Body composition

Explore strategies for optimizing your ratio of muscle to body fat, including training approaches, nutrition tactics, and hormonal factors that influence how your body stores fat and builds lean mass.

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The essentials for body composition — then explore the latest posts below.

Best weight loss supplements for men: What research actually supports

Best weight loss supplements for men: What research actually supports

Dr. Susan Carter, MD avatar
Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert
Feb 10, 2026 · 12 min read

The best weight loss supplements for men are the few that show modest, repeatable benefits in human studies, mainly caffeine, green tea extract, and soluble fiber, with mixed evidence for garcinia cambogia and forskolin. The win is not “magic fat loss.” It is small leverage on appetite, energy expenditure, and waist size when you also ...

Bulking vs cutting for men: How to pick the right bulk vs cut plan and keep it healthy

Bulking vs cutting for men: How to pick the right bulk vs cut plan and keep it healthy

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS avatar
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Jan 26, 2026 · 12 min read

Bulking and cutting are two nutrition and training phases that help men gain muscle in a small calorie surplus or lose fat in a small calorie deficit while lifting to protect lean mass. The key is control, because the fastest bulk vs cut approach often backfires with extra fat gain, muscle loss, or a drop ...

Testosterone and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: What men should actually do

Testosterone and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: What men should actually do

Dr. Susan Carter, MD avatar
Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert
Jan 21, 2026 · 12 min read

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) do not provide testosterone targets. Men can use the DGA to support a healthy body weight and cardiometabolic health, which can indirectly support testosterone, and should seek medical evaluation for persistent symptoms or repeatedly low morning labs. Here’s what diet can improve, what it can’t, and how to act ...

Weights or cardio first? How to sequence your workouts for muscle, endurance, and fat loss

Weights or cardio first? How to sequence your workouts for muscle, endurance, and fat loss

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS avatar
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Jan 17, 2026 · 12 min read

For most men training for strength, muscle, fat loss, or general fitness, do weights before cardio, and do cardio first only when endurance is your top goal. The reason is simple: whichever workout you do first usually gets your best energy, your best form, and your best results. “If you can only train once, put ...

How long does it take to lose muscle? A practical timeline for men who lift

How long does it take to lose muscle? A practical timeline for men who lift

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS avatar
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Jan 17, 2026 · 12 min read

Measurable muscle loss can begin within about 2 weeks of stopping strength training, with more obvious drops in muscle size and strength by weeks 3 to 4. The good news is that most men can slow or prevent this with a small, high effort “maintenance dose” of lifting plus adequate protein. “Most guys assume a ...

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