Don’t go too big. (But to be safe, go at home.)

Everybody poops. Health media attention has seemed markedly focused on this reality lately. So we’ve rounded up a few of their best to help you go with more ease, no matter where this week takes you.

Your Checkup: 

• TikTok changed the lives of people w/ chronic illness 
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• Are expensive vitamins better? How to find quality
• Wah! Most baby foods miss several nutrition marks!
• Exercise your rights w/o crumbling to election stress 
• The 90s are back via creamy/healthy cottage cheese!
• Here's the truth about decaf coffee + cancer danger
• Have energy to burn? Try a 20-min boxing workout

Primary Care

How long on the throne is too long?

The docs are dueling it out.

In Self, experts say that you should get on with your day if things haven’t moved along within 5 minutes. In HuffPost, they say 10-15 minutes is ok.

Both agree that hanging out there doesn’t do us any favors. Blood vessels can pool and cause hemorrhoids (no fun). And straining can damage nerves or dehydrate stools. If you’re having issues, increase your water and fiber intake or seek medical help.

Up your fiber at Good Housekeeping.

Work your diet to work it out

If you get sick during exercise, look at your pre-workout snack.

Dietitians point out that the fat in otherwise healthy dairy, nuts, and avocado takes a long time to digest and requires increased blood flow to the gut. This can cause lethargy and GI issues during a workout. Protein also slows digestion and interferes with carb metabolism. So save the protein shake for post-workout recovery. High-fiber cereals or bars may have you go in the middle of a session.

Get safer snacks at Self.

Can you get sick from toilet spumes?

According to the Washington Post, toilets can spew viruses + bacteria 5 feet into the air within seconds, which then spread horizontally for yards.

Tiny droplets can remain airborne for 10+ minutes, and large ones land on handles and knobs. Illness risk is generally low, but you can catch norovirus (stomach bug) this way. So in a public stall, you’re not immune from the aerosols of those who came before you. Wash those hands + mask up while traveling.

Get the dirty deets.

Healthcare 911

Constipation increases your risk of a heart attack, new study finds (The Conversation).  New studies show that people with high blood pressure (hypertension) and constipation are 34% more likely to have a major cardiac event than those with just hypertension. Those who poop every 2-3 days have a higher risk of dying from heart disease than those who go daily. Straining to go can elevate blood pressure for hours, possibly contributing to risk. An impaired vagus nerve, which can affect heart rate + breathing, may also be at play.

If you’re already on hypertension meds, you don’t need to book an in-office appointment for refills! Get a 90-day supply online!

Start a $15 consultation.

Number of Americans with type 2 diabetes jumped by 20% in a decade (US News). A study of over 400K Americans detailed how age, income, education, race and geography affect the continued growth of type 2 diabetes risk. Researchers don’t note new reasons for the jump, but they point out that physical activity offers the best protection.

If you think GLP-1 medications might help you lose weight + regular blood sugar levels, learn more about Shed It—a holistic prescription weight loss program that combines medication with science-backed nutrition + fitness support.

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FDA OK's new Covid vaccine shots for fall 2024 from Pfizer and Moderna (CBS). Updated vaccines that target the KP.2 variant be available nationwide within the coming days and weeks. Those 6 months or older are eligible for the booster. To protect against the coming virus season, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot + the Covid vaccine simultaneously if it increases the likelihood you’ll get both.

Get same-day $15 Covid care.