
Wellness: Fact vs. Fiction
Welcome to Wellness: Fact vs. Fiction with cardiologist Dr. Danielle Belardo, a podcast dedicated to debunking wellness trends, exploring fact-based medicine, and busting any headline that’s more “hype” than happening. Each week, Dr. Belardo will interview top experts in a variety of fields including women’s health, dermatology, exercise science, gastroenterology, mental health, and—her personal favorite—nutrition science. She will be addressing common myths that, even as a preventative cardiologist, she once fell victim to, and sharing whether the latest tips from Goop, Rogan, or other so-called experts are indeed facts or just pure fiction. Dr. Belardo's mission is to cut through the noise and help you to stop wasting your time and money on anything that doesn’t actually bring you the health and happiness we all deserve. This is the podcast where scientific debates and discussions are fact-based and nonsense pseudoscience can take a hike. Wellness has been unwell, so let’s change it! Be sure to rate, review, follow and comment about what not-so wellness trend you would like to hear debunked. Follow Dr. Danielle Belardo @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction.
Latest episodes

Mar 9, 2022 • 1h 6min
Functional “Medicine” - Fake Diagnoses & Predatory Tests (Part 1)
Join Dr. Danielle Belardo and her double dose of experts this week, registered dietitian Dr. Kevin Klatt and board certified family physician Dr. Spencer Nadolsky. This trio is fired up and ready to debunk their favorite controversial topic, functional medicine. The world of social media has created a lot of movement in alternative spaces of medicine and nutrition, and it is hard to tell fact from fiction as it “feels” and “sounds” a lot like real medicine. With the claim to address the root cause of illness and restore health, you would think this practice would be standardized with a list of guidelines, but it’s not, and that can be a very slippery slope. On today’s episode, Danielle, Spencer, and Kevin dive into the predatory nature of integrative health practitioners, how more lab tests are not always the answer, and which fake diagnoses you deserve to know the truth about. Dr. Kevin C. Klatt, PhD, RD is a nutrition researcher and registered dietitian who provides individualized medical nutrition therapy and health coaching to patients/clients. Dr. Klatt completed his doctoral work in nutrition at Cornell University and his dietetic training at the National Institutes of Health. He is currently a researcher at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is an obesity and lipid specialist physician who focuses on exercise and nutrition as medicine. He earned a degree in Exercise Science from the University of North Carolina and completed his medical degree at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (Virginia Tech Campus). His residency training was done through the VCU-Riverside Family Medicine program. He is also the creator of LiftRx. Myths and misconceptions discussed include:
Functional medicine “diagnoses” including adrenal fatigue, mold toxicity and leaky gut syndrome
Drugstore lab tests and food sensitivity tests
Hormone optimization and hypothyroidism
Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to a generation that values fact over fiction! Be sure to rate, review, and follow on your favorite podcast app and let us know which not-so-wellness trend you’d like to hear debunked. Follow your host on Instagram @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction. Follow Kevin @kcklatt and Spencer @drnadolsky. Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you: POLICYGENIUS - Head to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes HELLOFRESH - Go to hellofresh.com/drdanielle16 and use code drdanielle16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts! TALKSPACE - visit talkspace.com and get $100 off your first month when you use promo code drdanielle at sign-up. DIPSEA - go to dipseastories.com/drdanielle for a free 30 day trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 2, 2022 • 1h 4min
Cracking Down on Chiropractic Pseudoscience
Join Dr. Danielle Belardo and her highly requested expert of the week, board-certified chiropractor Aaron Kubal, for a myth-busting episode on musculoskeletal health. After enrolling in school, Aaron realized the chiropractic profession was filled with pseudoscience and began using his social media platform to debunk misinformation about the field. Aaron and Danielle discuss the simple red flags to watch out for when choosing a practitioner, the future of the profession, the power of exercise for musculoskeletal health, and much more. With the abundance of cracks in the system (pun intended), maybe it’s time to rethink your next visit to the chiropractor. Aaron has been an advocate for evidence-based practice long before completing his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree at Northwestern Health Sciences University with special interests in rehabilitation and chronic pain. Utilizing education & exercise, Aaron runs his own telehealth clinic, Twin Cities Rehab & Performance, where he delivers patient-centered care virtually that is tailored to each individual he works with, all under the umbrella of evidence-based practice. Myths and misconceptions discussed include:
The truth about back cracking and why it feels so good
Misleading x-rays and long-term care plans
Spine realignment, SI joints, and spinal manipulation in newborns
Whether chiropractors can treat other medical issues
Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to a generation that values fact over fiction! Be sure to rate, review, and follow on your favorite podcast app and let us know which not-so-wellness trend you’d like to hear debunked. Follow your host on Instagram @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction. Follow Aaron @aaron_kubal. Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you: POLICYGENIUS - Head to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes HELLOFRESH - Go to hellofresh.com/drdanielle16 and use code drdanielle16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts! TALKSPACE - visit talkspace.com and get $100 off your first month when you use promo code drdanielle at sign-up. DIPSEA - go to dipseastories.com/drdanielle for a free 30 day trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 23, 2022 • 1h 26min
Collagen, Biotin, & “Clean” Skincare – Buy It or Burn It?
