The Body of Evidence

In our first summer series episode, we review a topic that keeps coming back. Hormone therapy for menopause. It was a thing, then it stopped being a thing, now it’s a thing again.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at t...

Susan Gerbic and the Guerilla Skepticism on Wikipedia project are trying to do the impossible. They are trying to fact check the internet. You too can join this vital work and make the internet a slightly more scientifically accurate place.     Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donat...

Are light runs (Zone 2 runs) better than heavier workouts? Sophie goes on a semi-manic tangent in her most enthusiastic episode yet to answer whether less intense exercise might actually help your fitness level, aerobic threshold and mitochondrial efficiency. Also, Chris tells a funny marathon story and a viewer question tries to fact-check to the fact checkers on whether walking and running burn...

A viewer question prompts Chris and Sophie to ask what actually causes “old-person smell” and is persimmon soap the only thing that can get rid of it? And what does this have to do with Japan? Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your que...

Galactagogues and medications to boost milk production. Everything from oats to fenugreek to lactation cookies and prescription medications like metoclopramide and domperidone. Also, cow’s milk protein allergy, reflux and baby’s spit-up, the safety of alcohol while breastfeeding, and how to handle other prescription medications. Natalie Borden, an international board certified lactation consultant...

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk? What is proper latching technique? How do you treat painful nipples? Natalie Borden, an international board certified lactation consultant, joins Chris to debunk breastfeeding myths. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_butt...

Pink noise claims it can boost your memory, help your sleep, and treat your ADHD. But how it’s studied in a sleep lab is very different from passive listening all night long. Chris and Sophie dive into the evidence to figure out if the influencers pushing pink noise for sleep got it right or if they’re simply dreaming.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Tha...

Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) is suddenly all the rage because several drug companies are working on medications to lower this previously resistant form of cholesterol. Almost entirely genetic, unaffected by diet or lifestyle, it has numerous studies linking it to heart disease and aortic valve calcification. But it may not be the ticking time bomb some influencers like to claim.   Become a supporter of...

Meniscectomies were once a very common surgery for knee pain. Then the data happened. Teppo Järvinen from the Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Orthopaedics (FICEBO) joins Chris to talk about the recent 10-year data from the FIDELITY trial, showing that removing the meniscus in patients with knee pain did not improve symptoms and for a broader discussion about the role and importance of sham surge...

Hyaluronic acid is the most versatile ingredient in the beauty industry and promises anti-aging wrinkle-free skin for everyone. Chris and Sophie dive in to find out how much of these claims are based in evidence and whether it does anything beyond moisturizing your skin.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/...

A viewer question prompts Chris and Sophie to dig into whether sleeping on your stomach is bad for your back. Prone vs. supine sleeping and its implication on low back pain are very tenuous. The research on pillows reveals a surprising result and Chris explains why he loves his rock hard pillow.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patre...

What are peptides like BPC-157 and why is RFK Jr. trying to make them more easily available to Americans? Also why are they illegal in Canada? We also reveal the two peptides (one very old and one very recent) that have revolutionized medicine. Hint we’ve covered both on the show before. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/the...

Nicotine has been rebranded as a “health aid” by influencers. It can be an energy boost pre-workout, heighten focus, enhance performance and increase productivity. But we have been here before with nicotine products. Will we learn from past mistakes or are we doomed to repeat them. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyof...

The viral TikTok trend of fibermaxxing suggests you should eat between 50-100g/day of fiber, two to three times the recommended amount. Chris and Sophie delve into the evidence about whether it actually does lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, and boost your immune system. Also, two new faces join the team. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://...

A new position statement for screening for high cholesterol in kids raises important questions of who, when, how, and why? Dr. Michael Khoury, author of the new statement, joins Chris to discuss why Canada needed new guidance and why cholesterol isn’t just an old person’s problem.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyo...

A series of inappropriate locker room conversations reveals two things: Sophie’s friends don’t have a good sense of boundaries and there’s a lot of anxiety regarding sperm health. In theory, higher temperatures do affect sperm. But this a clinically meaningful effect or are we seeing a rehash of the worry around whirlpools from the 80s and 90s.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patr...

Do nasal strips actually help you breathe better? What about better sleep, snoring or sleep apnea? Chris and Sophie parse through the evidence. Also, some fan e-mail praising Sophie leads to some very long digressions and a promise to one day go geocaching.    Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www....

Chris and Sophie discuss norovirus, the winter vomiting disease, which ruins Sophie’s evening plans. Also, a generalized discussion of body fluids and diarrheal illness make this our most disgusting and graphic episode ever. You’ve been warned.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/don...

Are men wimps or just immunologically inferior? Chris and Sophie review the evidence to decide if respiratory viruses really do hit men harder or if they are just looking for attention. Also Chris gushes about his favorite TV show, “All Creatures Great and Small.”    Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https...

You may have heard about a “better” way to go for your daily walk. Japanese walking promises numerous health benefits. Two problems though. There’s nothing Japanese about it and the benefits are not so clear cut. Nick Tiller is back to unpack this latest social media trend. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence...

Kim Moon is back to discuss worms and other intestinal parasites. In wellness circles they are the cause of almost all your non-descript symptoms. But parasites are a real problem and global warming means these once tropical diseases are coming to a city near you.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https:...

Facial fillers are promoted on social media as safe, temporary and easily reversible. But the evidence paints a different story. Sophie joins Chris to unpack the evidence and the safety concerns of fillers that you should know before you go to a Medical Spa. Also, Chris takes the opportunity to tell Sophie about Conformity Gate. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through Pay...