High-protein diets are everywhere from TikTok trends to protein-packed coffee, pasta, and even bottled water. But is “protein maxxing” actually healthy? And how much protein do you really need?

In this first episode of Health vs Hype from the American Medical Association and iHeartMedia’s Ruby Studio, host Trace Dominguez explores one of the most talked-about nutrition trends online. With bold claims about building muscle, losing weight, and optimizing health, protein has become the centerpiece of many diets, but what does science say about protein maxxing?

We’ll talk to folks interested in the protein maxxing trend, an influencer who lives by it, and an expert physician who gives us all the answers to some of the biggest questions people are asking online: 

• Does eating more protein automatically build muscle?
• How much protein is too much?
• Are high-protein diets safe for everyone?
• Is animal protein better than plant protein?

If you’ve ever wondered whether a high-protein diet is right for you, or felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, this episode will help you make sense of it all.

Health vs Hype is a podcast from the American Medical Association that takes on viral health trends and breaks them down with real stories, expert insight, and evidence-based guidance.

Listen in to find out: is protein maxxing all health… or just hype?

To learn more, visit: amahealthvshype.org

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Got a symptom? There's an influencer for that. A supplement for that. A subreddit, a detox, a cold plunge for that.

But what actually works — and what could actually hurt you?

Introducing: Health vs. Hype with the American Medical Association — a science-backed health podcast that breaks down viral wellness trends, health misinformation, and the advice flooding your feed.

Emmy-nominated science communicator Trace Dominguez sits down with influencers, the curious, and most importantly doctors to fact-check viral health claims – everything from intermittent fasting and protein maxxing to creatine. Cold plunges and more! Not to cancel the trends, not to hype them more, but to understand them.

Your health is your greatest asset. Don't leave it to an algorithm.

Let’s slow the scroll…and start asking better questions.

Health vs. Hype: new episodes drop every other week starting April 14th. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more, visit: amahealthvshype.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Health vs. Hype with the American Medical Association, host Trace Dominguez uncovers the science behind viral sleep trends, and reveals what actually works to improve sleep quality.

From mouth tape and melatonin to your sleep tracker, breathwork, and sleep divorces, millions of Americans are experimenting with trending sleep hacks. More than half of U.S. adults have tried at least one viral sleep trend. But are these methods backed by science…or just social media hype?

Featuring insights from lifestyle content creator Lucie Fink, sleep storyteller Kathryn Nicolai, and sleep medicine expert Dr. Jose Colon, this episode answers the questions:

• Does your sleep tracker actually improve sleep or increase anxiety?
• Is mouth tape safe or potentially dangerous?
• How much sleep do you really need for optimal health?
• What is heart rate variability (HRV), and does it matter?

You’ll also learn why “trying harder” to sleep can backfire, how social media influences health behaviors, and which simple, evidence-based strategies can help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling restored.

If you’ve ever struggled with insomnia, experimented with sleep optimization, or wondered whether viral wellness trends are worth it, this episode gets to the bottom of it all.

To learn more, visit: amahealthvshype.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can detox teas, juice cleanses, and parasite cleanses actually flush toxins out of your body or is the wellness industry overselling the science?

In this episode of Health vs Hype, Trace sits down with gastroenterologist Dr. David Purow to unpack one of the biggest wellness trends online: detoxing. Together, they break down what toxins really are, how the body naturally detoxifies itself, and why many popular detox products may be unnecessary or even harmful.

The episode explores social media claims surrounding heavy metals, microplastics, “detox pathways,” parasite cleanses, brain fog, bloating, inflammation, and fatigue. You’ll hear insights from wellness creator Mina Adams alongside evidence-based medical perspectives on whether detox regimens actually work. You’ll also hear from Steve Lutsk, an online fitness coach and detox doubter. 

Dr. Purow explains how the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and even the brain already have built-in systems designed to remove waste and harmful substances. He also discusses why healthy habits like sleep, hydration, nutrition, movement, and exercise support the body far more effectively than trendy and expensive detox products or quick-fix cleanses.

The conversation also tackles:

• Juice cleanses and detox teas
• Parasite cleanse trends on TikTok and Instagram
• Heavy metals and microplastic fears
• “Resetting” your gut or digestive system
• The psychology of wellness quick fixes

If you’ve ever wondered whether detoxes are science-backed, this episode separates health facts from wellness hype.

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VO2 Max is everywhere, from fitness trackers and smartwatches to social media and even dating profiles. But what does this number actually mean for your health?

In this episode of Health vs. Hype, we break down the science behind VO2 Max (maximal oxygen consumption) and whether it truly deserves its status as the ultimate fitness and longevity metric.

With insights from cardiologist Dr. Robert Maynard and real-world experiences from elite athletes and everyday runners, we explore:

• What VO2 max measures, and how it reflects cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular health
• Whether smartwatch VO2 Max estimates are accurate (and how they compare to lab testing)
• How VO2 Max relates to longevity, heart disease risk, and overall fitness
• Why this single number doesn’t tell the whole story about your health or performance
• When VO2 Max testing is useful and when it might be unnecessary (or even overkill)

You’ll hear firsthand what it’s like to take a clinical VO2 Max test, why the metric has gone viral, and how to use it without getting obsessed with the number.

Bottom line: VO2 Max is one of the most powerful predictors of health but it’s not the only one that matters.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your fitness tracker’s VO2 Max score is meaningful, or just hype, this episode has your answer.

To learn more, visit: amahealthvshype.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creatine has officially gone mainstream, but is it actually worth the hype?

Once known as a “gym bro” supplement, creatine is now trending across TikTok and Instagram for everything from muscle growth to brain health and longevity. In this episode of Health vs. Hype with the American Medical Association, host Trace Dominguez cuts through the noise to answer two simple questions: what does creatine really do and who should be taking it?

Featuring insights from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Mitchell, fitness influencer Tony Coffey, and twin sisters, Cynthia Heyd and Leslie White exploring creatine for healthy aging, this episode breaks down the science behind one of the most researched supplements on the market.

We explore:

• How creatine works in the body and why it boosts performance
• The truth about muscle gain, weight changes, and fat loss claims
• Whether creatine is safe (and who should avoid it)
• The difference between creatine monohydrate and trendy alternatives
• The rising hype around brain health and what the research actually says

Along the way, we unpack common misconceptions, influencer-driven marketing tactics, and the “magic pill” mindset fueling creatine’s viral popularity.

To learn more, visit: amahealthvshype.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.