The hottest Weight Loss Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics
Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 25
  1. Eating the same meal for a long time led to small weight changes, showing routines can affect weight loss positively.
  2. Trying a variety of foods after years of strict diets resulted in surprising satiety, even from sugary snacks.
  3. Lowering linoleic acid levels might improve overall health and satiety, suggesting dietary adjustments can have significant effects.
Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 127 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 25
  1. Following a special diet led to a quick weight loss of about 4 pounds, but it might just be water weight from changes in food intake.
  2. During the holidays, more flexibility in eating was allowed, but it didn't seem to majorly affect overall weight loss.
  3. Future experiments with different diets, like one focused on honey, are planned to see how they compare with previous food plans.
Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 205 implied HN points β€’ 30 Dec 24
  1. In 2024, there were many experiments and personal weight changes, with weight fluctuating but often hovering around the lowest point in several years.
  2. Tools like the Omega Tracker and various calculators were created to help people understand their dietary impact and weight loss journey better.
  3. There are new goals for the future, focusing on sharing knowledge and enabling others to experiment with their diets rather than just personal progress.
Harnessing the Power of Nutrients β€’ 3474 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 24
  1. A high-protein diet is essential for muscle health and weight loss, as it helps maintain lean mass during weight loss.
  2. The amount of protein needed to preserve lean mass during weight loss is higher than the standard recommendation, with around 1.3 grams per kilogram being favored.
  3. High levels of protein in the diet can stress the body's requirements for certain vitamins and minerals, leading to various health issues like poor sleep, anxiety, and skin problems.
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Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 198 implied HN points β€’ 16 Dec 24
  1. A rice-only diet was tested, but it didn’t lead to weight loss. Instead, there was an increase in body fat and lean mass, which was disappointing.
  2. The individual’s sleep cycle disorder, called Non-24, seemed to improve during the rice diet, suggesting a potential link between carb intake and circadian rhythms.
  3. The experiment highlighted that feeling full doesn't always mean being satisfied; the body knows when it has the energy it needs, regardless of how much food is consumed.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 878 implied HN points β€’ 04 May 24
  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.
Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith β€’ 3439 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jun 23
  1. The Burnt Toast community welcomes people at different stages of understanding fat liberation and diet culture.
  2. The conversation about weight and health often confuses correlation with causation.
  3. Weight loss doesn't always lead to better health and can have risks, so the focus shouldn't solely be on losing weight.
The Vajenda β€’ 3223 implied HN points β€’ 03 Oct 23
  1. Statins are effective for women in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
  2. Statin side effects are not as common as believed; most often, it's due to the 'nocebo effect'.
  3. Regular ovarian cancer screening methods like ultrasounds and CA-125 tests are not very effective; focus should be on preventive strategies like oral contraception.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 678 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 24
  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.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 838 implied HN points β€’ 13 Apr 24
  1. Wegovy is a weight-loss application for the drug Semaglutide (Ozempic), both owned by Novo Nordisk.
  2. The trial to determine Semaglutide's impact on cardiovascular health was designed by Novo Nordisk and authors with significant financial ties to the company.
  3. Results revealed a modest decrease in cardiovascular events with Semaglutide, but twice as many participants stopped taking it due to adverse events compared to the placebo group.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 798 implied HN points β€’ 06 Apr 24
  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.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1417 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 24
  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.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 659 implied HN points β€’ 20 Apr 24
  1. The 'Obesity Bill of Rights' is part of a movement lobbying for insurance coverage for weight loss industry products and interventions.
  2. The language used in the 'Obesity Bill of Rights' is rooted in marketing from weight loss companies, not in science.
  3. The rights proposed in the 'Obesity Bill of Rights' seem to prioritize weight loss industry profits over actual healthcare for higher-weight individuals.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 659 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 24
  1. The trial data for Semaglutide (Wegovy) for cardiovascular risk reduction was manipulative and lacking in transparency, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and data sharing.
  2. The study demographics were concerning, with a lack of diversity and representation, particularly skewed towards white men, older participants, and those with existing heart disease.
  3. The actual cardiovascular risk reduction with Semaglutide was much lower than claimed, highlighting issues with study design, data presentation, and potential overemphasis on specific demographics in the results.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 738 implied HN points β€’ 03 Apr 24
  1. Questionable research can happen due to researchers being influenced by profit interests or an entrenched paradigm.
  2. Some researchers may design studies to support predetermined conclusions, leading to misleading results.
  3. Doctors involved with the weight loss industry may have subconscious biases towards promoting weight loss, despite evidence of its ineffectiveness and harms.
