Sources Library
Central hub for all sources powering Mo's wellness research.
📖 How This Library Works
Every claim in Mo's research is backed by credible sources. This library organizes 68 sources across two dimensions:
🏆 Evidence Tiers Explained
| Tier | Badge | What It Means | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, large RCTs | Strong factual claims | |
| B | Peer-reviewed studies, clinical guidelines | Supported recommendations | |
| C | Expert textbooks, practitioner consensus | Educational foundation | |
| D | Popular science, podcasts, articles | Context and accessibility |
Higher tiers = stronger claims. When sources disagree, defer to the higher tier. Tier D sources should always be verified against Tier A-B evidence.
📊 Library Statistics
| Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| Total Sources | 84 |
| 📚 Books | 26 |
| 🔬 Studies | 38 |
| 🎙️ Experts | 10 |
| 🏛️ Institutions | 12 |
🔍 Browse All Sources
- 🥇 Tier A (24)
- 🥈 Tier B (24)
- 🥉 Tier C (29)
- 📖 Tier D (7)
Gold Standard Sources
Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and landmark research.
| Source | Type | Year | Pillars | Key Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallmarks of Aging | 🔬 Study | 2013 | 1, 7 | Aging biology framework |
| Hallmarks of Aging: Expanding Universe | 🔬 Study | 2023 | 1, 7 | Updated 12 hallmarks |
| Energy Metabolism Review | 🔬 Study | 2014 | 1, 2 | Metabolic disease |
| Energy Expenditure Across Lifespan | 🔬 Study | 2024 | 1, 2, 7 | TDEE patterns |
| Diet Quality & Mortality | 🔬 Study | 2018 | 2, 7 | Diet patterns |
| Vegetarian/Vegan Health Outcomes | 🔬 Study | 2017 | 2, 7 | Plant-based diets |
| Mediterranean Diet Meta-Review | 🔬 Study | 2018 | 2, 7 | Mediterranean pattern |
| Physical Activity Health Benefits | 🔬 Study | 2017 | 3, 7 | Exercise & health |
| Long-Term Physical Activity Effects | 🔬 Study | 2013 | 3, 7 | Sustained activity |
| Acute Exercise & Cognition | 🔬 Study | 2012 | 3, 5 | Exercise & brain |
| Sleep Duration & Mortality | 🔬 Study | 2010 | 4, 7 | Sleep & death risk |
| Short Sleep & Health | 🔬 Study | 2017 | 4, 7 | Sleep deprivation |
| Sleep & Athletic Performance | 🔬 Study | 2019 | 3, 4 | Sleep for athletes |
| Cortisol & Health | 🔬 Study | 2009 | 5, 1 | Stress response |
| MBSR & Health | 🔬 Study | 2004 | 5 | Mindfulness benefits |
| Social Isolation & Mortality | 🔬 Study | 2015 | 6, 5 | Loneliness risk |
| Loneliness & Health | 🔬 Study | 2010 | 6, 5 | Social connection |
| Individual Diet Response (Zeevi) | 🔬 Study | 2015 | 2, 8 | Personalized nutrition |
| Caloric Restriction Review | 🔬 Study | 2011 | 2, 7 | CR & longevity |
| UPF Umbrella Review | 🔬 Study | 2024 | 2 | 17% CVD risk, 28% CV mortality |
| UPF & All-Cause Mortality | 🔬 Study | 2024 | 2 | 10% increased mortality |
| Decision Fatigue (Baumeister) | 🔬 Study | 2008 | 2, 8 | Ego depletion |
| Judicial Decision Fatigue | 🔬 Study | 2011 | 2, 8 | Decisions deteriorate |
| FODMAP Diet Effectiveness | 🔬 Study | 2014 | 2 | IBS symptom reduction |
| Celiac ACG Guidelines | 🔬 Study | 2023 | 2 | Diagnostic criteria |
Strong Evidence Sources
Peer-reviewed research, clinical guidelines, and professional standards.
