The hottest Nutrition Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Gut-Brain Axis Takes Center Stage

Ground Truths • 13472 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Gut Health Mental health Nutrition Medical Research Chronic diseases
  1. The gut and brain communicate in many ways, affecting our mood and health. Hormones produced in the gut and gut bacteria play a huge role in this relationship.
  2. Recent studies show how gut inflammation can lead to brain inflammation, which may explain some neurological issues. This connection makes it important to take care of our gut health.
  3. New medications targeting gut hormones are being developed, offering potential treatment for conditions like obesity and Alzheimer's disease. These discoveries could change how we think about health and medicine.

The Barefoot Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Nutrition Mental health Physical therapy Wellbeing
  1. Running barefoot can help you feel the ground better and improve your natural running form. This connection can reduce the chances of getting hurt.
  2. Proprioception, or your body's awareness of its position and movement, is enhanced when you run without bulky shoes. With less padding, you get better feedback from the ground.
  3. Even though many places don't allow running barefoot, it's possible to find ways to get that natural feel for your feet, like running on grass or sand when you can.

It's OK not to be fat

Noahpinion • 30000 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Obesity Mental health Technology
  1. Losing weight can be more about paying attention to what you eat rather than just having strong willpower. Being mindful of how much you eat and when you stop can make it easier to lose weight.
  2. Technological solutions, like certain weight-loss drugs, may be better at addressing obesity than social solutions. These medications can help suppress appetite and lead to effective and sustainable weight loss.
  3. Weight loss doesn't have to be a moral or self-worth issue. It's just a matter of managing hunger and attention, and using tools to simplify the process can free up time for more important things.

Covid still quiet, measles, ticks, smoke, EMTALA, and seed oil confusion

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1232 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Healthcare policy Nutrition Environmental health
  1. A new class of antibiotics has been approved for treating urinary tract infections, which is great news in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
  2. Measles cases are rising in several states, especially among unvaccinated children, highlighting the importance of vaccination during summer travel.
  3. Wildfire smoke from Canada is affecting air quality in many areas, so it's smart to check local air quality levels and take safety precautions when needed.

Luckin Out to Starbuck's Misfortune

Snaxshot • 519 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🍲 Food & Drink Beverages Dining Nutrition Trends Industry
  1. Luckin Coffee is gaining an edge over Starbucks, showing how competition in the coffee market can change quickly.
  2. There’s a rising trend for health-focused drinks, like pre-biotic cocktails, which mix wellness with socializing.
  3. More quick-service restaurants are using GLP-1, a drug for weight loss, to attract customers seeking healthier options.
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Why Bother Checking? Halloween Candy Is Already Full of Poisons.

The Society of Problem Solvers • 359 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Chronic Illness Health Education Public Health
  1. Many popular candies contain harmful ingredients like seed oils and food dyes, which can affect health negatively. It's important to pay attention to what's really in our food.
  2. Instead of just worrying about safety from external dangers, we should recognize that the candies we buy might already be unhealthy. Eating the right foods can lead to better health outcomes.
  3. Solving health problems is possible with the right changes in diet and lifestyle. A focused approach like the Carnivore diet could help improve chronic health issues.

The Drivers of Age-Related Diseases

Ground Truths • 11154 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Immunology Inflammation Nutrition Lifestyle
  1. Our immune system and inflammation change as we age. This affects our health and can lead to age-related diseases.
  2. New research shows that tracking certain proteins and genetic markers can help predict health issues related to aging. This could help us focus on ways to stay healthier longer.
  3. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and sleep are important for maintaining a strong immune system and reducing inflammation, which can extend our healthy years.

Matthew Walker: Promoting Our Sleep Health

Ground Truths • 5074 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Nutrition Physical health
  1. Sleep is essential for our well-being, just like food, air, and water. It helps us stay healthy and even affects our social interactions; being tired can make us feel lonely or less likable.
  2. Quality of sleep matters just as much as quantity. Good sleep means not just clocking hours but also having uninterrupted and restful nights.
  3. New sleep medications are being developed that may enhance sleep quality without the downsides of older drugs. These could potentially lead to better brain health and help clear waste from the brain.

Do blue-blocking glasses improve sleep?

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 625 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Sleep Nutrition Mental health Wellbeing Lifestyle
  1. Blue-blocking glasses may help increase melatonin levels, especially when you're exposed to bright light at night. This means they could help you feel sleepier.
  2. The evidence on whether blue-blocking glasses improve overall sleep quality is mixed. Some studies show a small improvement, while others show little or no effect.
  3. Instead of wearing blue-blocking glasses, it might be better to reduce blue light in your environment, like using dim, warm-colored lights at night.

