5HT: 5 Healthyish Things, including John Oliver/MAHA and Pedialyte

After my recent trip to the ER, my doctor told me to rehydrate with… Pedialyte. Tbh, not what I expected. But hey, Pharrell apparently drinks it every day, so maybe I’m late to the party. And, of course, I haddd to look it up. 🤓

Turns out, Pedialyte has been around since 1966, but back then it was used primarily in hospitals to help infants and kiddos replace lost fluids. It wasn’t until 1969 when Abbott (the company behind Pedialyte) put it on store shelves, making it a household staple.

The hydration power in Pedialyte comes from a mix of electrolytes—sodium, chloride, and potassium—that help your body hang onto water. These aren’t random, but based on the WHO's Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) formulation. These electrolytes are balanced with glucose (dextrose) to support rehydration (and make it easier for kids to drink). This medical-grade mix works for dehydration caused by all sorts of things like vomiting, diarrhea, heat exhaustion, exercise…annnd, yes, one too many margaritas. 

Fast forward to the 2010s, when Pedialyte officially became “Pedialit” and adults started using it as a hangover cure. Abbot immediately said, hold my Pedialyte, and took the opportunity to sell to this new demo. They launched a full-fledged marketing campaign targeting young adults, sponsoring 100+ music festivals and sports events, handing out packets, setting up Pedialyte photo ops, even paying for click-baity BuzzFeed articles. 

Annnd it worked: Adult sales went up 57% from 2012 to 2015. Around the same time, athletes also caught on, and Abbott launched Pedialyte Sport in 2020. Naturally, the buzz will lead to knockoffs. I found two at a gas station this weekend including Gatorade (Gatorlyte) and BodyArmor LYTE. Point is—it’s a thing. (And not just for hangovers.) As for me? While I don’t think it tastes great (there’s a Pedialyte Zero), I will admit it made me feel better since my ER scare. Sooo maybe Pharrell is onto something. 🤔

One of my new year’s resolutions was to find a new hobby, so I decided to try rock climbing. I found an instructor at Crux Climbing Center here in Austin to teach me. Annnd within the first few weeks, I fell off the wall and sprained both ankles. 😅

It was a rocky start, but one I didn’t let stop me. Yes, it was embarrassing. (And tbh sort of hilarious.) But, I took that as an extra challenge to keep coming back. That, and the fact that climbing is really, really fun.

Almost a year later, it’s now become a core part of my workout routine. But it’s very different from the other stuff I do. Climbing feels less like exercise and more like solving a puzzle. Every “beta” (fancy rock climbing lingo 😏 meaning how you assess the climb) is your best guess. Then it's like a mix of strength, flexibility, and commitment to each move. (There's no going back.) 

Some climbs are all about balance. Others are about reading the wall and seeing where to go. They all demand a bit of nerve and remembering to breathe. There are some routes I’ll “flash” (finishing on the first try) annnd others it takes me 20 tries. It can be frustrating and humbling, but getting over the “crux” (aka the toughest move on a climb) and reaching the top always feels like an exhilarating win. 🙌

The whole thing is equal parts mental challenge and talking to your body. I’ve learned I can muscle through some power moves with my upper body, but it burns me out fast—so I’ve had to lean into legwork. I’ve alsooo learned my body can do some cool things like “dyno,” an explosive leap where you literally go airborne, Spiderman-style, before grabbing a distant hold. (Like I said, it can be really fun 😆.) And (!) it’s been a great way to track how my body has changed since I’ve dropped so much weight this year.

What I’m saying is it’s almost always the high point of my week. And if you try it, my best advice is simple: Get comfy with falling. (And laughing at yourself, too.)

John Oliver recently covered MAHA on Last Night Tonight, and IMO, he took the easy way out. 🫤

Yes, there are a lot of weird, eccentric personalities (like those who drink raw meat smoothies, yuck 🤢.) And, sure, they’re easy to mock. But focusing only on the silly caricatures detracts from the broader picture. (And FWIW, I don’t include Casey Means in this group—read why I think she was the right pick for Surgeon General.)

