Nutrition For Mortals

Across TikTok, Reddit, and podcast circuits, young men are being sold a blueprint for increasing their testosterone. Known as ‘T-maxxing’, this trend is a mix of diet rules, supplement stacks, gym routines, and lifestyle hacks all centered around boosting testosterone as the ultimate marker of health. But behind the steak, organ meats, and anti-soy rhetoric is a more complicated story—one that blends kernels of physiology with a heavy dose of misinformation, cherry-picked science, and cultural anxiety. So join us, two registered dietitians, as we unpack the science of testosterone, break down the foods and supplements at the center of T-maxxing, and explore the deeper cultural forces driving this trend—from body image to belonging to the pressure to “optimize” masculinity—even when that pressure is built on shaky science and unrealistic ideals.
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Things we talked about and additional reading: 
Testosterone in hunter-gatherer men #1
Testosterone in hunter-gatherer men #2
Secular trends in testosterone over time
Cholesterol intake not associated with total testosterone levels in men
Associations between vitamin D status and testosterone levels in men
Associations between omega-3 FA and testosterone levels in men 
Fish Intake and Serum Testosterone Levels in Older Males
Huberman Partners with Momentous Supplements 
Andrew Huberman’s Mechanisms of Control | NY Mag
Tongkat Ali meta-analysis
Testosterone and human behavior 
Testosterone causes both prosocial and antisocial status-enhancing behaviors in human males
Testosterone and cortisol “dual hormone hypothesis”
Experiment with manipulated “win” or “loss” on androgens and psychology in men 
Gynecomastia and soy case report #1 
Gynecomastia and soy case report #2
Meta-Analysis: intake of soy on reproductive hormones in men 
Are Soy isoflavones truly a public health concern?
Gynecomastia from meat in Italian school 
Gynecomastia from meat in Puerto Rican Children 
For feedback or to suggest a show topic email us at [email protected]
Feel free to contact our real, live nutrition counseling practice
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider relationship**

Joel Wallach built an empire on a wild promise: that EVERY single human disease is simply the result of a mineral deficiency. Through his lectures and various supplement companies, his message reached millions and made him a central figure in one of the most controversial corners of the wellness world. From his “90 essential nutrients” claim to the spread of COVID-19 pseudoscience, this story isn’t just unusual—it’s a case study in how confidently presented misinformation can evolve, expand, and ultimately shape the way people think about health.  So join us, two registered dietitians, as we dig into the science, the saga, and the spectacle of the multi-level marketing machine that is Youngevity. 
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes? Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nutritionformortals
Leave us a voicemail that may be featured on a future episode! Call us at (562)-N4M-POD1 (562-646-7631). 
We’ve got MERCH! Check it out HERE
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Things we talked about and additional reading: 
Dead Doctors Don’t Lie Book
Dead Doctors Don’t Like VHS
The Wallach Revolution
The 90 Essential Minerals
Youngevity Website
More on Ultratrace Minerals
Youngevity and FTC Trouble
Youngevity Delisted
For feedback or to suggest a show topic email us at [email protected]
Feel free to contact our real, live nutrition counseling practice
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider relationship**

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Released April 1st, 2026
In this episode, we sit down with a totally real, definitely credible “expert” and author of Are These Foods SECRETLY Trying to KILL YOU Until You Are Dead?, a groundbreaking exposé claiming that the true enemies of human health have been hiding in plain sight all along: tomatoes, mozzarella, and bread. In this very serious interview, our special guest will walk us through how these everyday foods are waging a coordinated attack on your body—from the “acidic chaos” of tomatoes, to the “mucus-forming menace” of mozzarella, to bread, which he assures us is basically just “edible sabotage.” So join us, as we use dramatic language, say big words and cherry-pick a whole bunch of science all in an attempt to sound  confident, convincing and intelligent. 
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes? Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nutritionformortals
Leave us a voicemail that may be featured on a future episode! Call us at (562)-N4M-POD1 (562-646-7631). 
We’ve got MERCH! Check it out HERE
Don’t want to miss any episodes in the future? Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
For feedback or to suggest a show topic email us at [email protected]
Feel free to contact our real, live nutrition counseling practice
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider relationship**

Cortisol is one of the most misunderstood hormones on the internet. From adrenal fatigue to diet recommendations to supplement suggestions, claims abound regarding what you should be doing to regulate your stress response. But is there actually evidence to support these diet and supplement recommendations? And what behaviors truly help support and normalize cortisol levels? Join us, two registered dietitians, as we explore the origins of the adrenal fatigue theory, the science behind the body’s stress response, and why real endocrine conditions like Adrenal Insufficiency are very different from the wellness version of “burned-out adrenal glands.”
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes? Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nutritionformortals
Leave us a voicemail that may be featured on a future episode! Call us at (562)-N4M-POD1 (562-646-7631). 
We’ve got MERCH! Check it out HERE
Don’t want to miss any episodes in the future? Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
Things we talked about and additional reading: 
Adrenal Fatigue (Book by James Wilson)
Adrenal Fatigue Article #1
Endocrine Society
Cortisol and Physiology
Dieting and Cortisol
Depression and Cortisol
Cortisol and Caffeine 
Stress and CVD
Cortisol Rhythm
Cortisol and Weight Gain
Cortisol, Weight and Aging
Nutrition and Cortisol
Dangers of Glandular Supplements
For feedback or to suggest a show topic email us at [email protected]
Feel free to contact our real, live nutrition counseling practice
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider relationship**