The Body of Evidence

Latest Episodes:

193 – Summer Series 2 – The Enhanced Games Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Chris and Sophie provide an update on the Enhanced Games. They happened and the story, bad enough as it was, got a little a bit worse. Go back in time with us to review why allowing athletes to dope without consequences is “a farce, an extremely dangerous one”

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Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

Sophie’s original article on the Enhanced Games: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-student-contributors-health-and-nutrition/faster-higher-stronger-enhanced
Popular press coverage of the games: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6374748/2025/05/22/enhanced-games-world-records-kristian-gkolomeev/
The story of the 15 year old Russian skater Kamila Valieva who lost her gold medal after taking trimetazidine https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/29/russia-figure-skater-kamila-valieva-four-year-doping-ban-beijing-winter-olympics\
The TRAVERSE trial on the cardiovascular safety of testosterone https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2215025

192 – Summer Series 1 - menopausal hormone therapy Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

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 thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

Geographic variability of menopausal symptoms

1) Nappi RE et al. Global cross-sectional survey of women with vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: prevalence and quality of life burden. Menopause. 2021 May 24;28(8):875-882. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001793.

2) Nappi RE, et al. Prevalence and quality-of-life burden of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: A European cross-sectional survey. Maturitas. 2023 Jan;167:66-74. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.09.006.

What’s the normal duration of symptoms

3) Avis NE, et al. Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms over the menopause transition. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Apr;175(4):531-9. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8063.

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) studies

Rossouw JE et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002 Jul 17;288(3):321-33. doi: 10.1001/jama.288.3.321.

Anderson GL et al. Effects of conjugated equine estrogen in postmenopausal women with hysterectomy: the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004 Apr 14;291(14):1701-12. doi: 10.1001/jama.291.14.1701.

Decline in HRT after WHI studies

Sprague BL, Trentham-Dietz A, Cronin KA. A sustained decline in postmenopausal hormone use: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2010. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Sep;120(3):595-603. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318265df42.

Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study

Schierbeck LL metal. Effect of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular events in recently postmenopausal women: randomised trial. BMJ. 2012 Oct 9;345:e6409. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e6409.

Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS)

Harman SM, et al. Arterial imaging outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors in recently menopausal women: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Aug 19;161(4):249-60. doi: 10.7326/M14-0353.

Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS)

Hodis HN et al. Vascular Effects of Early versus Late Postmenopausal Treatment with Estradiol. N Engl J Med. 2016 Mar 31;374(13):1221-31. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1505241.

Stopping hormonal therapy

Berman RS et al. Risk factors associated with women's compliance with estrogen replacement therapy. J Womens Health. 1997 Apr;6(2):219-26. doi: 10.1089/jwh.1997.6.219.

Grady D, Sawaya GF. Discontinuation of postmenopausal hormone therapy. Am J Med. 2005 Dec 19;118 Suppl 12B:163-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.09.051.

Tapering vs. abrupt stop or hormonal therapy

Haimov-Kochman R et al. Gradual discontinuation of hormone therapy does not prevent the reappearance of climacteric symptoms: a randomized prospective study. Menopause. 2006 May-Jun;13(3):370-6. doi: 10.1097/01.gme.0000186663.36211.c0. PMID: 16735933.

191 – How to fact check Wikipedia with Susan Gerbic Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

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/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Hosts: Christopher Labos

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

More on the Guerilla Skeptic project: https://www.abouttimeproject.org/
Her facebook page if you want to be in touch and join the group: https://www.facebook.com/Gerbic

190 – Zone 2 Running: when less exercise might count for more Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

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 the same amount of energy.

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 thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Auriane Journet

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1. Storoschuk, K. L., Moran-MacDonald, A., Gibala, M. J., & Gurd, B. J. (2025). Much Ado About Zone 2: A Narrative Review Assessing the Efficacy of Zone 2 Training for Improving Mitochondrial Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the General Population: KL Storoschuk et al. Sports Medicine, 55(7), 1611-1624.

