The hottest Nutrition Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Myth of Kick-Starting Weight Loss - Part 2

Weight and Healthcare • 678 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Nutrition Research Health Issues Weight Stigma
  1. Extreme food/caloric restrictions for short-term weight loss have no basis in evidence for long-term significant weight loss.
  2. Tips like using aluminum foil, rearranging food in the cupboards, or changing plate sizes have no substantial evidence backing their effectiveness for sustainable weight loss.
  3. Recycled weight loss tropes without scientific evidence can perpetuate harmful weight cycling and health issues, so it's crucial to ask for research on weight loss claims.

Reader Question - My Doctor Claims He Can "Jump Start" Weight Loss?

Weight and Healthcare • 878 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Nutrition Medical Ethics Body positivity Health Research
  1. Behavior-based weight loss interventions usually fail to produce significant, long-term weight loss for most people.
  2. The idea of 'jump starting' weight loss with extreme food/caloric restrictions is generally ill-advised as it can trigger famine responses in the body, making it a weight-gaining machine.
  3. Promoting or selling products like liquid diets by medical professionals is not legally prohibited, but the evidence does not support the effectiveness of 'kick starting' weight loss as a long-term solution.

5 Questions with Jessica Jones, RD, CDE

Weight and Healthcare • 459 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental well-being Physical health
  1. Jessica Jones is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, co-founder of Food Heaven, and Diabetes Digital. She focuses on weight-inclusive care for diabetes management.
  2. She learned about weight-inclusive care from Evelyn Tribole and emphasizes separating health from weight, promoting holistic well-being and patient-centered care.
  3. Jones applies weight-inclusive concepts in her work through writing, podcasting, and counseling services, advocating for health improvement unrelated to weight loss.

Reader Question: What is Food Noise?

Weight and Healthcare • 798 implied HN points • 06 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Healthcare Medication Body Image
  1. Be cautious of the concept of 'food noise' promoted by weight loss drug makers as a rebranding of normal hunger or a way to profit off people's broken relationships with food.
  2. Some weight loss drugs aim to manipulate hunger signals through impacting the brain and gut, with unclear long-term effects and potential risks.
  3. The weight loss industry's push for drugs like GLP-1 agonists raises concerns about informed consent, lack of long-term research, and prioritizing short-term weight loss over potential health consequences.
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Linoleic Acid and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

The Heart Attack Diet • 219 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition
  1. Hypothyroidism can present without abnormal hormone levels and might lead to conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, or Major Depression.
  2. Mitochondrial dysfunction, like in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, can be linked to low levels of thyroid hormones which normally stimulate mitochondria.
  3. Linoleic acid in the inner mitochondrial membrane plays a crucial role in providing stability through polymerization, despite being an unstable and rare substance.

Nutrition & Health News This Week

Unsettled Science • 772 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Obesity Longevity
  1. Harvard longevity expert David Sinclair faced challenges in his career due to questions about the science behind his longevity claims for resveratrol, affecting his reputation and leading to his resignation.
  2. Recent dietary guidelines in Germany emphasizing less meat and dairy in favor of grains and vegetables have raised concerns among experts, including questioning the soundness of these plant-based recommendations.
  3. A study using data from the influential Nurses Health Study at Harvard School of Public Health revealed that even those who followed U.S. dietary guidelines on fat consumption still gained weight, shedding doubt on the effectiveness of these dietary recommendations.

TGIF: Nutrition & Health News

Unsettled Science • 675 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Health News Diabetes Obesity
  1. FDA approved an over-the-counter glucose monitor, making it easier for people to track blood sugar levels, important for weight loss and managing diabetes
  2. Labrador retrievers with a specific gene mutation struggle with obesity, showing lower metabolic rate and greater hunger, shedding light on genetic factors affecting weight
  3. FDA permitted a qualified health claim that yogurt 'may' prevent type 2 diabetes, based on limited scientific evidence, raising concerns about potential health risks of promoting foods high in added sugars

Q&A: measles symptoms; B12 supplements; Ashwagandha for anxiety; & the measles booster

