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IgG testing (food ‘sensitivity’) testing debunked

Posted 02 November 2026

Direct-to-consumer food “sensitivity” testing debunked.

Andrea Love, Ph.D., an immunologist and microbiologist, has exposed how the $250 million annual market for direct-to-consumer food “sensitivity” tests misleads consumers. Dr. Love noted:

  • Marketers falsely claim that the tests can identify sensitivity to over 200 foods.
  • The tests are based on blood levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), a memory antibody produced as part of the immune system recognizing food as harmless rather than requiring an inflammatory response, which is unlike the immune response seen in food allergies.
  • Board-certified allergists diagnose food allergies using patient history along with skin testing, blood tests that measure allergen-specific IgE, and sometimes oral food challenges performed in a controlled clinical setting.
  • IgG tests don’t detect food intolerances, which are related to deficiencies in enzymes needed for digestion rather than the mistaken immune response seen in true allergies.
  • The European Academy of Allergy and
… Read the rest

Evidence for sports medicine applications of six popular peptides found lacking

Posted 19 October 2026

Researchers at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine completed a scoping review in PubMed of six peptide supplements (BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, MK-677 [ibutamoren], ipamorelin, and GHK-Cu) combined with types of musculoskeletal tissue as search terms and found:

  • 67% of identified publications utilized preclinical animal models, most commonly in rats; findings were inconsistent.
  • Human clinical studies lacked robust controls or rigorous study designs and yielded mixed results and modest improvements at best.
  • Significant risks of MK-677 include insulin resistance, congestive heart failure, and metabolic dysfunction.

The researchers concluded:

Overall, emerging peptide supplements lack clear evidence to support long-term safety or clinical efficacy for musculoskeletal health. Until more robust clinically relevant data are available, these supplements cannot be recommended as a replacement for or adjunct to established standards of care, and clinicians should counsel patients accordingly.

Reference: Tewari K. Liu TP. Im C. and others. Peptide supplements and … Read the rest

People Are Using Vibration Plates to Lose Weight. Do They Work?

Posted 14 October 2026

TikTok influencers claim they’re an easy route to fitness. Here’s what the science suggests.

New York Times March 17, 2025

By standing on a vibrating plate roughly the size of a bathroom scale, you could shed pounds and build muscle. At least, that’s the claim you’ll find all over TikTok.

“All you have to do is just hop on this vibration plate, and it does all the work for you,” one user said.

Adding vibration to a workout isn’t new. But research on how vibration may (or may not) benefit your health is inconsistent, experts say. And vibration plates aren’t cheap: Many cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Here’s what to know.

Vibrating the body stimulates muscle spindles, the receptors that help control when muscles contract and relax, said Brad Schoenfeld, a professor

… Read the rest

The Peptide Craze: Biohacking and Human Guinea Pigs

Posted 30 March 2026

William Meller, MD

Skeptic Magazine

On February 27, 2026, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast and announced that the FDA is preparing to move approximately 14 experimental peptide compounds off its restricted list and back into the hands of compounding pharmacies. He called himself a “big fan” of peptides. He said he expected the announcement “within a couple of weeks.”

One industry executive responded with what he called a prediction: “We’re about to unleash one of the biggest medical experiments in the history of America onto Americans as the test subjects.” He meant it as a good thing.

In response, first let me tell you about a patient of mine. Two weeks before I wrote this, a 40-year-old man came into my clinic in acute distress. He was intelligent, fit, and successful—and he was terrified. His throat was swelling. Hives covered his body. … Read the rest

Collagen (e.g. Verisol) for Skin Health: Science or Marketing?

Posted 16 March 2026

If there is one claim that should irritate any nutritionist who values scientific evidence, it is the promise that hydrolyzed collagen can reduce wrinkles and visibly improve the skin.

This opinion concludes: “When it comes to collagen supplementation, reported benefits generally appear mainly in small, weakly designed, or stakeholder-funded studies. As methodological rigor improves and conflicts of interest lessen, the observed effects tend to decrease and often vanish.”

Read the article at the American Council on Science and Health website

In the event the article is not available, it is reproduced here:

Collagen for Skin Health: Science or Marketing?

