The Body of Evidence

Friend of the show, Nick Tiller has a new book out looking at the wellness industry and why we have such trouble distinguishing fact from fiction when it comes to your well-being. Hint: money and marketing play a role.

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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:

1. Nick's book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/health-and-wellness-lie-9781399424240/

Diverticulosis patients are often told to avoid seeds and nuts because small food particles will get stuck in the crevices of their colon and cause diverticulitis. But that may not be true. Chris and Sophie debunk this oft repeated piece of advice for a disase that Sophie never heard of until today.

*** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy

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 [email protected].

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:

1. Burden of diverticulosis: https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(09)00045-6/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F

2. Increasing diverticulosis in young: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-021-06956-w

3. Epidemiology of diverticulosis by country:

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0123688

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23385677/

1. Low fiber diet and diverticulosis: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.033

2. Diverticulitis prevalence: https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0b013e3181952888

3. Diverticulitis risk factors and lifestyle: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112202/

4. Nuts, corns and popcorn- male cohort study: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.300.8.907

5. Nuts, corns and popcorn- male cohort study: https://doi.org/10.7326/annals-24-03353

6. The DINMATO trial on antibiotic use in mild cases of diverticulitis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34183510/

Many of us assume that we are visual learners, or we learn by doing or by seeing something on the printed page. Whether you've heard of it or not, the VARK system has probably influenced how you think you learn best. But it's complete pseudoscience. Katie Dyer joins to debunk one of the most long held and commonly believed pieces of misinformation out there.

JOIN OUR STUDY HERE: https://bit.ly/digitaldietstudy

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

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

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Email us your questions at [email protected].

Host: 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:

1. Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. A. (2008). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x

2. Husmann, P. R., & O'Loughlin, V. D. (2019). Another nail in the coffin for learning styles? Disparities among undergraduate anatomy students' study strategies, class performance, and reported VARK learning styles. Anatomical Sciences Education, 12(1), 6–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1777

A viewer question asks how dangerous marathons and longer races are. Also, there is new data about coronary calcifications in marathon runners. Given that the first person to ever run a marathon dropped dead in the Agora of Athens after delivering his fateful message, there are reasons to be concerned that very long distance races are not good for 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 [email protected].

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:

• RunRepeat. The State of Ultra Running 2020. https://runrepeat.com/state-of-ultra-running

• RunSignup. 2025 Ultramarathon Statistics. https://info.runsignup.com/2026/04/16/2025-ultramarathon-statistics/

• Schnohr, P, O'Keefe, J, Marott, J. et al. Dose of Jogging and Long-Term Mortality: The Copenhagen City Heart Study. JACC. 2015 Feb, 65 (5) 411–419.

• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.11.023

• Pedisic, Zeljko et al. "Is running associated with a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and is the more the better? A systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine vol. 54,15 (2020): 898-905. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-100493

• Lee, D, Pate, R, Lavie, C. et al. Leisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk. JACC. 2014 Aug, 64 (5) 472–481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.058

• Kim, Jonathan H et al. "Cardiac Arrest During Long-Distance Running Races." JAMA vol. 333,19 (2025): 1699-1707. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.3026

• Newman, William et al. "Risk of atrial fibrillation in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine vol. 55,21 (2021): 1233-1238. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-103994

• Videbæk S, Bueno AM, Nielsen RO, Rasmussen S. Incidence of running-related injuries per 1000 h of running in different types of runners. Sports Med. 2015;45(7):1017–1026. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-015-0333-8

• Alentorn-Geli, Eduard et al. "The Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy vol. 47,6 (2017): 373-390. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7137

• Heikura, Ida A., Arja L.T. Uusitalo, Trent Stellingwerff, Dan Bergland, Antti A. Mero, and Louise M. Burke. "Low Energy Availability Is Difficult to Assess but Outcomes Have Large Impact on Bone Injury Rates in Elite Distance Athletes". International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 28.4 (2018): 403-411. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0313

The term has become synonymous with ignorance, incompetence, nincompoopery, crankiness and just being dumb. But what does the Dunning-Kruger effect really mean and is it even real?? David Dunning joins to discuss how much of the popular understanding is actually evidence based.

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

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Email us your questions at [email protected].

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:

2) The original 1999 paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1999-15054-002

3) Other examples of the Dunning-Kruger phenomenon: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12712114/

4) The statistical arguments of the Dunning-Kruger effect being a statistical artefact: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289620300271

Why is endometriosis so hard to diagnose and why do most people not really know what it is? For something so common, endometriosis is rarely talked about. Until today.

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 [email protected].

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:

ESHRE guideline: endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35350465/

Time to Diagnose Endometriosis: Current Status, Challenges and Regional Characteristics-A Systematic Literature Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39373298/

Barriers to a Timely Diagnosis of Endometriosis: A Qualitative Systematic Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441792/

Factors Associated with Time to Endometriosis Diagnosis in the United States https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28440744/

Rethinking the pathogenesis of endometriosis: Complex interactions of genomic, epigenetic, and environmental factors https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39293995/

The Immunopathophysiology of Endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054239/

Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno: A novel, evidence-based, unifying theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28571791/

Navigating towards precision: evaluating the clinical value of non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38576337/

ACOG Publishes New Endometriosis Clinical Guidance, Aiming to Shorten Time to Diagnosis and Improve Access to Care https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2026/02/acog-publishes-new-endometriosis-clinical-guidance-aiming-shorten-time-diagnosis-improve-access-care

Diagnosis of Endometriosis https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-practice-guideline/articles/2026/03/diagnosis-of-endometriosis

Polycystic ovarian syndrome now has a new name, polyendocrine metabolic syndrome. But not everyone is happy. Is this progress or just a label swap?

