Happy Thursday, Zapien 👋

Our Whatsapp Community celebrated 400 engaged members this week 🥳!!

We're so grateful for each and every health and longevity enthusiast who shares their hacks, protocols and experiences. Without you, New Zapiens wouldn't be anything at all!

If you want to be a part of the fun, join here (and never miss out on future fitness challenges, expert quests and other events).

Forever,
Lisa, Karol & Simon

TODAY’S ISSUE

LONGEVITY BEAT

Are you familiar with the six pillars of lifestyle medicine? Lifestyle medicine is a whole-system approach to preventing and reversing chronic and lifestyle-related diseases, with a focus on behavior, social and environmental factors.

The six pillars are physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress, social connections and avoiding harmful substances.

Having been young when smoking may have been considered cool, it’s the first that comes to mind for the latter pillar. However, the issue of 'harmful substances' is more nuanced than it may seem at first glance. As a reader of our newsletter, we assume you are likely a non-smoker and already avoid harmful drugs.

But are you aware of the toxins present in your daily products? From food to cosmetics to cleaning supplies, we come into contact with harmful substances every day.

For instance, let's consider personal care products. Depending on your location, there may be few to no regulations on the ingredients manufacturers can use to enhance the scent, texture, or shelf life of their products.

In the EU, the cosmetics industry is regulated by the EU Cosmetics Regulation, which is relatively strict. Manufacturers must conduct safety assessments and disclose all ingredients. In contrast, the United States takes a more lenient approach. The FDA oversees cosmetics, but its power is limited to post-market regulation. The entire system relies heavily on voluntary industry compliance.

As a consequence, a variety of substances are banned in the EU but remain unregulated in the US. Let's look at a few examples:

What you can do

Knowledge is a powerful tool. Understanding the role of toxins in everyday products can help you make healthier choices.

Consider using apps or databases to analyze ingredients (see this issue’s recommended products for more info).

If you are in the EU, take advantage of the stricter regulations. Read labels carefully and use tools like the mentioned apps to understand them. When possible, opt for products with fewer ingredients and more natural components.

In the United States, where regulations may be less strict, it’s important to be aware and proactive. Choose products from companies that voluntarily adhere to stricter standards and list all ingredients.

RECOMMENDED

Given the vast number of potential toxins hidden in your consumer products, we suggest you get a PhD in chemistry to memorize them all.

If you don’t have the time we recommend the following tools to shed some light:

SHORT HACK, LONG LIFE

To make this practical, tonight in your bathroom, review your major cosmetics, skincare and haircare products. Use Codecheck to identify any yellow or red flags. Codecheck is known for being critical, so it will save you time on research. If you want a deeper understanding of what an ingredient does, use INCIDecoder.

As you do your research, keep the following in mind regarding product labels and ingredients:

ZAPIEN PROTOCOL

Anthony 🇩🇪 

➤ Workout:
I'm rather lazy, but I join my athletic girlfriend 1-2 times on the weekends. 60:40 cardio vs weights and I do like burpees and sprints. I try to add a sauna session afterwards. Daily hack: never take the elevator if you live on the 4th floor.

➤ Nutrition & Supplements:
Like a dog, I don't really pay attention to nutrition. But unlike a pig, I don’t put on weight easily ;). I try to eat a huge variety as long as it tastes good (but never seafood). My intermittent fasting routine: During the week I don't eat breakfast (living near the office I can go from bed to desk in 30 mins) and sometimes not even lunch if I have too much work. I never skip dinner and usually eat quite late.

I don’t take supplements regularly, but occasionally use Orthomol Immun (Vitamin C, zinc…) for a boost. I've experimented with all sorts of nootropics, but nothing has really stuck with me. I try to avoid coffee for better sleep.

➤ Sleep:
This is the most important variable in my life. I try to sleep 8-8.5 hours per night and I have different blankets for summer and winter, as well as two pillows including an ergonomic one. I swear by binaural beats for power naps. I exclusively shower in cold water, usually in the evening before going to sleep.

➤ Mental Wellbeing:
Sleep is my most important factor for good mental health. Being stoic & always optimistic helps as well. As an extrovert I love socializing. Always try to balance yourself: nothing is ever as good or as bad as it seems.

HEALTH & LONGEVITY NEWS

BECAUSE WE LOVE NUMBERS

⚡️ 11 ⚡️

Of the >10,000 chemicals used in cosmetic products, only 11 have ever been banned or restricted by the FDA. (By comparison, the EU regulation addresses >1,300 substances.)

ABOUT US

Lisa has a PhD in Medical Biology. She was a researcher at Harvard Medical before developing D2C laboratory diagnostics.

Karol is a serial founder who helped thousands of people build healthy eating habits with Upfit.

Simon is a healthcare entrepreneur who brought the doctor online-booking service Doctolib to Germany.

WHEN YOU ARE READY, THIS IS HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Health Disclaimer

New Zapien’s products and services are not intended to substitute for professional medical guidance. Our content and media offerings do not aim to diagnose, cure, or address any medical issues.