Issue 69 | July 25, 2025
image credit: freepik
Happy Friday,
🥙 I thought it might be fun to share a prompt that you can plug into chatGPT when you want to analyze the nutrition of a meal. This prompt adapted from example given by Shushant Lakhyani on Medium. AI cannot substitute professional advice.
“You are an expert nutritionist. I am [mention the problem you’re facing in detail with context]. Analyze the nutritional content of a meal consisting of [list of components and quantities]. Provide total calorie count, breakdown of macros (proteins, carbs, fats), and fiber. Suggest [diet-specific] alternatives for any high-sodium or high-sugar components, and give three bullet points for how I can improve my next meal.”
Diet vs. fitness: One affects obesity more
The buzz: a new way to meet protein goals
Medieval medicine in the age of TikTok
👁️🗨️SPOTLIGHT
What’s the actual cause of obesity?
courtesy of freepik
🍫 Sedentary lifestyle or Snickers bars? Desk jobs or diet? What is causing the global obesity crisis? In the exercise vs. diet wars, science says there might be a winner.
A sweeping study with more than 4,000 people—from office workers to Hadza hunter-gatherers—suggests diet is the bigger catalyst of obesity, not lack of exercise.
“We are, to be blunt, eating too much and probably eating too much of the wrong foods,” according to The Washington Post.
Despite the importance of physical activity, there is a threshold for how many calories a person can burn–in other words, active hunter-gathers and office workers burn a similar amount of total calories every day. This implies diet is more likely to be the root cause.
Why is diet the problem?
Based on this study, the answer is two-fold.
🍽️ Eating too much food: Over-consuming calories is 10x more impactful on worldwide obesity than inactivity and burning fewer calories, according to study authors.
🍔 Eating the wrong kind of food: More of our diets consist of ultra-processed foods, defined as “industrial formulations of five or more ingredients.” This is linked to a higher body-fat percentage globally.
Key takeaway: Exercise is critical for health, but diet matters more for weight loss. Choose real, whole foods and eat for your unique nutritional needs.
BONUS! This Mayo Clinic calorie calculator tells you how many calories you need.
WELLNESS WATCH
Need to reach your protein goals? Have you considered bugs…
Fried silkworms: courtesy of Freepik
The buzz: Insect-based food can help solve global food insecurity–and help you meet your protein needs. This could be especially beneficial for older adults who may struggle to meet protein requirements, and a changing environment.
Why choose bugs? 🦗
80% of the world eats insects in some capacity, offering various nutritional and ecological benefits.
Good for health: Protein builds muscle, optimizes metabolism, and prevents sarcopenia, and some insects have more protein than meat and eggs (up to 60% of dry weight can be protein). 💪 They may be more nutritious too, as they are rich in healthy unsaturated fats, vitamins, and even have potential anti-cancer compounds.
Good for the planet: Insects need less space grow than livestock. They also produce less harmful greenhouse gasses, require less preventative antibiotic use, and can feed developed and underdeveloped nations. 🌎
🫣 But…insects are gross! The public swarms with doubt, but consumer research tells us that older adults are more receptive to eating insects if they are marketed as sustainable and healthy, and the insect is hidden in the product.
Moving forward
Insects are part of an exciting revolution to find sustainable alternatives to protein. If you want to try it, Thailand Unique is one of the largest insect food wholesalers (bug kebab silkworm & grasshopper gets five stars ⭐)
Poll
TOP STORY
🧠 In brain health…
Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally, but innovative stroke recovery systems are quickly being developed. In recent news, researchers in Japan developed a drug called GAI-17 that prevents brain cell death following a stroke. The drug blocks GAPDH (brain protein) clumps, and it can be administered six hours post-stroke. In mouse models, the drug 1. had no serious side effects and 2. shows promise in treating other incurable neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
→Want more content like this? Consider upgrading to a paid membership for exclusive member benefits and insights. Upgrade today.
SHORT READS
What Collagen Companies Don't Want Seniors to Know
Content sponsored by NativePath
Why do some people see amazing results with collagen while others notice nothing? The answer isn't age or biology – it's hidden in the supplement label. Most consumers over 50 are missing 5 crucial signs that reveal whether their collagen supplement is the real deal or just expensive protein powder. Before you spend another dollar on collagen, discover what leading researchers say you must look for. This could be the most important label-reading lesson you'll ever get.
Learn More
LONG-LEVITY
Medieval medicine in the Age of TikTok
TikTok is spreading wellness trends like it’s the Dark Ages.
Sharing wellness tips isn’t new; in fact, we know it dates back to the Dark Ages. ☠️ Despite its melancholic and deadly reputation (or maybe because of that), the Medieval era was a playground for wellness that mirrors TikTok today.
courtesy of freepik/canva
In fact, current online trends have been around for literally “thousands of years,” says researcher Meg Leja, an associate professor of history at Binghamton University. 📜 Consider these ancient hacks:
🍑 Peach pit migraine remedy– mix crushed peach pit with rose oil
🦎 Lizard shampoo–yep. Crushed lizard for beautiful hair
We don’t use lizard today, BUT the idea is not that different: rose essential oil combats stress and bovine collagen promotes hair health…both backed by scientific research. Maybe there is something to looking back in order to look ahead.
✏️ Poll response
❓We asked, you answered: Do you think cannabis has health benefits?
42% of you said yes! Despite conflicting health claims, the industry is booming with new cannabis-infused beverages and the addition of medical cannabis education programs to higher education.
WISDOM FOR LIFE
It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.
- Moliere
In the age of wearables and unlimited health tracking, which metrics actually make a difference? Get the facts at our upcoming AMA on August 12, 2025. Submit your question here.
Until next time,
- Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare professional before starting any exercise, wellness, or health program. Nothing in our content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Livelong is a media company and not a medical provider. We try to give the most accurate possible, but sometimes information is subject to change.
- Please note: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through them. This helps us continue to bring you credible and actionable health and longevity insights at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Longevity Media LLC
Look good, feel better, live longe