Trends

A 2014 review summarised 15 clinical trials examining dietary linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat found in vegetable oils including canola. It reported no significant increase in measured inflammatory markers in those trials. However, the trials were small and short, and the review noted that this evidence could not fully rule out an effect. These findings address inflammation markers in the studied diets; they do not establish that every seed oil is harmless or directly assess whether oils are “toxic”.

A systematic review describes statins as a cornerstone of cardiovascular prevention and reports evidence that lowering LDL cholesterol reduces cardiovascular events. It also reviews potential harms, including muscle symptoms, liver effects and a modest increase in diabetes risk. Muscle complaints are reported more often in observational studies than in randomised trials, where the difference from placebo is small. These sources do not establish that statins cause more harm than good overall, but they also do not assess an individual’s balance of benefits and risks.

In a WHO pharmacovigilance analysis of people aged 13–25, amphetamines had higher reporting of psychotic symptoms than methylphenidate; this measures reports, not incidence or proof of causation, and severity-related confounding could not be excluded. A retrospective youth cohort also found low overall frequency of newly diagnosed psychotic symptoms, with associations for amphetamine and atomoxetine exposure. Neither study establishes that prescribed use carries the same risks or circumstances as non-medical use.

A 2024 meta-analysis of 16 trials (492 participants, including healthy people and patients) reported a small benefit for memory, but not overall cognition or executive function. Its findings are uncertain: a 2026 commentary says correlated cognitive test results from the same participants were counted as independent, potentially overstating precision. The supplied evidence does not assess “brain fog” as an outcome, so it cannot establish that creatine clears it.

Victoria’s 27 October 2026 advisory reports 13 anaphylaxis cases associated with unapproved peptides since July 2025, including a cluster of five in September 2026; it does not mention a death. The advisory says products have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness, and contents and contamination risks are uncertain. A June 2026 joint statement also described serious adverse effects, including severe allergic reactions requiring hospitalisation. These are safety notifications and reports, not evidence that every product or user faces the same risk.