Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Why do energy drinks make me tired instead of energized?

Nov 21, 2025 · 13 min read

Energy drinks can make you feel tired because caffeine temporarily blocks adenosine (the brain’s sleep-pressure signal) and then, as caffeine levels drop, adenosine “rebounds,” often intensified by a blood-sugar spike-and-crash and disrupted sleep. One large can may pack 150–300 mg of caffeine (with most adults advised to stay under ~400 mg/day), so timing, dose, and ...

Moobs, man boobs, and male breast growth: What it really means and how to fix it

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Nov 21, 2025 · 14 min read

Most “moobs” are either chest fat (pseudogynecomastia) or true breast‑gland growth (gynecomastia) caused by a shift toward higher estrogen activity—often amplified when body fat’s aromatase converts testosterone into estradiol—and research suggests 30% to 65% of men experience some degree of male breast enlargement. Learn how to tell which type you have and what actually works, ...

Red light therapy for weight loss: What really works and what’s hype

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Nov 21, 2025 · 13 min read

Red and near‑infrared light therapy (photobiomodulation) may lead to small, body‑contouring reductions in waist, hip, or thigh measurements—typically measured in centimeters—by stimulating mitochondrial energy production and influencing how fat cells release stored fat, but it has not been shown to produce large or consistent drops in body weight or BMI. Here’s what the research really ...

The truth about energy drinks without sucralose: What to know before you crack a can

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Nov 20, 2025 · 13 min read

Energy drinks without sucralose aren’t automatically healthier—their health impact is driven mainly by caffeine dose and total sugar, and most healthy adults should keep caffeine under about 400 mg per day from all sources. Here’s how to decode what’s used instead (like sugar or stevia) and read labels for gut, hormone, sleep, and long-term metabolic ...

Algae cooking oil: Smart upgrade or just another kitchen trend?

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Nov 20, 2025 · 16 min read

Algae cooking oil is a reasonable upgrade if it replaces butter, coconut oil, or shortening, because its mostly unsaturated, high‑oleic fat profile can lower LDL cholesterol similar to other high‑oleic vegetable oils, and it tolerates high heat with a smoke point around 535°F. Here’s how it actually stacks up against common seed oils in cooking ...