Join Dr. Danielle Belardo and her expert of the week, board certified dermatologist and the internet’s skincare myth buster, Dr. Ranella Hirsch. Today’s episode addresses some of the biggest and longest-standing misconceptions in beauty and skincare that have been duping consumers for generations. Listeners submitted their questions about retinoids, sun care, supplements, "clean” skincare and more, and the final verdict is in on whether you should buy it or burn it. The good news — it’s not as complicated as all those “wellness” influencers make it out to be, and your bank account does not need to suffer to achieve that dewy glow. Dr. Ranella Hirsch is the co-founder of Atolla: Custom Skincare and frequently quoted in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology. She often lectures to physicians in the fields of laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology and is currently involved in a number of clinical studies of laser technologies and skin care. Ranella is highly sought after as an expert for both thriving brands and startup companies, including Dove, where she is a Global Partner Dermatologist. Myths and misconceptions discussed include:
Does tanning and drinking more water clear up acne?
Is there such thing as too much sunscreen?
UVA vs. UVB protection
Synthetic vs. natural skincare products
Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to a generation that values fact over fiction! Be sure to rate, review and follow on your favorite podcast app and let us know which not-so-wellness trend you’d like to hear debunked. Follow your host on Instagram @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction. Follow Dr. Ranella Hirsh @ranellamd. Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you: POLICYGENIUS - Head to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes HELLOFRESH - Go to hellofresh.com/drdanielle16 and use code drdanielle16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts! FITON - Text WELLNESS to 64-000 to join FitOn for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 16, 2022 • 48min
Menopause or Menstrual Shenanigans?
Dr. Jen Gunter and Dr. Danielle Belardo debunk myths about menopause and hormone therapy, discuss the prevalence of misinformation in women's health, emphasize the importance of evidence-based information, and criticize the sale of supplements without regulation.

Feb 9, 2022 • 1h 7min
Peeing After Sex, Seed Cycling & The Swizzle Stick - Should You...?
Join Dr. Danielle Belardo and her expert of the week, OB/GYN, pain medicine physician and best-selling author, Dr. Jen Gunter for a debunking episode about women’s health. Jen has been called Twitter’s resident gynecologist and the internet’s OB/GYN and knows a thing or two about the misinformation rabbit hole nearly becoming victim to medical lies herself after her own child’s diagnosis. Jen and Danielle are on a mission to fix the medical internet and demystify women’s health by sharing the facts backed by science. Jen Gunter is the author of The NY Times instant best sellers The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto. She is board-certified in OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States, and in pain medicine by the American Board of Pain Medicine and by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her blog, The Vajenda, is packed full of bias-free content about sex, social media and science with a healthy dose of humor and feminism. Myths and misconceptions discussed include:
Peeing after sex, UTIs and yeast infections
Feminine products including the swizzle stick, wipes, and organic tampons
PCOS, seed cycling and birth control pills
Vaccines and infertility
Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to a generation that values fact over fiction! Be sure to rate, review and follow on your favorite podcast app and let us know which not-so-wellness trend you’d like to hear debunked. Follow your host on Instagram @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction. Follow Jen Gunter @drjengunter. Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you: POLICYGENIUS - Head to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes HELLOFRESH - Go to hellofresh.com/drdanielle16 and use code drdanielle16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 2, 2022 • 17min
"Wellness" Has Been Unwell... Let's Fix It
Dr. Danielle Belardo is back in your ears and in your life with a new look, more diverse content and fascinating interviews with world-renowned expert scientists and physicians. Every Wednesday, Danielle will be debunking wellness trends, exploring science-based medicine, and busting hype headlines. She will be getting to the bottom of a variety of common myths and fads in women’s health, dermatology, exercise science, gastroenterology, mental health, cardiology, nutrition and much, much more. On today’s episode, Dr. Belardo welcomes listeners back and shares about her own journey to seeing the wellness industry a little more clearly. She also highlights some upcoming guests and topics that are sure to get you excited and curious about episodes to come. “Wellness” needs a fact check, so Danielle is cutting through the pseudoscience noise to help bring us the health and happiness we all deserve.Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to a generation that values fact over fiction! Be sure to rate, review and follow on your favorite podcast app and let us know which not-so wellness trend you’d like to hear debunked. Follow your host on Instagram @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction. Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you: POLICYGENIUS - Head to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 2022 • 2min
Introducing - Wellness: Fact vs. Fiction
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