5 Health & Wellness Takeaways from Our Podcasts This Week—and the Science Behind Them

Every week, our podcast lineup at Dear Media delivers a fresh batch of health and wellness insight—sometimes controversial, often enlightening, and always worth dissecting. This week’s episodes were no exception, with hosts and guests tackling buzzy supplements, misunderstood diagnoses, and the cultural obsession with “cleansing.” We’re not just here for the hot takes, but for the facts. Below are five of the biggest takeaways, plus the science that backs (or debunks) them.

1. Creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders—Kristin Cavallari uses it for health and longevity

On Let’s Be Honest, Kristin Cavallari shared her current supplement stack, and creatine tops the list. “I’ve noticed a big difference in my muscle tone and mental clarity since I started taking creatine,” she says, adding it to her morning smoothie.

So what does the science say?

According to Harvard Medical School, creatine isn’t just a gym bro staple—it’s a naturally occurring compound that helps supply energy to muscles and may support brain health, particularly in aging adults. While more research is needed on its long-term effects, studies suggest it may improve muscle strength, cognitive performance, and bone health as we age.

2. Dr. Sara says milk thistle might be underrated—and science agrees

Over on Treated with Dr. Sara, the conversation turned to liver health, specifically, milk thistle. “Milk thistle done in the right prescribed dosing…is life preserving and saving,” said guest Dr. Brad Jacobs. Although the published data on its efficacy is conservative, he emphasized that the active compound—silymarin—supports the liver at both the cellular and physiological levels.

Back that up with research, and you’ll find that milk thistle has been studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, especially in liver detoxification. Healthline reports that it may help treat liver conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease

3. Arielle Lorre says stop doing the ‘juice cleanses’—and UCLA agrees

Wellness influencer Arielle Lorre did not hold back on Well with Arielle when she and guest Katarina Grabic took a sledgehammer to the juice-cleansing trend. “We’re a starving nation,” said Grabic. “Instead of trying to cleanse, we need to replenish… I’ve never met someone who truly needed to cleanse. Never.”

Science backs that up. According to UCLA Health, most commercial “cleanses” are unnecessary at best and potentially harmful at worst. Our liver and kidneys are fully capable of detoxifying the body—no expensive juice needed.

4. Magnesium is the multitasking miracle mineral, and The Balanced Blonde is obsessed

On The Balanced Blonde/Soul on Fire, host Jordan Younger welcomed Dr. Gregory Kelly to talk about all things magnesium—and it turns out, the hype is real. Magnesium is doing the most, from supporting nervous system regulation to improving sleep, mood, and cognition. “We have to think of magnesium as nature’s chill pill,” said Kelly, adding that modern diets and water purification processes leave most people deficient.

A study from University Hospitals supports this, stating that magnesium helps with over 300 enzyme systems in the body, plays a role in muscle and nerve function, and may even help with PMS and anxiety.

5. Exercise is wellness medicine, and meditation is, too

On SHE MD, Dr. Alia Bhatti and guest Aurora Culpo shared a deeply personal and practical discussion about hormonal health, postpartum recovery, and the importance of becoming your health advocate. While much of the episode was centered on PCOS and perinatal experiences, the underlying message was about finding balance. “I feel like I finally got to a point where not everything needs a label,” Culpo said, crediting movement, acupuncture, and meditation as tools that helped her reclaim control over her health.

And science is on their side. While the benefits of exercise are widely acknowledged, meditation is increasingly shown to lower stress, reduce inflammation, and even improve brain function. A UC Davis report outlines ten distinct health benefits of meditation, from improved focus to better emotional regulation.

The through-line across all these podcasts? Wellness isn’t about perfection, restriction, or buying the next buzzy detox. It’s about tuning into your body, leaning into real science, and making choices that support your long-term vitality—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether adding creatine to your coffee or finally ditching that “cleanse,” just know this: You don’t need to be extreme to be well. You just need to be informed.