Issue #147: Know What Harms You
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, March 14th.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: Allergy Testing
Speed Read: Eating Before/After a Race
Tuesday QR: Strawberry Energy Balls
Bucket List: Sin City for March Madness
“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”
The cost of nasal allergies is between $3 and $4B annually in the US. (AAFA)
From the Lab
The worst part about allergies?
You don’t know what exactly is causing the problem. I was in the backyard with my kids, went for a swim at the pool, hung out at a friend’s house with a dog, tried new laundry detergent - which of these led to my sneezing attack??
I don’t know about you - but I’m not going to go days with debilitating allergies. It’s exhausting to fight these invaders and you can’t focus when you’re just trying to survive constant phlegm and itchy eyes.
The ability to thrive is based on data - you owning your health data.
So before spring gets into full swing - find a qualified allergist and get a skin allergy test.
The test involves a real quick prick (as someone who still gets nervous donating blood I swear this doesn’t hurt) of 30-50 potential allergens.
The test measures your level of immunoglobulin E (lgE) - which is an antibody (see Issue #79) often present to activate your immune system to fight an unwelcome guest.
Within 10-15 minutes you’ll be able to find out if it was ragweed in your backyard, pollen that had gotten into the pool, pet hair, or new detergent that made you sneeze all day long.
It’s incredibly empowering to know what your body thinks is a poison. You can take so much more control to avoid these allergens or - because I prefer to not live in a bubble - take the necessary precautions when I know I’ll be exposed to something my body doesn’t love.
If you want an at-home option - check out Everlywell (no affiliation). Their test includes 40 allergens - including 7 grasses, 14 trees, 9 weeds, 4 types of mold, 2 pet tests, 2 pests, and 2 dust mites.
Everlywell
Don’t get stuck inside this spring!
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Looking for a personalized plan that can optimize your performance? That understands who you are and where you want to go? It might be time to check out the Gapin Institute.
They have developed plans to empower you to optimize your hormones, to harness the power of your DNA, and to understand health tests and results to function at your best.
Every month they hold a free webinar with lots of insights and details on if the program is right for you. Want to check out the March zoom call? Click HERE.
Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
Fueling for your First Triathlon: We’re only 46 days away from the St. Anthony’s triathlon, hopefully everyone’s into week 6 the Thrive25 training guide! Check out this article with some guidelines on what to eat before and during the race. (Outside)
Migraine, Go Away!: A new nasal spray has been approved by the FDA to help alleviate migraines. Just beware that 76% of those still had pain 2 hours after taking treatment (compared to 85% of placebo group). Remember FDA approval is based purely on safety - not effectiveness. (NYTimes)
AI for Crops: Because why not - data about weather conditions and disease image analysis can train AI to predict what diseases will occur, when and where. Very helpful insights for farmers to adjust crops and increase food security. (Knowable)
Tuesday QR | Strawberry Energy Balls
In honor of the Florida Strawberry Festival and this delicious fruit coming back into season, we’ve got some strawberry energy balls today. If you recall way back from Issue #2 - strawberries have a ton of fisetin, a senolytic that kills off our zombie cells. So get some energy and live longer!
Bucket List | Las Vegas, NV
March Madness? (TripAdvisor)
We wouldn’t typically suggest going to a place where you can go days without seeing the outdoors and smoke still fills up all-night casinos. But first - you only live once, and second - there’s just something about being in Vegas during March Madness. Take in all the games as you track your bracket and then - get outside. Personally, I love running The Strip in the AM when the streets are mostly deserted. Or get further out there to check out the rock climbing or hiking at Red Rock or take in a round at one of any awesome golf courses off The Strip. Here are some more wellness tips while you’re there.
Thanks for joining us today!
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.