Browse the evidence

Key barriers to medication adherence include poor diabetes knowledge, depression, polypharmacy, side effects, inadequate patient-provider communication, and lack of continuity in care.

Addressing these barriers may improve medication adherence.

The prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among US adults (≥20 years) is 9.9%, with an average Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) score of 53.9.

Healthcare providers should be aware of the prevalence of T2DM and average diet quality in this population.

Males with diagnosed T2DM have a significantly higher HEI score than those without (53.3 vs. 51.8).

Nutrition interventions may need to consider gender differences in dietary quality among those with T2DM.

39.2% of participants screened positive for eating disorder signs and symptoms using the SCOFF questionnaire.

Practitioners should be aware that a significant portion of Brazilian adults may exhibit symptoms of eating disorders.

UPF consumption was higher in participants with binge eating and other eating disorders compared to those without ED symptoms.

Higher UPF consumption may be linked to specific eating disorder symptoms, indicating a need for dietary assessments in clinical settings.

The overall prevalence of sarcopenia in the studied population is 6.42%.

Practitioners should be aware of the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults in urban-rural transition zones.

A long-term farming history is a strong, independent protective factor against sarcopenia.

Encouraging a farming lifestyle may help reduce sarcopenia risk in older adults.

The association between diabetes and sarcopenia was not statistically significant after adjusting for confounders.

Diabetes may not be a significant risk factor for sarcopenia when considering other factors.

Obesity increases atherosclerosis susceptibility via an endocrine-like mechanism where adipose-derived miR-30e-5p travels to vascular endothelial cells, downregulates SLC7A11, and impairs mitochondrial function.

This research highlights that obesity is not just a passive storage of fat but an active endocrine organ that sends damaging signals to blood vessels. Managing body weight is crucial to stop adipose tissue from releasing miR-30e-5p, which directly harms the lining of your arteries and promotes plaque buildup, independent of cholesterol levels.

Medical weight management (MWM) using older obesity medications and lifestyle modification does not significantly reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared to usual care in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

If you have obesity and type 2 diabetes, using older weight loss medications (like liraglutide or exenatide) along with lifestyle changes did not significantly lower your risk of major heart events compared to standard care in this study. This does not mean the medication is useless for weight loss, but do not rely on it for heart protection. Newer medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide) might have different outcomes, but for now, focus on sustainable weight loss and managing diabetes.

Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) appears to be the most effective bariatric surgery for achieving T2DM remission and lowering HbA1c levels, although evidence is sparse due to limited study numbers.

Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) shows the strongest potential for reversing Type 2 Diabetes and significantly lowering HbA1c levels among all bariatric surgeries. However, because very few studies have evaluated it, its use is limited by concerns over surgical complexity and complications. It should be considered for patients with severe T2DM and obesity who are willing to accept higher surgical risks for the best chance of remission.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from lean donors transiently improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in patients with metabolic syndrome, though effects often diminish after 18 weeks without maintenance.

FMT from lean donors can significantly boost insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar in metabolic syndrome patients, but these benefits are temporary (lasting ~6 weeks) and may require repeated treatments or maintenance fiber. It is not a one-time cure and is currently expensive.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) provide superior renal protection compared to insulin in early-stage diabetic kidney disease by reducing CD36 levels and urinary albumin excretion.

If you have type 2 diabetes and early kidney disease, ask your doctor about GLP-1 receptor agonists. They may protect your kidneys better than insulin while you continue taking metformin.

Maternal depression during pregnancy is significantly associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), suggesting that screening for depression may reduce GDM risk.

If you are pregnant, pay attention to your mental health. Depression during pregnancy is linked to a higher risk of gestational diabetes. Talk to your doctor about screening for depression to help protect your health and your baby's.

Public health reformulation of ultra-processed foods (UPF) fails to reduce population-level health harms because industry growth strategies (combatition, swotification, fashion spiral, demand-pumping) drive aggregate UPF consumption upward, negating individual product improvements.

