Browse the evidence

Childhood stunting is associated with altered metabolic profiles in adulthood, including lower fasting insulin, higher insulin sensitivity, and abnormal beta cell function, which may predispose stunted individuals to obesity and insulin resistance later in life.

For parents in low-resource settings, addressing childhood stunting is crucial not just for height, but for long-term metabolic health. Stunted children may have altered insulin sensitivity and beta cell function, increasing their risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.

Chronic stimulation of pancreatic beta-cells by incretin agonists may lead to beta-cell exhaustion, receptor downregulation, and potentially beta-cell failure over the long term.

While generally safe, long-term use of incretin medications may theoretically stress pancreatic beta-cells. Doctors monitor for this, but the long-term human data is still being gathered. It is important to discuss any concerns about long-term safety with your healthcare provider.

Chronic GIPR agonism may lead to desensitization that mimics functional antagonism, potentially explaining why both agonists and antagonists result in weight loss.

There is a theoretical possibility that long-term use of GIP-activating drugs could lead to receptor desensitization, acting like a blocker. However, current clinical evidence does not strongly support this in the brain, and these drugs remain effective for weight loss. Monitor your progress with your doctor.

Unimolecular tetra-receptor agonists (TC4) simultaneously activate GLP-1R, GIPR, GcgR, and Y2R, resulting in superior metabolic efficacy (weight loss and glycemic control) compared to mono- or dual-agonists by leveraging synergistic receptor engagement.

This research describes a new class of peptide drugs that target four metabolic receptors (GLP-1, GIP, Glucagon, and PYY) simultaneously. In preclinical studies, this approach showed strong potential for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes with fewer side effects like nausea than older drugs. It is not yet available for human use.

Tirzepatide administration is associated with novel postmarketing adverse events including palpitations, musculoskeletal pain, and headaches, which were not prominent in initial clinical trials.

If you experience palpitations, muscle pain, or headaches after starting Tirzepatide, report these to your doctor. These are not the typical stomach issues and may require dose adjustment or injection site changes.

Tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, may modify the natural course of lipedema by targeting its underlying immunometabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic pathophysiology, rather than solely reducing body weight.

If you have lipedema, especially with insulin resistance, talk to your doctor about tirzepatide. It’s not just for weight loss; it may help reduce the inflammation and fibrosis causing your pain and stiffness. Since it’s a newer treatment for lipedema, ask about clinical trials or off-label use if appropriate for your case.

Heterozygous variants in the POMC gene (specifically p.Arg90His, p.Ser94Gly, p.Ser94=, and p.Ala195=) are associated with an intermediate obesity phenotype in adults, likely due to haploinsufficiency affecting melanocortin peptide processing.

If you carry a heterozygous POMC variant, you may have an intermediate form of genetic obesity that responds differently to standard interventions. This information can help tailor your treatment plan, though functional validation of specific variants is still needed.

Tirzepatide as an adjunct to insulin in adults with Type 1 Diabetes and overweight/obesity produces significant body weight reduction and reduced insulin requirements, but current evidence is insufficient to establish durable glycaemic benefit or long-term safety.

For adults with Type 1 Diabetes and obesity, Tirzepatide is a promising tool for significant weight loss and reducing insulin needs. However, it is not yet proven to reliably improve long-term blood sugar control or safety. If used, it requires careful monitoring for side effects like nausea and potential risks like DKA, especially if insulin is reduced too aggressively. It is currently an investigational option, not a standard of care.

BPC-157 accelerates tissue repair (tendons, muscles, ligaments, GI mucosa) by stimulating angiogenesis and modulating inflammation, though it lacks FDA approval and robust human clinical trials.

BPC-157 is a peptide studied for its ability to speed up the healing of tendons, muscles, and gut lining. While animal studies show promising results for tissue repair, it is not yet approved by the FDA for human use. It is sometimes used off-label in sports medicine, but robust human clinical trials are still needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Alternate-day fasting (ADF) preserves resting metabolic rate (RMR) better than daily caloric restriction during weight loss, as indicated by a non-significant decrease in adjusted RMR for ADF compared to a significant decrease for CR.

If you are worried about your metabolism slowing down too much on a diet, ADF might be a better choice than daily restriction. This study suggests ADF may help preserve metabolic rate better, which could make it easier to keep the weight off.

Alternate-day fasting (ADF) leads to a significant increase in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels during the 24-week follow-up period compared to daily caloric restriction, which saw a decrease.

If you are concerned about cognitive function while dieting, ADF might be a better option than daily restriction. This study suggests ADF may increase BDNF levels, a hormone linked to brain health and energy balance, during the follow-up period.

