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The Knowledge Room

Questions and answers

Plain answers to real questions, myths checked against evidence and short explainers. Each one tells you what is known, what is not yet known and where the evidence comes from.

Questions people ask

8 answers
QuestionVitality and immunity

Does ashwagandha help with stress?

Probably, for some people, in the short term.

QuestionLiver

What is silymarin and what does it do?

Silymarin is a group of plant compounds extracted from the seeds of milk thistle. It has been studied extensively in liver research.

QuestionLiver

Is fatty liver reversible?

Often, yes. Fat in the liver responds well to weight loss, more activity and less sugar and alcohol.

QuestionNerves

What causes neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the long nerves that run to the hands and feet. The most common cause is diabetes.

QuestionNerves

What does vitamin B12 do?

Vitamin B12 keeps nerves healthy, helps make red blood cells and is needed to copy DNA.

QuestionVitality and immunity

What does too little sleep do to the body?

In the short term, poor sleep affects mood, concentration, appetite and blood sugar.

QuestionBones

Do I need a vitamin D supplement?

Only if you are low, or at risk of being low. A very large trial found that giving vitamin D to generally healthy adults who were not deficient did not reduce fractures.

Question

Why is turmeric often paired with black pepper?

Because curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is poorly absorbed on its own.

Myths examined

4 myths examined
Myth or evidenceLiver

Natural means completely safe

Not true. Natural substances can have strong effects on the body, which is why they can help, and also why they can harm.

Myth or evidence

If a little is good, more must be better

Usually not. For most nutrients and medicines, benefit levels off once a need is met, while side effects keep rising.

Myth or evidenceLiver

Only people who drink alcohol get fatty liver

Not true. The most common form of fatty liver is not caused by alcohol.

Myth or evidenceBones

Calcium alone builds strong bones

Calcium is the raw material, but bone strength depends on much more: vitamin D to absorb it, vitamin K2 and protein to build it into bone, hormones and, above all, weight-bearing activity that tells bone to grow stronger.

Explain it to me

60 seconds, 5 minutes or deeper
Explainer

What is bioavailability?

Bioavailability is the share of a dose that actually reaches your bloodstream in a usable form.

Explainer

What is oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between reactive molecules, often called free radicals, and the body's ability to neutralise them. A little is normal and even useful.

Explainer

How we grade evidence

Not all research is equal. A laboratory finding is a clue, an observation in people is a pattern, and a well designed randomised trial is a test.

ExplainerNerves

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy means damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Ingredient Atlas

104 ingredients, each with its evidence level

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Evidence library

The studies behind our answers, appraised in plain language

Explore

Journal

Longer reads and study notes for professionals

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