At its core, the mission of MAHA (yes, I get that it evokes “MAGA,” which comes with its own stuff) is to make America healthy again—and politics aside, that’s something we sorely need. Because, while we’re one of the wealthiest nations, we’re definitely not the healthiest. 

The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal deaths among high-income nations, the 18th highest obesity rate in the world, and spends the most on health care… for worse health outcomes 😓. Americans also live shorter lives and experience more illnesses than our peers abroad. We know this, but just a reminder all this sucks.

But that’s also why it’s frustrating to see segments like Oliver’s zero in on the bozos rather than why the movement exists. Ultimately, making America healthy should be a bipartisan goal. I mean, who’s against that? Let’s make fun of the corn subsidies and what food stamps fund, school lunches, baby formula, and all the stuff that makes no sense, but contribute to an unhealthy nation. 

Now, fair critique: MAHA mayyy be chasing the wrong wins (banning a few dyes isn’t exactly moving the needle), and cutting critical programs and funding isn’t helping. I’d love to see some truly concrete changes made (that aren’t related to vaccines 😬) but there aren’t many to speak to yet. That’s disappointing—and maybe why John Oliver and his team felt going for the superficial easy stuff instead of the overall message made sense.

The thing is, I want MAHA to succeed. I want America to be healthier; it’s what I’ve spent my career working toward. So, yeah, I hope it works. I hope we see change in our healthcare system, and I hope change comes with increased access, more health literacy, more evidence-based interventions, and more options for healthyish living. Let’s judge once/if they move the needle.

Affirmations are basically a short pep talk you give yourself. One of the most common versions you’ve probably seen all over Instagram follows an “I am [blank]” structure. (Ex: I am healthyish. 😌)

Turns out, there’s some science behind the mirror talk. Self-affirmation has actually been studied for decades, with research showing it can help boost self-control, promote health behavior change, and even reduce screen time among smartphone overusers. 

Buuut… affirmations don’t land for everyone. One study found affirmation can actually backfire and decrease mood and self-esteem, especially for those who already struggle with low self-esteem. So, should you try ‘em? IDKID. Affirmations definitely won’t run the mile for you, but they might get you out the door.  🤷‍♂️

There's a rising trend of sea botanicals—ocean-grown supplements that may help our land-based bodies 🧜‍♀️ fight off modern stressors. I’ve talked about using marine collagen and pearl powder, but what sea-derived supplement is making waves lately? Sea moss (aka Irish moss; aka Chondrus crispus if you want to get technical 🤓).

Thanks to celebrities and TikTokers, this buzzy marine veggie has become a billion-dollar industry—projected to hit $2.60B by 2030 (!). Nutrient-wise, sea moss is rich in iodine, fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like zinc and magnesium. You’ll find it in places like Erewhon (because of course) and sold as dried flakes, gels, powders, gummies, and pills.

While celebs like Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid fueled the hype, sea moss’s popularity traces back to a figure named Dr. Sebi, who famously championed sea moss as nature’s cure-all. Depending on who you ask, Dr. Sebi’s legacy swings between visionary and grifter—but he undeniably helped push sea moss into wellness culture.

So what does the science say? Sea moss has a solid nutrient profile, and some studies hint at heart health, gut health, and immunity support—thanks in part to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Buuut here’s the thing: Almost none of that research has been done in humans, and what’s out there is very early.

There are also risks. Sea moss is high in iodine content, which could be good, but it could also be too much—especially if you have a thyroid condition. Sea algae are also like sponges, meaning they can absorb heavy metals like mercury, lead, or arsenic from the water they grow in 🧽. A study released this summer confirmed metal contamination is common. Ugh.

So, should you scoop sea moss into your smoothie? Again, IDKID. (This video doesn’t make it appealing LOL.) Maybe sea moss is ahead of the curve, and everyone should be taking it. Maybe it’s just a hyped-up “superfood” that just washed up… online. If you go for it, opt for a third-party tested product—and probably avoid anything that smells too fishy. 🐟

Okay, you know what I’m curious about—but here’s what everyone else is Googling, according to a few trusty platforms.

👋 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.) 

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