Age slow

Welcome back to Wellworthy, your weekly wellness rundown. In today’s issue:

• How Cadence’s Ross Mackay balances health, work, and family

• Vitamin D's anti-aging power

• New drops from lululemon, Tiger Woods, MILER RUNNING, and more

— Let’s go!
Ash Read, co-founder, Wellworthy

Health Stack: Ross Mackay

Each week, we tap our network of health and fitness experts to offer personal insights and recommendations.

This week: Ross Mackay, co-founder of Cadence. "Health isn't something I 'fit in'—it's the foundation that supports everything else," says Ross. With plans to run multiple marathons this year, Ross’ goal is to “push performance while staying healthy and training for longevity."

An entrepreneur and new father, he balances work, training, and family. His days often start with cold exposure or an early workout before a packed 9-to-5 schedule. But at 6 p.m., his priorities shift: “It’s non-negotiable. I shut off and spend time with my wife and daughter,” he says. From 7 to 9 p.m., he wraps up work or catches up with his wife before winding down for recovery and sleep.

Here’s Ross to share his Health Stack:

• AssaultRunner Pro: “Having a treadmill at home helps me stay consistent. It’s convenient and keeps me accountable.”

• Garmin Epix Pro Watch: "It tracks all the key metrics that matter - pace, heart rate variability, and recovery - all of which are important if you’re serious about optimizing performance.”

• Eight Sleep Pod: “A complete game-changer for sleep quality and recovery. The pod has dialed-in features such as heating and cooling of the mattress and personalized insights to help optimize my sleep each night.”

• Cadence Hydration: “A daily staple, whether it’s Core for foundational hydration, Energy for a clean boost ahead of high-intensity training, or Sleep to optimize recovery. This is all non-negotiable for me.”

• Normatec Boots: “I use these as part of my recovery throughout the week. These boots help flush out any soreness, improve blood flow and circulation, and speed up my recovery so I can keep performance up.”

On Our Radar 

Interesting stories we spotted this week → 

Vitamin D slows cellular aging. A four-year study of 1,000+ adults found higher vitamin D intake significantly reduces telomere shortening — a marker of aging linked to heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's. But, researchers caution: most people get adequate vitamin D and don’t need to supplement. If you’re unsure, test your levels with Superpower, Geviti, or InsideTracker.

Creatine boosts Alzheimer's cognition. A pilot study gave Alzheimer’s patients 20g of creatine daily for 8 weeks. The result: brain creatine rose 11%, delivering improvements in memory, attention, and cognition. Still early days, this small sample shows promise for an affordable, low-risk intervention. 

Kids’ cereal got worse. A new study analyzed 1,200 ready-to-eat children’s cereals launched between 2010 and 2023. The results? Sugar, sodium, and fat levels all rose, while protein and fiber declined. A single serving now exceeds 45% of the American Heart Association’s daily sugar limit for kids. Despite marketing claims, many brands are prioritizing flavor over nutrition, raising alarms for long-term health risks like obesity and heart disease.

Just Dropped: lululemon’s latest shoe

lululemon debuted the Wildfeel Trail Running Shoe, designed "for runs where the sidewalk ends." The shoe features dual-density foam for balanced cushioning, multi-directional lugs for grip on climbs and descents, and a knitted sock-like upper with protective woven panels to keep debris out. Shop now.

More drops perfect for:

• Recovery hydration. Plant-based brand KOS launched Hydration + Protein powder packs combining 1,000+ mg electrolytes with 12g plant protein in three flavors, creating a zero-sugar solution for energy and recovery on the go. Shop here and at Whole Foods.

• Daily wellness. Laird Superfood added six new organic mushroom powders to its lineup, including Focus & Memory and Calm & Relaxation blends that pair adaptogens with botanicals for customized wellness rituals. Shop at Laird Superfood.

• Bedtime routines. After 15 years of greens, AG1 is adding AGZ, a nighttime powder with magnesium, ashwagandha, saffron, and L-theanine. Coming this summer in chocolate and chocolate mint, the blend supports deep, restorative sleep and better mornings. Get the details here.

• Better breakfast. Pitaya Foods debuted Swirl Smoothie Bowls at Target nationwide, featuring café-quality layers of organic superfruits in three varieties, from acai-strawberry with cocoa fudge to naturally blue coconut-pineapple with spirulina. Learn more here.

• Running style. MILER RUNNING brought back its fastest-selling Tortoise Print design. The print, first released in 2023, gives a nod to running’s oldest fable of the tortoise versus the hare. The shorts feature featherweight Italian nylon, moisture-wicking liner, and weigh less than 100 grams (size M), plus PFC-free water repellent coating. Shop now.

• Mountain adventures. HOKA unveiled the Mafate X, the latest evolution of their iconic trail franchise that debuted 15 years ago. Designed for ultra-distance adventures, the shoe features premium foams, enhanced geometries, and a forked carbon fiber plate to deliver unparalleled comfort, stability, and propulsion for the longest trail runs. Shop now.

• Activity tracking. Oura introduced new algorithm improvements and product updates rooted in the philosophy that "all movement counts." The smart ring company enhanced its app experience and launched new activity partnerships with The Sculpt Society, Technogym, and Open to help users connect movement, sleep, and overall health data. Get the details.

• Trail innovation. Mount to Coast opened pre-orders for the T1 (releasing June 6). The trail runner has a wide toe box, aramid fiber-reinforced upper five times stronger than steel, and anti-siphon knit tongue for water repellency and breathability. Pre-order now.

• Gut health. Flora Code launched three new flavors of its patented activated probiotic powder, featuring breakthrough technology that "wakes up" 95% of bacteria in the small intestine for up to 20x more live bacteria than traditional probiotics. Available in Vanilla Honey, Peach Elderflower, and Unflavored for $48 monthly. Order here.

Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Joe Niehaus and Ash Read.

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