The Risks of Protein Supplements

Plus, winter wellness tips and making the most of green space

Author

Yasmine S. Ali, MD
December 06, 2023

Hello again!

In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find an important article on the fertility risks of protein supplements for men, and one on how to make the most of green space in your neighborhood. You’ll also find an excellent article from Stanford University’s BeWell program with wellness tips for the winter holiday season.

And during this holiday season, Premium subscribers will be receiving a new feature: in every issue of this newsletter until the end of the year, I’ll be featuring a new, healthy holiday recipe from around the Web—one that I’ve vetted and have either made or would make for myself and my own family.

There will also be a drawing next week for 2 Premium subscribers to receive a cookbook! Stay tuned!

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To your health,

Yasmine S. Ali, MD

Weekly Heart-Health News: The Highlights

Most men taking bodybuilding supplements unaware of fertility risk - UPI.com

Bodybuilders are largely unaware that the protein supplements they use to bulk up might harm their fertility, a new study shows.

www.upi.com/Health_News/2023/12/01/health-bodybuilding-supplements-fertility/6841701464369

My Take:

I’ve never been a fan of protein supplements, because they’ve been associated with kidney damage, among other concerns, but even I did not know the extent of risk for male infertility due to the presence of estrogen in these supplements as well as contamination by anabolic steroids, both of which cause reduced sperm count, erectile dysfunction, and other fertility issues for men.

Male bodybuilders and gym-goers were studied by researchers in the UK, as detailed in the article above, and 79% of them said they use protein supplements as part of their fitness plan. Only 14% had considered how those supplements might impact their fertility.

What this means for you: Over-the-counter protein supplements are generally not recommended for healthy individuals, and can cause a host of medical problems. There are many ways to achieve muscle mass and a high level of fitness without the use of supplements.

For green spaces to be most beneficial to health, they need to be walkable

American Heart Association News

www.heart.org/en/news/2023/11/30/for-green-spaces-to-be-most-beneficial-to-health-they-need-to-be-walkable

My Take:

This new research found that “the positive impact of green space isn’t just about where you live, but how easily you can access nature.” In this study, researchers discovered that a neighborhood’s walk score (a measure of how easy or difficult it is to walk around a neighborhood) actually had a greater impact on heart health than did the NatureScore.

What this means for you: This sounds like common sense, but now there is a study to confirm it! Just being surrounded by nature is not enough; you must get out and walk, jog, bike, hike, do tai chi, or otherwise actually move your body in the green spaces around you in order to receive the physical health benefits.

Tips for your wellness during the winter holiday season - Stanford BeWell

Stanford Benefits | healthy lifestyles| BeWell | evidence-based classes | personalized wellness | Stanford employees | Events| Online classes| Apps|Webinars| personalized|optimal well-being I Healthy Living

bewell.stanford.edu/tips-for-your-wellness-during-the-winter-holiday-season

My Take:

The holidays can be a stressful time, and I found this list of tips from Stanford University’s BeWell Program (meant as advice for their students and staff during their Winter Closure) to be a good set of reminders and ideas for how to approach the holidays in a more sane and relaxing way, while staying physically active and whole-body healthy.

Do any of these tips resonate with you as well?

What do you do to take care of yourself and your health during the holidays? Reply to this email and let me know!

How Your Personality May Shield You from Dementia (PREMIUM subscribers only)

Holiday Recipe Time!

A healthy recipe to grace your holiday table

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