HoldsUp

The Diary Of A CEO · 2026-08-13 · Steven Bartlett (host), Andy Galpin

Fat Loss Scientist: It’s Easy To Lose Weight, But Here’s Why You WON’T Do It! | Dr Andy Galpin

63 research-tied claims examined: 3 contradicted 4 overstated 8 context 39 supported 9 unverified

8

Needs context

0:00:17Andy Galpinneeds contextmoderate

People generally experience worse sleep when sharing a bed with a partner compared to sleeping alone.

"People generally don't sleep as well when you're in the same bed as others." (said at 0:00:17)

The claim that people generally do not sleep as well when sharing a bed with others is partly accurate regarding objective measures, but misses the key subjective-objective discrepancy identified in sleep research. A scoping review on bed sharing across dyads (including couples) found that objective measures of sleep (such as actigraphy or movement) are often worse or show more limb movements when bed sharing, yet individuals consistently report better subjective sleep quality and psychological comfort when sharing a bed. Furthermore, polysomnographic studies in couples indicate that co-sleeping can increase and stabilize REM sleep and promote sleep-stage synchronization compared to sleeping alone.

0:13:58Steven Bartlett (host)needs contextmoderate

The global prevalence of sleep apnea in middle-aged men is 24% to 34%, and in middle-aged women is 9% to 17%.

"It says men who are middle-aged have a 24 to 34% prevalence of apnea, women 9 to 17%" (said at 0:13:58)

The quoted figures (24% to 34% for middle-aged men and 9% to 17% for middle-aged women) match published epidemiological estimates from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study (Peppard et al., 2013). However, important context is required: these rates represent US adults aged 30–70 years (rather than a direct global census) and reflect mild-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing defined by an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of ≥5 events per hour. When restricted to clinically significant moderate-to-severe sleep apnea (AHI ≥15), prevalence estimates in the same cohort were 10% to 17% in men and 3% to 9% in women.

0:22:47Andy Galpinneeds contextlow

Studies show that moving to urban environments increases rates of anxiety and depression by over 20%, largely due to higher light and noise exposure.

"some of the studies have found things as high as like anxiety and depression are up 20-plus% when you move into the city. And that's largely attributed to things like light and sound." (said at 0:22:47)

A landmark meta-analysis of population surveys found that urban living is associated with a 21% higher odds of anxiety disorders (OR 1.21) and a 39% higher odds of mood disorders (OR 1.39) compared to rural areas. However, this evidence is derived from observational population surveys comparing urban and rural residents rather than interventional or longitudinal relocation studies. Furthermore, attributing this elevation 'largely' to light and sound exposure is an oversimplification; epidemiologists consider the urban mental health disparity to be multifactorial, driven by complex interactions among socioeconomic disparities, social fragmentation, reduced access to green space, crime, and environmental stressors.

0:25:55Andy Galpinneeds contextmoderate

Research recommends setting sound machines below 40 decibels, especially when used for children's sleep.

"More the data suggests sub-40, especially for kids if you're using a sound machine for your children. Most people put them too close and too loud." (said at 0:25:55)

The speaker's point that sound machines should be kept at lower volumes and not placed too close to children is well-supported by pediatric literature, but the specific decibel limit cited differs slightly from major pediatric guidelines. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and hospital nursery noise guidelines recommend limiting continuous sound exposure for infants to 50 A-weighted decibels (dBA) (with nursery guidelines often suggesting 45-50 dBA), measured at least 200 cm (approx. 7 feet) away and not placed directly inside or attached to the crib. Studies evaluating infant sleep machines show that many devices exceed 50 dBA and even occupational safety limits of 85 dBA when placed close to the crib at maximum volume.

0:30:22Andy Galpinneeds contextlow

Studies show that kiwifruit and its constituent phytochemicals such as apigenin reduce cognitive function and arousal to promote sleep.

"So, there's been good studies on them enough to put them on this table. Enough to say there's data there. So, you're getting some product below it. In this case, apigenin, in this case, other phytochemicals that either reduce a little bit of cognitive function, they reduce arousal, they put you in some sort of checkout state." (said at 0:30:22)

The claim that kiwifruit and constituent phytochemicals such as apigenin promote sleep by reducing cognitive function and arousal is partially supported by existing evidence, though key details require qualification. Human and animal studies demonstrate that kiwifruit consumption and kiwifruit peel extracts improve sleep parameters, such as sleep onset latency and total sleep time, with preclinical evidence suggesting a GABAergic mechanism that reduces CNS arousal. Similarly, apigenin—a flavonoid found in chamomile and other plants (though kiwifruit is primarily noted for serotonin, antioxidants, and other flavonoids rather than being a primary dietary source of apigenin)—demonstrates sedative and sleep-promoting effects via GABAergic chloride channel activation in rodent models. However, human trial data on kiwifruit indicate that rather than impairing cognitive function or producing a negative 'checkout state', kiwifruit consumption actually improves morning alertness, vigor, and mood upon waking.

0:51:02Andy Galpinneeds contextmoderate

Data show that individuals generally do not sleep as well when sharing a bed with a partner compared to sleeping alone.

"There are data behind it. People generally don't sleep as well when you're in the same bed as others." (said at 0:51:02)

Research on co-sleeping and bed-sharing reveals a well-documented divergence between objective and subjective measures of sleep quality. When evaluated with objective tools such as actigraphy or polysomnography, bed-sharing is frequently associated with increased nocturnal movements, partner-induced micro-arousals, and other measurable disruptions compared to sleeping alone. However, individuals consistently report higher subjective sleep quality, greater psychological comfort, and improved relationship satisfaction when sharing a bed with a partner. Furthermore, laboratory polysomnography studies show that co-sleeping can increase and stabilize rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and synchronize couples' sleep stages despite increased motor movements.

0:52:13Andy Galpinneeds contextlow

Sleep disturbances and circadian disruptions initiated during late pregnancy and the postpartum period persist as chronic sleep disorders in a subset of women even into their children's adulthood.

"In fact, one of the largest causes of sleep disorders in women is having children... and that can actually cause patterns. This can cause insomnia. This can cause irregular sleep schedules, circadian disorders, natural things. Totally fine. In some percentage of women, those patterns will persist. And so, you'll see women who have sleep disorders even with adult children that started because of the childbirth." (said at 0:52:13)

Longitudinal studies demonstrate that a subset of women develop formal insomnia disorders and chronic sleep disruption during late pregnancy and the postpartum period that persist across early parenting years (for example, persisting in 5% to 12% of women at up to two years postpartum). However, evidence demonstrating that perinatal sleep disruption persists specifically into their children's adulthood as one of the leading causes of chronic sleep disorders in women is primarily based on clinical extrapolation rather than multi-decade longitudinal tracking establishing direct causality.

1:17:15Andy Galpinneeds contextmoderate

Consuming higher amounts of dietary omega-3 sources typically increases mercury levels because most omega-3 sources contain mercury.

"Those things will typically track. The more omega-3s you consume, the more mercury goes up. Because most omega-3 sources are going to be filled with mercury." (said at 1:17:15)

Dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from seafood is positively correlated with methylmercury exposure in population biomonitoring studies, because seafood is the dominant dietary source of both nutrients and methylmercury. However, the claim that 'most omega-3 sources are going to be filled with mercury' requires important qualification: plant-based omega-3 sources (alpha-linolenic acid, such as flaxseed, chia, and walnuts) contain virtually no mercury, purified fish oil supplements are generally devoid of heavy metals, and several major dietary fatty fish (such as wild salmon, sardines, and trout) provide high omega-3 content with very low mercury levels.

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.