Runners I Know: Nancy Martin

Running Probably • 159 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Aging Nutrition Mental health Lifestyle
  1. Staying active as you age is really important. Nancy believes that if people moved more when they were younger, they would have better mobility as they get older.
  2. You can adapt your exercise routine to fit your abilities. Nancy shows that even if you give up certain activities, you can find new ways to stay active, like walking or doing water aerobics.
  3. It's okay to make adjustments and acknowledge your limits. Nancy emphasizes that you should keep moving and adapt to your current abilities to stay healthy.

Compared to what?

Experimental Fat Loss • 120 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Diets Weight Loss Nutrition Metabolism
  1. When comparing diets, remember that starting weight matters a lot. Losing weight is usually easier for those who weigh more at the start.
  2. Water weight can trick you; some diets may cause you to lose water instead of fat. It's important to understand what's really happening with your body.
  3. Everyone's body is different, so a diet that works for one person might not work for another. Don't feel discouraged if something doesn’t work for you just because it works for someone else.

What are ultra-processed foods, really?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1591 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Public Health Dietary Guidelines Food Science Health Research
  1. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can be convenient and affordable, but they are often linked to health issues like obesity and heart disease. It's important to know that not all processed foods are bad; some can actually be nutritious.
  2. Research shows that diets high in UPFs may lead to overeating and poorer health, but the exact reasons for this aren't fully understood yet. The type of UPF matters, with sugary drinks and processed meats being the most harmful.
  3. To eat healthier, you can look for foods with lower added sugars and sodium, while being mindful of marketing claims. Sometimes, it’s okay to include UPFs in your diet, especially when they meet your specific needs.

Got Sperm? Prenatal Gummies for Men

Snaxshot • 519 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Health trends Supplements
  1. There's a new trend of 'prenatal gummies' designed for men, which aim to support sperm health.
  2. The grocery market is evolving, with a rise in expensive, trendy food options, especially among younger shoppers.
  3. The author is actively sharing insights and news, suggesting they are engaged in talks and discussions around current food trends.

Is Your Olive Oil Fake? The Truth That Big Olive Doesn't Want You to Know

Neuro Athletics • 15 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Health Cooking Food Quality Products
  1. Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), is good for your health and can help you live longer. Studies show that people who use olive oil often have lower risks of serious diseases.
  2. The quality of olive oil matters a lot. Extra virgin olive oil has more health benefits because it contains important compounds called polyphenols that fight inflammation and protect cells.
  3. There's a lot of talk about olive oil being a healthy choice, but you have to be careful. If you buy low-quality olive oil, you might miss out on the real health perks.

Sleep, Diet, Exercise and GLP-1 Drugs

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2688 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Exercise Pharmaceuticals Mental health
  1. GLP-1 drugs can be very effective for weight loss, and many people are seeing good results from them. They have contributed to a noticeable drop in obesity rates among those who use them, especially college graduates.
  2. Willpower plays an important role in personal fitness and dieting. While using willpower can be tough, it also has positive effects on self-discipline and can lead to healthier habits over time.
  3. It's vital to find joy in exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Enjoyable activities make it easier to stick to fitness routines and achieve overall well-being.

How Experts Created a Peanut Allergy Epidemic

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 356 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Nutrition Allergies Medical Guidelines
  1. Experts once recommended avoiding peanuts during pregnancy and for young children. This led to a big increase in peanut allergies.
  2. Initially, there was no strong evidence for the peanut avoidance advice, which caused more harm than good.
  3. Now, it's suggested that introducing peanuts early can actually help prevent allergies, showing that previous guidelines were misguided.

Doomscroll: Yung Chomsky

Joshua Citarella's Newsletter • 377 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Fitness Online Communities Health Nutrition Aesthetics
  1. Yung Chomsky talks about his journey into the world of weight lifting and how he learned from different online communities. It's an interesting mix of lifting culture and personal growth.
  2. He addresses common mistakes people make when starting to lift weights, like following bad advice found online. Understanding proper training and nutrition can help you reach your fitness goals more effectively.
  3. The episode also touches on the surprising links between fitness culture and politics, particularly how some online groups can influence attitudes and behaviors.

the cure for shame is...

Both Are True • 99 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Fitness Nutrition Self-care Personal Growth
  1. Tracking numbers can make us feel like our worth is based on data, like weight or followers. But this often leads to shame and obsession.
  2. There’s more to our value than just the metrics we obsess over. Personal experiences, feelings, and connections also matter a lot.
  3. It's important to talk about our struggles with shame and analytics because many people experience this but don’t discuss it openly.

How Our Gut Microbiome Can Drive Sugar Cravings

Ground Truths • 15222 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Microbiome Nutrition Psychology Diabetes Physiology
  1. Our gut bacteria can influence our cravings for sugar. Specific bacteria in our gut send signals to our brain that can make us want more sweets.
  2. The molecule Ffar4 in our gut plays a big role in how much we like sugar. When this is less active, we might crave sugar more.
  3. A certain type of gut bacteria, called Bacteroides vulgatus, is linked to an increased desire for sugar. Understanding this can help us figure out how to control cravings better.