By Mauro Proença — Mar 12, 2026

At first glance, the idea sounds persuasive. However, after ingestion, the body breaks down collagen, like any other protein, into amino acids and peptides. These compounds enter the bloodstream and support the body’s broader metabolic needs. This fact alone doesn’t … Read the rest

Taking collagen keeps skin more elastic but won’t stop wrinkles, say scientists

Posted 27 February 2026

BBC Michelle Roberts Digital health editor

Taking daily collagen supplements can rejuvenate the skin by boosting elasticity and hydration or moisture – but it won’t stop wrinkles, says a new scientific review.

Experts looked at the available evidence and say they are highly confident that collagen pills or powder provide “some legitimate” skin gains if taken over time but are no quick fix.

The supplements may also ease wear and tear, arthritis joint pain and stiffness, according to the results from 113 trials involving nearly 8,000 people.

Collagen is a type of protein made naturally in the body but that declines with age. It supports and strengthens skin, nails, bones and connective tissues, including tendons and cartilage.

‘Collagen is not a cure-all’

From early adulthood onwards, the body produces less collagen and existing collagen breaks down at a slightly faster rate.

Smoking and sun damage make

… Read the rest

The Science of Red Light Therapy: Glow or Gimmick?

Posted 16 February 2026

Red light therapy has gone from dermatology clinics to the wellness world, promising everything from younger-looking skin and thicker hair to weight loss, pain relief, better sleep, and even improved mood. It’s sleek, futuristic, and marketed as an effortless biohack. But when one product claims to fix everything, skepticism is the healthiest response — the consumer marketplace is flooded with underpowered gadgets, exaggerated claims, and claims that race far ahead of the science.

Continue reading at American Council of Science and Health

… Read the rest

Why Longevity Influencers Are a Total Fad

Posted 16 February 2026

From American Council on Science and Health

You’ve seen them on your social media algorithms: longevity influencers promising eternal youth with fancy gadgets, exotic supplements, extreme protocols, and million-dollar routines. In reality, most of what they’re peddling is just a flashy overpriced rebrand of what doctors and health experts have been recommending for decades.

The real evidence-based keys to a longer, healthier life aren’t secret: it’s called preventative care– something your primary doc has been advocating for years!
  • Move your body regularly, exercise consistently.
  • Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
  • Eat whole fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-dense foods.
  • Don’t smoke, and reduce or eliminate alcohol use.
  • Control blood glucose levels through diet and activity.
  • Maintain good oral health with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups.
  • Stay current on vaccines, primary care visits, and age-appropriate screenings.
  • Prioritize quality sleep every night.
  • Manage stress to keep cortisol levels in
… Read the rest

Advice on conspiracy theories

Posted 18 November 2025

The article below, although related to chemtrails, gives advice on how to approach a conspiracy theory.

Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it

The Conversation

By Calum Lister Matheson – Associate Professor of Communication, University of Pittsburgh

Everyone has looked up at the clouds and seen faces, animals, objects. Human brains are hardwired for this kind of whimsy. But some people – perhaps a surprising number – look to the sky and see government plots and wicked deeds written there. Conspiracy theorists say that contrails – long streaks of condensation left by aircraft – are actually chemtrails, clouds of chemical or biological agents dumped on the unsuspecting public for nefarious purposes. Different motives are ascribed, from weather control to mass poisoning.

The chemtrails theory has circulated since 1996, when conspiracy theorists misinterpreted a U.S. Air … Read the rest

What the science really says about lion’s mane

Posted 29 October 2025

Story by Daryl Austin, USA TODAY

Many of today’s most popular supplements can trace their roots to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where plants and fungi were used for healing long before modern wellness trends emerged. So if you’ve ever taken ginseng for stamina, ginger to aid circulation or ginkgo biloba to sharpen focus, you’re doing so thanks to a practice that was first developed thousands of years ago.

The latest traditional remedy to gain modern attention is lion’s mane – a snow-white mushroom celebrated for its purported ability to enhance brain function and immunity. “Vegans and vegetarians also enjoy lion’s mane for its meaty texture and versatility,” adds Jen Messer, a registered dietitian and president of the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Here’s what the science actually shows about this intriguing fungus – and why moderation and caution still matter.

What is lion’s

… Read the rest