| Source | Type | Year | Pillars | Key Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSCA Essentials of Strength Training | 📚 Book | 2021 | 3, 7 | Exercise science |
| Resistance Training & Body Comp | 🔬 Study | 2012 | 3, 7 | Strength training |
| HPA Axis in Psychiatric Disorders | 🔬 Study | 2020 | 5, 1 | Stress & mental health |
| Light Exposure Recommendations | 🔬 Study | 2022 | 6, 4 | Circadian health |
| Genetics of Physical Activity | 🔬 Study | 2015 | 3, 8 | Exercise genetics |
| WHO | 🏛️ Institution | — | All | Global health |
| NIH | 🏛️ Institution | — | All | Research & guidelines |
| CDC | 🏛️ Institution | — | All | Public health |
| Harvard Nutrition Source | 🏛️ Institution | — | 2 | Nutrition guidance |
| ACSM | 🏛️ Institution | — | 3, 7 | Exercise guidelines |
| NSCA | 🏛️ Institution | — | 3, 7 | Strength standards |
| AASM | 🏛️ Institution | — | 4 | Sleep medicine |
| APA | 🏛️ Institution | — | 5, 8 | Psychology |
| FDA | 🏛️ Institution | — | 2 | Food labeling |
| USDA | 🏛️ Institution | — | 2 | Dietary guidelines |
| NOVA Classification (Monteiro) | 🔬 Study | 2018 | 2 | Food processing categories |
| Mindless Eating (Wansink) | 🔬 Study | 2007 | 2, 8 | 200 daily food decisions |
| Hungry Shopping Study | 🔬 Study | 2013 | 2, 8 | Shopping behavior |
| Portion Size & Obesity | 🔬 Study | 2002 | 2 | Expanding portions |
| Social Eating Effects | 🔬 Study | 2003 | 2, 8 | Others affect intake |
| Frozen vs Fresh Nutrition | 🔬 Study | 2015 | 2 | Vitamin retention |
| Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity | 🔬 Study | 2015 | 2 | Diagnostic criteria |
| Elimination Diet Protocols | 🔬 Study | 2019 | 2 | Systematic approach |
Expert Opinion Sources
Authoritative textbooks, expert practitioners, and professional resources.
| Source | Type | Pillars | Key Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guyton & Hall Physiology | 📚 Book | 1 | Medical physiology |
| Marieb Human Anatomy | 📚 Book | 1 | Anatomy foundations |
| Lifespan (Sinclair) | 📚 Book | 1, 7 | Aging science |
| Eat, Drink, Be Healthy | 📚 Book | 2 | Evidence-based nutrition |
| The Hungry Brain | 📚 Book | 2, 8 | Appetite & behavior |
| Real Food for Pregnancy | 📚 Book | 2, 8 | Prenatal nutrition |
| Science of Strength Training | 📚 Book | 3, 7 | Training principles |
| Periodization (Bompa) | 📚 Book | 3, 7 | Program design |
| Why We Sleep | 📚 Book | 4 | Sleep science |
| The Sleep Solution | 📚 Book | 4 | Sleep optimization |
| Reset Your Inner Clock | 📚 Book | 4, 6 | Light therapy |
| The Upside of Stress | 📚 Book | 5 | Stress mindset |
| Stress Management (Lehrer) | 📚 Book | 5 | Clinical methods |
| The Power of Habit | 📚 Book | 8 | Habit loops |
| Tiny Habits | 📚 Book | 8 | Behavior design |
| Mindset (Dweck) | 📚 Book | 8 | Growth mindset |
| Huberman Lab | 🎙️ Expert | 1, 4, 5, 6 | Neuroscience |
| Peter Attia / The Drive | 🎙️ Expert | 1, 2, 3, 7 | Longevity |
| Examine.com | 🎙️ Expert | 2 | Supplement research |
| Layne Norton / BioLayne | 🎙️ Expert | 2, 3, 7 | Nutrition science |
| Stronger by Science | 🎙️ Expert | 3, 7 | Training research |
| Mike Israetel / RP | 🎙️ Expert | 3, 7 | Hypertrophy |
| Matthew Walker | 🎙️ Expert | 4 | Sleep research |
| Rhonda Patrick | 🎙️ Expert | 1, 5, 7 | Longevity research |
| Satchin Panda | 🎙️ Expert | 2, 6 | Circadian biology |
| Precision Nutrition | 🎙️ Expert | 2, 8 | Coaching methods |
| National Sleep Foundation | 🏛️ Institution | 4 | Sleep guidelines |
Informational Sources
Accessible introductions and popular science.
