Before you trust the headline, ask five questions.
A quick way to read GLP-1, peptide and longevity news with a little more confidence.
Start here
A promising headline is a starting point. Use these five questions to work out what the study actually found—and what the headline leaves out. Keep the checklist handy when you read the next story.
1. Who was studied?
People, animals or cells in a lab? For human studies, check the participants’ age, health and number. Results from one group may not apply to another. [1]
2. Compared with what?
Look for the comparison group. “Improved” means more when you know what happened with a placebo, another treatment or usual care. Find that detail in the study methods.
3. What does the number mean?
Ask what was measured and look for the starting values. A change on a scan is not automatically a change in strength, symptoms or daily life. [2]
A real example
In the COURAGE report, 7.3% versus 4.2% lean-mass loss is a difference of 3.1 percentage points—about 43% less loss relative to the comparison group. It does not mean muscle increased by 43%.
4. What is still unknown?
Check study length, side effects and limitations. One study rarely settles a question. Look for what remains uncertain, not just the most positive result. [1]
5. Who is telling the story?
Find the original source, its date and the study’s funding. Separate a sponsor’s announcement from independent analysis. Relevant financial relationships deserve a clear explanation. [2]
Your five-question checklist
- Who was studied?
- What was the comparison?
- What changed, and by how much?
- What risks and uncertainties remain?
- Who funded and reported the findings?
This helps you evaluate a story. It does not tell you which treatment to choose. Bring treatment questions to your clinician.
Make sense of the next headline.
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Read the sources
- NIH: Checklist for understanding health news storiesNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
- NIH: Making sense of study resultsNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Sources checked October 6, 2026. The COURAGE example is explained and sourced in our linked article.