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Chemistry For Your Life

By: Melissa and Jam Bleav
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  • Summary

  • A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating. If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
    © For Your Life 2023, All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Ask a Chemist: Why do chemicals smell "chemically?" (And other questions)

    Ask a Chemist: Why do chemicals smell "chemically?" (And other questions)
    Jun 27 2024

    Question and Response 57

    In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life,' hosts Melissa Collini and Jam Robinson answer listener-submitted questions about various chemistry topics. They discuss the distinction between 'chemical' and 'natural' smells, plant poisons, and the mechanisms behind face scrubs and soaps. The episode also features insights from a listener working in the beauty industry and addresses the challenges of avoiding fast food in the context of food deserts. Additionally, the hosts express gratitude for their supportive listeners and patrons.

    00:00 Introduction and Greetings
    00:58 Listener Questions: Chemical Smells
    06:02 Insights from the Beauty Industry
    08:33 Plant Poisons and Refrigerants
    12:01 Face Scrubs and Soap Science
    14:33 Fast Food and Food Deserts
    19:46 Listener Shoutouts and Reviews
    22:31 Conclusion and Thank Yous

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Jessie Reder
    • Ciara Linville
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette Napoleon
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica Bee
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah Moar
    • Rachel Reina
    • Letila
    • Katrina Barnum-Huckins
    • Suzanne Phillips
    • Venus Rebholz
    • Lyn Stubblefield
    • Jacob Taber
    • Brian Kimball
    • Emerson Woodhall
    • Kristina Gotfredsen
    • Timothy Parker
    • Steven Boyles
    • Chris Skupien
    • Chelsea B
    • Bri McAllister
    • Avishai Barnoy
    • Hunter Reardon
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
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    25 mins
  • How does Vitamin C keep our bodies from turning into mush?

    How does Vitamin C keep our bodies from turning into mush?
    Jun 20 2024

    #189

    In this episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the crucial role of Vitamin C in the body, focusing on its importance for collagen production. They discuss how collagen, a key structural protein found in tendons, cartilage, bones, teeth, skin, and blood vessels, relies on Vitamin C to form strong, functional structures. The conversation explores the process of how Vitamin C enables enzymes to add essential alcohol groups to collagen strands, allowing them to twist into strong triple helices, which then form a robust matrix in the body. The hosts also touch upon the connection between Vitamin C deficiency and scurvy, and tease further exploration of Vitamin C's role in the immune system and as a preservative in future episodes. The episode is dedicated to new community member Jesse, and acknowledges listener Nicole B. for inspiring the topic.

    00:00 Introduction to Vitamin C Myths
    00:13 Exploring Vitamin C in Skincare and Food Preservation
    00:32 Vitamin C and Pets: A Curious Case
    00:45 Diving into Scurvy and Vitamin C
    01:28 Podcast Introduction and Dedication
    01:38 Special Announcements and Episode Structure
    06:02 The Chemistry of Collagen
    10:27 Understanding Collagen Structure
    13:30 The Role of Intermolecular Forces
    18:02 Connecting Vitamin C to Collagen Formation
    19:57 The Role of Hydroxylase in Collagen Formation
    20:42 Vitamin C: The Essential Co-Factor
    23:10 The Consequences of Vitamin C Deficiency
    23:31 Debating Collagen Supplements
    32:50 The Historical Struggle with Scurvy
    37:53 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

    References from this episode:

    1. Biochemistry, 4th edition Garrett & Grisham
    2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18505499/
    3. https://youtu.be/3e2JYMNS_W4?t=477s
    4. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/ob/c9ob01646e
    5. https://thispodcastwillkillyou.com/2019/02/05/episode-19-scurvy-thanks-a-lot-evolution/

    We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Jessie Reder
    • Ciara Linville
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette Napoleon
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica Bee
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah Moar
    • Rachel Reina
    • Letila
    • Katrina Barnum-Huckins
    • Suzanne Phillips
    • Venus Rebholz
    • Lyn Stubblefield
    • Jacob Taber
    • Brian Kimball
    • Emerson Woodhall
    • Kristina Gotfredsen
    • Timothy Parker
    • Steven Boyles
    • Chris Skupien
    • Chelsea B
    • Bri McAllister
    • Avishai Barnoy
    • Hunter Reardon
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
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    41 mins
  • Do anti-aging products work?

    Do anti-aging products work?
    Jun 13 2024
    #099 Rebroadcast In this special re-release episode, Melissa and Jam dive deep into the world of Vitamin A (retinol) and its role in anti-aging skincare. They revisit a popular episode that explores whether anti-aging products genuinely work. The hosts break down the scientific functions of the skin, the impact of UV radiation, and the importance of sunscreen. They also discuss how retinoids (vitamin A) can help repair and maintain the skin's structure, backed by peer-reviewed studies. This episode is a blend of chemistry, practical skincare tips, and personal anecdotes. 00:00 Introduction to Vitamin A and Anti-Aging 00:10 Revisiting the Anti-Aging Episode 00:36 Personal Reflections on Skincare 02:06 Acknowledging Influences and Inspirations 04:57 Understanding Skin and Aging 07:55 The Role of Fibroblasts and Proteins 10:55 Impact of UV Rays on Skin Aging 14:10 Importance of Sunscreen 15:56 Retinoids: The Gold Standard in Anti-Aging 19:50 Retinoid Study Results 20:31 Retinoids: The Antidote to Sun Damage 21:34 The Importance of Sunscreen 23:45 Understanding Skin Structure 26:08 How Retinoids Work 29:44 Fun Facts and Warnings About Retinoids 34:02 Personal Stories and Reflections 38:33 Conclusion and Listener Engagement References from this episode https://www.jidonline.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0022-202X%2815%2940798-5https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)40798-5/fulltexthttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/#:~:text=Retinoids%20are%20also%20commonly%20known,and%20promotes%20angiogenesis%20%5B13%5Dhttps://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/v/vitamin-a.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/#:~:text=Firstly%2C%20retinol%20is%20converted%20to,to%20the%20retinoic%20acid%20receptors.&text=Retinol%20concentration%20in%20the%20cosmetic,the%20oxidized%20form%20of%20retinolhttps://youtu.be/grxmyM7EuDkhttps://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.0c02102https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3790843/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583892/#R60https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i10/Periodic-graphics-anti-aging-creams.htmlhttps://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/reactions/videos/2017/are-anti-aging-creams-legit.html Thanks to our monthly supporters Jessie RederCiara LinvilleJ0HNTR0YJeannette NapoleonCullyn RErica BeeElizabeth PSarah MoarRachel ReinaLetilaKatrina Barnum-HuckinsSuzanne PhillipsVenus RebholzLyn StubblefieldJacob TaberBrian KimballEmerson WoodhallKristina GotfredsenTimothy ParkerSteven BoylesChris SkupienChelsea BBri McAllisterAvishai BarnoyHunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
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    40 mins
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Profile Image for matthew

Great at explaining

I'm dumb and even I can understand this.
I recently started a journey of learning. I have no experience of chemistry at all and I'm slowly picking up the jargon and lingo in a bite size easy to understand way. This lady is amazing at what she does on this pod cast. I'd like to give her and her little team a big thank you.

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