The hottest Weight Loss Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

One Year of the Heart Attack Diet

The Heart Attack Diet • 139 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Well-being Obesity
  1. Polyunsaturated fats might be a likely cause of obesity and modern diseases, leading to weight gain and negative health effects.
  2. The traditional 'eat less, exercise more' weight loss advice can be ineffective, and experimenting with different diets and food components may lead to varying results.
  3. Sulphite preservatives and high polyunsaturated fat content in certain foods can have adverse effects on health, causing issues like hangovers and weight fluctuations.

Who Says Dieting Fails Most Of The Time?

Weight and Healthcare • 1198 implied HN points • 06 Nov 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Dieting Weight Loss Research Health Outcomes Body positivity
  1. Various studies from different time periods show that intentional weight loss through dieting has a high failure rate, with most individuals regaining lost weight within a few years.
  2. Even when weight loss is achieved, it may not necessarily lead to improved health outcomes or reduced mortality risks, compared to focusing on behaviors like exercise and healthy eating.
  3. The research emphasizes the importance of moving away from the traditional focus on body size manipulation to a more evidence-based approach that supports people's health through behavior changes and access to resources.

The NoYoYo Protocol

Prime Cuts Newsletter • 216 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Healthy Eating Mental health Physical activity
  1. Popular weight loss approaches may not be sustainable, leading to the YoYo Effect.
  2. The NoYo Protocol offers a blueprint for sustainable weight loss without the YoYo cycle.
  3. The protocol includes specific behaviors like eating high protein and fats, avoiding calorie restrictions, intermittent fasting, and focusing on the psychology of creating a lean self-concept.

Weight Loss Research Should Be Five Years Long - At Least

Weight and Healthcare • 479 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Research Interventions Chronic Conditions Side Effects
  1. Weight loss research should be at least five years long to capture long-term outcomes accurately.
  2. The weight loss industry often conducts short-term studies that may overlook weight regain and potential harms of interventions.
  3. There is a need for systemic change in how weight loss interventions are researched and marketed to protect patients from ineffective and potentially harmful treatments.
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One Year of the Heart Attack Diet II: Metabolism

The Heart Attack Diet • 119 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Metabolism Weight Loss Nutrition Medical Advice Physical health
  1. Metabolic issues like hypothyroidism can have symptoms that doctors may label as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, or Major Depression. It's essential to explore treatment options that work for you.
  2. Diet changes, like cutting out polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), may have a significant impact on metabolism and overall health. Consider avoiding PUFAs for potential improvements.
  3. It's crucial to be mindful of the impact of certain foods, like peanuts or palm oil, on metabolism. Forswearing polyunsaturated fats is advised for better health outcomes.

Does This Study Really Show How To Maintain Weight Loss?

Weight and Healthcare • 439 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Obesity Research Public Health Body positivity
  1. The study on maintaining weight loss analyzed a small sample of participants who were considered 'successes' by Weight Watchers, a fraction of their total enrollment.
  2. The study included participants who had lost weight and maintained it for just one year, even though research shows weight regain within five years is common.
  3. Many responses in the study highlighted motivations like escaping weight stigma and persevering through challenges, raising questions about the effectiveness of weight loss maintenance strategies.

PUFA: The Preponderance of the Evidence

Experimental Fat Loss • 233 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Health Benefits Risk Analysis
  1. Cutting out seed oils led to significant health benefits for the author, including weight loss and improved overall well-being.
  2. While the link between PUFAs and obesity is not 100% proven, there is substantial evidence and personal anecdotes supporting the idea.
  3. The author believes that the risks of consuming seed oils outweigh any potential benefits, and will continue to avoid them based on the evidence available.

Bears, Famine, and Dieting Failure

Weight and Healthcare • 678 implied HN points • 18 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Dieting Research
  1. Intentional weight loss often results in short-term weight loss followed by long-term weight regain due to the body's biological response to famine-like situations and physical activity.
  2. The body undergoes physiological changes during weight loss attempts to protect against perceived food scarcity and increased physical activity, making long-term weight loss challenging.
  3. Research shows that the majority of intentional weight loss efforts are unsustainable in creating significant long-term weight loss, raising questions about the ethical and evidence-based nature of weight loss interventions.

Quick Guide: Will Weight Loss Improve/Cure This Health Condition?

Weight and Healthcare • 379 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Health Conditions Behavior Change Research Health Impact
  1. Weight loss may not necessarily improve health conditions; health changes may stem from behavior changes instead.
  2. Unintentional weight loss or weight loss through methods like liposuction may not lead to the same health benefits as intentional weight loss.
  3. The presence of a health issue in thin individuals suggests that weight loss might not always be the solution; alternative treatments beyond weight loss exist.

