The hottest Health & Wellness Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics
Metabolic Repair 8 HN points 24 Aug 24
  1. Eating a lot of potatoes may help you lose weight because they can reduce your appetite and cravings. This might be similar to how some weight-loss medications work.
  2. Potatoes might also increase your body temperature and metabolism, making you burn more calories just by being active. The effects can vary from person to person depending on their unique body and genetics.
  3. A mostly potato diet is low in fat and iron, which may also contribute to weight loss. This combination can change how your body feels about food and potentially help you eat less.
Weight and Healthcare 619 implied HN points 07 Dec 22
  1. Noom's claims of being a brand new way to lose weight while also helping to keep weight off for good are inconsistent. Long-term efficacy cannot be proven with short-term results.
  2. Short-term weight loss statistics from Noom might not reflect sustained success, as most participants tend to regain weight within a few years, similar to other diet programs.
  3. Studies on Noom's effectiveness often involve low retention rates and short follow-up durations, which are not sufficient to support their marketing claims of long-term weight loss maintenance.
Mind & Matter 196 implied HN points 06 Jan 24
  1. The type of fats we are consuming now is different from what our ancestors ate.
  2. Consuming high levels of omega-6 PUFAs while being deficient in omega-3s can promote inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
  3. Changes in dietary fat consumption trends, such as a shift towards more plant-based fats, have influenced the balance of fatty acids we consume.
After Babel 1147 implied HN points 12 Mar 24
  1. Summer camps provide a tech-free environment where children interact face-to-face, fostering strong bonds and a sense of community.
  2. Camp activities are novel and fun, encouraging children to embrace challenges and step out of their comfort zones.
  3. Camp counselors act as positive role models, encouraging campers to try new things and showcasing a life without constant connection to devices.
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Frank’s Alabama COVID Newsletter 157 implied HN points 07 Feb 24
  1. The South region in the United States saw a significant rise in Covid viral activity levels, particularly in new hospital admissions.
  2. The dominant strain of Covid in the US is the JN.1 variant, causing 93% of new cases by late January 2024.
  3. Updated Covid-19 vaccines provide 54% protection against symptomatic infection, showing a relative effectiveness compared to the flu vaccine.
Tripsitter 139 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  1. Psychedelics are being embraced in end-of-life care facilities to provide relief from anxiety and existential distress in terminal patients.
  2. Research has shown that certain psychedelics can induce mystical experiences and offer patients a new perspective to accept their fate and find peace.
  3. Psychedelics are not about escapism but rather about helping individuals confront their mortality with clarity, acceptance, and reduced fear of death.
Weight and Healthcare 579 implied HN points 24 Dec 22
  1. Weight is not the direct cause of health issues, and mistaking correlation for causation can lead to harmful cycles in healthcare.
  2. Historically, fat people faced barriers like lack of insurance coverage and delayed care, impacting their health outcomes.
  3. Diet culture's focus on weight loss has often led to harmful practices without long-term benefits, perpetuated by the diet industry and healthcare providers.
Are You Okay? 319 implied HN points 11 Aug 23
  1. Juice cleanses may not provide significant health benefits and can lead to negative side effects like headaches and irritability.
  2. Long-term, sustainable changes in diet, such as eating fruits and vegetables, three solid meals a day, and regular fullness, are recommended over juice cleanses.
  3. Vitamin B12 supplements may be necessary in certain cases, like when levels are low due to specific conditions, even though vitamins can sometimes be unnecessary.
Are You Okay? 319 implied HN points 02 Jun 23
  1. BMI is not always an accurate reflection of health, and other factors like fitness level, nutrition, and overall habits should be considered.
  2. For bone health, activities like yoga can be beneficial in improving bone mineral density, potentially even more so than traditional interventions like medication.
  3. Doctors and patients should focus on a holistic approach to health that considers genetic, hormonal, behavioral, nutritional, and psychological factors, rather than just relying on numbers like BMI.
Harnessing the Power of Nutrients 1318 implied HN points 11 Apr 22
  1. The spike protein may cause harm at low concentrations, but the body has natural defenses like heat shock proteins to counteract this.
