The Dr. Hyman Show

For decades, we’ve been told that high cholesterol is the main driver of heart disease—and that lowering LDL should be the primary goal. But as science has evolved, so has my thinking. In today’s Office Hours, I explain why cholesterol alone doesn’t tell the full story, what most doctors still aren’t testing, and what’s really driving heart disease for the majority of people.

Today we discuss:
• Why many people have heart attacks despite “normal” LDL cholesterol
• The difference between cholesterol levels and cholesterol particles
• How inflammation and insulin resistance fuel heart disease
• Why sugar and refined starches are more dangerous than fat
• The most important labs to assess real cardiovascular risk
• What ApoB, lipoprotein(a), and triglyceride-to-HDL ratio reveal about your health
• How metabolic dysfunction—not cholesterol alone—drives plaque buildup

Heart disease is far more complex than a single lab value. When you understand the role of metabolic health, inflammation, and the right biomarkers, you can take meaningful steps to protect your heart and long-term health.

Visit ⁠functionhealth.com⁠ for 160+ lab tests at just $365 a year.

Helpful Resources:
Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Metabolic Health
https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox

Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 👉https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header

Around the world, we’re seeing declining sperm counts, rising infertility, more erectile dysfunction, and lower testosterone—even in younger men.

These trends aren’t just affecting family planning; they’re pointing to something much bigger happening in men’s health.

Joining me today on The Dr. Hyman Show is Dr. Michael Eisenberg, a Stanford researcher and leading voice in male reproductive health. We talk about why sperm quality matters far beyond fertility—and how everyday health choices quietly shape it. Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

[YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL]

We cover:

• Why sperm quality may be one of the strongest early indicators of overall health and longevity

• How metabolic dysfunction, belly fat, and low testosterone impact fertility and sexual function

• The role environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors play in declining sperm counts

• What men can do right now to protect fertility and long-term vitality

When we look at fertility through the lens of whole-body health, it changes how we think about prevention, risk, and longevity. Male fertility isn’t just about reproduction. It’s a signal.

Register for The Ultra Learning Series: Functional Fertility on Thursday, February 12 at 12PM ET here.

View Show Notes From This Episode

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(0:00) Rise in male infertility and testosterone issues

(1:24) Global challenges in men's health and infertility awareness

(4:56) Decline in semen quality and potential causes

(9:52) Reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors and detoxification methods

(14:51) Metabolic health's impact on testosterone and sperm quality as a vital sign

(21:00) Sperm quality biomarkers and the impact of paternal age on offspring

(26:28) Role of paternal health and epigenetics in pregnancy outcomes

(31:29) Lifestyle and supplements to improve sperm quality

(37:57) Stress and environmental factors affecting hormone levels and birth sex ratios

(41:05) Erectile dysfunction: rates, causes, and treatment options

(51:22) Testosterone replacement therapy: benefits and risks

(1:00:08) Andropause and epigenetics in reproductive health

(1:08:22) Rapid fire questions: lifestyle factors affecting sperm quality

(1:09:45) Impact of cycling and sedentary lifestyle on reproductive health

(1:12:46) Importance of sleep, stress management, and relaxation techniques

(1:13:45) Information about swim club and supplements for fertility

(1:14:44) Introduction to the Ultra Learning Series and functional fertility workshop

(1:16:07) Disclaimer and gratitude to sponsors

What’s Really Driving Infertility—and What You Can Do About It
Fertility struggles are far more common than most people realize—and far more complex than we’re often told. Today I answer listener-submitted questions on fertility, hormone balance, and preparing your body for conception.

Here’s what I cover:
• Why infertility is rising and what’s really driving it
• The hidden role of blood sugar, inflammation, and toxins in hormone balance
• What to do if labs are “normal” but fertility struggles persist
• How lifestyle and nutrition improve egg and sperm quality
• Simple, practical steps to support fertility now and long-term

Fertility challenges are complex and often influenced by underlying imbalances. Addressing root causes can help support your body’s natural resilience over time.

Visit ⁠functionhealth.com⁠ for 160+ lab tests at just $365 a year.

Helpful Resources:
Grab Our FREE Fertility Blueprint: 7 Daily Practices That Support Conception
https://drhyman.com/products/fertility-blueprint?_pos=1&_psq=fertility&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Metabolic Health
https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox

Register for The Ultra Learning Series: Functional Fertility on Thursday, February 12 at 12PM ET here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D-Tzh9z8QmyQdZpBOgohKQ#/registration

Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 👉https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I sit down with Dr. Robert Hedaya, a psychiatrist who has spent decades working at the intersection of biology, brain function, and mental health. His approach starts with a different question than most psychiatry asks: what’s interfering with the brain’s ability to regulate, adapt, and repair itself?

We talk about why many mental health diagnoses describe symptoms without explaining causes—and how measuring brain function, energy, and network activity is opening the door to more precise, individualized care.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

[YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL]

We discuss:

• How biological imbalances can drive anxiety, depression, and cognitive symptoms

• Why many “treatment-resistant” mental health issues have overlooked root causes

• How brain energy and mitochondrial function influence mood and cognition

• What advanced brain mapping reveals about how your brain is actually working

For far too long, mental health care has focused on managing symptoms in isolation. This discussion looks at what becomes possible when we treat the brain as part of the whole system and support its ability to heal.

View Show Notes From This Episode

Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

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Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal

https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast

Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health

https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox

Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results

https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive

This episode is brought to you by Seed, Sunlighten, Timeline, Paleovalley, Fatty15 and Pique.

Go to seed.com/hyman and use code 20HYMAN to get 20% off your first month.

Visit sunlighten.com and use code HYMAN to save up to $1400.

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In this Office Hours episode, I break down what the government finally got right about food, where the new guidelines still fall short, and—most importantly—how to apply them in real life without confusion or overwhelm. For the first time in decades, there’s meaningful progress: a recognition that ultra-processed foods are harming us, that protein matters for optimal health, and that nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. But there’s still work to do.

In this episode, I break down:
• Why calling out ultra-processed foods is the most important—and historic—shift in the new guidelines
• What the new protein recommendations actually mean for everyday people
• Why the low-fat era is finally ending—and why whole foods matter more than isolated nutrients
• Where the guidelines still fall short, including saturated fat limits, whole grain recommendations, and lack of personalization
• How to apply the guidelines to kids and families without perfection or overwhelm
• Why chronic disease is a policy problem—not a personal failure

The new dietary guidelines are a foundation, not a finish line. Use them as a starting point: focus on food quality, reduce ultra-processed foods, prioritize protein, and personalize your choices based on how your body responds.

Visit ⁠functionhealth.com⁠ for 160+ lab tests at just $365 a year.

Helpful Resources:
Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health
https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox

Nutrition 101: The Foundation of Feeling Your Best
https://drhyman.com/pages/nutrition-101

Pre-order my book, Food Fix Uncensored:
https://drhyman.com/pages/food-fix

Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 👉https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header