Are You Okay? • 359 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Medical Research Vaccination
  1. Measles is difficult to contain due to the anti-vax movement and asymptomatic spread. Symptoms can include cough, runny nose, pink eye, fever, and a rash spreading across the body.
  2. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and provides lifelong protection. It is recommended for adults without a history of measles.
  3. Taking vitamin B12 supplements may be necessary for individuals with low levels, especially if caused by medications like Prilosec; however, unnecessary vitamin supplementation should be approached with caution.

ex150ish-5: Second Week

The Heart Attack Diet • 99 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Ketosis Clarity
  1. The author experienced significant weight loss on a specific diet plan in just two weeks, along with visible physical changes like looser clothes and belt adjustments.
  2. Despite the weight loss success, the author faced challenges such as fluctuating energy levels, occasional headaches, and concerns about rapid weight loss.
  3. Towards the end of the experiment, the author introduced milk and keto-electrolytes to potentially transition to a different eating pattern and avoid sudden carb intake.

Subscriber Bonus - Wild Q&A and Conference Feedback

Weight and Healthcare • 818 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Nutrition Fitness
  1. The post discusses providing bonus content to paid subscribers, including wild Q&A and conference feedback.
  2. The author responds to subscriber requests for more behind-the-scenes bonus material, aiming to meet their feedback.
  3. Paid subscribers enjoy exclusive access to this unique content, creating a sense of value for their subscription.

Are ultra-processed foods uniquely addictive?

Unsettled Science • 522 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Addiction Research Home Cooking
  1. Experts suggest that ultra-processed foods may have addictive qualities due to their combination of sugar, salt, and fat, similar to how tobacco affects addiction.
  2. Food addiction research has developed tools like the Yale Food Addiction Scale to understand dependencies on specific nutrients like sugar, sugar-plus-fat, and carbohydrates-plus-fat.
  3. Debates continue on whether food addiction is due to behavioral disorders or physiological dependencies, with ongoing discussions about the impact of food processing on addiction.

Medical Roundup #1

thezvi • 1517 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Exercise Nutrition Healthy aging Medical Research
  1. Saving up medical and health related stories allows for better organization
  2. Vaccination developments include a new malaria vaccine, FDA approved vaccine for chikungunya, and a vaccine for cancer
  3. Challenges in the medical field include lack of funding delays, issues with the FDA, and concerns about the origins of Covid-19

Reader Question – What’s the Deal with Awaken180?

Weight and Healthcare • 1417 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Nutrition Research Coaching
  1. Awaken180 claims to create long-term weight loss, but lacks concrete scientific evidence to support their program.
  2. The program emphasizes weight loss over other aspects of health and success, disregarding the variety of body sizes and individual needs.
  3. Awaken180 relies on caloric and carbohydrate restrictions, potentially involving expensive prepacked food, and might not be sustainable for long-term weight loss.

Q&A: coronary calcium scoring; insurance coverage for Wegovy/Mounjaro; berberine & weight loss; & blood pressure variability

Are You Okay? • 559 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Nutrition Medical Fitness
  1. Coronary calcium scoring, known as CAC, helps identify cholesterol plaque in the heart's blood vessels, which can lead to coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart-related issues.
  2. People at high risk for heart disease should consider getting a CAC for early risk assessment and potential prevention strategies.
  3. Insurance coverage for medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro for weight loss can pose challenges even for individuals struggling with obesity, emphasizing the need for help beyond diet and exercise.

TGIF: Nutrition News

Unsettled Science • 818 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Diet Obesity Military
  1. Ketogenic diet can help reduce alcohol cravings based on a small study, which also showed benefits in mice and humans.
  2. NIH is investing $190 million in short-term nutrition studies with questionable value, sparking concerns about meaningful data and focus.
  3. Weight-loss prescriptions among U.S. service members, along with rising obesity rates in military, raise questions about the effectiveness of current dietary guidelines and the impact on national security.

What I Read This Week...

chamathreads • 864 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine Fitness Mental health Nutrition
  1. Drug companies are working on solutions to prevent muscle mass loss caused by weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Doctors suggest simple fixes like increasing protein intake and weightlifting.
  2. A recent study suggests that a special set of molecules on the extra X chromosome in women may make them more susceptible to autoimmune conditions. This discovery could lead to new, more targeted treatments.
  3. Adam Neumann, the co-founder of WeWork, is in talks with a hedge fund to buy back the company out of bankruptcy. WeWork's bankruptcy was fueled by debt and a decline in demand for office space.

