Take charge

Don’t wait for a wake-up call. Today, we'll talk about taking charge of your health. 

Plus: 

• The founder of a healthy meal delivery service shares her must-have wellness products. 

• New launches to improve focus, support gains, and boost longevity.

Let’s go!
- Ash Read and Joe Niehaus

The power of prevention

Truemed CEO Justin Mares, AgelessRx co-founder Dr. Sajad Zalzala, and 23andMe’s VP of genomic health Dr. Noura Abul-Husn joined us to break down proactive healthcare.

Sickcare. "Half of Americans have at least one chronic disease, and it's climbing," says Justin Mares. "The US healthcare system is built to manage conditions after they develop instead of preventing them in the first place."

Dr. Sajad Zalzala adds, "Because the healthcare system is primarily reactive, proactive efforts are vital to increasing our healthspan."

Live well. Healthy habits shape long-term outcomes. Dr. Zalzala explains, "A healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management in early adulthood can reduce risks of chronic diseases, slow aging, and promote longevity."

Mares adds, “Exercise has outstanding effects on preventing prominent conditions including diabetes, infertility, depression, obesity, heart disease, and so many more.” 

These lifestyle choices are crucial for well-being. Dr. Noura Abul-Husn says, "The groundwork we lay today serves as the foundation for our future health when we're older and facing age-related diseases."

Take action. “Proactive health doesn’t have to be complicated, all-consuming, or expensive,” says Mares. Here are a few ways to start now:

1. Gather data: Dr. Zalzala recommends getting "baseline diagnostics” — like blood draws, a biological age test, or DEXA scan — and regular doctor visits. Dr. Abul-Husn suggests learning “as much about your health as you can early.” 

2. Fuel up: "Eat real, whole, nutrient-dense foods. Cut out ultra-processed foods wherever possible," says Mares.

3. Prioritize sleep: Mares emphasizes, "The impact of sleep on our health, both good and bad, is significant, so you must prioritize it."

4. Be social: "Prioritize your close relationships and community," Mares advises, citing research that shows stronger relationships can improve physical health, mental well-being, and disease outcomes.

Know the risks. While lifestyle choices are crucial, they're not the whole story. Dr. Zalzala notes, "For some individuals, no amount of healthy living can entirely override risk factors, like genetic predispositions to certain diseases."

But, knowledge is power. Dr. Abul-Husn explains, "By having insight into those risk factors, you're able to map out the right interventions.” 

Looking on the bright side, Mares adds, “We have more control over our health trajectory than we think. A healthy lifestyle may offset the impact of genetics by more than 60% and add another five years to your life.” 

The Bottom Line: By adopting a proactive mindset towards health, you can potentially prevent chronic diseases and improve your overall quality of life. As Mares concludes, "Starting with one healthier decision today could change the trajectory of your healthspan and life. Big or small. The impacts are profound."

Dig deeper: Read our full interview with Justin Mares here.

My Health Stack by Julie Nguyen

Each week in our Health Stack series, Wellworthy taps into its network of health and fitness experts to offer personal insights and recommendations.

This week: Julie Nguyen. Julie is the co-founder and CEO of Methodology, a premium meal delivery service offering nutritious, chef-cooked meals for physical health and mental well-being. 

Movement is built into Julie's daily routine, boosting her daily step count by running errands on foot. She also logs three weekly 30-minute runs and regularly hits the gym .

Here’s Julie’s to share her Health Stack:

• Apple Watch: “My Apple Watch has been the single purchase that has most helped me finally average over 10k steps a day.”

• Oura Ring: “It’s the first thing I check in the morning when I wake up. Whenever I see my sleep is lacking, I make sure to be better about going to bed earlier the following night.”

• Comfortable shoes: “I’ve almost completely stopped wearing high-heeled shoes in favor of wearing chic, comfy shoes I can easily walk 20k steps a day in… My favorites are my New Balance sneakers in neutral shades and my satin Miu Miu ballet flats.”

• Workout apparel: “My workout clothes motivate me to get to the gym because I love the way I look and feel in them. My two faves that make up 95% of my workout wardrobe are lululemon Align sets and CSB.”

• XL Supplement Organizers: “I own eight of them so I only have to refill every two months. Ever since I got these I take my supplements consistently no matter what.”

• Rechargeable food scale: “I used to eat healthy but ate too much and wondered why I never lost weight, but ever since weighing my food consistently I now know how to eat the right portion size for my body to maintain my ideal body weight.”

Step into comfort: Discover the versatility of Nike Motiva

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Life doesn’t slow down, and neither should your shoes. Whether you’re tackling a morning workout, running errands, or enjoying a night out, the Nike Motiva is designed to keep up with every step of your day.

With a lightweight knit upper and a widened toe box, the Motiva offers a spacious, comfortable fit that adapts to the shape of your foot. The tall foam stack provides stability, while the high cushioning adds a spongy bounce to each step, making it feel like you’re walking on clouds.

The Motiva’s signature wavy outsole does more than look good — it absorbs shock and propels you forward, so you can keep moving with less effort. Perfect for everything from brisk walks to casual outings, these shoes deliver the ideal balance of support and flexibility.

Ready to experience comfort and style that lasts all day? Slip into the Nike Motiva and see why they deserve a spot in your regular rotation. Check out our review here or shop now.

Just Dropped: All-in-one gummies

Expanding beyond creatine, Create just introduced Daily Performance Gummies, combining four grams of creatine with vitamins, minerals, functional mushrooms, and organic greens to support muscle growth, mental clarity, and overall wellness.

The gummies are vegan and sugar-free. A month’s supply starts at $65 on subscription. Shop the new gummies now.

More drops perfect for:

• Instant energy. Yerba mate brand Mateína launched an instant powder. Yerba Sticks come in Lemon Lime and Orange Mandarin and have electrolytes and natural caffeine. Read more on Wellworthy or buy here.

• Trekking. Represent released its first-ever hiking collection as part of its Fall Winter 2024 range. Check out collection highlights on Wellworthy or shop now.

• Peace of mind. Biohacker Bryan Johnson partnered with cancer scan company Ezra for “The world’s most advanced longevity scan,” a preventative full-body MRI to spot diseases early. Book your scan here.

• Gearing up. Athletic apparel brand ASRV unveiled its first women’s line. The collection was made in partnership with Equinox. Shop it here.

• Laser focus. Green tea performance shot Magic Mind turned its coffee alternative into green apple-flavored mental performance gummies. Buy a bag here.

• Making gains. Nutritional supplement maker Orgain debuted protein shots packing a whopping 20 grams of muscle-building macros into each 4-ounce serving. Order a case here.

• VR fitness. Alo Moves XR is a Meta Quest 3 app that takes you to a virtual wellness sanctuary for yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness experiences. Discover more. 

• Winding down. Calm and TRIP Drinks launched a co-branded Mindful Blend beverage, with each can including a QR code for a free 3-month Calm premium subscription ($45 value). Grab a case.

• Boosting longevity. Happy Aging's new NAD+ Longevity Shot is a twice-weekly dose designed to help people age better, healthier, and happier. Get the details or shop now.

• Connected training. Technogym's AI-powered 12-in-1 Connected Dumbbells automatically adjust to your strength and progress. Learn more here.

• Cutting sugar. Better-for-you candy brand BEHAVE upped the intensity. Super Sour Skulls come in citrus flavors with a double layer of the brand’s sour coating. Get it here.

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

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