  2. HSP90 inhibitors could potentially protect against spike protein toxicity, but they may come with serious side effects.
  3. Instead of pharmaceuticals, exploring natural ways like incorporating sulfur, selenium, and sunlight into our diet and lifestyle may offer benefits without harmful side effects.
L'Atelier Galita 339 implied HN points 20 Oct 23
  1. The gender wealth gap can start from childhood with differences in pocket money and how boys and girls are taught to manage money.
  2. Couples often have unequal financial dynamics, with women shouldering more unpaid domestic work and facing financial vulnerabilities during and after relationships.
  3. It's important for women to prioritize financial independence, have open conversations about money, and be aware of economic abuse in relationships.
Harnessing the Power of Nutrients 718 implied HN points 28 Nov 22
  1. Essential fatty acids are crucial for the body, but mainstream texts may have inflated their required amounts and overlooked sources like animal fats.
  2. Polyunsaturated fatty acids do not directly cause oxidative stress, but in certain conditions, they can pose an oxidative liability, potentially leading to oxidative damage.
  3. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fatty fish can provide reserve capacity without overdoing it, especially important in specific life stages and conditions.
Tripsitter 259 implied HN points 18 Nov 23
  1. Magic mushrooms vary greatly in potency due to different species and chemical compositions.
  2. Measuring the potency of magic mushrooms is complex due to the presence of multiple active and non-active compounds.
  3. The strongest magic mushroom species include Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe semilanceata, and Psilocybe baeocystis, with average total tryptamine concentrations around 1%.
The Reclamation Era 99 implied HN points 01 Apr 24
  1. Understanding your brain's two modes, creative and task-focused, can help manage ADHD better. It's like needing both the fun and relaxed side and the organized side to get things done.
  2. Being aware of how much time is spent in a relaxed, creative state can help push you into more productive tasks. It’s important to find a balance between daydreaming and doing chores.
  3. Teaching or engaging in hands-on activities can ground you and pull you back into focus when you find yourself lost in thoughts. This balance keeps both parts of your brain working well together.
Logging the World 418 implied HN points 12 Jan 23
  1. The weekly COVID data in the UK shows a decreasing trend in cases and hospital admissions.
  2. The XBB.1.5 variant is increasing its market share in the UK but has not yet caused a significant uptick in cases.
  3. Localized spikes in COVID cases may not always translate to a significant impact on hospital admissions due to reporting bias and small sample sizes.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1284 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  1. The prevalence of long Covid may be decreasing due to a decline in severe disease and the changing virus over time.
  2. Vaccines, especially with additional doses, help protect against long Covid in both children and adults.
  3. Long Covid is a complex condition with various underlying causes, such as viral persistence, immune responses, and gut microbiome links.
The Skeptical Cardiologist 314 implied HN points 24 Mar 23
  1. 74% of readers think masks work, especially high-quality ones like N95 or KN95 masks.
  2. Ivermectin is not effective at reducing the severity of COVID-19, as shown by high-quality studies.
  3. It's challenging to conduct trials on masks' efficacy, but easier for drugs like ivermectin; complete data can be limited in making public health recommendations.
Weight and Healthcare 499 implied HN points 28 Jan 23
  1. Places should be set up to accommodate everyone, but this isn't always the case. People may need to ask for accommodations due to factors like size, disability, or other marginalized identities.
  2. Asking for accommodations can bring up emotional challenges like stress and shame. It's important to know that asking for accommodations is not asking for special treatment, but rather for the same access others already have.
  3. There are approaches to requesting accommodations, such as determining when to ask, who to ask, how to ask, and what to do if the request is denied. It's crucial to remember that requesting accommodations is not about seeking special favors, but ensuring equal access.
Tripsitter 139 implied HN points 20 Feb 24
  1. Penis Envy mushrooms are known for their exceptional potency, with concentrations of psilocybin and psilocin as high as 2.90%, making them significantly stronger than the average magic mushroom.