Do not rely on 'reformulated' or 'light' UPFs as a health strategy. The food industry uses reformulation to maintain growth and market share, often increasing total consumption through strategies like smaller, more frequent portions ('portion paradoxes') and novelty marketing. To improve health, the most effective intervention is reducing the overall availability and consumption of the UPF category, not just tweaking its ingredients.

Whey protein supplements do not consistently provide superior body composition or strength benefits compared to whole milk or milk powder, and may carry risks of insulin resistance due to high branched-chain amino acid content.

You likely do not need expensive whey protein powder to build muscle. Whole milk or milk powder provide similar muscle-building benefits at a much lower cost and with additional nutritional advantages.

Restricting saturated fat intake does not consistently reduce cardiovascular disease risk and may be associated with lower mortality when replaced by carbohydrates, challenging blanket low-fat dietary guidelines.

Stop fearing saturated fat in whole foods like meat, dairy, and nuts. Current evidence suggests that restricting these foods does not lower heart disease risk and may be worse if you replace them with high-carbohydrate foods. Focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods rather than isolating fat content.

No single vegetable oil crop is inherently 'good' or 'bad'; the environmental and social impact depends entirely on the production system, trade practices, and local context.

Don't just look for 'palm oil-free' labels. Focus on supporting sustainable certification and production practices. No oil crop is inherently evil; the impact depends on how and where it is grown. Consider the broader environmental trade-offs of different oils.

Prescription medication-driven weight loss (mdWL) using GLP-1 agonists causes facial aesthetic changes including skin laxity, hollowed cheeks, and pronounced wrinkles, primarily affecting superficial and deep fat pads rather than bone or muscle.

If you are losing weight rapidly with prescription medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, expect changes in your face, such as sagging skin or hollow cheeks, due to fat loss in specific facial layers. This is a common side effect of the medication's mechanism, not a sign of poor health. To manage this, consult an aesthetic provider about timing treatments (like fillers or skin tightening) to coincide with your weight stabilization, rather than during active rapid loss. Avoid terms like 'Ozempic face' and focus on 'mdWL' management to reduce stigma.

Combining protein supplementation with exercise does not provide a robust benefit for bone mineral content (BMC) or density (BMD) in middle-aged and older adults compared to exercise or protein alone.

If your goal is bone health, focus on consistent resistance or weight-bearing exercise and adequate protein intake separately. Adding extra protein supplements on top of your exercise routine does not currently show evidence of providing additional bone density benefits compared to doing just one of those things alone.

Dietary interventions (caloric restriction, high-fat, high protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, and specific micronutrients) administered during critical developmental windows (puberty, pregnancy, or lifetime) can induce transgenerational epigenetic modifications that protect offspring against environmental toxins.

To potentially protect future generations from environmental toxins, parents should consider adopting protective dietary patterns—such as high protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, caloric restriction, or specific micronutrient supplementation—during critical life stages like puberty, pregnancy, or throughout their lifetime. These dietary choices can induce epigenetic changes that may persist for multiple generations.

Epigenetic priming via nutrient deprivation (caloric restriction) in the F0 generation increases the epigenetic plasticity of subsequent generations, allowing them to better adapt to varying diets and metabolic challenges.

Moderate caloric restriction (e.g., 50-70% of normal intake) during early development or pregnancy may 'prime' the epigenome, making offspring more metabolically resilient to future dietary challenges. However, extreme restriction should be avoided as it can lead to growth issues.

Ketogenic diets are not recommended for patients with Type 1 Diabetes due to increased risks of hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and potential bone health issues.

Avoid ketogenic diets if you have T1D. The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hypoglycemia is too high. Focus on balanced meals with nonstarchy vegetables, whole foods, and careful carbohydrate counting instead of extreme restriction.

Age is the most significant factor for multimorbidity, with individuals over 60 years old having a 5.89 times higher likelihood of reporting two or more chronic diseases compared to those under 49.

As you age, the risk of developing multiple chronic conditions increases significantly. However, managing modifiable risk factors like blood pressure and weight can help mitigate this risk. Regular health screenings and adherence to medication for conditions like hypertension and diabetes are crucial for older adults to prevent multimorbidity.