Metabolic Repair β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 16 Aug 24
  1. Weight loss can be painful and hard to maintain. Many diets lead to cravings and a drop in energy, making it difficult to stick to them for a long time.
  2. There are painless ways to lose weight by focusing on simple food choices, like the potato diet or high-fat keto. These diets can help you lose weight without feeling deprived or constantly hungry.
  3. Personal habits and lifestyle choices play a big role in weight loss. Customizing your diet to fit your life can make the process smoother and less stressful.
Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 24
  1. Keto can help some people lose weight initially, but it often doesn't lead to long-term success. Many people may gain the weight back after stopping the diet.
  2. People can do keto in many different ways, but not all methods work for everyone. It's important to find what suits your body and lifestyle best.
  3. Keto isn't the only option for weight loss; other diets, like those focused on potatoes or rice, can also be effective. Choose a diet that you enjoy to make it easier to stick to.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1118 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 24
  1. Ozempic and Wegovy are different brand names for the same drug used for weight loss.
  2. Wegovy is not just a weight loss drug but a megadose of a diabetes drug with weight loss as a side effect.
  3. Wegovy has serious side effects including complications when going off the drug and the need for continuous use to maintain weight loss.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 818 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
  1. The study on Tirzepatide showed that weight loss for participants slowed after 36 weeks, with those switching to placebo experiencing weight regain while those continuing the drug had a slight weight reduction in the following 52 weeks.
  2. Side effects of Tirzepatide included gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Close to 82% of participants reported experiencing at least one adverse event during the treatment period.
  3. The study's findings indicate that a significant percentage of participants taking Tirzepatide did not meet the weight reduction thresholds, with a lack of diverse representation among participants and a lack of a weight-neutral comparator group presenting issues in the study design.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 898 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
  1. Weight-related health conditions are health issues that are often labeled as related to weight just because higher-weight individuals have them more frequently.
  2. The labeling of health conditions as 'weight-related' overlooks other factors like weight stigma, weight cycling, and healthcare disparities that could actually be the main contributors.
  3. The concept of 'weight-related conditions' is used to push for risky weight loss interventions and profits, but it doesn't necessarily support the health of higher-weight individuals.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 818 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 24
  1. Tirzepatide, known as Zepbound for weight loss, was initially a Type 2 diabetes medication by Eli Lilly that got FDA approval for weight loss due to its side effect of weight loss. It works by interfering with normal digestion processes and hunger signals.
  2. There are dosing differences between the diabetes and weight loss applications of Tirzepatide. For weight loss, patients are encouraged to continuously increase the dosage to the highest tolerable level, potentially facing side effects that impact their quality of life.
  3. The side effects of Tirzepatide/Zepbound can range from mild discomfort to serious conditions like thyroid C-Cell tumors, gastrointestinal diseases, and pancreatic issues. Patients need to be aware of potential risks, like drug interactions and impact on pregnancy.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 878 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
  1. Patient-centered care should be grounded in ethical, evidence-based medicine.
  2. Intentional weight loss has a high failure rate and potential negative side effects.
  3. Providers in a patient-centered model should offer informed consent and evidence-based options for weight management interventions.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 758 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
  1. FDA approval of a drug does not mean it is completely without risks; it means the benefits are deemed worth the risks.
  2. The FDA assesses the risks and benefits of a drug based on the research provided by the pharmaceutical company before granting approval.
  3. When it comes to weight loss drugs, the risk/benefit analysis by the FDA may be skewed due to questionable research around weight and health, leading to a lower safety bar for approval.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 718 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
  1. The concept of 'ob*esity' as a disease and the idea that it is progressive and relapsing are constructs of the weight loss industry and not scientifically supported.
  2. The study promoting Zepbound/Tirzepatide for weight loss has ties to the pharmaceutical industry, raising questions about potential bias and conflicts of interest among the authors.
  3. The lead author of the study, Louis J. Aronne, has a history of promoting weight loss methods without substantial research backing, raising concerns about the credibility of research surrounding weight loss drugs.
Experimental Fat Loss β€’ 134 implied HN points β€’ 04 Nov 24
  1. After a month on the ex150 diet, the person remained stable in weight with an average around 222-224 pounds. A little weight gain was noted, but it was mostly muscle and fat together.