  2. The distinctive trait of Penis Envy mushrooms is their phallic shape, resembling a circumcised penis, which sets them apart from other strains.
  3. The fervent interest in creating new hybrid forms of the Penis Envy mushroom stems from their impressive potency, unique appearance, and high market appeal among spore vendors.
Knowingless 1188 implied HN points 14 Feb 24
  1. Seduction is seen as a collaborative activity where both parties want the same thing - to overcome barriers and enjoy sex together.
  2. People often seek to reinforce narratives about themselves, so being able to sell the right self-image to someone can be a powerful tool in seduction.
  3. Understanding and appealing to a person's core desires and self-conception can be more effective in seduction than just focusing on physical attractiveness or immediate desires.
Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 10 implied HN points 19 Jan 26
  1. The phrase "mental health" started in medical and institutional settings and still sounds clinical, which can make normal stress feel like a personal defect.
  2. Most everyday struggles like anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm are often signs of nervous system overload, and reframing them that way points to practical actions like more rest, routine, movement, and connection.
  3. Seeing strain as too much load rather than being broken reduces shame and helps people—especially men—ask for support and use skills to prevent crisis earlier.
Why is this interesting? 1930 implied HN points 06 Jun 23
  1. Practicing gratitude journaling can help shift your focus to the positive and enhance self-understanding over time.
  2. Keeping a digital record of daily reflections allows for easy access, searchability, and deep self-reflection.
  3. Discovering consistent patterns of joy in your past can inform present and future decisions towards a happier life.
Harnessing the Power of Nutrients 599 implied HN points 14 Jan 23
  1. Vibrant and SpectraCell panels assess micronutrient status differently, one focusing on serum concentrations and intracellular levels and the other on the ability of nutrients to promote white blood cell replication in culture.
  2. Vibrant panel seemed more comprehensive and efficient in measuring nutrient concentrations compared to SpectraCell, but both panels showed discrepancies in identifying abnormalities in the user's nutrient levels.
  3. The user's suspicion of a biotin transporter defect was not confirmed by either panel, but the data hinted at issues with intracellular transport of certain nutrients, providing insights for further investigation.
Harnessing the Power of Nutrients 639 implied HN points 24 Dec 22
  1. Quarterly health goals can be more effective than New Year's resolutions because they offer a shorter time horizon.
  2. Regular quarterly evaluations help maintain momentum and prevent mid-year drop-offs in health goal progress.
  3. Setting clear goals, key performance indicators, and maintenance plans can help achieve and sustain progress in health goals over time.
In My Tribe 212 implied HN points 20 May 25
  1. Younger people tend to show traits like selfishness and callousness, while older people are generally more trusting and kind. These personality traits can change with age.
  2. Focusing too much on mental health can lead to overdiagnosis and distract from helping those who really need it. It's important to differentiate between regular emotions and actual mental health issues.
  3. There are concerns that early phone use could harm kids’ brains. Instead of relying on phones, having more caregivers might be a better option for young children.
Weight and Healthcare 499 implied HN points 21 Jan 23
  1. The new American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines make dangerous claims about eating disorders in relation to pediatric weight management interventions, raising concerns about misdiagnosis and harmful treatment recommendations.
  2. The guidelines suggest that structured weight management programs can reduce eating disorder symptoms, but fail to address serious risks associated with weight cycling, dieting, and other harmful practices that could lead to eating disorders.
  3. Research citations provided in the guidelines do not strongly support the claims made, and there are concerns raised about conflicts of interest, incomplete data analysis, and lack of consideration for the long-term impacts of weight management interventions on children's mental and physical health.
Unsettled Science 516 implied HN points 09 Nov 24
  1. Medical schools might not be teaching the right nutrition information. It's important to examine if the problem lies in what is taught, not just how much is taught.
  2. New research suggests that reducing sugar in the diets of young children can lower their risk of diabetes and high blood pressure later in life. This raises serious questions about how we view sugar in our diets.
  3. Physicians should be more open about the uncertainties surrounding nutrition advice. Understanding that there's still much to learn can help doctors connect better with their patients.