2026 Hormone Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not

When the year resets, the wellness world is flooded with trend reports promising the "next big thing." 

In this solo episode of Phase to Phase, Dr. Anne Hussain looks into her (metaphorical) crystal ball to share her predictions for the biggest hormone health trends of 2026. She breaks down what is "hot" (the unsexy return to basics), what is "not" (the fear-mongering around seed oils), and the trends she is actively trying to will into existence.

She takes us through why we need to stop diagnosing ourselves with "cortisol face," why the protein obsession needs to make room for fibre and calcium, and why "hormone imbalance" is a description, not a diagnosis. She also tackles the more serious reality of health inequity and explains why true hormone health isn't about buying more gadgets, but about community, advocacy, and protecting our public healthcare systems. Whether you are an early adopter and trend-chaser or a skeptic who loves science, this episode is a must-listen. 

Key Takeways: 

• We’re making room for fibre and calcium in 2026. Protein is going to share the limelight this year because fibre is critical for gut health, hormonal health, and heart health, while calcium is essential for your bones (and many other things) especially as you get older. 

• We’re predicting a shift away from the "butter and beef tallow everything" trend. Saturated fats can increase heart disease and cancer risk, while worsening insulin resistance and inflammation (PCOS, anyone?). So, we’re moving toward less saturated fat and less anti-scientific fear-mongering regarding “inflammatory” seed oils.  

• The trend for fitness is moving away from vibrating plates and weighted vests and back to the foundations: lifting heavy things, cardiovascular health, and joyful movement. We are likely going to see AI-infused apps and gadgets, which serve a purpose, but beware of who’s harvesting your data!

• We need to stop pathologizing normal human physiology like water retention. Fluid retention has been conflated with “cortisol face”, “cortisol belly”, and “inflammation” a lot in 2024 and 2025. We’re leaving that behind and understanding that cortisol normally fluctuates (and is an important player in your body), while water retention can also change based on salt, carbs, heat, and hormones.

• Health and wealth inequities are an increasing trend I’m hoping will go away, but are likely here to stay for 2026. You can’t biohack your way out of a broken system, so let’s focus on the pillars of hormonal health: accessible and supportive healthcare, voting with our voices and dollars, and focusing on community instead of consumerism. 

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