On The Need for a New Theory

The Heart Attack Diet • 159 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Holistic health Nutrition Weight Loss Metabolism Well-being
  1. PUFAs are believed to be the root of obesity and metabolic health issues, but the direct evidence does not fully support this theory.
  2. A new theory is needed to explain weight loss and metabolic changes that go beyond solely cutting out PUFAs.
  3. Protein restriction may play a crucial role in weight loss and metabolic health, and could have a significant impact on dietary success.

Reader Question: How Do I Push Back Against Workplace Weight Loss Challenges?

Weight and Healthcare • 419 implied HN points • 08 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Body positivity Workplace Challenges Mental health Self-care
  1. Facing workplace weight loss challenges can be intimidating, especially for larger individuals who may feel triggered or stressed.
  2. Pushing back against such challenges can involve addressing concerns about health, defending against body size discrimination, and advocating for weight-neutral interventions.
  3. It's crucial to remember that workplace weight issues are not your fault, and there's value in advocating for a healthier focus on well-being rather than just weight.

Responding to Weight Loss Recommendations

Weight and Healthcare • 379 implied HN points • 26 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Healthcare Research Systemic change Body positivity
  1. When considering weight loss interventions, ask for five-year data to evaluate long-term effectiveness and potential side effects.
  2. Advocate for systemic change to focus on weight-neutral interventions to support health directly rather than simply aiming for weight loss.
  3. Challenge the current practices in weight loss research and intervention approval processes to prioritize transparency, honesty, and true informed consent.

The Harm of Weight Cycling

Weight and Healthcare • 738 implied HN points • 09 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Physical health Mental health Inflammation Well-being
  1. Failing at weight loss attempts can have harmful consequences like weight cycling, which is associated with increased inflammation, hypertension, insulin resistance, and higher mortality.
  2. Weight cycling, common in intentional weight loss efforts, leads to adverse health outcomes and psychological distress.
  3. Despite the low success rate and potential harm of intentional weight loss, it continues to be prescribed, highlighting weight bias in healthcare and the influence of the weight loss industry.

The New York Times Lobbies for Diet Drugs

Weight and Healthcare • 559 implied HN points • 04 Jun 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Obesity Weight Loss Insurance Coverage Medical Industry
  1. The New York Times article lobbies for diet drugs by quoting doctors who have financial ties to the diet industry.
  2. The article medicalizes body size, promotes weight loss drugs, and pushes for insurance coverage without addressing weight stigma or offering weight-neutral solutions.
  3. It fails to mention the connections between weight loss drugs and financial interests of the quoted doctors, highlighting potential bias in the promotion of weight loss therapies.

Some Successful Predictions of the Old Theory

The Heart Attack Diet • 139 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Weight Loss Chronic Fatigue Metabolism Nutrition
  1. Eating too much polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) can clog your metabolism and lead to weight gain, tiredness, and other health issues.
  2. Avoiding PUFAs and sulfites can lead to improvements in energy levels and well-being.
  3. Old theories about diet and metabolism may help explain personal experiences, but new information and adjustments to these theories may be necessary over time.

A Signal Boost for a New Seeker

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Weight Loss Nutrition Well-being Exercise
  1. Experimenting with a diet focused on starch and animal fats, minus vegetable oils and high protein, resulted in significant weight loss for the author.
  2. The author has seen improvements in digestion, skin, energy levels, and satiety while following this unique diet approach.
  3. The website of George from codingbackwards.org, who is on a similar diet journey, is described as charming and hand-coded in html, providing a nostalgic feel.

Reader Question – What’s the Deal with Lark Health?

Weight and Healthcare • 359 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Clinical Research Insurance Coverage
  1. Lark Health is primarily a weight loss program marketed as a diabetes prevention and overall health coaching service, but its actual effectiveness in sustainable weight loss is questionable.
  2. Results from a study on Lark Health showed that only a small percentage of participants completed the program and the average weight loss achieved was minimal, raising concerns about the program's real impact.
  3. Despite claims of 'clinically proven results,' Lark Health's focus on weight loss rather than holistic health raises ethical questions, especially as it is backed by the CDC and marketed through insurance companies and employers.

If Weight Loss Is A Prescription

Weight and Healthcare • 419 implied HN points • 10 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Health Risks Psychological impact Ethical considerations
  1. Weight loss interventions are often recommended as a healthcare intervention, but evidence questions both their effectiveness and safety long-term.
  2. Research shows that most weight loss is short-term and often results in weight regain, raising doubts about the long-term efficacy of weight loss methods.
  3. Not only does weight loss failure pose harm, but the blame game surrounding unsuccessful weight loss attempts can also have negative psychological impacts.

