The Body of Evidence

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.
 
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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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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:
1) David Dunning's presentation at LiliCon The Tricky Art of Knowing When You Really Don't Know : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifjnHckelOs
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 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:
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/
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 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 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:
 
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 

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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