| Source | Type | Pillars | Key Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Body (Bryson) | 📚 Book | 1 | Body overview |
| Breath (Nestor) | 📚 Book | 1, 5 | Breathing science |
| The Power of When | 📚 Book | 4, 6 | Chronotypes |
| Burnout (Nagoski) | 📚 Book | 5 | Stress cycle |
| Why Nobody Told Me | 📚 Book | 5 | Mental health tools |
| The Inner Clock | 📚 Book | 6 | Circadian rhythm |
| Burn the Fat | 📚 Book | 7 | Body composition |
| Bigger Leaner Stronger | 📚 Book | 7 | Muscle building |
| Atomic Habits | 📚 Book | 8 | Habit formation |
📚 Browse by Type
- 📚 Books (26)
- 🔬 Studies (22)
- 🎙️ Experts (10)
- 🏛️ Institutions (10)
Recommended Reading by Pillar
| Pillar | Top Books | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Body Science | Guyton & Hall, Lifespan | C |
| 2. Nutrition | Eat Drink Be Healthy, Hungry Brain | C |
| 3. Movement | NSCA Essentials, Periodization | B-C |
| 4. Sleep | Why We Sleep, Sleep Solution | C |
| 5. Stress & Mind | Upside of Stress, Stress Management | C |
| 6. Environment | The Inner Clock | D |
| 7. Goals | (See Movement/Nutrition books) | — |
| 8. Personalization | Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits | C-D |
Key Research Papers
| Category | Landmark Studies | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Aging | Hallmarks of Aging (2013, 2023) | A |
| Nutrition | Diet Quality & Mortality, Zeevi Diet Response | A |
| Exercise | Physical Activity Health Benefits | A |
| Sleep | Sleep Duration & Mortality | A |
| Stress | Cortisol Reactivity, MBSR Meta-analysis | A |
| Social | Social Isolation & Mortality | A |
Trusted Expert Sources
| Expert | Focus | Why Trust Them |
|---|---|---|
| Huberman Lab | Neuroscience | Stanford professor, cites research |
| Peter Attia | Longevity | MD, extensive research review |
| Examine.com | Supplements | Independent, no industry ties |
| Stronger by Science | Training | PhD-level analysis |
| Matthew Walker | Sleep | UC Berkeley sleep researcher |
Official Guidelines
| Institution | Best For |
|---|---|
| WHO | Global health standards |
| NIH | Research database (PubMed) |
| CDC | Public health guidelines |
| ACSM | Exercise prescription |
| AASM | Sleep medicine |
🎯 Top Sources by Pillar
- 1. Body Science
- 2. Nutrition
- 3. Movement
- 4. Sleep
- 5. Stress & Mind
- 6. Environment
- 7. Goals
- 8. Personalization
Start Here for Body Science
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guyton & Hall | 📚 | C | Gold standard physiology textbook |
| Hallmarks of Aging | 🔬 | A | Foundational aging framework |
| Huberman Lab | 🎙️ | C | Accessible neuroscience |
Start Here for Nutrition
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeevi Diet Response | 🔬 | A | Proves individual variation |
| Diet Quality & Mortality | 🔬 | A | What actually matters |
| Examine.com | 🎙️ | C | Unbiased supplement info |
Start Here for Movement
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSCA Essentials | 📚 | B | Professional standard |
| Physical Activity Review | 🔬 | A | Exercise-health link |
| Stronger by Science | 🎙️ | C | Evidence-based training |
Start Here for Sleep
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep Duration & Mortality | 🔬 | A | Sleep importance proven |
| Why We Sleep | 📚 | C | Comprehensive overview |
| AASM | 🏛️ | B | Clinical guidelines |
Start Here for Stress & Mind