Can Exercise Be Unhealthy?

Are You Okay? • 199 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Exercise Weight Loss Mental health Physical health
  1. Decouple exercise from weight loss and worthiness to establish a healthier relationship with physical activity.
  2. Exercise doesn't always directly lead to weight loss, so focus on making exercise fun, social, and sustainable instead of solely aiming for shedding pounds.
  3. Mix up your exercise routine to prevent overuse injuries and set realistic goals for long-term success, while allowing yourself rest days without feeling guilty.

Protein Cravings

The Heart Attack Diet • 119 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss
  1. Protein cravings can indicate a possible deficiency, leading to extreme hunger and specific food desires.
  2. Low protein intake may result in the body sending strong signals for necessary nutrients, like craving cheese or steak.
  3. Maintaining a balance in protein intake can potentially impact weight loss and energy levels over time.

Weight Loss Sales Pitches Are Not Informed Consent Conversations

Weight and Healthcare • 399 implied HN points • 07 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Informed consent Fat Activism Body positivity
  1. Healthcare practitioners should provide informed consent, including risks and failure rates, instead of aggressively marketing weight loss interventions.
  2. Red flags for healthcare providers selling weight loss include not mentioning alternative options, minimizing risks, and promoting commercial weight loss programs.
  3. Using neutral language like 'fat' instead of medicalized terms like 'obese' is important in discussions about weight and health.

Weight Loss Surgery - Long-Term Outcomes and Informed Consent

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 11 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Informed consent Healthcare
  1. Weight loss surgeries, such as the Lap Band procedure, have serious risks and high rates of complications and re-operations.
  2. Long-term outcomes and informed consent for weight loss surgeries lack substantial research beyond ten years, making it difficult to have fully informed conversations.
  3. Informed consent for weight loss surgeries should involve a detailed discussion on the transformative impact on the digestive system, lack of long-term data, potential negative health implications, and the importance of considering weight-neutral healthcare options.

Xmas Mom Test

The Heart Attack Diet • 99 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Self-experimentation Metabolism
  1. The author is facing a challenging 'Xmas Mom Test' where they expect to overeat while at home with their family, putting their weight loss theories to the ultimate test.
  2. Despite having various theories about weight loss and thyroid function, the author is unsure of what will happen during the test, highlighting the complexity of the human body's response to different diets.
  3. The author will observe trends in weight gain, appetite changes, and thyroid dose during the test, aiming to understand the impact of different dietary factors on their body's homeostasis.

Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 07 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Adverse Effects
  1. Studies comparing weight loss surgery to traditional medical management for type 2 diabetes often have biased outcomes, leading to a skewed view of effectiveness.
  2. Traditional medical management for type 2 diabetes often focuses on weight loss, which can be ineffective and sometimes worsen blood sugar control for fat patients.
  3. Research on weight loss surgeries tends to overlook or downplay adverse effects, leaving uncertainty about long-term outcomes and quality of life post-surgery.

Intentional Weight Loss is Incompatible with Eating Disorders Prevention and Treatment – Even if Weight Watchers Disagrees

Weight and Healthcare • 499 implied HN points • 21 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Eating Disorders Healthcare Obesity Diet Industry
  1. There is no evidence-based weight loss intervention; most people regain weight after short-term losses.
  2. Pathologizing higher-weight bodies contradicts ending weight stigma and providing ethical treatment.
  3. Promoting intentional weight loss requires ignoring failure rates, risks, and harms, incompatible with true health support.

Xmas Mom Test: Fiddled Results

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Diet Fitness
  1. The author experienced significant weight fluctuation during the Xmas Mom Test period, gaining 3.4 kilos in three weeks but then surprisingly losing 2 kilos in a day.
  2. The author decided to fiddle with their weight data to present a more smoothed-out version on the graph, feeling guilty about doing so but choosing transparency by openly discussing it.
  3. This incident highlights the complexities and challenges of accurately tracking and interpreting weight changes over time, even with careful monitoring and data recording.

Article Analysis: Should Type 2 Diabetes Management Focus on Weight Loss over Blood Sugar?

Weight and Healthcare • 419 implied HN points • 13 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Blood Sugar Pharmaceutical industry Research Methods
  1. The article discusses the debate over whether Type 2 Diabetes management should prioritize weight loss or blood sugar control.
  2. It highlights the influence of pharmaceutical companies on medical advice and guidelines in the diabetes management space.
  3. The article raises concerns about financial conflicts of interest, lack of long-term efficacy data, and potential risks associated with focusing on weight loss over other health factors.

