5HT: 5 Healthyish Things, including magnesium on feet and dishwasher steak

#1 Female health consumers

Let’s talk purchasing power. Women drive 75% of Amazon’s consumer purchases—including health, wellness, and longevity products. That’s not just a fun fact—it’s a reminder of who really shapes the future of consumer health.

Nowhere is that more obvious than in healthcare, where women are often referred to as the healthcare decision-makers and drive 80% of healthcare choices—not just for themselves but also for their kids, partners, and aging parents.

Why? Well, men are just honestly pretty terrible consumers in health 🤷🏻‍♂️. They (we?) tend to have lower health literacy, skip preventative care, and delay treatment until symptoms are impossible to ignore. Data from Cleveland Clinic shows 44% of men don’t get a yearly physical and would rather do chores (72%) or go shopping with their partner (77%) than see a doctor. (No judgment—just… maybe go make that appointment.)

It doesn’t help that many aspects of self-care—like therapy, skincare, or even taking vitamins—are still coded as “feminine” or signs of weakness. That stigma doesn’t just harm men. It slows progress across the whole healthcare system.

And yet—despite all this—it’s overwhelmingly men who start and run health tech companies. 🤔 That’s not just ironic—it’s systemic. Because when the dominant healthcare consumer isn’t reflected in leadership, products miss the mark, markets get underserved, and entire categories—like caregiving, hormonal health, or reproductive support—go under-built for decades.

I’m not saying men can’t lead well in this space. (And yes, I see the irony: I’m a guy who’s led two health companies). And sure, a lot of male-founded companies eventually pivot to become more woman-focused once they realize who’s actually buying their product. (But, by then, they’re often playing catch-up—solving problems women have been talking about for years.)

I’m saying the most urgent health problems of the next decade will be solved by teams who actually reflect the patients they’re building for—especially women. And we need to resource and elevate those teams more. 

Ignoring women as the primary healthcare consumer is simply a missed business opportunity. And those who will win in the future of health and longevity will be those who understand women's primary role. ✊ (Oh—and I sure hope that change can be made soon so my daughters can benefit from it as they grow up!)

#2 Dishwasher steak

In things you likely didn’t know (and likely didn't need to know)... you can cook steak in the dishwasher. You’ve likely heard of the cooking method called “sous vide” (which means cooking vacuum-sealed food in a temperature-controlled water bath), but this is more like sous why. (Sorry).

I don’t want to think about all the microplastics leaching into my steak 🥴, so you can count me out… but I’ll admit the steak looks pretty darn delicious. Thanks, Internet!

#3 Magnesium on feet

So, magnesium on feet is apparently trending. It’s even “trending” in my house!

Parents are applying magnesium lotion or balm on their baby’s feet (or their own), claiming it promotes better and longer sleep. Even some doctors have sprayed their feet with magnesium out of curiosity. (It seems you can find anything on TikTok.)

Magnesium is linked to better sleep quality—especially magnesium glycinate. But there’s no evidence rubbing magnesium on your feet actually raises magnesium levels in the body.

For starters, your skin is designed to be a barrier. While some transdermal delivery systems work (think nicotine patches), there’s no credible proof magnesium can be absorbed through the skin—especially when applied to your feet where your skin is extra thick. More generally, our bodies absorb magnesium through the gut—via supplements or magnesium-rich foods like chia seeds and spinach—or through IV therapy. 

A few small pilot studies suggest transdermal absorption could happen, but most research points the other way. In particular, a 2017 randomized controlled trial found no meaningful increase in magnesium levels after four weeks of topical use.  

So, where’s all the hype coming from? My guess is part placebo effect, part ritual. On its own, the placebo effect is powerful. And so are rituals. For parents, rubbing lotion on their baby’s feet can signal bedtime, offer a soothing touch, and create a bonding moment. And, hey, that could be enough to improve sleep! 

After all, not everything that feels nice needs a clinical explanation. I, for one, would love someone to rub my feet with it. 😆 Now, let’s get that trending at my house.

#4 Health PaleoFiber

I’ve been really into using Health PaleoFiber lately, a rec from Superpower Co-Founder Max Marchione’s great newsletter. I've been putting it in my smoothie, and I’m loving it so far.