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortisol & Health Review | 🔬 | A | Stress-health mechanisms |
| MBSR Meta-analysis | 🔬 | A | Mindfulness works |
| Upside of Stress | 📚 | C | Reframe stress positively |
Start Here for Environment
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Isolation & Mortality | 🔬 | A | Connection matters |
| Light Exposure Guidelines | 🔬 | B | Circadian health |
| Satchin Panda | 🎙️ | C | Time-restricted eating |
Start Here for Goals
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallmarks of Aging | 🔬 | A | Longevity targets |
| Periodization | 📚 | C | Program design |
| Peter Attia | 🎙️ | C | Practical longevity |
Start Here for Personalization
| Source | Type | Tier | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeevi Diet Response | 🔬 | A | Individual variation proof |
| Atomic Habits | 📚 | D | Behavior change system |
| Precision Nutrition | 🎙️ | C | Coaching methodology |
📖 Pillar Source Pages
Each pillar has its own curated sources page:
| Pillar | Sources Page |
|---|---|
| 1. Body Science | View Sources → |
| 2. Nutrition | View Sources → |
| 3. Movement | View Sources → |
| 4. Sleep | View Sources → |
| 5. Stress & Mind | View Sources → |
| 6. Environment | View Sources → |
| 7. Goals | View Sources → |
| 8. Personalization | View Sources → |
🛠️ Contributing & Maintenance
📋 Source Evaluation Criteria
How Sources Are Evaluated
When adding a source, evaluate on 6 criteria (score 1-5 each):
| Criteria | Question | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Is the author qualified? | 1 (unknown) → 5 (PhD/MD in field) |
| Publication | Where was it published? | 1 (blog) → 5 (peer-reviewed journal) |
| Evidence | What type of evidence? | 1 (opinion) → 5 (meta-analysis) |
| Recency | How current? | 1 (>20 yrs) → 5 (<2 yrs) |
| Recognition | Is it cited/respected? | 1 (unknown) → 5 (highly cited) |
| Bias | Conflicts of interest? | 1 (clear conflict) → 5 (none) |
Average Score → Tier:
| Score | Tier |
|---|---|
| 4.0+ | A |
| 3.0-3.9 | B |
| 2.0-2.9 | C |
| 1.0-1.9 | D |
➕ How to Add a New Source
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Evaluate the Source
Use the 6 criteria above to determine the tier. Ask yourself:
- Is this from a credible author/institution?
- Is the evidence strong (meta-analysis > single study > opinion)?
- Is it recent and relevant?
- Are there conflicts of interest?
Step 2: Determine Where It Belongs
| Source Type | File to Update | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 📚 Book/Textbook | sources/books.md | Textbooks, popular science books |
| 🔬 Study/Paper | sources/studies.md | Meta-analyses, RCTs, reviews |
| 🎙️ Expert/Podcast | sources/experts.md | Researchers, podcasts, databases |
| 🏛️ Institution | sources/institutions.md | WHO, NIH, professional orgs |
Step 3: Add to the Type File
Add a new row to the appropriate table in sources/[type].md:
For Books:
| **Book Title** | Author | Year | Tier | Pillars | Notes |
For Studies:
| **Study Title** | Journal/Citation | Year | Tier | Key Finding |
For Experts:
| **Expert/Source** | Type | Tier | Focus Area |
For Institutions:
| **Institution** | Type | Tier | Best For |
Step 4: Add to Relevant Pillar Sources
Update the pillar's sources.md file (e.g., nutrition/sources.md):
- Add to the appropriate Tab (Studies, Books, etc.)
