What does the omentum do?
Without using ChatGPT or Google, do you know where the omentum is in your body?
On a recent episode of Causes or Cures, I chatted with ovarian cancer survivor Meg Wilkinson about the omentum, her cancer journey, and her advocacy group, The Omentum Project. As part of her cancer treatment, Meg had her omentum removed. Though little is known about this mysterious apron of “fat”, Meg decided to explore further after she and other cancer survivors living without omentums developed debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms.
On the podcast, Meg shares what she has learned about the omentum, including why it is known as the “abdomen’s policeman”, ongoing research on its many, fascinating functions, and the birth of The Omentum Project, a citizen scientist/volunteer effort to help those living without an omentum improve their quality of life. Meg also describes The Omentum Project’s research study, Eat Popcorn for Science, for which they are currently recruiting.
I didn’t know the answer to the question, “What does the Omentum do?” prior to this podcast- now, I have a better idea. I don’t remember learning much about it in medical school, then again, because I did a “program for integrated learning” ( a different type of curriculum than traditional lectures), my anatomy class was only 6 weeks long! That said, I don’t think many practicing doctors know as much about the omentum as Meg has learned…so hopefully this podcast will be interesting and educational for many.
Please tune in to the episode HERE!
And please, please, triple please…if you can leave a review of the podcast on Itunes (for Apple Podcast listeners) or on Spotify or wherever it is that you listen, that would be so helpful. Reviews make a HUGE difference in small, indy podcasts getting a wider audience. I hate asking for reviews, but sometimes we have to do things we don’t like. :)
Don’t forget to check out some of the other podcasts:
This was a personal favorite conversation of mine with famous music publicist Mary Lou Falcone on Love, Loss & Lewy Body Dementia.
If you are into anti-aging stuff, this is a stellar interview with Dr. Valter Longo on his fasting-mimicking diet and how it reduces biological age and risk of disease.
And please feel free to check out some of the other posts on this website! You’ll find an array of things- long blobs, essay, anecdotes, interviews, and jokes I write. :)
See ya around!
Eeks