In this week’s edition of The Morning Dose:

🤔 Peptides vs. Steroids

💉 FDA Approves Wegovy (Again)

🧬 Research Spotlight: Low-Carb vs. High-Carb for Fat Loss & Muscle Gain

👨‍⚕️ Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Risk

Let’s inject this.

☕️ First time reading? I’m Matt, and this is The Morning Dose. Every week, our team scours hundreds of sources to bring you need-to-know news and insights you won’t find elsewhere. All in 5 minutes.

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🤔 Peptides vs. Steroids

While The Morning Dose is your weekly update on all the latest news, research, and trending topics related to peptides, anti-aging, TRT, and everything in between, we can only say so much in an email.

Our most in-depth articles are found on our website, Muscle and Brawn, where we can do deep dives into very specific topics…

Like this week’s latest article, peptides vs. steroids. 

Once again, head coach Daniel Louwrens has put together a fantastic guide to clear things up for those who aren’t peptide and steroid experts.

Many of us think of peptides as the baby brother to steroids, but let’s be honest–if you’re into the science of building muscle, you’ve likely considered both. And it’s important to know how they both work.

In this article, Daniel explains what makes the two different, the pros and cons of both, and answers your most common questions about peptides vs. steroids.

Read the full article here 👉: Peptides vs Steroids – Which Is Better for Muscle Gain and Fat Loss

💉 FDA Approves Wegovy (Again)

We’re here to keep you updated on the latest peptide news, so of course we’re going to let you know whenever the FDA announces anything related to peptides.

This week, we’ve got some interesting news about the FDA’s stance on Wegovy, a brand name version of semaglutide.

On March 8th, the FDA approved Wegovy use to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and strokes, specifically in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.

Previously, most FDA-approved weight loss peptides were only available for those with type 2 diabetes, which means getting your medication covered by insurance was difficult if you didn’t have diabetes. Many people would greatly benefit from semaglutide before they’ve developed diabetes or even pre-diabetes, so this is a huge step.

We know that obesity puts individuals at an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and more, so this new FDA approval means many more individuals will be able to improve their health and reduce their risk of disease with FDA-approved semaglutide.

Usually, when we see the FDA get involved, they’re trying to shut something down, so it’s great to see positive news from them.

If you’re interested in reading the full press release from the FDA, you can do so right here.

🧬 Research Spotlight: Low-Carb vs. High-Carb for Fat Loss & Muscle Gain

For decades, health professionals, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts have fiercely debated low-carb vs. high-carb diets.

Countless influencers promote the Keto diet, which is a household name by now, and on the other side of the debate, seemingly fit individuals are consuming endless amounts of rice, oatmeal, and cereal in their quest to get lean.

So who’s right? Does it even matter, or is it all about total calories?

Well, a new study published a few weeks ago looked at the difference between high-carb vs high-fat (low-carb) diets on both strength and body composition after 15 weeks of resistance training.

The study looked at 48 bodybuilders, so these were advanced trainees who weren’t new to training and simply experiencing beginner gains. When it comes to muscle building, bodybuilders are great test subjects, since most already have a good amount of muscle.

After the 15-week study, the low-carb group lost the most fat, while the high-carb group built more muscle and strength.

Now, let’s get into the details…

The study claims the diets were calorically equivalent, but they didn’t report on the macronutrient intake.

So while the results are interesting, we can’t say for sure how many calories were consumed by both groups.

This doesn’t mean the study is useless. Many find weight loss success on low-carb diets due to the reduction in calories, which is likely what we saw here.

Since carbs are essential for optimal training and muscle-building, due to glycogen availability and replenishment, it makes sense that the high-carb group built more muscle over 15 weeks.

Our takeaway?

If fat loss is your biggest priority, a low-carb diet is likely the best approach. You’ll reduce your calories, improve insulin sensitivity, and restrict your calorie intake – though we still suggest tracking your calories for best results, especially if you aren’t losing 0.5-1% of your bodyweight per week while dieting.

And if you’re trying to build muscle, eat plenty of carbs carbs. Regardless of what the Keto zealots say, carb intake IS optimal for strength and muscle building. You can build muscle without carbs, and you can run a marathon without shoes – neither is optimal.

Low carbs for fat loss, high carbs for muscle gain, and if you’re not sure how to set up your diet, you can reach out to our team for individual consultations or ongoing coaching.

👨‍⚕️ Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Risk

We’ve got another research paper for you, but this one isn’t very fun or exciting.

According to a new study published in a research journal by the American Cancer Society, people with worsening metabolic syndrome face a higher risk of developing all types of cancer.

The study looked at over 45,000 adults over the age of 49, which is a pretty big sample size.

Metabolic syndrome is a grouping of symptoms, which include obesity, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, low levels of HDL cholesterol, and insulin resistance.

Sadly, more than 1/3rd of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome, and we don’t see this trend improving anytime soon. If anything, it’s only getting worse.

We’ve already known the many health risks of metabolic syndrome, and now we can add one more to the list – cancer.

We don’t want to leave you without a plan.

Weight loss can be difficult, and if you’re struggling with your weight, you’re not alone.

This is FAR from a comprehensive list, but if you’re struggling with your weight and feel overwhelmed with where to start, here are simple tips you can implement as soon as today.

-Eat mostly lean proteins and vegetables for each meal.

-Stay active. The gym is great, but if you’re overwhelmed, aim for a minimum of 5,000 steps per day, and increase over time from there.

-Get plenty of sleep, which will improve insulin sensitivity and reduce appetite.

-Minimize or avoid alcohol intake, which has been shown to clearly have zero health benefits and a host of negative side effects.

–Try to avoid highly processed food as often as possible.

-Eat more fiber throughout the day; at least 25g for women and 35g for men.

-Consider using weight loss peptides if all else fails.

Fat loss is easier said than done, but those tips should get you well on your way to building the proper habits for a healthy lifestyle.

Sure, you may need to start lifting weights, tracking your food, and adding cardio. But if that feels overwhelming, don’t let fear stop you from taking the first steps.

Build the healthy habits first, start getting your health in check, and we can help you dial things in later if you get stuck.

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You’ll be able to ask your questions, get feedback from our head coach, Daniel Louwrens, and interact with other members of the Muscle and Brawn community.

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