A 2026 BMJ systematic review confirms that weight regain is the rule after stopping pharmacological weight-management therapy. Across drug classes, most lost weight is regained within 24 months, with parallel loss of metabolic benefit. This reflects biological defence of adiposity, not patient failure.

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Smart body composition scales are not metabolic truth machines. Their value lies in engagement, not precision. During weight loss—especially with GLP-1 therapy—hydration and glycogen shifts distort “muscle” readings. Used within a tiered system that prioritises waist, strength, and function, they can support behaviour without undermining progress.

Blog see https://www.scvc.co.uk/metabolic-health/smart-body-composition-scales-helpful-metabolic-tool-or-misleading-distraction/

January isn’t just about weight loss. Much winter weight gain occurs as visceral fat, which drives insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Measuring your waist, not just your weight, gives a clearer picture of metabolic health. Building muscle and reducing visceral fat supports a healthier metabolism long after January ends.

GLP-1 drugs seem paradoxical: they enhance insulin action yet shrink dangerous belly fat. The explanation lies in restoring normal insulin timing, reducing chronic insulin exposure, and reversing fat “spillover” from liver to abdomen. Real patient cases show rapid visceral fat loss alongside smoother glucose profiles and lower cardiovascular risk.

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Adequate protein and resistance training are essential for healthy ageing and reducing visceral fat. As we grow older, muscles become less responsive, making higher protein intake vital to preserve strength, metabolism, and independence. Building and feeding muscle is the most effective way to improve insulin sensitivity, raise metabolic rate, and burn harmful VAT.

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Raised visceral fat quietly disrupts thyroid chemistry, increasing reverse T3 and lowering active T3 inside tissues. This pushes the body into metabolic “conservation mode” — slowing energy, mood and fat loss despite normal blood tests. Reducing VAT gradually restores healthy thyroid activation and metabolic resilience.

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One of the greatest challenges in the online world is investigator bias. Any “expert” with a strong conviction — whether pro- or anti-statin — can easily find studies that appear to confirm their view. The internet is full of such cherry-picked data. When presented with confident authority, this can sound utterly convincing to a lay audience. The reality is that true medical understanding does not come from one paper, one YouTube video, or one self-proclaimed authority.

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At Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic, we have seen a pattern: some people whose blood sugar (HbA₁c) is technically “normal” are quietly drifting towards diabetes. Their blood tests look fine — but their day-to-day glucose readings tell another story.

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