DeepSummary
The episode discusses people's growing interest in 'balancing' their hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen through supplements, diets and other methods promoted online by wellness influencers and some healthcare professionals. However, experts explain that in most cases, trying to 'hack' one's hormones is unnecessary and can even be harmful.
For cortisol, the 'stress hormone', cases of truly having too much or too little are very rare medical conditions. The concept of 'adrenal fatigue' from chronic stress is dismissed as pseudoscience. While testosterone levels seem to be declining in men over time for unclear reasons, only around 6% have clinically low levels causing symptoms. Testosterone therapy can provide modest benefits for some, but has risks like infertility.
The idea that many women need to 'balance' their estrogen, such as by avoiding certain exercises, is also debunked as lacking evidence. Overall, experts advise that for most people, hormones naturally fluctuate properly and don't need interventions unless there is a diagnosed medical disorder.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Trying to 'hack' or 'balance' hormone levels like cortisol, testosterone and estrogen is largely unnecessary for otherwise healthy people.
- Cases of truly having too much or too little cortisol are very rare medical conditions. The concept of 'adrenal fatigue' is pseudoscience.
- While testosterone levels are declining somewhat in men over time, only around 6% have clinically low levels requiring treatment.
- Testosterone therapy can provide modest benefits for some men with clinically low levels, but has risks like infertility.
- Claims that women need to avoid certain exercises or make other lifestyle changes to 'balance' estrogen lack scientific evidence.
- For most people, hormones naturally fluctuate at proper levels and trying to manipulate them through supplements or lifestyle changes is pointless and risky.
- Many online 'wellness' claims about hormones promoted by influencers bastardize legitimate science and lack evidential support from experts.
- Unless there is a diagnosed hormonal medical disorder, people should avoid unsubstantiated hormone 'hacking' methods pushed online.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I'm not a believer that we need to do something if we're feeling stressed to try to bring our cortisol levels down.“ by Ann Coppola
- “I think what I would like to convey is that you don't need to mess with them. Don't even try to. They're doing what they're supposed to do, and so you're just kind of getting in the way.“ by Ann Coppola
- “Yeah, I wouldn't absolutely, you know, I absolutely think that's stupid.“ by Ann Coppola
- “And we've known this for decades. And if I could just rant, like, a little bit longer.“ by Rose Rimmler
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Episode Information
Science Vs
Spotify Studios
4/18/24
Tons of us are feeling run-down and crummy and are wondering: What can we do about it? Well, lots of influencers have an answer: balancing our hormones. These influencers, including some doctors, recommend special supplements, diets, exercises, and prescriptions to tame our cortisol, boost our testosterone, and tackle our estrogen. Are they on to something? We get to the bottom of it with endocrinologists Dr. Deena Adimoolam and Prof. Anne Cappola; and urologist Prof. Mohit Khera.
Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsHormoneBalancing
(00:00) Hormones are hot right now
(02:57) A tale of cortisol and supplements
(14:25) Are we in a testosterone crisis?!
(20:42) Should you boost your T?
(27:35) Is estrogen the enemy?
This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Michelle Dang, and Meryl Horn. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, and Peter Leonard. Research help from Timmy Broderick. Recording help from Alex Stuckey. Thanks to all the researchers we spoke to including Dr. Amit Raval, Dr. Andrea Sansone, Prof. Bob Spencer, Dr. Daniel Rippon, Dr. Emma Adam, Dr. Hannah Troxel, Dr. John Hough, Dr. Jonathan Little, Prof. Paul Cooke, and Prof. Paula Hillard. Special thanks to Joel Werner, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.
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