5HT: 5 Healthyish Things, including rethinking protein and the healthiest hoodie

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Last week, I was briefly in San Fran to attend the Deus Ex-Medicina AI health & longevity summit from friend Eric Newcomer (a must read in tech). Speakers like Shiv Rao (Abridge), Jonathan Swerdlin (Function), Kate Ryder (Maven Clinic), and Tom Hale (Oura) all circled the same two themes:

This is all happening against the backdrop of a system that’s rigid, misaligned, and, well, mostly sucks. It sometimes seems hopeless to try to change it. After all, insurance is mostly tied to employers, so payers have little incentive to invest in your long-term health. Add in a toxic environment in the U.S. where the food is bad, the air is bad, and what is good isn’t accessible to everyone. Which begs the question: Is longevity just for the rich who can afford to pay for things out of pocket?

There was a breakout conversation on the topic and ultimately my answer is yes—for now. Preventive health and optimization really do often require time and money, luxuries not everyone has. But those out-of-pocket dollars aren’t wasted, they’re fuel. (Okay some are wasted, but still.) Cash pay funds the early adoption curve, helps startups prove demand, and ultimately is increasingly forcing insurers and incumbents to follow. 

Good examples of these at the conference were Oura & Maven’s fertility tracking partnership and the emerging world of epigenetics data (essentially how your behaviors and environment can alter how your genes function). In other words, the rich doing longevity today may be what drags the whole system into a better future tomorrow. Let’s hope that’s the case at least! 🤞

In an interesting turn of events: I’m rethinking protein. What I mean by that is I’m starting to question whether we really need so much of it. 🤔

You’ve heard me share plenty on how hitting my protein goals has been a grind. During my weight loss journey this year (where you had VIP seats), I aimed for 200g/day. It was toughhh, but I eventually got close. And now that I’ve hit my goals, I’ve cut back and started reevaluating my macros.

At first, I was all in on the protein craze. It was exciting to see the momentum! But lately the fever feels… excessive. IMO, Eggo waffles and tortilla chips do not need protein packed into them 🙄. 

When it comes to the science on protein, it’s mixed. Yes, protein can help build muscle mass (when paired with exercise) and keep you fuller longer. But observational studies also link high-protein diets to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. I’ve never really bought this narrative, but the correlation is there.

To Eric Topol (whose take I always value), there’s actually no substantive data to support more than the 0.8 g/kg/day (or 0.36 g/lb) recommended daily intake. I’m 200lb, sooo that comes out to 72g versus, er, 200g. I’m not alone, though. Nearly 25% of Americans consume twice the RDI. And unlike carbs or fat, our body can’t store protein. What you don’t use, you lose.

It’s also worth mentioning my li’l heart scare made me rethink how much protein I’m making my kidney deal with, too—and have pulled back in part to check off all those boxes.

Look, consuming protein is good, but maybe we don’t need to try so hard to jam so much into every meal. (Or every food.) Health optimization doesn’t have to mean maximization. 

(That said, I’m almost done with my healthy protein bar challenge 😆 and will share results soon.)

Five years ago, I was hit with mysterious stomach issues—gas bubbles and a deep, pressurized discomfort 🥴—that sent me down a rabbit hole on gut health. One fun fact I learned while trying to figure out what was up with my insides: Your body has a built-in bouncer (who doesn’t get nearlyyy enough credit). 

Basically, everything you intake passes through your gut, and your gut barrier is the one checking IDs—deciding what enters and what doesn’t. When the gut barrier works well, the A-team (aka nutrients 🥦) gets in. When it’s weak, the riff raff (aka harmful bacteria 🦠 and toxins) sneak in. This is what some people call “leaky gut,” which is associated with GI issues like diarrhea, gas, indigestion, and bloating. 

Yes, your gut is naturally permeable (which means it lets some things through). Buuut if your gut barrier is compromised, the door swings open too wide—allowing in all kinds of unsavory company like pathogens 🤨 that can trigger immune responses like inflammation, fatigue, and migraines. No one wants that. Sooo, how do you ensure your inner bouncer is on it?

One place to start (and where I started!) is probiotics. Probiotics are not just about better bathroom trips; the right kinds contribute to overall better digestive health. My favorite, as I’ve often shared, is Seed Health’s DS-01®, whose strains have been proven to strengthen your gut barrier. In fact, a 12-week clinical study showed gut barrier strength improved by 49% (!) with Seed’s DS-01® while a placebo did… nada. Seed also has some neat capsule tech 💊 that helps ensure these probiotics make it to where they’re supposed to—think a VIP pass for the good guys.

Seed has been part of my supplement protocol for 5+ years, and it’s by far the supplement I recommend the most because I’ve seen the largest personal impact. To see if Seed belongs in your stack, take this quiz. Oh, and get 25% off your order (or, you know, cover charge to keep this metaphor going 😆).

I have no scientific evidence other than my own experience, but I agree 💯 with this video: Edinburgh is definitely good for the soul. In case you didn’t know, my wife (with Scottish roots) and I are obsessed with Scotland. We’ve been four times, were supposed to have our honeymoon there (but Covid), and named both of our daughters after Scottish islands. I also named my last company (Ness) after Scottish lore–and basically my new CPG company (Fixie Dust), too. Not kidding about the obsession 😂.

IDK, there’s just something about the place—with its rolling hills, hairy coos, and cozy pubs—that keeps us coming back. It’s also a Healthyish Content favourite: Our operating partner honeymooned there this year, and one of our writers is there right now. Naturally, I’ve got a long list of recos. So if you’re planning a trip, don’t hesitate to reach out. ✈️

With the weather cooling off, I gotta tell you about “the world’s healthiest hoodie” I was gifted last year 😃. (Thanks Ryan and thanks Jacob!) The hoodie’s made from 100% organic cotton and biodegradable materials—free from BPA, PFAS, and phthalates 👏. It’s got algae-based ink… and it’s even got its own nutrition label:

I… love it? Look, I get the eye rolling—this is essentially a stunt from the Superpower folks—and there’s no real reason anyone should pay $229 😮 for it. Buuut it does feel amazing (especially since I’m working to cut microplastics where possible) and it’s a great conversation starter. 

Unfortunately, it’s currently sold out. I don’t know when it’ll be back, buuut you can hop on the waitlist for the next drop.

Okay, you now 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.