren't always perfect messengers — but illegal vapes are a proven threat. Not just because they're unregulated, but because of what's now being found in them. This isn't a PSA to push you into a clinic. It's a medical warning: You don't have to die from vaping to lose everything. You just have to keep doing it. So if you vape, now is the time to stop. If you haven't started, don't. And if someone offers you a colourful, fruit-scented stick from an unlabelled box? Politely say, 'I'm not ready to die for mango ice.' Breathe easy, Dr Zac. Got a question? Email askdrzac@ Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
News.com.au
15-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Why some spices could be doing more harm than good to your health
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores the truth about some common ingredients. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I've been taking blood pressure medication for years without any issues – but I recently read that common spices I love and frequently use like ginger and black pepper can interfere with all types of medications. Now I'm starting to wonder: have my daily meals been affecting my meds this whole time? Or am I now just being paranoid to think my spice rack is doing more harm than good? – Warwick, 48, Canberra ANSWER: Dear Warwick, I've got some spicy news for you – you're not being paranoid. You may have been cooking up a storm, but some of your pantry favourites might have been quietly stirring up trouble in your bloodstream. This is one of those alarming but fascinating medical blind spots that very few people talk about. While your spice rack might look innocent, the truth is that many everyday spices pack serious pharmacological punch. That's right – your humble curry powder could be moonlighting as a biochemist, tweaking your enzyme levels while you're just trying to enjoy dinner. Let's break this down. Black pepper: The enzyme hijacker You know that satisfying little crack of the pepper mill? Behind that spicy pop is piperine, a compound that slows down enzymes responsible for breaking down medications. If you're on medications like propranolol or phenytoin, this could result in dangerously high drug levels in your system. While small amounts are usually safe, regularly consuming 2–4 tablespoons (yes, tablespoons!) of black pepper or popping high-dose pepper supplements can mess with your meds in a big way. Garlic: Blood pressure's double agent Garlic is known for helping lower blood pressure – but for people already on blood pressure meds, this can become a double whammy. Too much garlic can cause your BP to drop too low, leaving you dizzy, faint, or worse. It also acts as a blood thinner, making it a risky companion to Warfarin or Aspirin. Ginger, turmeric and friends: The bleeders Ginger and turmeric are the golden children of wellness influencers, but they too carry hidden dangers. Turmeric's curcumin and ginger's gingerols can thin your blood, interfere with how drugs are absorbed, and even raise levels of immune suppressants like tacrolimus. If you're on blood thinners, these spices could unintentionally supercharge your medication's effects – and not in a good way. Cinnamon, cloves and licorice: The silent saboteurs Cassia cinnamon, the kind most commonly found in your local supermarket, contains coumarin, which can damage the liver in large amounts. Cloves contain eugenol, which can also affect the liver and interfere with blood clotting. Licorice? That sweet little herbal tea ingredient can raise your blood pressure and cause fluid retention – definitely not ideal when you're on antihypertensives. So, should we all be terrified of tacos now? Absolutely not. Culinary doses – what you'd normally sprinkle into a stir-fry or curry – are almost always safe. It's when people start adding supplements, drinking litres of turmeric lattes, or chewing raw garlic like it's gum, that we start to see real medical consequences. Your best defence? Have a chat with your GP or pharmacist if you're on long-term medication. Ask whether any of your go-to herbs and spices might be interfering. And please, don't panic and toss your spice rack into the bin – just use your herbs with knowledge and care. Because while spices can heal, boost, and flavour our lives, taken the wrong way they can also sabotage our health quietly, slowly … and without us realising. So Warwick, your instincts were bang on. Your spice rack could be messing with your med -but now that you know, you can eat wisely and season with sense. Stay healthy (and mildly seasoned) – Dr Zac Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
