Are you guilty of “power peeing”?

Your mom told you not to talk about poop. Now, it’s the main character of the wellness world.   

“Gut health” is shorthand for taking care of your microbiome — the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that break down food and deliver nutrients to your body.

Your diet, environment, and lifestyle all shape how well this system works. And that matters: Gut health is linked to your immunity, mood, sleep, skin, and more.

Scientists are racing to learn more. (You’re about to hear a lot about your “virome.”) In the meantime, here's some food for thought…

• There’s being regular, and then there’s “fibermaxxing.”

• Just finished a round of antibiotics? These foods can help get your gut back on track.

• We’re putting our poop in the mail now…

• … but, your vagina really isn’t sure about that probiotic.

• Here are the seven habits your gut is begging you to start.

— Anna “You Can Hear Me Chomping on My Fiber Crispbread” Davies, writer

Plié and lift… Goodbye BBL, hello “ballerina boobs.”

Nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women. Here are five early warning signs that neurologists want you to watch for.

This experimental new skincare ingredient apparently reprograms your skin to “act younger”… no needles or salmon sperm required. 

Just when you thought you'd never understand your younger coworkers, they went "bathroom camping."

Your Grande Matcha Latte already tastes… off. Now, Starbucks plans to double down on healthier menu swaps.

If you’ve been dreading the gym lately, try taking a personality test. Really.

Your pelvic floor is only going to say this once: Stop “power peeing.”

‎‎

Are we in a “sperm crisis”? HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., wellness influencers, and healthtech leaders say YES. Their followers cite falling birth rates and two widely shared studies that found male sperm count is way down compared to older generations. 

Other research says no, the swimmers are alright. Some experts think people are just having fewer babies later in life, and PS: healthy sperm is tied to things like diet, exercise, and underlying health conditions.

What’s definitely true: More guys are talking about their sperm. While we’d love some of them to say less (ahem, Bryan Johnson), the increased attention is changing the fertility conversation, which has long centered –– and stigmatized –– women trying to conceive.

What this means: We’re seeing more innovation (like AI that can spot “hidden sperm”), more fertility options (there’s a startup boom around “sperm freezing”), and more men talking openly about their struggles to conceive. 

If you’re thinking of adding a plus-one to your fam at some point, here are a few things to keep in mind…

For Your Sanity: 

• You may want to skip the at-home sperm tests.

• These are the things we know can affect sperm count. Tighty whities are not on the list.

• Is sperm tied to morning sickness? Probably not, but it could play a role in these pregnancy complications.

• Take it offline. Surprise, the alt-right is in the chat. Here’s your guide to quickly spotting the BS. 

President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill means big, and not-always-so-beautiful changes to healthcare. 

Here’s how this could affect your health, by the numbers…

300. The amount of rural hospitals in danger of closing.

12 million. The number of people who could soon lose medical coverage. 

22.3 million. The number of families that could lose some or all of their SNAP benefits.

The catch: Many of these changes won’t go into effect until 2026. Until then, it’s a good idea to review your benefits, consider getting procedures done sooner rather than later, and prepare for policy whiplash. Here’s a flowchart of how this bill may affect your wallet, including your healthcare coverage.

FEATURED EXPERT:

Tanya Kormeili, MD, FAAD

Board-certified dermatologist with a private practice in Santa Monica, CA.

“A natural loofah should be changed monthly, whereas plastic synthetic materials can last up to two months. However, if you notice a funky odor, slime, or mold, get rid of it! Sometimes there is so much moisture in the shower (and it stays there!) that everything is more susceptible to growth of bacteria and mold.”

Whether it’s a jogging workout or all-out sprint to get to day camp on time, these podiatrist-approved running shoes will get you where you want to be, without pain.

Brooks

Brooks Women’s Ghost Max Running Shoe is the overall best for women.

New Balance

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is the best for high arches.

On Cloudeclipse

Cloudeclipse is the best for knee or back pain.

Click here for the full list of the best podiatrist-approved running shoes.