Try This – What I’m Reading This Week

Today’s newsletter includes a list of a few things I’ve been reading this week! One crazy article on Big Food, one powerful X / Twitter thread on getting fit, and one alarming (but important) study on microplastics.

Let’s jump in!

Big Food’s Ozempic Counterattack (NYT Magazine)

The food industry is plotting its counterattack against popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. For the first time in modern obesity history, U.S. obesity metrics have ticked down instead of up – a recent study found adult obesity prevalence fell ~0.15% in 2023 (that's hundreds of thousands fewer obese individuals). It’s a small drop, but significant as a first-ever decline, and it has Big Food worried their era of ever-rising consumption might be ending.

Now, food-product consulting firms, like Mattson, are hard at work trying to make “Ozempic-proof” ultra-processed foods. In the past, they’ve developed addictive offerings for brands like Pizza Hut and Starbucks – “geniuses” at concocting things the average person cannot resist.

This NYT Magazine piece profiles how scientists at Mattson are brainstorming snacks and drinks that will still appeal to people whose appetites have been dulled by GLP-1 meds. On the surface, they claim to be focusing on “convenience” and “better-for-you” options, labeling these new foods as protein and fiber-rich, given Big Food’s track record, especially this firm, it feels like something else more nefarious is going on. This is the industry that perfected the “bliss point” of sugar/salt, and engineered fats that melt in your mouth to trigger dopamine hits while seeming to “vanish” calorically (ever wonder why Cheetos dissolve on the tongue?).

The food industry often says, “Hey, we’re just making what people want to buy.” But looking at their history and how they spent decades engineering foods to be as addictive as scientifically possible, we need to be on alert.

5 Fitness Secrets for Getting Fit (Dan Go’s Tips)

Fitness coach Dan Go recently shared a viral X / Twitter thread highlighting some “secret” traits of people who get lean and stay fit. None of these ideas are shockingly new – but taken together and actually applied, they’re a game-changer, and I’ve seen this personally.

• Make workouts as routine as brushing your teeth. In successful body transformations, exercise isn’t optional – it’s treated like basic hygiene, a regular habit.
  

• Practice some form of dietary restraint. Fit people consistently watch what they eat in one way or another – whether by counting calories or following a specific diet, they always have a method to keep intake in check.
  

• Keep yourself accountable. Regular self-monitoring is key – for example, daily weigh-ins or body measurements to stay honest about progress.
  

• Stay active & build muscle. Exercise isn’t just about burning calories; it’s about building strength and keeping your body engaged. Find activities you enjoy (lifting, sports, etc.) and make them a permanent part of your week.
  

• Make it sustainable. The people who get fit and stay fit aren’t on deprivation diets forever. They eat mostly whole, nutrient-dense foods but still allow the occasional favorite treat or drink.

Personal take: I’ve always eaten relatively clean and stayed active, but I didn’t dial in on getting truly fit until right before my 40th birthday after talking with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. By doubling down on these simple basics in unison, I saw major improvements – my body composition shifted, I added muscle, and I’ve never been stronger. Again, these tips might sound familiar, but consistency is king. When you commit to all of them together, day in and day out, the results compound massively. For the rest of Dan’s list (all 10 tips), check out Dan Go’s full thread on X.

Microplastics Found in Human Brains (New Study)

You all know I’ve been sounding the alarm on plastics and our health for a while, and I will continue doing it because it's an important topic. A new study published in Nature Medicine found that microplastics are accumulating in human brains – and at significantly higher levels than in other organs. In fact, researchers detected far more plastic in the brain than in the liver or kidneys. And here’s the part that should make everyone want to reduce their plastic exposure: brain tissue from people who had dementia showed up to 10× the microplastic levels compared to those without.

We can’t panic – finding plastics in the brain doesn’t prove they cause dementia. The authors note it’s a correlation (it could even be that diseased brains somehow accumulate more debris). But either way, this is a big red flag. It’s yet another reminder to limit your exposure through simple steps: filter your water, avoid heating food in plastic, bring your own cup to the coffee shop, and choose natural materials like glass when possible. Every little bit helps.

Plastics and forever chemicals are a massive issue, and they are connected to all sorts of things like autism, fertility issues, and autoimmune diseases. The silver lining is that it looks like we’ll finally get some serious research money behind exploring how bad the problem is and solutions to address it with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. heading the HHS.

Here’s to your health, 

Dhru Purohit 

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