The Body of Evidence

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

An accessible tour of prostate anatomy and why cancers in certain locations get missed. A clear look at PSA testing limits and how MRI is changing detection. Practical comparisons of biopsy techniques, surgery, radiation and active surveillance. Discussion of trial evidence and matching treatment intensity to tumor risk and patient age.

Sophie, a regular co-host who turned nasal strip research into science communication, shares personal stories and research ties. The conversation covers types of nasal dilators and how they work. They compare objective airflow data with subjective improvements and explore why placebo effects are strong. Practical uses, limits for snoring and sleep-disordered breathing, and when ENT evaluation is warranted are discussed.

They dive into norovirus, the winter vomiting disease, and how it spreads with tiny infectious doses. They describe outbreak hotspots and why the virus is so tough to eliminate. They cover who is most at risk and how severe dehydration and complications can be. They discuss prevention, cleaning, and practical advice for staying home and stopping transmission.

A playful dive into whether men really suffer worse from respiratory bugs or if social norms fuel the myth. They examine clinical impressions, epidemiology, and hormonal links to immunity. Discussion covers flaws in research methods, surprising study results, and how behavior and work constraints shape who reports feeling sicker.

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/ 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 2007 article that started it all: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025619611613037 Nick's article about retro walking: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-backward-world-of-retro-walking/

Kim Moon, pharmacist and parasite enthusiast, explains why intestinal worms are getting attention. She discusses social media-fueled parasite fears and wellness cleanses. She explains how climate change, failing sanitation, and specific threats like hookworm, Chagas, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and echinococcus are shifting risks. Practical testing and when to take parasites seriously are explored.

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 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 persistence of fillers: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5011976/ Higher complication rates in Med Spas: https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/news-room/press-releases/safety-concerns-in-med-spas-with-little-to-no-physician-involvement