SIBO: definition, symptoms, and how to actually test for it
SIBO is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth — bacteria living and fermenting in your small intestine where they shouldn't be. It's one of the most-missed causes of chronic bloating.
Topic cluster
Glossary
Quick reference entries for the terminology you'll encounter on the rest of the site. Each entry is short, sourced, and answers the question 'what is this and does it matter for me?' without the editorial framing of a full article.
All Glossary articles
Cortisol: definition, daily rhythm, and why it matters for weight
Cortisol is your primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal cortex in a daily rhythm. Chronic elevation drives visceral fat storage and insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance: definition, how to test for it, and what to do
Insulin resistance is the condition where cells respond poorly to insulin's signal. It's the foundation of type 2 diabetes and a major driver of midlife metabolic decline.
Visceral fat: definition, why it matters, and how to measure it
Visceral fat is the metabolically active fat stored inside your abdominal cavity, around your organs. It's the most cardiovascularly dangerous fat compartment in the body.
Ketosis: definition, mechanism, and what it actually does for weight loss
Ketosis is a metabolic state where your body produces ketones for fuel instead of glucose. Here's what that actually means, how to enter it, and what the evidence shows.
FODMAP: definition, the 5 categories, and why they cause bloating
FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine doesn't absorb well. They ferment in the colon and produce gas — the mechanism behind much IBS-type bloating.
GLP-1: definition, how Ozempic and Wegovy work, and key effects
GLP-1 is a natural gut hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. The drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro mimic and amplify its effects — here's what that actually does.
BMI (Body Mass Index): definition, formula, and what it doesn't tell you
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. It's a population-level screening tool — not an individual health metric. Here's how to read it correctly.