Podcast Summary
Exploring Accessible and Personalized Significant Purchases: The Capital One Venture X Card offers 2X miles on every purchase and premium travel benefits, while tools like Kelly Blue Book My Wallet help make car buying more manageable. Don't forget to explore new discoveries through podcasts and personal stories.
There are various ways to make significant purchases, like getting a dream car or planning a trip, more accessible and personalized. The Capital One Venture X Card offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and premium travel benefits, while Kelly Blue Book My Wallet on AutoTrader helps crunch numbers for car buyers. Meanwhile, the Stuff You Should Know podcast shares intriguing stories, such as the Fugate family of Kentucky, who have a rare condition causing blue skin. Despite the fast-paced year of 2021, it's essential to take time to explore new discoveries and learn from various sources.
The Blue-Skinned Fugate Family's Isolation and Inbreeding: A rare genetic mutation led to a family's striking blue skin, isolation, and further inbreeding due to societal stigma.
The unusual story of Martin Fugate and his blue-skinned family is a result of a rare genetic mutation and unintended inbreeding. Fugate, an orphan from France, married Elizabeth Smith from the United States, who also carried the same mutation. Their children displayed striking blue skin due to the combination of their unique genetic traits. The couple's isolation in rural Kentucky during the 1800s led to further inbreeding, resulting in a small regional population of blue families. The condition they had, Methemoglobinemia, is a blood disorder, not a skin condition. Despite their embarrassment and isolation, the stigma of their blue skin led to further inbreeding as they sought companionship among those who shared their unusual trait.
Misconceptions about Skin Color and Blood: Misconceptions include believing skin color changes are due to melanin alone, that blood is blue before turning red, and that Michael Jackson had Vitiligo confirmed. Melanin disorders like Vitiligo cause patches of light skin, but blood is naturally red due to hemoglobin's iron atom.
Changes in skin color are often due to a lack or overproduction of melanin, while Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder that has no relation to skin color. The misconception that blood is blue before it turns red is also debunked, as blood is naturally red due to the presence of hemoglobin and its iron atom. The discussion touched upon melanin disorders such as Vitiligo, which results in patches of light skin due to the malfunctioning of melanin-producing cells. Despite the common belief, Michael Jackson's claims of having Vitiligo were not verified. The conversation also revealed some childhood misconceptions and even threats of lawsuits, adding a light-hearted touch to the episode.
Meeting Methemoglobin in the Blood Doesn't Necessarily Mean Low Oxygen Levels: Individuals with methemoglobin in their blood, causing it to turn blue, don't always have health issues as the body can still transport enough oxygen for normal function.
While having metema globins in the blood, which are similar to hemoglobin but with rusted or oxidized iron, can cause the blood to turn blue, it doesn't necessarily mean that the person is suffering from low oxygen levels. The threshold for the percentage of metema globins in the blood to turn it blue is quite low, around 1%, and individuals with this condition, such as Matiba Globe and Nemia, have been confirmed to have no health issues. The body can still transport enough oxygen to function properly despite the presence of metema globins. Squarespace's Fluid Engine, on the other hand, offers a next-generation website design system that makes it easier for anyone to create and customize websites with flexibility and unbreakable creativity. The platform offers best-in-class templates, drag-and-drop technology, and asset library management for selling merchandise and organizing content.
The Role of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Cytochrome B5 Reductase in Preventing Metema Globinemia: A deficiency in the enzyme reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome B5 reductase can lead to the buildup of metema globins in the blood, causing a rare condition called metema globinemia. This condition can be treated with a pill.
Our bodies naturally produce a substance called metema globins, but we also have an enzyme called reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome B5 reductase that converts excess metema globins into hemoglobin. This enzyme is crucial for preventing the buildup of metema globins in the blood, which can lead to a rare genetic condition called metema globinemia, characterized by the skin turning blue when the percentage of metema globins exceeds 1%. If someone has this condition and their body produces insufficient reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome B5 reductase, metema globins can accumulate and cause symptoms. Fortunately, this condition can be easily treated with a pill. Meanwhile, on a different note, Dell Technologies is celebrating its 40th anniversary with special savings on their latest tech products. These include next-gen PCs like the XPS 13 plus and select monitors, mice, and other electronics and accessories, all available with free shipping and state-of-the-art technology. Lastly, an intriguing story surrounds the discovery of the treatment for metema globinemia. The researcher responsible, Madison Koween, had an unusual background. He was the grandson of a famous Kentucky poet and, tragically, his wife was murdered in the 1960s, leaving the case as one of Kentucky's biggest cold cases. Despite these challenges, Koween made a significant breakthrough in understanding and treating metema globinemia.
A hematologist's mission to solve a mysterious skin condition: A dedicated doctor's relentless pursuit led to the discovery and treatment of a rare genetic disorder, using a common substance.
Dr. Cowan, a hematologist at the University of Kentucky, became obsessed with finding the cause of a mysterious condition that turned people's skin blue. He went to great lengths to meet and help those affected, eventually discovering it was a genetic disorder. Dr. Cowan used methylene blue, a widely used substance, to help convert the excess methemoglobin into hemoglobin and treat those suffering from the condition. Despite initial suspicions, Dr. Cowan was not a suspect in any related deaths. The case serves as a reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to understand and help those affected by rare conditions.