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

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

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Email us your questions at [email protected].

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 Lancet (2026): Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process - ScienceDirect

International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS: International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 2023 - Monash University

Historical / context

NIH Methodology Workshop (2012): Evidence-based Methodology Workshop on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | NIH Office of Disease Prevention Website

Commentary / debate

JAMA Medical News (2026): PCOS Is Now PMOS—Will a New Name Translate to Improved Clinical Care? | Reproductive Health | JAMA | JAMA Network

BMJ Commentary (2026): PCOS name change to PMOS must be managed to avoid confusing patients, says expert | The BMJ

Patient-facing summaries

Endocrine Society (2026): Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care of condition affecting 170 million women worldwide | Endocrine Society

Yale Medicine (2026): PCOS Is Renamed PMOS: What You Need to Know | News | Yale Medicine

Protein maxxing is all the rage and the new dietary guidelines in the US recently doubled the recommended amount of protein intake. But will a high protein diet help you lose weight and will it really help you build more muscle?

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 [email protected].

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. Clinthorne, J., Leidy, H. J., & Sollid, K. (2026). A Modern Take on Protein Nutrition Meets Evolving Consumer Perceptions. The Journal of nutrition, 156(5), 101477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101477

2. Devries, M. C., Sithamparapillai, A., Brimble, K. S., Banfield, L., Morton, R. W., & Phillips, S. M. (2018). Changes in Kidney Function Do Not Differ between Healthy Adults Consuming Higher- Compared with Lower- or Normal-Protein Diets: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Journal of nutrition, 148(11), 1760–1775. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy197

3. Hägele, F. A., Herpich, C., Koop, J., Grübbel, J., Dörner, R., Fedde, S., Götze, O., Boirie, Y., Müller, M. J., Norman, K., & Bosy-Westphal, A. (2025). Short-term effects of high-protein, lower-carbohydrate ultra-processed foods on human energy balance. Nature metabolism, 7(4), 704–713. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01247-4

4. Health Canada. Canada's Dietary Guidelines for Health Professionals and Policy Makers. Government of Canada; 2019. canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-guide/explore/dietary-guidelines

5. Helms, E. R., Aragon, A. A., & Fitschen, P. J. (2014). Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-11-20

6. International Food Information Council. 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey: The Full Report. January 2026. https://ific.org/research/2025-food-health-survey

7. Jäger, R., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., Cribb, P. J., Wells, S. D., Skwiat, T. M., Purpura, M., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Ferrando, A. A., Arent, S. M., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Arciero, P. J., Ormsbee, M. J., Taylor, L. W., Wilborn, C. D., Kalman, D. S., Kreider, R. B., Willoughby, D. S., Hoffman, J. R., … Antonio, J. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8

8. Leidy, H. J., Clifton, P. M., Astrup, A., Wycherley, T. P., Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S., Luscombe-Marsh, N. D., Woods, S. C., & Mattes, R. D. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 101(6), 1320S–1329S. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.114.084038

9. Morton, R. W., Murphy, K. T., McKellar, S. R., Schoenfeld, B. J., Henselmans, M., Helms, E., Aragon, A. A., Devries, M. C., Banfield, L., Krieger, J. W., & Phillips, S. M. (2018). A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(6), 376–384. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608

10. Pasiakos SM, Davis TA, Klurfeld DM, Neuhouser ML, Rodriguez NR, Tomé D. Perspectives on the protein recommendations in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. J Nutr 2026.

11. US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.

12. Wycherley TP, Moran LJ, Clifton PM, et al. Effects of energy-restricted high-protein, low-fat compared with standard-protein, low-fat diets: a meta-analysis of RCTs. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96(6):1281-1298. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.044321

The United States outspends every other country on Earth on healthcare but shockingly does not have the best outcomes and ranks 32nd in terms of life expectancy. Switzerland spends less and does better. Plucky little Canada ranks 22nd in the world. Kim Moon is back to explain why more spending doesn't equal better outcomes and what really drives higher health care costs. Also, a comparative analysis of the US and Canadian healthcare systems: what works and what doesn't in each country.

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 [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Kim Moon

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 richest Americans live about as long as the poorest Europeans, study says : NPR

1. U.S. Health Care from Global Perspective 2026 Expanded Edition | Commonwealth Fund

1. How does U.S. life expectancy compare to other countries? - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker

1. Hospital Global Budgeting: Lessons from Maryland and Selected Nations

1. The U.S. Health Disadvantage and Why It Matters to Business - Community Health and Economic Prosperity - NCBI Bookshelf

1. Expanding healthcare capacity in Canada: the potential of internationally trained physicians - ScienceDirect

1. Troubling Diagnosis: Comparing Canada's Healthcare with International Peers – C.D. Howe Institute

1. Life expectancy at birth: Health at a Glance 2025 | OECD

1. Seven reasons why Americans pay more for health care than any other nation

1. Canada | Commonwealth Fund

1. State of Health Insurance Coverage in U.S.: 2024 Biennial Survey | Commonwealth Fund

1. Health Spending - International Comparison of Health Systems | KFF

1. Canadians need doctors. These strategies from around the country aim to find them | CBC News

1. 'You Aren't Trapped': Hundreds of US Nurses Choose Canada Over Trump's America - KFF Health News

1. COMMENTARY: 5 affordable ways to improve Canadians' access to health care in 2026 | CMA

We're back with another review of the show that will outlive us all. Grey's Anatomy part 3 with cases like the boy who lived in a plastic bubble, the man who believed he was pregnant, the competitive eater who ate too much, the woman who felt no pain, and the patient who could hear everything during surgery.

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 [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Robyn Flynn

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.