Fuel-Partitioning causes Obesity

Experimental Fat Loss • 169 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Fitness Metabolism Diet
  1. Mainstream CICO/EBM and Fuel Partitioning/low-carb are two paradigms about what causes obesity.
  2. CICO views calories as the cause of fat gain, while Fuel Partitioning sees excess calories as a result of other issues.
  3. CICO doesn't work for everyone, and there are diets like low-carb or keto that work better for some due to Fuel Partitioning.

Weight Watchers Long-Term Research

Weight and Healthcare • 279 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Research Health
  1. Weight Watchers' long-term research suggests that their program may not be as effective for sustained weight loss as claimed
  2. Studies cited by Weight Watchers showed initial weight loss, but participants often regained weight by year two
  3. Guidelines based on studies continue to recommend approaches that have not been successful in achieving long-term weight loss

Torricelli's Law for Fat Loss

Experimental Fat Loss • 127 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Metabolism Diet Sleep Predictions
  1. Torricelli's Law for Fat Loss explains how weight loss can slow down as you approach your normal weight, similar to a bucket draining liquid with decreasing speed.
  2. Weight loss projections can be influenced by dietary changes and external factors, like daylight savings time affecting circadian rhythms and potentially affecting weight loss plateaus.
  3. Testing multiple weight loss projections, such as following a fitted curve and intuition-based predictions, can help in anticipating weight loss outcomes and adjusting dietary strategies.

Weight Loss Drugs – A Long Line Of Losers Part 1 Fen-Phen and Belviq

Weight and Healthcare • 359 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Pharmaceuticals Health Risks Research Medical Ethics
  1. Pharmaceutical companies have profited off dangerous weight-loss drugs that harmed people and were eventually pulled from the market.
  2. Short-term data and misleading risk/benefit analyses have led to the approval of weight-loss drugs that caused serious side effects.
  3. Weight-related co-morbid conditions do not always originate from weight, and weight stigma in healthcare can lead to unjust risks for those with higher BMIs.

Friday Q&A: Correcting internal narratives about Weight; Alcohol & Social Anxiety; Unknown Family History; Hormones & Heart Disease; & “Keto” Dieting

Are You Okay? • 139 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Mental health Substance Abuse Eating Disorders Therapy
  1. Shame around eating can lead to complicated relationships with food and body image. It's important to rewrite the script by understanding that weight doesn't equate to worth and food is essential for fuel.
  2. Anxiety and social challenges can sometimes lead to coping mechanisms like alcohol use, which can have negative impacts on health. It's crucial to find ways to socialize and connect with others without relying on substances.
  3. Listening to hunger cues, experiencing satiety, and meeting basic biological needs are important steps in breaking the cycle of body shame. Tools like Ozempic can be helpful for managing weight and providing a sense of agency.

ex150ish-4-sour-cream

The Heart Attack Diet • 99 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Physical health
  1. Be cautious with dietary changes - different foods can have varying reactions in the body, affecting satiety and weight loss.
  2. Monitor electrolyte intake when on specific diets to avoid potential health issues such as 'keto flu'.
  3. Listen to your body's signals - symptoms like sweating, faintness, and passing out can indicate low blood pressure or other issues related to dietary changes.

Myths About the Failure Rate of Dieting

Weight and Healthcare • 439 implied HN points • 16 Apr 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Dieting Weight Loss Research Body positivity
  1. Research shows that the majority of people regain weight after intentional weight loss, often gaining back more than they lost.
  2. The failure rate of intentional weight loss applies to all methods, not just 'fad' diets, with statistics dating back to the 1950s showing low success rates.
  3. The idea that weight loss fails because people don't do it correctly is a misconception; with around 95% of individuals regaining lost weight, the approach itself may be flawed.

Weight Loss Drugs Part 2 - Plenity and Alli

Weight and Healthcare • 319 implied HN points • 13 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Safety Efficacy Health Risks
  1. Plenity is a weight management device made of hydrogel particles that swells in the stomach to create a sensation of fullness, but it comes with risks like undernourishment and eating disorders.
  2. Alli/Xenical/Orlistat is an over-the-counter medication that blocks fat absorption, claiming 5-10% weight loss with potential side effects like kidney stones and liver disease.
  3. Both Plenity and Alli are unlikely to lead to significant weight loss, come with various risks, and lack long-term research on effectiveness and safety.