Try This – 3 Studies and 3 Products I’m Loving This Week

Today I’m excited to share three studies and three products that I’m loving this week. I think you’re really going to love them too. 

Let’s get into it…

Study: Fluoride Linked to Behavior Problems

Shout-out to my friend Dr. Chris Palmer for sharing this information. A recent study found that high urinary levels of fluoride in women were associated with increased neurobehavioral problems in their children. Dr. Palmer mentions some of the reasons why this could happen are alterations in oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and suppression of the mother’s thyroid gland, all of which can impact the child. 

For so long we were told that we needed to drink fluoridated water and use toothpaste with fluoride, and we are now understanding the serious damage that can come with too much fluoride exposure. If you know any pregnant women, send them this study! 

Study: Can Weighted Blankets Improve Sleep Quality?

I’ve been fine-tuning my sleep habits over the past five years because I know how I feel when I get good sleep versus when I’m not sleeping well. Matt Walker, a professor of neuroscience and sleep expert, has been a huge influence on my sleep habits. He recently shared a study that looked at the impact of weighted blankets on sleep quality, and what the study found was fascinating. Using a 13 lb weighted blanket actually increased levels of melatonin and sleep quality, reduced symptoms of sleep disorders and ADHD, and more. 

Have you tried a weighted blanket? I personally haven’t, but I have tried a weighted eye mask and I liked it!

Movie: Little Empty Boxes

Dementia is a heartbreaking condition now affecting 55 million people worldwide, and it has no known cure. My good friend Max Lugavere just released his powerful new documentary, Little Empty Boxes, which I had the privilege of catching during their recent theatrical tour. This is the first-ever dementia-prevention film that exposes the gut-wrenching reality of dementia while also providing much-needed clarity and scientific insight into the factors that may cause it. It’s a heartfelt film that sheds light on the realities of this devastating condition and how loved ones can support family members struggling with cognitive decline. I highly recommend watching it. 

You can find out how to stream it by clicking here. 

Study: Does Fish Oil Cause AFib? 

A study published recently caused some serious concern among health experts and fish oil consumers. In this observational study, researchers found that using fish oil increased the likelihood of developing AFib (atrial fibrillation) by 13 percent! That definitely seems scary, but after I read a breakdown of this study from one of my favorite experts, Dr. Rhonda Patrick, I realized there was way more to it than what was published in the headlines. Dr. Patrick pointed out that while the study did find an increase in the developing AFib among fish oil users, it was relative risk, not absolute risk. Relative risk is the ratio of the risk of a cardiovascular event in those who take fish oil versus those who do not, but this does not tell us the absolute risk, which is the absolute difference of risk between these two groups. Absolute risk is more important than important relative risk and cannot be calculated without the full data. 

Additionally, fish oil use was not found to increase the risk of a major cardiovascular event in healthy users. In fact, using fish oil was associated with an 8 percent lower risk of developing heart failure, and in those with preexisting AFib, fish oil was associated with a 15 percent lower risk of developing a heart attack. 

Another study published in 2020 using the exact same data found that regular use of fish oil was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 13 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality. So it just goes to show how the results can change from study to study (not to mention how those results get reported by the media!). 

I will definitely continue to take my fish oil because most of the evidence—actually, pretty much all of the evidence—points to how critical and protective it is. Also, I highly recommend signing up for Dr. Patrick’s newsletter because she breaks down the science so well. 

Product: Masa Corn Chips

Who doesn’t love chips and dip every so often? It’s one of my favorite things to bring to a party or gathering, but most chips are fried or cooked in inflammatory oils. I recently found these masa corn chips that are made with yellow corn, tallow, and salt—and that’s it! 

Their chips are completely handmade in small batches and without seed oils, and as someone who is really sensitive to fried foods and seed oils, this is a dream come true. I love to enjoy them with guacamole or salsa or add them as an extra crunch to salads. Just a quick note, buyer beware: they are priced at the higher end, which I’m okay with because I truly eat them sparingly or at special events. At the end of the day, even the healthiest chip is still a chip. :)

Service: Getting My Eight Sleep Mattress for “Free” with Truemed

I’ve been using an Eight Sleep mattress for years now (it’s a game-changer, by the way), and after seeing their most recent version, the Pod 4 Ultra, I was ready to upgrade! But ouch… It’s $2,700+ for the model I wanted. 

What to do?

My friends at Truemed reminded me that I could use the $2,700 that’s been sitting in my HSA/FSA account for years to buy the mattress and essentially get it for pretax dollars. The whole process took three minutes, and I can’t believe it was that easy.

So often, people don’t know how to use their HSA/FSA money, and Truemed really makes it easy. If you’re looking to make your dollars work for you, check out Truemed. 

Full disclosure: I’m an investor in Truemed because I truly believe in them. They didn’t ask me to write this, and yes, I did actually buy the new Eight Sleep mattress with my own FSA/HSA dollars.

See you next week,
Dhru Purohit