Discovering a cure for methemoglobinemia brings joy and new identity for some: Science can bring cures and new identities, but some disorders like Argyria can also cause unusual skin colors through excessive intake of certain substances.
The discovery of a cure for a rare genetic condition that caused people to turn blue led to a significant change in the lives of the affected family. The cure, which involved daily intake of a methylene blue pill, brought joy and a new sense of pride for some members of the family who chose to continue identifying as blue as a part of their heritage. However, the condition, known as methemoglobinemia, is not the only one causing unusual skin color. Argyria, another disorder, turns people blue or silver due to excessive intake of silver. A famous case of Argyria is Paul Karason, who gained internet notoriety as "Papa Smurf" due to his blue skin and mucus membranes, caused by his self-experimentation with colloidal silver. These discoveries highlight the complex relationship between science, identity, and personal choice.
The Dangers of Excessive Silver Intake: Argyria: Excessive silver intake can lead to argyria, a condition causing skin to turn blue or silver, which is irreversible and has been documented in silver mine workers and photographers. Avoid consuming colloidal silver as a remedy or supplement to prevent this condition.
Excessive intake of silver, whether through consumption or occupational exposure, can lead to a condition called argyria, which causes the skin to turn blue or silver. This is due to an excess of silver ions in the body that cannot be excreted, leading to the formation of dark deposits on the skin. This condition is irreversible and has been documented in people who have worked in silver mines or used silver extensively for photography processing. Consuming colloidal silver as a home remedy or supplement is not supported by peer-reviewed evidence and can lead to this condition if the body's ability to excrete silver is exceeded. Historical cases of argyria serve as cautionary tales against the overuse of silver.
Overuse of Colloidal Silver Could Lead to Silver-Resistant Microbes: Colloidal silver may not harm individuals directly, but excessive use could lead to the development of silver-resistant bacteria, impacting everyone's health. In contrast, Zigazoo provides a safe social media platform for kids, LinkedIn Jobs connects small businesses with professionals, and Dash Pass saves consumers money on delivery fees.
While colloidal silver may not directly harm individuals who consume it, the overuse of this antibiotic alternative could lead to the development of silver-resistant microbes, which is detrimental to everyone. This issue is particularly concerning when it comes to fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA. Meanwhile, in the digital world, Zigazoo offers a safe social media experience for kids, allowing them to interact, create content, and explore trends without the risk of negative comments or text messaging. For small businesses, LinkedIn Jobs can help find the right professionals for their team quickly and efficiently, with a vast network of over one billion professionals. Lastly, Dash Pass offers a cost-effective solution for consumers looking to save on delivery fees and get their orders delivered faster.
Ancient Remedy Colloidal Silver vs Modern Subscription Service Dash Pass: Colloidal silver, an ancient remedy, has antimicrobial properties but lacks scientific evidence and can cause blue discoloration. Dash Pass is a DoorDash subscription service that offers savings on delivery fees.
Colloidal silver, an ancient remedy used before the discovery of mainstream antibiotics, has antimicrobial properties. It was used externally and internally for various purposes, including wound healing and preventing eye infections. However, due to inconsistencies in its potency when diluted, the FDA stopped allowing it to be advertised as a medicine and reclassified it as a supplement in 1999. Despite its lack of peer-reviewed scientific evidence, some people, like Gwyneth Paltrow, continue to use it as a supplement. It's important to note that there is no proven scientific evidence that colloidal silver is effective, and it can potentially cause irreversible blue discoloration. Dash Pass, on the other hand, is a subscription service offered by DoorDash that saves users money on delivery fees and service fees from various stores and restaurants. By signing up and using the code STUFF24, new users can get 50% off up to a $10 value on their first order.
The Adaptability of Skin Color: Skin color can change over long periods due to environmental factors and our bodies adapt to produce or slow down melanin accordingly, impacting racial identity and health.
Race is a social construct and our skin color can change over long periods due to environmental factors such as UV exposure and geographical location. This was discussed in relation to a study about repigmentation, which refers to the darkening or lightening of skin, regardless of intermarriage. The study found that this process can occur within as little as 100 generations, or 2,000 years. This is because our bodies adapt to their environment and produce or slow down melanin production accordingly. It's a reminder that our perception of race is not based on biology but rather on social constructs. The discussion also touched upon the health effects of UV exposure and the importance of vitamin D production for bone health. Overall, it's a fascinating insight into the adaptability of the human body and the fluidity of racial identity throughout history.
The power of sharing knowledge: Listening to informative podcasts can change perspectives, provide comfort, and inspire curiosity, leading to a better understanding of the world and oneself.
The power of sharing knowledge and information, as exemplified by the hosts of Stuff You Should Know, can change people's perspectives and even bring comfort and inspiration during challenging times. Mark, a listener, shared his experience of being moved to tears by an episode on the Mr. Na vaccine, despite initially having doubts and feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 situation. He acknowledged the hosts' ability to present complex topics with childlike curiosity and relatability, and expressed gratitude for their role as helpers in sharing valuable information. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of letting go of biases and allowing curiosity to guide us, ultimately leading to a better understanding of the world and ourselves.