The Microplastic Concerns Elevate—To the Brain

Ground Truths • 13384 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental health Toxicology Nutrition Health Impact
  1. Microplastics are accumulating in the brain and other organs, with much higher levels found in people with dementia. This is raising alarms about their possible effects on health.
  2. Studies have shown that microplastics can affect blood flow in the brain, leading to issues like blood clots. This suggests they could contribute to neurological problems.
  3. To reduce exposure to microplastics, people can avoid plastic packaging and heating plastic items. There's also a need for broader action to cut down plastic production overall.

Book review: The End of Craving

Experimental Fat Loss • 92 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Dieting Health Food Science Cooking
  1. The book discusses how our current food system creates confusion around nutrition due to the fortification of foods, making us unsure about what we really need to eat. This could lead to overeating because our bodies might think they're missing important nutrients.
  2. It introduces the idea of a two-part reward system in our brains: wanting something and then getting satisfaction from it. If these two signals are out of sync, it can lead to unhealthy eating habits, almost like addiction.
  3. The author believes that many processed foods are not really food at all but 'food simulacra' that can trick our taste buds. These foods can be overly enticing, causing us to eat more than we actually need.

The Updated Red Meat Story

Ground Truths • 13516 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Microbiome Cognition Epidemiology
  1. Eating a lot of red meat can be linked to health issues like heart problems and cancer. Plant-based diets are usually better for overall health.
  2. Studies show that eating more plant-based foods can help balance the risks from red meat. Even small changes can make a difference in gut health.
  3. Replacing red meat with healthier options like nuts or legumes may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Monk Mode

The Generalist • 1521 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Mental health Mindfulness Nutrition Physical activity
  1. January is a great time to start new habits because everyone is focused on self-improvement. You can use this positive energy to make lasting changes in your life.
  2. Using technology mindfully can help you avoid distractions. Limiting social media and opting for higher-quality content like audiobooks can improve your focus and creativity.
  3. Making small changes in your daily routine, like walking more or avoiding alcohol, can create a big impact on your overall well-being. It’s about finding what works best for you and sticking to it.

Your body thinks itself into its shape

The Intrinsic Perspective • 14234 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Neuroscience Mental health Physical health Well-being
  1. Nutrition science has been confusing, with mixed messages about what's healthy or unhealthy for years. This shows that even experts struggle to understand basic health questions.
  2. Our bodies might work like complex systems, similar to a neural network, meaning personal health experiences can vary greatly from one person to another. This could explain why people have different reactions to the same foods.
  3. Recent research suggests that our cells can 'remember' past states, such as being overweight, which influences how our bodies respond to changes in diet and lifestyle over time.

ex_kempner review: CICO and FO

Experimental Fat Loss • 127 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Dieting Nutrition Weight Loss Health Research
  1. A very low-calorie diet, like the Kempner rice diet, is extremely hard to stick to. People often feel constantly hungry and unsatisfied with their meals.
  2. Drastic calorie restrictions may lead to temporary weight loss but often result in rapid weight gain once normal eating resumes. This can create a cycle of yo-yo dieting.
  3. Individual experiences with diets can vary greatly. Some people might succeed on a strict diet while others struggle, highlighting that dieting is not one-size-fits-all.

Que sais-tu du TDAH ?

L'Atelier Galita • 159 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Nutrition Education Self-help
  1. TDAH stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, affecting focus and attention. It’s not just about being hyperactive; people with TDAH can struggle to concentrate on many tasks.
  2. More men are diagnosed with TDAH than women, but it can affect anyone. It's important to consider whether age plays a role in how TDAH symptoms manifest.
  3. TDAH can be hereditary, meaning if a parent has it, their children might be more likely to have it too. It's crucial to avoid self-diagnosing, as it can lead to many incorrect assumptions about conditions.

Sperm problems aren’t depressing fertility rates. Well, not directly.

Sex and the State • 21 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Men's Health Public Health Nutrition
  1. Sperm problems aren't the main reason for lower fertility rates. People are choosing to have fewer kids rather than being unable to have them.
  2. Many young people are having less sex and this might lead to fewer unexpected pregnancies. This could be related to issues like sperm quality and health.
  3. It's easy to oversimplify why people do or don't want kids. Understanding people's true feelings about family is more complicated than it seems.

Level Up: Week 3

Running Probably • 59 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Mental health Nutrition Personal Growth Lifestyle
  1. It's important to have easy runs in your training. Not every run should be tough; some should feel light and fun.
  2. Building a running routine means making your run a priority. Set aside time and prepare so that running becomes a natural part of your day.
  3. Managing your effort can help improve your running. Use the talk test to find a comfortable pace where you can chat easily while running.