5 Questions with Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN

Weight and Healthcare • 599 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Wellness Body Image Eating Disorders
  1. Christy Harrison is an anti-diet registered dietitian and journalist who aims to challenge diet culture and promote body acceptance through her work.
  2. She learned about weight-neutral care around 20 years ago but fully embraced it later on through experiences in recovery and training in eating disorders.
  3. Harrison applies weight-inclusive principles in her work across various platforms like books, podcasts, online courses, and speaking engagements, critiquing diet culture and promoting critical thinking about wellness.

A Couple of Links

The Heart Attack Diet • 39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Science Research
  1. Seed oils can turn into trans-fats when exposed to heat, potentially having negative health effects
  2. Nutrition 'science' can be inconsistent and may lack conclusive evidence on the effects of seed oils
  3. Research in nutrition science is challenging and can lead to differing interpretations of data

TGIF: Nutrition & Health News

Unsettled Science • 482 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Health News
  1. A start-up company has developed a fiber-based drink mix that acts like a sponge in the stomach to absorb sugar, offering a new approach to sugar elimination.
  2. The sponge drink comes at a cost of $150 a month and has been deemed safe, but its effectiveness in reducing blood-sugar spikes is not fully proven.
  3. Other start-up companies in the nutrition and health field, like Zye in the UK, are also making innovative products to address health concerns.

The Presidential Physical Fitness Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Nutrition Lifestyle
  1. The Presidential Physical Fitness Award had high standards like 40 push-ups, 10 pull-ups, and a 6:30 mile run, with the goal of improving national health and reducing childhood obesity.
  2. The program was ingrained in the US school system and became a cultural memory for a certain generation, showing the impact of collective fitness goals.
  3. China is now emphasizing physical fitness similarly to how JFK did in the 1960s, with a focus on societal benefits like fitness and achievements reflected in their social media platforms.

The Next, Episode #51

The Next Brand • 609 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Medical Industry Nutrition Chronic Disease Toxicity
  1. Ozempic, a GLP-1 agonist, is being hyped as a solution to obesity, but it may not address the real issues of metabolic health in America.
  2. Ozempic, despite its weight loss claims, may result in serious side effects, including muscle and bone loss, gastrointestinal events, and more.
  3. The push to fund drugs like Ozempic with taxpayer money raises concerns about cost, corruption, and missed opportunities to address root causes of health issues.

Menopause and Weight: There is No Code to Crack

The Vajenda • 5287 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Weight management Nutrition Exercise
  1. There is no special code or secret for weight loss during menopause, despite what some predatory sources may claim.
  2. Hormone therapy does not aid in weight loss or boost metabolism during menopause.
  3. Menopause itself is not directly linked to weight gain, but weight changes tend to be influenced by factors like age and lifestyle choices.

TGIF: Nutrition and Health News

Unsettled Science • 499 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Health News
  1. A virtual course on reversing type 2 diabetes is being offered, with notable faculty and CME credit available.
  2. Influential studies claiming red meat is bad for health are criticized for flawed methods and lack of transparency.
  3. Nutritional approaches to health may be misrepresented in certain studies, impacting policies and recommendations.

Nutrition Researchers Say It’s the Doctors Who Are Fooling Themselves – Are They?

Unsettled Science • 675 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Obesity
  1. Nutrition researchers caution against using individual or small sample experiences as evidence in clinical practice.
  2. Physicians believe in the effectiveness of carbohydrate restriction based on their observations of patient outcomes.
  3. There is a conflict between doctors and academics regarding the best approach for treating obesity and diabetes.

Friday Q&A: intermittent fasting; APOE4 testing for Alzheimer’s; Pap test frequency; & at-home menopause tests

Are You Okay? • 479 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Nutrition Medicine Personal Growth Disease
  1. Intermittent fasting may work for some to aid in weight loss or improved metabolism, but it can be challenging for many due to feelings of irritability and restrictive eating behaviors.
  2. Data on APOE4 gene testing for Alzheimer's is mixed; the decision to find out your APOE status should be thoughtful due to potential health anxiety, but lifestyle interventions may be suggested based on the results.
  3. Extreme diets like intermittent fasting may not be the most effective in the long run, and sustainable lifestyle changes are crucial for lasting health outcomes.