Browse the evidence

Illicit use of AAS by competitive athletes is contrary to the rules and ethics of many sport governing bodies.

Athletes should be aware of the ethical implications and potential consequences of AAS use.

High-quality studies are needed to provide definitive answers regarding the safety and duration of preoperative drug cessation for GLP-1-RAs.

Clinicians should advocate for more research to establish clear guidelines for GLP-1-RAs in the perioperative context.

There are numerous research opportunities to explore the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery and obesity pharmacotherapy for cancer prevention.

Researchers should focus on investigating the cancer prevention potential of obesity treatments.

Long-term data on the efficacy and safety of Tirzepatide are still forthcoming.

Practitioners should remain cautious and await further data on long-term outcomes before fully endorsing TZP.

Pharmacovigilance is vital in real-world settings due to the absence of sufficiently long-term studies.

Clinicians should remain vigilant about the long-term effects of AOMs in practice.

The high pricing of semaglutide (₹17,000–26,000/month) threatens equitable access.

Practitioners should be aware of the cost barriers that may limit patient access to semaglutide.

Aerobic physical activity (30-60 minutes, moderate to vigorous intensity, most days of the week) improves cardiometabolic parameters, reduces visceral fat, and aids in weight maintenance, even without significant weight loss.

Aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) on most days of the week. You do not need to lose weight on the scale to get benefits. This activity reduces dangerous visceral fat, improves blood pressure and blood sugar control, and helps maintain any weight loss you achieve.

Intermittent Fasting (IMF) produces weight loss equivalent to Daily Caloric Restriction (DCR) when both interventions are delivered with comprehensive behavioral support and equal energy deficits, though IMF may offer better long-term fat mass maintenance.

This paper does not provide results, only a plan. However, it suggests that for weight loss, the specific timing of eating (fasting vs. daily restriction) matters less than sticking to the plan. If you struggle with daily calorie counting, trying fasting might work, but you need strong behavioral support (coaching, tracking) to succeed, just as you would with daily restriction.

Lifestyle interventions, specifically moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week and caloric restriction, significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals with prediabetes.

To prevent type 2 diabetes, you need to combine diet and exercise. Aim to lose about 7% of your body weight (or reach a BMI of 24) by cutting 400-500 calories from your daily intake and limiting saturated fats. Add at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Stick with it by getting regular check-ins and support to keep these habits long-term.

Daily physical activity of 30-60 minutes, including aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises, is recommended to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.

Aim for 30-60 minutes of daily physical activity, combining aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening. You can break this into 10-minute blocks throughout the day. This is essential for preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.

Bariatric surgery is recommended for individuals with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with comorbidities, to achieve long-term weight loss, diabetes remission, and reduced mortality.

If you have a BMI of 40 or higher, or 35 or higher with health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, bariatric surgery is a highly effective option. It leads to greater long-term weight loss and diabetes remission than medical treatment alone, and reduces long-term mortality. Discuss this with a specialist to see if you are a candidate.

Consuming protein immediately before resistance training may increase lower body (leg press) strength gains more than consuming it immediately after.

If you are focusing on leg strength, try eating your protein 15 minutes before your workout. This might give you a slight edge in strength gains compared to drinking it after, possibly because it provides fuel for your legs. However, this finding is based on very limited data, so don't stress if you can't make it work.

Short-term use of betaine may be worth considering for athletes seeking improved body composition.

Athletes may consider short-term betaine supplementation for body composition goals.

Intensive lifestyle interventions, specifically achieving significant weight loss (≥10-15 kg or ≥10% body weight), can induce Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) remission in overweight or obese patients by correcting insulin resistance and restoring beta-cell function.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes and are overweight, losing a significant amount of weight (at least 10-15 kg) through a structured diet and exercise program can potentially put your diabetes into remission. This means your blood sugar levels may return to normal without medication. However, this requires a strong commitment to maintaining that weight loss, as the condition can return if weight is regained. Consult a doctor to see if you are a candidate, especially if your diabetes was recently diagnosed.

Obese adults with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) should undergo weight-loss interventions targeting a sustained loss of 25-30% of body weight to achieve resolution of the syndrome, with bariatric surgery being the most effective method for achieving this threshold.

If you have Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome, standard weight loss may not be enough. You need to aim for losing 25-30% of your body weight to potentially cure the condition. Because this is a large amount, you should discuss bariatric surgery with your doctor if you are a candidate, as it is the most likely way to achieve this specific threshold and resolve the breathing failure.

Providing individualized Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and Respiratory Quotient (RQ) data from indirect calorimetry during a weight management program is hypothesized to improve weight loss outcomes compared to standard care using predictive equations.

This paper describes a trial, not a finished result. However, the proposed method suggests that using a metabolic test (indirect calorimetry) to determine your exact resting energy needs, rather than using a standard formula, might help tailor your diet more effectively. The goal is to create a personalized energy deficit (up to 30% below your total burn) to improve weight loss success.

Lifestyle modification, specifically weight loss, dietary changes, and physical exercise, is the foundational treatment for adults with MASLD, alongside optimal management of comorbidities.

Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes: lose weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Avoid alcohol. Manage other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure with your doctor.

Weight loss interventions (diet, multifocused weight loss, or bariatric surgery) reduce pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis, with bariatric surgery being the most effective pain-reducing intervention.

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can significantly reduce knee pain and disability. Aim for a 5% weight loss through a combination of diet and exercise. Bariatric surgery is the most effective option for pain reduction if other methods fail.

Current literature does not support a beneficial effect of betaine on muscle strength and power in humans.

Athletes should be cautious about expecting strength and power improvements from betaine.

The sustainability of energy restriction and its implementation across different diseases remains challenging.

Practitioners should be aware of the challenges in implementing energy restriction sustainably.

Metabolic surgery (bariatric surgery) is a highly effective treatment for T2DM remission in patients with BMI ≥ 32.5 kg/m2, offering higher remission rates and long-term benefits compared to conventional treatments.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes and a high BMI (32.5 or higher), and lifestyle changes haven't been enough, metabolic surgery might be an option. It can lead to long-term remission of diabetes for many people. Discuss with your doctor if you are a candidate, as it involves surgery and long-term monitoring.

Intensive lifestyle interventions focused on weight loss do not reduce cardiovascular morbidity or all-cause mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.

If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight, focusing intensely on losing weight through strict diet and exercise may not protect your heart or extend your life as much as previously thought. Prioritize sustainable health behaviors and mental well-being over the scale number, as the medical evidence for mortality benefits from weight loss in this specific group is lacking.

Bariatric surgery is an option for individuals with MASLD and obesity.

If you have obesity and MASLD, discuss bariatric surgery with your doctor as a potential option to improve your liver health.