Disclaimer & terms

Educational information only

Everything on this site, including the protocols, evidence grades, targets and drawings, is general educational information. It is not medical advice, and it is not a diagnosis or treatment for any condition. It cannot take account of your health, history or medications.

No doctor–patient relationship

Reading this site, or contacting us, does not create a doctor–patient relationship or any other professional relationship.

Talk to a clinician first

Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before you change your exercise, diet, fluid intake, sleep, medications or screening. This matters most if you:

• are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
• have a long-term condition, such as heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or high blood pressure
• take prescription medication
• are under 18
• are new to exercise, or returning to it after illness, injury or surgery

Never stop or change a prescribed treatment because of something you read here.

In an emergency

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Do not delay seeking care, or disregard professional medical advice, because of anything on this site.

Who writes this

The Vitruvian Protocol is written and maintained by an independent author who is not a licensed physician. The author summarizes published research and clinical guidelines, and cites every claim so you can read the sources yourself.

Evidence changes

Each protocol summarizes the studies and guidelines cited on its page, as they stood when the page was last reviewed. The evidence grades are our own judgment of how strong that evidence is, not an official rating. Science moves on, guidelines differ between countries, and we can make mistakes. We do not promise that the content is complete, accurate or current.

Results vary

Studies report averages across groups of people. They cannot predict how any one person will respond, and following a protocol does not guarantee any result.

Measurements and targets

The targets under “What to measure” are general reference points taken from guidelines. They do not replace tests ordered and interpreted by a clinician, and the right target for you may be different.

Links and products

Source links lead to journals, guidelines and other websites we don’t control. A link is not an endorsement, and we are not responsible for what those sites publish. Mentioning a medicine or a type of product, such as a quit-smoking medication or sunscreen, does not endorse any brand.

Terms of use

You use the information on this site at your own risk, and you remain responsible for your own health decisions. If you don’t agree with these terms, please don’t use the site.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent the law allows, the site is provided “as is”, without warranties of any kind, and the owner of The Vitruvian Protocol is not liable for any loss, injury or damage that arises from using or relying on it. Nothing here limits any liability that the law does not allow to be limited.

Copyright

© 2026 The Vitruvian Protocol. The text and drawings are protected by copyright. You are welcome to link to any page, and to quote short passages with credit and a link. Please ask before reproducing whole pages or the artwork. The typefaces, Cormorant Garamond and EB Garamond, are used under the SIL Open Font License.

Changes and governing law

We may update this page. The date at the top shows when it last changed. These terms are governed by the laws of the United States of America.

Contact

Questions or corrections: thevitruvianprotocol@gmail.com. If you find an error in a protocol or a source, please tell us.