Fresh Air, Better Food, and a Healthier You
In this week's edition of Public Health Without Politics, you’ll find practical tips to support your health—like how exercise can improve your gut, why trail running and hiking are great for your body and mind, and some encouraging news about shifting food habits across the country.
Trending in Health this Week
Have you tried running in the woods? Trail running offers mental, physical, and social benefits.
Eating smaller meals more often is generally better for energy and performance than eating just a few large meals.
Weighted vests can help you burn calories and maintain bone health.
Tapping—lightly stimulating acupressure points while focusing on stress or emotions—is gaining popularity as a simple technique to reduce anxiety and improve mental health.
Heat Wave: The New York Times published some helpful tips on how you can sleep better in the heat.
Spine doctors say hiking can be a surprisingly good source of back pain relief.
Healthier habits emerging: Fast food consumption is down.
Here are 17 foods that pack more protein than your protein shake.
Why Working Out is Good for Your Gut: Key Takeaways
Scientific American highlighted how regular exercise supports your gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria in your digestive system that influence digestion, immunity, and disease risk. Key takeaways:
Exercise boosts diversity in the gut, which is a sign of better overall health.
Physical activity encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria that support digestion and reduce inflammation.
Active people tend to have more bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids—compounds linked to reduced risk of disease.
The intensity and consistency of exercise matter more than any single workout.
Researchers are exploring how exercise might be used as a preventative or therapeutic tool for gut-related diseases.
While diet still plays a major role, exercise alone can improve gut health—even without drastic dietary changes.
Mark Your Calendar: New Dietary Guidelines Coming
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. noted new dietary guidelines for the US will be coming this August. "We're going to have four-page dietary guidelines that tell people essentially, eat whole food, eat the food that's good for you," Kennedy said.
Food has become an important topic these days and that’s good. It’s not clear whether a four page government document on diets for everyone is going to make much difference. We’ll see.
Inspirational Quote
"Action is the foundational key to all success."
— Pablo Picasso
Have a great week,
—Richard