- Add to the "Sources by Topic" section if applicable
- Consider adding to "Recommended Starting Points" if it's essential
Step 5: Update This Index (sources/index.md)
- Add to the appropriate Tier tab in "Browse All Sources"
- Update statistics if counts changed:
- Total sources count
- Pie chart numbers
- Type counts table
Step 6: Update Topic Pages (Optional)
If the source supports specific claims in topic pages:
- Add inline citations where relevant
- Add to the Sources section at the bottom of the topic page
Example: Adding a New Study
Let's say you want to add a 2024 meta-analysis on protein timing:
1. Evaluate: Meta-analysis in peer-reviewed journal = Tier A
2. Add to sources/studies.md:
| **Protein Timing Meta-Analysis** | J Int Soc Sports Nutr | 2024 | A | Timing less important than total intake |
3. Add to nutrition/sources.md:
- Add to Studies tab under "Macronutrients" section
- Add to "Sources by Topic" under Protein
4. Update sources/index.md:
- Add row to Tier A tab
- Update total count: 68 → 69
- Update Studies count: 22 → 23
- Update pie chart: "Tier A (18)" → "Tier A (19)"
🔧 Maintaining the Sources System
File Structure
docs/wellness/sources/
├── index.md # This hub page (central navigation)
├── books.md # All 📚 books by tier
├── studies.md # All 🔬 studies by tier
├── experts.md # All 🎙️ experts/podcasts
└── institutions.md # All 🏛️ institutions
docs/wellness/[pillar]/
└── sources.md # Pillar-specific sources page
What Each File Contains
| File | Purpose | Update When... |
|---|---|---|
sources/index.md | Central hub, statistics, all sources by tier | Any source added/removed |
sources/books.md | Complete book list with details | Adding a book |
sources/studies.md | Complete study list with citations | Adding a study |
sources/experts.md | Expert sources with focus areas | Adding an expert |
sources/institutions.md | Official institutions | Adding an institution |
[pillar]/sources.md | Pillar-specific curated list | Adding source relevant to pillar |
Regular Maintenance Tasks
Monthly Review
- Check for broken links to external sources
- Review if any sources have updated editions (books) or new research
- Verify statistics are accurate
Quarterly Review
- Search for new landmark studies in each pillar
- Update "Key Research Findings" summaries with new data
- Review expert sources for continued credibility
- Check if any Tier D sources should be upgraded based on new evidence
Annual Review
- Full audit of all 68+ sources
- Update publication years where new editions exist
- Remove or demote sources that are outdated
- Add new foundational sources discovered during the year
Keeping Statistics Accurate
When adding/removing sources, update these locations:
- Pie chart in
sources/index.md:
- Statistics table in
sources/index.md:
| **Total Sources** | 68 | ← Update this
| 📚 Books | 26 | ← Update by type
- Tab labels in
sources/index.md:
<TabItem value="tier-a" label="🥇 Tier A (18)" default> ← Update count in label
Source Deprecation
If a source becomes outdated or problematic:
- Don't delete immediately - mark as deprecated first
- Add note:
⚠️ Outdated - newer research available - Find replacement: Identify newer source covering same topic
- Update references: Find all pages citing deprecated source
- Remove after transition: Once all references updated, remove from lists
📝 Style Guide for Source Entries
Naming Conventions
| Element | Convention | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Study titles | Short descriptive name | "Sleep Duration & Mortality" not full citation |
| Book titles | Full title, no subtitle | "Why We Sleep" not "Why We Sleep: Unlocking..." |
| Expert names | Name or podcast name | "Huberman Lab" or "Peter Attia" |
| Years | Publication year only | "2024" not "March 2024" |
Tier Badges
Use these consistently:
- In tables: Just the letter (A, B, C, D)
- In prose: "Tier A" or "🥇 Tier A"
- Badge images:

Pillar References
Use pillar numbers for brevity in tables:
- Numbers: 1, 2, 3 (not "Body Science, Nutrition, Movement")
- Multiple: "1, 3, 7" (comma-separated)
- All pillars: "All" (for institutions like WHO)
Citation Format in Topic Pages
When citing in actual content pages:
Inline citation:
Research shows protein needs increase with age (Tier A: Protein Requirements Meta-Analysis, 2022).
Sources section:
## 📚 Sources
| Source | Tier | Key Finding |
|--------|------|-------------|
| Protein Meta-Analysis (2022) | A | 1.6g/kg optimal |
When citing sources in conversations:
- Lead with Tier A-B sources for factual claims
- Use Tier C-D for context and accessibility
- Always note the tier when making recommendations
- If sources conflict, explain the disagreement and defer to higher tiers