The Body of Evidence

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

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/

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

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/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Co-host: Sophie Tseng Pellar Editor: Robyn Flynn Producer: 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: 2022 systematic review of topical hyaluronic acid https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10078143/ A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of injectable hyaluronic acid https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39807700/ Meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials of oral supplements containing hyaluronic acid https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40911749/ Large systematic reviews of skin supplements https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9201759/ Single large randomized controlled trial of 129 subjects https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10661223/

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/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: Phase 1 safety study that was cancelled https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02637284 Retrospective case series of 12 patients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34324435/ A pilot study of 2 patients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40131143/ Background reading: https://apnews.com/article/peptide-injections-risks-side-effects-6f0d391b270f5008932cba909b8fef07 https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpt.613 https://capitalcurrent.ca/fitness-influencers-promote-risky-unproven-fitness-products-called-peptides-online-and-health-experts-are-ringing-alarm-bells/ https://theconversation.com/no-you-dont-need-the-barbie-drug-to-tan-whatever-tiktok-says-heres-why-melanotan-ii-is-so-risky-247445 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-peptide-craze https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/feb/05/injectable-peptides-trend https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/13/why-are-people-injecting-themselves-with-peptides#rid=c3626699-c95b-487e-9e08-58814ae13bcd&q=peptides

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://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Producer: Sophie Tseng Pellar 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: Epidemiological studies showing lower disease risk: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31809-9/fulltext https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6879 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/202011 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40651334/ Fiber and cholesterol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30239559/ Fiber and weight loss: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37163454/ Fiber and diabetes: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11155034/ Fiber and the microbiome: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00754-6 Fiber and irritable bowel syndrome: https://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b3154 Fiber and colon cancer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17855692/

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 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: Oxidative stress and the impact on fertility https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32033035/ Heat and the impact on spermatogenesis: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7070831/ 2002 study of 8 normozoospermic patients who used a sauna dailiy for 2 weeks: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2605.1998.00138.x?sid=nlm%3Apubmed 2007 study of 11 infertile men after exposure to hot tubs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17335598/ 2013 study showing a repeated but reversible impairment in spermatogenesis after sauna exposure: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23411620/ 2018 systematic review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5941775/ Declining fertility rates in Finland: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00324728.2020.1750677#d1e147

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.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)The 2016 review on nasal dilators: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27367589/ 2)The 2 in 1 RCT paper in patients with chronic sinusitis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31209698/ 3)American Academy of Sleep Medicine review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12938818/ 4)2016 review of nasal dilators and snoring apnea https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5187471/

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://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) Sophie’s article: 2) BMJ review: https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5560 3) Man flu is not a thing post-hoc analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399922003324#bbb0155

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://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: Why Does Everyone Think They Have Parasitic Worms? Soil-transmitted helminth infections The deadliest parasites in the world: 10 terrifying creatures you will want to avoid Neglected tropical diseases -- GLOBAL The Heavy Toll of the Black Belt’s Wastewater Crisis | The New Yorker There was a deal to fix this Alabama community’s raw sewage crisis. Trump tore it up over DEI Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis). Chagas disease - PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization Kissing Bug. Dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) Guinea Worm Disease Eradication Program Removing Giardia Cysts from Drinking Water U.S. Drinking-Water Systems Still Haven't Defeated This Nasty Parasite | Scientific American https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80p81lvx0eo Health warning following rise in Cryptosporidiosis notifications Health officials investigating outbreak linked to raw milk Foodborne illness outbreaks linked to unpasteurised milk and relationship to changes in state laws – United States, 1998–2018 - PMC Echinococcus multilocularis - Public Health Ontario Human echinococcosis incidence in Canada, 2000–2020, CCDR 50(9) Echinococcosis Parasite threat to pets and people on the rise in Western Canada | News | University of Calgary

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Food allergies, specifically peanut allergies have been increasing in children. But key research changed policy and the past 10 years have seen a steady decline. In a rare win for the goodies, we see how science shaped public policy and made things better for a whole generation of children. 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: Chris article on peanut and food allergies: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/labos-food-allergies-a-hard-nut-to-crack-but-theres-some-good-news The old recommendations: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/106/2/346/62820/Hypoallergenic-Infant-Formulas?redirectedFrom=fulltext The new recommendations: https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/allergenic-solids#ref2 Increasing food allergies: http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(10)00575-0/abstract The LEAP study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850 The effect the LEAP study had on allergy rates in children” https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/5/e2024070516/204636/Guidelines-for-Early-Food-Introduction-and?autologincheck=redirected Skin contact as a risk factor for peanut allergies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa013536 Oral Immunotherapy for peanut allergies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1812856 Met-analysis of immunotherapy for peanut allergies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31030987/

It’s Part 2 of our end-of-year wrap up. Chris, Sophie, Robyn (behind the camera), and Tobi (wandering around) all join in to answer a potpourri of viewer questions. Also a video bonus for our Patreon members.