Browse the evidence

Bariatric surgery induces T2DM remission through mechanisms that are partially independent of weight loss, including early metabolic effects on HbA1c and insulin sensitivity.

Surgery improves blood sugar control rapidly, often before significant weight loss, by changing how the body processes nutrients and hormones. This 'metabolic' effect is a key reason why diabetes can go into remission even if weight loss is slow initially.

Generalized testosterone therapy is not recommended for women due to inadequate indications and a lack of long-term safety data, despite evidence of short-term efficacy in specific subgroups like surgically menopausal women.

Do not use testosterone therapy for general wellness, libido, or energy in women unless you are part of a specific, well-defined clinical trial or have a rare condition like surgical menopause where short-term benefits have been weighed against unknown long-term risks. The current medical consensus is that the risks outweigh the benefits for the general female population due to a lack of safety data.

Diagnosing androgen deficiency in women is currently not recommended because there is no well-defined clinical syndrome or normative data on testosterone levels across the lifespan.

Do not seek a diagnosis of 'low T' or 'androgen deficiency' based on lab tests alone. The medical community currently lacks the normative data and clinical definitions to diagnose this condition in women. Focus on overall health and symptom management rather than chasing a specific hormone number.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a primary mediator for the protective effect of physical activity on endometrial cancer, as adjusting for BMI eliminates the association, whereas it has limited effect on other cancer types.

For endometrial cancer prevention, maintaining a healthy BMI is likely the most critical factor, as the independent benefit of exercise appears to be mediated by weight. However, for other cancers like colon and breast, exercise provides protection even after accounting for BMI. Do not skip exercise thinking you are 'thin enough' to be safe from all cancers.

Caffeine consumption alters sleep architecture by increasing the duration and proportion of light sleep (N1) and decreasing the duration and proportion of deep sleep (N3/N4).

Even if you don't feel tired, caffeine may be stealing your deep sleep. Expect about 11 minutes less deep sleep and 6 minutes more light sleep per night if you consume caffeine close to bedtime. This reduces the restorative quality of your sleep, contributing to next-day fatigue.

Caffeine increases sleep onset latency by approximately 9 minutes and wake after sleep onset by approximately 12 minutes.

Caffeine makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Expect to take about 9 minutes longer to fall asleep and spend 12 minutes more awake during the night. This fragmentation reduces overall sleep efficiency by 7%.

Systematic screening for ischaemic heart disease risk factors combined with repeated lifestyle counselling does not reduce the 10-year incidence of ischaemic heart disease in the general population.

Regular health screenings and lifestyle advice alone, without more intensive or sustained support, may not prevent heart disease in the general population. Focus on sustainable lifestyle habits rather than just risk assessment.

Vitamin D3 supplementation does not significantly improve glucose homeostasis (HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, A1c, fasting glucose) or prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes in adults with normal glucose tolerance, prediabetes, or established type 2 diabetes.

Do not take Vitamin D3 specifically to lower blood sugar or prevent diabetes. While it is important for bone health, this review of over 43,000 patients shows it does not improve glucose control or prevent diabetes progression, regardless of dose or baseline status.

There is inconclusive evidence regarding the effect of physical activity on the prevention of sarcopenia in older adults.

While evidence is inconclusive, engaging in physical activity, particularly resistance and functional exercises, is likely beneficial for maintaining muscle strength and performance, which are key aspects of sarcopenia.

Formal, structured interventions aimed at preventing weight gain in normal-weight adults have minimal effect and are not recommended.

If you are already at a normal weight, formal weight-loss programs are not recommended as they offer minimal benefit (less than 1 kg). Focus on maintaining your current healthy lifestyle rather than seeking out structured prevention programs.

Multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplements do not provide sufficient evidence to recommend for or against their use for chronic disease prevention in the general healthy adult population.

Do not take multivitamin/mineral supplements expecting them to prevent chronic diseases like cancer or heart disease. Current scientific evidence does not support this use. Focus on a healthy diet and lifestyle instead.

Beta-carotene supplementation increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers and asbestos workers.

If you smoke or have been exposed to asbestos, do not take beta-carotene supplements, as they increase your risk of lung cancer. This risk does not apply to non-smokers.