Happy Wednesday!
There's a certain relief in learning that some things are beyond our control. New research on longevity indicates that genetics might account for more than half of how long we live, which doesn't make healthy habits futile, but it does ease the pressure that we can biohack our way to 100 if we just try hard enough. What’s more important than adding decades to our lives is making sure the years we do have feel worth living.
Today, we’re also looking at a lovely rebellion happening on fashion runways, what really helps when your stomach is off (spoiler: it's not apple cider vinegar), and why the gut health trends flooding your feed are mostly pretty useless.
As always, we share women’s health and wellness news that’s evidence-based and thoughtfully explained.
Wishing you good health and happiness!
Nicolle
Editor
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🧬 LONGEVITY LENS
How Much Control Do We Have Over Longevity?
A new study suggests that while healthy habits are important, your potential life span may be influenced more by genetics than we like to think.
Researchers analyzing decades of data from Swedish twins and families of people who lived past 100 found that genes may account for over half of the differences in how long people live. In other words, lifestyle can nudge the dial, but it may not completely rewrite the script. If your genetic blueprint points to living into your 80s, the healthiest habits might add a few meaningful years, not several decades.
We’re not saying this makes diet, exercise, or sleep any less important. Those factors strongly shape how well we live, and can still shift life expectancy by years. But reaching extreme longevity, like becoming a centenarian, appears to require a bit of biological luck alongside good choices.
The takeaway: You can’t control every outcome, but you can absolutely influence the quality of the years you get, which, arguably, is the most important part.
Related:
>Longevity is in the genes: half of lifespan is heritable | Nature
>Book Review: The Societal Impact of Genetic Research | Undark
>Genomics Unlocks How DNA and Viruses Come Together To Shape Chronic Disease | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
🦋 BEAUTY WATCH
On the Runway, A Return to Real Bodies
At a moment when much of the culture seems to be circling back to ultra-thin ideals, fueled in part by the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, a counter-movement is unfolding on the runways of London Fashion Week. Several emerging designers, including Karoline Vitto, Phoebe English, and Sinead Gorey, cast models across a wider range of sizes, from mid-size to plus, with some shows also featuring women over 40. It’s a striking contrast to recent industry data showing that plus-size representation has dropped to less than one percent of runway looks in major fashion capitals.
Many of these smaller, often women-led brands say their goal is to design for the bodies and lives they see around them. Without the budgets of luxury houses, they’re leaning into community-driven casting and realistic sizing to show how clothes look on real people, not just sample sizes.
“We have models with different body proportions. Some have a lot of bust projection. Some have a wider hip. Some have a smaller breast and a wider hip. Some have wider shoulders. It sounds straightforward but it doesn’t normally happen on the catwalk.”—Karoline Vitto, London-based Brazilian designer
🤢 TUMMY TROUBLES
When Your Stomach Is Off: What Helps (and What Doesn’t)
When your stomach feels off, advice comes from everywhere—your mom hands you saltines, TikTok suggests a cleanse, and the supplement aisle suddenly looks very persuasive. But “upset stomach” can mean anything from bloating and reflux to nausea, cramping, or indigestion, which is why quick-fix solutions rarely work for everyone.
Doctors say there are a few gentle strategies that are worth trying. Fresh ginger (tea or slices) has anti-nausea properties (Gin-Gins also work incredibly well—Editor), and peppermint tea may help relax the digestive tract and ease cramping or bloating. Instead of the old BRAT diet, many doctors now recommend a broader “bland diet”—simple foods like cooked vegetables, eggs, lean protein, toast, or rice—to provide nutrients without irritating your stomach. Small sips of fluids or electrolytes can help prevent dehydration, and even a short walk can stimulate digestion and relieve gas.
What’s less helpful? Apple cider vinegar cures, restrictive cleanses, and influencer-promoted supplements, which can worsen symptoms or lead to dehydration.
If stomach issues are severe, persistent, or recurring, that’s your cue to check in with a doctor rather than DIY your way through it.
🍎 APPLE OF THE DAY
Skip the Gut Hype. Feed Your Microbiome Instead.
Gut health may be trending, but experts say there’s no miracle fix—chia water, sea moss, olive oil shots, and bone broth all contain a “seed of truth” nutritionally, yet there’s little evidence they dramatically change your microbiome (but they will change your bank account).
What does support gut health? A boring-but-powerful formula: eat a wide variety of plants, get enough fiber, and ease up on ultra-processed foods. Diversity, not a single superfood, is what feeds the trillions of microbes that keep digestion, immunity, and even your mood running smoothly.
Health snippets…
While no single meal fixes cholesterol, regularly eating a balanced breakfast appears to support lower LDL levels compared with routinely skipping it.
That “sugar-free” swap may not be completely neutral—new research suggests erythritol, a common sweetener in low-cal foods, could affect blood vessel health and may be linked to higher stroke risk, although experts say more research is needed.
Consider this permission to climb into bed with a book: regular bedtime reading has been shown to help people fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly.
If you’ve ever been told your migraine is just a bad headache, science says otherwise: Researchers now understand migraines as a full-body neurological event, with new therapies offering hope for relief.
Scientists have identified a protein that appears to control both the onset and resolution of itching, offering new clues for managing stubborn skin flare-ups.
Starting your day with a glass of water can help wake up your brain, support metabolism, and keep everything from your skin to your kidneys functioning more smoothly (so don’t forget to drink up when you wake up).
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