Intermittent fasting does not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factors (lipid profile, blood pressure) or diabetes markers (HbA1c, fasting glucose) compared to daily caloric restriction.

Do not expect intermittent fasting to fix your cholesterol or blood sugar better than a standard calorie-restricted diet. The primary benefit is weight loss, which may indirectly help these markers, but the fasting pattern itself offers no superior advantage for cardiovascular or diabetes risk factors.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) is associated with a lower risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in women, contradicting assumptions that hormone replacement universally increases stroke risk.

If you are considering or using hormone therapy, discuss your specific stroke risks, particularly for hemorrhagic stroke, with your healthcare provider, as some data suggests it may lower SAH risk.

Migraine with aura is a stroke risk factor more common in women, requiring specific attention in stroke prevention guidelines.

If you have migraines with aura, inform your doctor, as this condition increases your stroke risk and requires specific preventive strategies.

Intensive glucose lowering treatment in type 2 diabetes does not reduce all-cause mortality or cardiovascular death and significantly increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia.

For people with type 2 diabetes, aggressively lowering blood sugar to very low targets (like <7%) does not extend life or prevent heart attacks, and significantly increases the risk of dangerous low blood sugar episodes. Standard care may be safer and equally effective for survival. Focus on overall cardiovascular risk management rather than just hitting a specific low number.

Intensive glucose lowering treatment reduces the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction and microalbuminuria, but these benefits disappear when restricted to high-quality double-blind trials.

While intensive glucose lowering might slightly reduce the risk of non-fatal heart attacks or early kidney signs (microalbuminuria), this benefit is not robust enough to be seen in the most rigorous studies. Given the increased risk of dangerous low blood sugar, these marginal gains may not be worth the trade-off for many patients.

Menstrual cycle phase has a trivial effect on exercise performance in eumenorrheic women, with no evidence supporting general guidelines for modulating training across phases.

Stop tracking your menstrual cycle to schedule workouts. The science shows that performance differences across phases are trivial and inconsistent. Instead of trying to align your training with your hormones, focus on consistent training habits. If you notice a personal pattern where you feel weaker or stronger in a specific phase, adjust your expectations for that specific session, but do not change your overall training plan based on the calendar.

SGLT-2 inhibitors increase the risk of genital infections, while GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase the risk of severe gastrointestinal events.

Be aware of potential side effects: SGLT-2 inhibitors can increase genital yeast infections, and GLP-1 agonists can cause nausea or GI issues. These are common and manageable, but you should discuss prevention strategies (like hygiene for SGLT-2 or slow dose titration for GLP-1) with your doctor before starting.

Blue wavelength light is the most efficient stimulus for shifting the circadian system and suppressing melatonin due to its sensitivity in non-rod, non-cone photoreceptors.

Blue light is the most efficient wavelength for shifting your circadian clock. Light therapy devices enriched with blue light are being tested for this purpose, though sufficient intensity white light can also be effective.

Modafinil is indicated to enhance alertness during the night shift for patients with Shift Work Disorder (SWD).

If you work night shifts and struggle with alertness, ask your doctor about modafinil. It is a guideline-recommended treatment to help you stay awake and perform better during your shift, with a known safety profile.

Consumption of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) may interact with lipid metabolism, potentially lowering serum triacylglycerols and cholesterol in hyperlipidaemic individuals.

If you have slightly high blood fats, consuming 10-18g of inulin or oligofructose daily for 8+ weeks may help lower triglycerides and insulin levels. Effects on cholesterol are less consistent and may require longer consumption.

Testosterone therapy does not increase the risk of prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men without existing prostate disease, but it can aggravate symptoms in men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

Do not let the fear of prostate cancer stop you from seeking treatment for low testosterone if you are otherwise healthy. Current guidelines show no link between TRT and developing prostate cancer. However, if you already have advanced prostate cancer, TRT is contraindicated. Regular prostate checks (PSA and DRE) are essential before and during treatment.

Lifestyle interventions may improve the Free Androgen Index (FAI) in women with PCOS, but evidence quality is low.

Lifestyle changes may help lower male hormone levels (FAI) in women with PCOS. However, the evidence is not strong enough to be certain, so this should be viewed as a potential benefit rather than a guaranteed outcome.

Zinc deficiency is associated with increased body fat and reduced lean mass in children, and may influence leptin secretion, though human intervention studies show mixed results.

Ensure adequate zinc intake, especially if you are a child or adolescent in a region with potential malnutrition. While zinc supports metabolic health, it is not a standalone weight loss solution.