Issue #298: Top Wellness Trends in 2024
Good morning. It’s Thursday, February 1st.
In today’s email:
Learn: Top Trends in 2024
Try: Connect Health Goals < > Budget
Eat: Kale
Cook: Kale, Apple and Pancetta Salad
In the News: Getting Unstuck
Stat of the Day
The percent of consumers surveyed who considered it “very” or “extremely” important to purchase products or services that help with healthy aging and longevity. (McKinsey)
Learn
Top Trends in 2024
What started out as a fringe movement has gone completely mainstream.
For the past few years, longevity has been a top investment for venture capitalists and billionaires in Silicon Valley.
So it’s not surprising to read a that renowned venture capital firm, Bessemer Venture Partners believes longevity will be among its top 5 startup investing trends for 2024.
But it’s no longer just a startup story - here’s a headline from this week:
“Morgan Stanley lists ‘longevity investments’ as top financial trend for 2024”
This is now about mainstream investors and public markets taking real stock on the growth and potential size of the longevity market.
But it’s not just about longevity - it’s the investment in “consumer healthcare that emphasizes preventative care models and longevity science.”
What this means is that consumers - like all of you who are reading Thrive25 - are finally creating the tidal wave that’s needed to drive change in our $4.3T healthcare system.
By demanding the data and knowledge to take charge of your health, we’re finally seeing glimpses of what Peter Attia calls “Medicine 3.0.”
Wellness Trends
All of this investment is having massive changes across the $1.8T wellness industry that’s still growing 8-10% a year.
Here are some of the key trends from a recent report by McKinsey:
80% of consumers believe gut health is a top priority. Imagine the results of this survey just 10 years ago. Gut health was rarely talked about and now just about everyone understands that maximizing our energy and health starts in our gut.
50% of us use a wearable - everything from Apple Watch to Oura Ring to the Continuous Glucose Monitor.
**Look for new devices or expansion of existing devices to track metabolic health (e.g., weight management) and mindset. This might be something like tracking cortisol levels throughout the day, not just your steps & movement.
20% of US consumers want personalized wellness products & services.
**Look for AI to play an even bigger role in getting to customized solutions when it comes to the ideal lifestyle prescription for our own health.
What does all this mean?
It’s awesome that this money is going to lifestyle medicine and solutions that let us manage our health outside the doctor’s office.
But the vultures are circling.
Every single one of these categories will attract more and more products/services - very few will make a difference in our actual wellbeing, but they will take hundreds, if not thousands of dollars out of our pockets.
It’s more essential that ever to really do your homework when it comes to making investments in your health.
Try
Connect Health Goals < > Budget
When it comes to the latest wellness gadgets or services - it can be really easy to spend thousands of dollars a year without realizing it. Even worse, you’re left with a room full of equipment or technology collecting dust waiting to be put on Facebook Marketplace.
To figure out what you need ask yourself the following questions:
Does it align with my current health goals? (maybe making health goals should be #1 🤷🏻♀️)
Is it the best option for a specific goal and am I convinced it’s legit? (find out the source of who’s saying it’s awesome)
Does it fit with my budget of how much I want to spend on health & longevity? (while you really can’t put a price on your wellbeing - most of what you need won’t break the bank)
Will I actually use it? (be honest)
We all should invest in our health - but do it on your terms, not on the backs of the online marketing from these companies needing to grow 200% a year to keep getting more money from their investors.
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Eat
Kale
You don’t hear about kale as much these days. But it’s still a rockstar food. A member of the cabbage family, kale boasts a rich, dark green hue and a unique peppery flavor that can elevate any dish.
Packed with essential vitamins like A, C, and K, and minerals including calcium, potassium, and magnesium, kale is a nutritional powerhouse. It's also a robust source of fiber and antioxidants.
A Kaleidoscope of Wellness
Immune support: The high vitamin C content in kale fortifies your immune system, keeping you resilient
Bone health: Kale is rich in vitamin K, a key nutrient for maintaining strong bones and proper blood clotting
Vision protection: With nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin, kale helps shield your eyes from macular degeneration
Heart health: The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C in kale all contribute to a healthy heart
Detoxification: Kale's high fiber and sulfur content aid in detoxifying the body
Maximize the Benefits
Serving size: A single, large handful of kale is roughly equivalent to one cup – the perfect serving size
Versatility: Kale works at any meal, whether in a morning smoothie, a lunchtime salad, or as a dinner side
Getting the most out of it: To enhance the absorption of kale's fat-soluble vitamins, pair it with healthy fats like olive oil or avocados. Incorporating citrus fruits or a splash of lemon not only adds a zesty flavor but also boosts iron absorption.
Wait…isn’t it Bad for Us?
It's true, kale does contain oxalic acid (oxalate) - which binds to calcium in the blood and can cause muscle pain, stomach irritation, and in severe cases kidney stones.
This irritation varies from person to person and kale only contains 17mg of oxalic acid per serving. But if it bothers your digestion - or if you have thyroid issues - then steaming the kale might help or it might just not be for you.
One important note: kale does absorb everything in the soil - including pesticides and other toxins. So make sure you always go organic!
See Issue #5 for more.
Cook
Kale, Apple and Pancetta Salad
Indulge in a vibrant salad that harmonizes a medley of nutritious and flavorful ingredients, perfect for any season. This healthy dish features finely shredded kale and radicchio, paired with the crunch of fresh apples, toasted pecans, and a hint of savory with crisp pancetta. Drizzled with a homemade maple vinaigrette - it's a culinary delight that can transition even the most hesitant kale eaters to the vegetable.
In the News
Why We Stay Clean: A physician didn’t shower for 5 years for his latest book. He learned a few key things about soap, allergies, mites, and marketing. (Big Think)
What’s the Problem with Happiness: Probably nothing - but do we really know what leads to happiness?? The field of psychology has gone through a massive evolution the last 10 years, leading to increased scrutiny of previous study methods, and an inability to repeat many conclusions we hold true. Maybe happiness is in the eye of the beholder. (Knowable)
Get Unstuck: Are you stuck - stagnant career, unsatisfying relationship(s), money challenges, dreaming of something else? Adam Alter, author of Anatomy of a Breakthrough, shares 5 tips to get unstuck. (NYTimes)
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Why Thrive25
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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To health!
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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, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.