Homesteading: Eat Your Vegetables

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening Homesteading Preservation Cooking Nutrition
  1. Growing your own vegetables can lead to better quality food and lower grocery bills. Homemade products like pesto and pickled vegetables taste much better than store-bought options.
  2. Using fresh garden vegetables in recipes like gazpacho allows for flexible cooking. This can be a fun way to make meals and encourage trying new flavors.
  3. Raising animals and managing a farm involves a lot of work but can be rewarding. Tasks like breeding horses and caring for livestock require patience and care.

Flu is (still) taking off, egg prices, new diet standards, Super Bowl, and more

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2404 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Nutrition Vaccination Epidemiology Disease Control
  1. Flu cases are rising sharply this year, with many people experiencing 'influenza-like illnesses' since 2002. Fewer vaccinations among kids and a mismatch between the vaccine and circulating flu strains are contributing to this problem.
  2. A new Ebola vaccine trial has started in Uganda quickly after an outbreak occurred. This is an important step to help control the spread of the virus and protect public health.
  3. New nutrition guidelines suggest that kids aged 5 to 18 should mainly drink plain water and milk, while sugar-sweetened beverages should be limited. This can help improve their overall health and prevent issues like weight gain and dental problems.

DNL ramp-up time

Experimental Fat Loss • 120 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Fitness Metabolism Wellness
  1. It takes about 3 to 6 days for your body to stop producing fat through DNL when switching from a low-fat diet to a high-fat diet. This means your body can adjust fairly quickly.
  2. When you switch back to a high-fat diet, the DNL process can ramp up again in just a couple of days. This cycle could help in managing linoleic acid levels more effectively.
  3. Understanding how long DNL takes to turn off or on can help you plan your diet changes better. It suggests that shorter cycling between high-fat and low-fat diets might still be useful.

🌾 Can we feed the future?

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture Sustainability Technology Global Issues Nutrition
  1. Farmers have made great progress in feeding a growing population, moving from three billion to eight billion people over the last 60 years. This was thanks to better technology and more farmland.
  2. Even with this success, experts worry that factors like climate change, crop diseases, and lack of investment in farming tech could hurt future food production. There's a lot at stake for the world's food supply.
  3. To continue improving food production, we need to embrace technology and find ways to share it better, especially in less developed areas. Innovations can help us meet the needs of a future population that could exceed nine billion.

Stress ReLeith: Chicken in Tarragon and Cream Sauce

Vittles • 133 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Recipes Nutrition Culinary Arts Mental health
  1. Cooking can be a fun and therapeutic way to deal with anxiety. It helped someone overcome stress and improve their mental health during tough times.
  2. Taking an online cooking course can boost your skills and confidence in the kitchen. It can be a challenging yet rewarding experience, even if it's not all fun.
  3. You can make tasty meals quickly with fewer ingredients. Learning how to simplify recipes can make cooking enjoyable and efficient.

Level up: Week 2

Running Probably • 99 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Wellbeing Training Nutrition Mindfulness
  1. Running by feel is important. Instead of always checking your watch, pay attention to how your body feels during the run.
  2. Finding the right time to run makes it easier to stick to your routine. Try different times to see when you feel best running.
  3. Adding variety to your running routes keeps things interesting. Explore new paths and take note of your surroundings to make each run fun.

Understanding Iron

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 1997 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Metabolism Disease Regulation
  1. Iron levels inside cells can be misunderstood, leading to confusion between deficiency and overload, especially for those with certain gene variants.
  2. Neurological, psychiatric, and cognitive issues could be linked to iron levels being too low or too high, affecting dopamine and myelin synthesis.
  3. Understanding the complexities of iron metabolism can help in interpreting lab data and making informed decisions to address iron-related problems effectively.

You Don't Understand Serum Ferritin

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 2216 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Iron Testing Research
  1. Ferritin, used to measure iron in blood, holds little iron but plays a crucial role, impacting health at extremes.
  2. Iron balance is key for health - too much ages, affects skin, causes diseases; too little harms brain, hormones, energy. It needs to be just right.
  3. Understanding serum ferritin's purpose is unclear; we don't know how it gets into blood or why. Limitations exist in relying solely on ferritin for iron status.

This Is What Causes B6 "Toxicity"

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 1977 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Toxicity Supplements
  1. Vitamin B6 is essential for various bodily functions like preventing low blood glucose, maintaining muscle health, and improving skin condition.
  2. Estrogen and inflammation can increase the body's need for B6, so monitoring intake is crucial, especially for individuals with high-protein diets or sulfur dysregulation.
  3. Neuropathy can be caused by B6 supplements, and there is a need to rethink the traditional concept of B6 'toxicity' and consider individual differences in tolerance levels.