2. Mølmen, K. S., Almquist, N. W., & Skattebo, Ø. (2025). Effects of exercise training on mitochondrial and capillary growth in human skeletal muscle: a systematic review and meta-regression. Sports Medicine, 55(1), 115-144.

3. Inglis, E. C., Iannetta, D., Rasica, L., Mackie, M. Z., Keir, D. A., Macinnis, M. J., & Murias, J. M. (2024). Heavy-, severe-, and extreme-, but not moderate-intensity exercise increase V̇o 2max and thresholds after 6 wk of training. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 56(7), 1307-1316.

4. McConell, G.K., Wadley, G.D., Le plastrier, K. and Linden, K.C. (2020), Skeletal muscle AMPK is not activated during 2 h of moderate intensity exercise at ∼65% in endurance trained men. J Physiol, 598: 3859-3870. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP277619

5. Meixner, B., Filipas, L., Holmberg, H. C., & Sperlich, B. (2025). Zone 2 Intensity: A Critical Comparison of Individual Variability in Different Submaximal Exercise Intensity Boundaries. Translational sports medicine, 2025, 2008291. https://doi.org/10.1155/tsm2/2008291

6. Harber MP, et al. Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on All-Cause and Disease-Specific Mortality: Advances Since 2009. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases 2017;60(1):11-20. PubMed 28286137

7. Kodama S, Saito K, Tanaka S, et al. Cardiorespiratory Fitness as a Quantitative Predictor of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in Healthy Men and Women: A Meta-analysis. JAMA 2009;301(19):2024-2035. PubMed 19454641

189 – Nonenal, Persimmon Soap, and the myth of old person smell Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

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 questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Danielle Kaprelian

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

The 2001 Japanese study that most websites reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15411984

188 – Breastfeeding Myths Part 2 Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

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, 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_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

Internet survey on patient use of lactation aides: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37236347/
Cochrane 2020 on galactogogues: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32421208/
2023 RCT on lactation cookies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36921902/
The LactMed database: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/

187 – Breastfeeding Myths Part 1 Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

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_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1) 2014 Cochrane review on Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding women https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25506813/

186 – Pink Noise May 28, 2026

Show notes

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! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Danielle Kaprelian

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

The different colours of noise from white to pink to brown: https://www.allure.com/story/what-is-brown-noise-pink-white-sound-therapy
The famous 2017 “memory enhancement” study: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00109/full
A lay summary of the above study: https://time.com/collections/guide-to-sleep/4694555/pink-noise-deep-sleep-improve-memory/
The study showing pink noise might make things worse: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/49/5/zsag001/8452884
Dr. F. Perry Wilson’s Medscape video series on pink noise: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/pink-noise-could-be-wrecking-your-sleep-2026a100039x
A 2022 systematic review on overall sleep quality: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34964434/
Memory claims and pink noise: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1302836/full
Examples of white and pink noise are found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pink_noise.ogg and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:White-noise-sound-20sec-mono-44100Hz.ogg

185 – Lipoprotein(a): the cholesterol you never heard about until recently May 21, 2026

Show notes

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 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 thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

The genetic nature of Lp(a) levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1386087/
Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in 500,000 US patients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27659098/
Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in 2.9 million Chinese adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40266173/
Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in the INTERASPIRE study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40436467/
Variation of Lp(a) by sex: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27659098/
One of the many studies linking Lp(a) to cardiovascular disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33115266/
High Lp(a) and aortic stenosis: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1109034
FH and Lp(a) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32466883/
The ongoing Lp(a) trials https://familyheart.org/lpa-clinical-trials

184 – The Meniscus: when in doubt, leave it in May 14, 2026

Show notes

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 surgery and placebo controls in surgical research. He also shows Chris that orthopaedic surgeons are a surprisingly thoughtful and introspective group.

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 thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

The FICEBO website: www.ficebo.com
The original FIDELITY trial showing meniscectomy had no benefit: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1305189
The recent 10-year follow-up data from FIDELITY: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2516079
The SIMPLICITY HTN-3 sham surgery trial on renal denervation: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1402670
Max Planck’s Principle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck%27s_principle

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