The reason I purchased the product almost immediately after Max's recommendation is because I love fiber. Fiber is, in fact, my favorite macronutrient. And I’m not the only one! RDs alwaysss talk about the benefits of fiber. Why? 

Fiber does a lot of cool stuff for your body, like: 

• Helps stabilize blood sugar

• Supports healthy cholesterol levels

• Slows digestion so you stay fuller longer

• Softens stools and promotes regularity (yes, it helps you poop)

• Helps with weight management by curbing hunger

• Feeds your gut microbiome = a healthier gut

The problem is that we (and probably you) don’t get enough of it. ☹️ The average American gets 10-15g each day when the ideal is upwards of 25g, depending on your gender and age. So, yeah, quite the gap. 

The good news is it’s fairly easy to add in, and there are also plenty of ways to get fiber from whole foods vs. powders. Here's how. 👇

10 easy ways to get more fiber:

1. Throw chia seeds into smoothies or yogurt bowls (5g per tablespoon)

2. Eat high-fiber oats (steel cut > rolled > instant) (4g per ½ cup cooked)

3. Add frozen cauliflower to smoothies (you won’t taste it*) (2g per cup)

4. Add lentils to salads or soups (15g per cup, cooked)

5. Toss beans (black, chickpeas, kidney) into bowls (7-9g per ½ cup, cooked)

6. Use avocado as a spread (10g per whole avocado)

7. Try lentil or chickpea pasta (8-13g per 2 oz serving)

8. Snack on roasted chickpeas (crunch) (6g per ½ cup)

9. Add psyllium husk to smoothies or water (5g per teaspoon)

10. Pop some popcorn! (air-popped, no butter) (3.5g per 3-cup serving)

*Last month, I thought a particularly clever way to add fiber to my diet would be frozen okra (4g per cup). It did, er, not make my smoothie taste good, and I do not recommend it. (Cooked okra, though? 😙🤌.)

#5 5HT topic ideas

Ever wonder, “Where the heck does this guy get his ideas for 5HT each week?” After all, we’ve covered everything from chiseled jaws to Ozempiquette to sleep debt. Sometimes, it’s from a TikTok trend. Sometimes, it’s based on a thing my wife is into. Sometimes, it’s a scientific study that feels fake (but isn’t).

But it’s always something I feel strongly can help you live more healthyish by knowing about it. 😌 Sooo, here’s a list of where newsletter ideas come from—if you’re curious! 

Got a topic you want me to dive into next? Hit reply and give it to me—I’ll do the research for you 🤓 and report back.

Other things

• New data (shout out Fitt Insider) shows spending on preventative healthcare is rising—proof people are willing to pay a premium for proactive health. Smart brands are/will/should jump on this.

• I’ve found the perfect LaCroix and it’s Guava São Paulo. It’s a ridiculous name 🤷🏻‍♂️, but my favorite fun calorie and sugar-free beverage at the end of the day right now. 

• Are there any healthy breakfast cereals? The New York Times really mails it in here, basically not saying much, not recommending alternatives, nor even suggesting some healthier options. Boo 👎

• Thatch, an employer-focused health benefits platform with a big emphasis on ICHRA (special edition on ICHRAs planned for later this year), just raised $40M in Series B and named a former UnitedHealthcare exec as Chief Growth Officer. Congrats to founder friends Chris Ellis and Adam Stevenson!

• And ICYMI: Dr. Oz officially got his Senate confirmation and Medicare Advantage is already getting a boost like I predicted. What’s next? 

👋 Who are you again? I’m Derek Flanzraich—founder of two venture-backed startups in Greatist (👍) and Ness (👎). I’ve worked with brands like GoodRx, Parsley, Midi, Ro, NOCD, and Peloton. I now run Healthyish Content, a premium health content & SEO agency (among other things).

Every Thursday, I share 5 health things I feel strongly about so you can live healthyish. (Disclaimer: I’m more your friend with health benefits. None of this is medical advice.)

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And oh, you also feel strongly about some health things? Hit reply—I’d love to hear it.