5 Healthyish Things, including AI fitness and the decline of junk food

Before there were GLP-1s, there was exercise. Yep, the original miracle drug. Exercise has proven time and again to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, decrease stress, and improve mental health. It’s the ultimate health hack—accessible, affordable, and super effective.

(Tweet courtesy of Shaan Puri’s great 5 Tweet Tuesday newsletter)

But there’s a concerning gender gap when it comes to exercise. A recent study found only 33% of women are hitting the recommended exercise goals, compared to 43% of men. (Frankly neither number is great.) Why? Well the New York Times suggests one reason women find it harder to make time for physical activity is they often carry a disproportionate load when it comes to caring for home and family. That seems true—and also very sad. 

Taking a step back, women’s health more broadly has been sidelined for waaaay too long. Before the 1990s, women weren’t even included in most clinical trials. 😳 It’s absurd. And while the tides are finally shifting, there’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to closing the gender gap in health and wellness.

Exercise is never not going to be important for health—and in fact may become even more crucial as we age. (FYI strength training in your 30s and 40s is an effective way to stay healthier later in life!) I’m hopeful that last year’s record high number of gym memberships means more and more people are finding ways to prioritize exercise.

Speaking of fitness, welcome to the new era of so-called “AI-driven” fitness machines. New products like Amp and Growl offer sleek machines packed with tech that tracks your progress, provides AI coaching, measures heart rate, and adjusts resistance/difficulty level as you go.

I see the point of improved automated coaching, sure. But I’m a little surprised people are still investing in building new fitness machine companies. We basically learned with Peloton that there’s a cap on this space. My guess is, like in most industries, the AI advantage will mostly accrue to the biggest incumbent players… like Peloton. And it’s hard to expect some completely unexpected catastrophic pandemic to change the at-home fitness game again.

But hey, at least they look great. 🤷‍♂️ Have you recently bought an at-home fitness machine or plan to for the holidays? Very curious what’s been on your list!

It’s been fascinating to watch the world adjust to GLP-1s. As more people turn to these meds for weight loss, the ripple effects are just beginning. Sometimes they’re less obvious—like the clothing resale market—but Ozempic’s effect on the junk food industry was easier to predict. 

With less cravings for ultraprocessed snacks, former junk food junkies are skipping the chip and candy aisle. It’s great for people’s health, but not so great for Big Food. So surprise, surprise—Big Food is looking for ways to cash in on this shift (plus smaller brands like Hims & Hers are releasing shakes and bars for GLP-1 users). 

Big Food still has a massive hold on the American food system, and seemingly free reign when it comes to lobbying for the changes that serve them. I’m really hoping RFK Jr. (who, btw, does not like GLP-1s, awkward) stays true to his word and can challenge Big Food in the next administration.

Anyway, no matter how it plays out, it’s clear GLP-1s are changing how we eat. If usage keeps going up, I’d bet our local grocery store checkout aisles will look a lot different in a few years.

I’ve always been unsure about red light therapy. It seemed like another TikTok trend waiting to be debunked. But research (at the urging of my wife) says I’m super wrong. 

It’s no miracle cure, of course, but red light therapy does seem to increase collagen production, enhance tissue repair and (minimally) improve skin appearance by reducing scarring, wrinkles and redness. Researchers found it might also work to reduce pain and inflammation. Who knew! 

Red light therapy also seems to be pretty safe, which might make it worth a try—if you’re willing to invest. Those machines and face masks aren’t cheap, and it takes consistent use over months to see a real difference. Still, I have to admit I’m kind of sold. At the very least, it seems to have much more promise than skin taping. 😬

Peter Attia recently launched Biograph, a new longevity concept that offers all-in-on preventative healthcare solutions. It’s the latest in (expensive) full-service longevity clinics. (Others I’ve written about before include Whole Foods founder John Mackey’s Love.Life and The Estate, co-founded by Sam Nazarian and Tony Robbins.) 

What I find really interesting is the dichotomy in the broader preventative medicine space. On the one side, you have more companies like Function Health (eighth newsletter mention, not that I’m counting 😆), Superpower, and Lifeforce offering out-of-pocket lab testing and health analysis that won’t break the bank and is actively meant to be more accessible. Then there’s the other side, where places like Biographic are charging thousands and thousands of dollars for the full gamut. Think every possible lab test, plus results, plus clinical care and support. 

Looking ahead, I’m guessing 2025 will be the Year of Longevity—maybe even “health data”–-as the concept gets more mainstream. Forget resolution-inspired gym memberships. My prediction is people will invest less in fitness programs and healthy eating and put more towards understanding their personal health. And given how many people don’t follow through on their Sweat by Kayla membership and keto diet plans, I think we’re moving in a better direction.

Have a health product or service you can’t live without? Something you’re planning to gift to everyone this holiday season? I’m working on an epic gift guide and would love to hear your recos. Reply directly to this email with all your must-haves!