Snack Time: A peptide for libido, preventing death by fall, thawing out a frozen shoulder, and the crispiest salmon skin ever.

October 2023: My monthly roundup of health and wellness news.

Oct 14, 2023

It’s Snack Time, my monthly roundup of fascinating health and wellness news. It could be a headline, podcast, product discovery or resource that could support you on your health journey. Think of this post as a platter of quick digestible bites meant to nourish and educate for those who don’t have a lot of time but want to stay informed.

A Promising Peptide for Sex

Move over Viagra, there’s a new peptide in town that improves the sexual experience for both men and women. Unlike Viagra that only targets the vascular system to combat erectile dysfunction in men, PT 141 (aka bremelanotide) works on the nervous system by stimulating melanocortin receptors in the brain. This produces more nitric oxide (to relax blood vessels) and releases hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. Translation: it simultaneously enhances performance and increases orgasmic response, sexual desire and pleasure during sex (for up to 72 hours). More sexual arousal and orgasm intensity? Yes, please.

EXPLORE: While not yet approved by the FDA, the initial findings are promising. Joi Women Wellness and Blokes are physician-supported resources which deal with sexual dysfunction/optimization and offer the PT 141 subcutaneous injection.

Preserve Your Muscle Mass Now

It’s unfathomable for a 30-year old to think that one day carrying two bags of groceries up the stairs or getting up from the floor without help would ever be an issue. Yet we lose on average 5% of our lean muscle mass per decade and with that our strength and stability. The data shows that 15-30% of people over 65 who fall and break a femur or hip, will die within a year. Of the 70-85% that survive, 50% will experience a drastic reduction of function and quality of life.

LISTEN: Podcast #389 of Feel Better, Live More is a sobering conversation between longevity expert Dr Peter Attia and Dr Rangan Chaterjee about the number one predictor of longevity: physical activity. It’s an actionable PSA on why we need to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, strength and lean muscle mass today — through VO2 max, Zone 2 and stability training — to protect us in our twilight years.

Frozen Shoulder Be Gone

Frozen shoulder (or adhesive capsulitis) comes on quickly and lingers for seemingly forever. Extremely common for those over 40, this condition is characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint due to the thickening and tightening of the shoulder's connective tissues. Approximately 80% of all women will experience some kind of musculoskeletal pain during perimenopause when their estrogen declines and tissues become extremely inflamed. Fun times.

WATCH: For education about musculoskeletal issues in midlife and how to prevent them, ortho sports surgeon Dr Vonda Wright is an excellent resource. For effective exercises to (carefully) rehab a frozen shoulder and other chronic ailments, LA-based chiropractor Dr Joey Mattina, who works with elite athletes and performers, has some great online tutorials (for those who aren’t lucky enough to see him in person).

The Crispiest Salmon Skin Ever

By now we all know that salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, high quality protein and essential vitamins to support heart health, brain function and reduce inflammation. But where do you get the cleanest fish? In my endless quest for the most delicious, affordable and sustainable seafood, I discovered Seatopia, a regenerative aquaculture farm which produces non-GMO, antibiotic-free, sushi-grade fish. I’ve never tasted a crispier skin or more flavorful, fatty filet. Pro-tip from chef and author Aliza Sokolow: use a non-stick Ballerini pan to sear the skin until crispy then flip over once to finish cooking.

BUY: Seatopia Salmon Lovers Box is my absolute favorite. Use CELIACHEN20 for $20 off your first order. Clearly I’m obsessed as evidenced below!1

All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If any of the topics above are of interest, please let me know below in the comments and I’ll do a deep dive on that subject. Your feedback and support are so appreciated!

In the Pink

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