The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast #484 Hotcakes: Vitamin D3, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Physical Performance, Gabapentin and Falls, Gepotidacin for UTI, and Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss
May 26, 2025
Join resident epidemiologist Rahul Ganatra and associate writer Laura Glick as they dive into some hot topics in health! They discuss the surprising impacts of vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids on physical performance, sparking debate on their actual benefits. The conversation shifts to gabapentin and its risks of falls among older adults, as well as gepotidacin, a promising new antibiotic for UTIs. Finally, they explore intermittent fasting's intriguing potential for weight loss, all sprinkled with humor and expert insights!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
No Mobility Benefit from Vitamin D3
- Vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation do not improve physical performance in generally healthy older adults.
- High baseline vitamin D levels might even correlate with worse mobility outcomes, though this is likely a chance finding.
Selective Vitamin D Testing Advice
- Avoid routine vitamin D testing or aggressive supplementation in average patients without deficiency risk.
- Reserve checking vitamin D for high-risk groups like the institutionalized or those with osteoporosis.
Gabapentin Falls Risk Nuance
- Gabapentin use in older adults initiating therapy for neuropathic pain does not increase fall risk compared to duloxetine.
- However, low starting doses and short follow-up limit applicability to patients on higher gabapentin doses or prolonged use.