  2. Eating felt more satisfying during a recent protein refeed. They experienced better fullness from their meals than they had in the past.
  3. The experiment with different foods shows that consuming more cream might help maintain weight. They are now trying out a new diet involving rice to see how it affects their results.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1318 implied HN points β€’ 04 Oct 23
  1. The recommendation for 5-10% weight loss to improve health is widespread but may not have significant impact on individuals' health conditions.
  2. The weight loss recommendation is based on flawed BMI categories, often leading to unrealistic goals for individuals, especially those with obesity.
  3. The focus on weight loss overlooks the importance of evidence-based, individualized medical interventions for all patients, regardless of size.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 439 implied HN points β€’ 20 Mar 24
  1. Eli Lilly and other pharmaceutical companies are focused on lobbying for insurance coverage of weight loss drugs, pushing for the idea of higher-weight bodies as a 'disease' worth medicating.
  2. The FDA approval for weight loss drugs like Zepbound requires different criteria based on BMI, raising concerns about the risk assessments being tied to body size.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly prioritize shareholder interests over customer concerns, raising questions about the true motivations behind their actions.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1178 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 23
  1. Jenny Craig, a popular commercial diet program, is shutting down after decades. Despite its promises of weight loss, it failed to show long-term results in studies.
  2. Commercial diet programs like Jenny Craig often rely on a cycle of success and failure, blaming clients for weight regain without acknowledging the limitations of restrictive diets.
  3. The closure of Jenny Craig is a reminder of the lack of evidence behind many weight loss programs, as clients are left without sustainable results.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1138 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 23
  1. Many weight loss interventions are based on flawed models and fail long-term, leading to weight regain as the body adjusts to food restriction.
  2. The focus on weight loss often overlooks the importance of ensuring that individuals receive adequate nutrition during interventions, potentially putting their health at risk.
  3. Moving towards a weight-neutral paradigm in healthcare can prioritize supporting the health of individuals of all sizes instead of promoting unhealthy weight loss methods and stigma.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1078 implied HN points β€’ 09 Aug 23
  1. Novo Nordisk released a press release touting study results that were not peer-reviewed or published, raising ethical concerns.
  2. The study population in the trial for the weight loss drug Wegovy was limited to specific criteria, excluding certain groups for evaluation of benefits and risks.
  3. The publicity stunt around the drug's benefits showcases the pharmaceutical company's marketing tactics that may manipulate perceptions and stock prices.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 1058 implied HN points β€’ 02 Aug 23
  1. Non-compliance labeling in healthcare can have negative implications on patients, especially when it comes to weight loss recommendations.
  2. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of reframing health as supporting behaviors rather than just focusing on weight loss as a measure of compliance.
  3. Many weight loss interventions lack long-term efficacy and can result in weight cycling, leading to patient dissatisfaction and potential harm.
Unsettled Science β€’ 818 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
  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.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 718 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 23
  1. Require five-year follow-up with mandatory publication to improve accuracy and information in weight loss studies
  2. Mandate essential information in bold print at the beginning of weight loss studies to ensure transparency and accessibility
  3. Implement a weight-neutral comparator group in weight loss studies to distinguish impacts of behavior changes from weight loss, reducing health risks
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 858 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 23
  1. The National Eating Disorders Association replaced their helpline staff with an AI-driven chatbot after the staff unionized, which is concerning.
  2. The AI chatbot provided harmful information and promoted weight loss to individuals seeking support for eating disorders, raising serious ethical questions.
  3. The behavior of the NEDA leadership in response to concerns about the chatbot's harmful advice was dismissive and misleading, leading to a lack of trust in the organization's ethics.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 858 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 23
  1. The concept of body-size-as-disease is constructed by the diet industry and lacks scientific grounding.
  2. Engaging in intentional weight loss contradicts being a part of the Health at Every Size community.
  3. Research suggests that weight-neutral interventions can offer similar cardiometabolic benefits with fewer risks compared to weight loss drugs.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 639 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 23
  1. The weight loss industry is a for-profit industry that profits by labeling higher-weight individuals as diseased, creating harmful messaging and interventions.
  2. The industry has successfully infiltrated healthcare systems, promoting the idea that being in a higher-weight body is a lifelong, chronic disease.
  3. Industry tactics include promoting weight loss drugs as lifelong solutions, perpetuating weight stigma under the guise of helping higher-weight individuals, and making hundreds of billions of dollars through exploitative practices.