A personal account of a family's struggle with a loved one's dangerous alternative health treatments, leading to her death. The author explores systemic issues like medical misogyny and misinformation, advocating for empathy and open communication to protect others.
Smoothie King is expanding rapidly with over 200 new locations planned, capitalizing on wellness trends including GLP-1 medications driving protein and fiber demand and consumer backlash against artificial ingredients. The 50-year-old chain, which claims to have invented the word 'smoothie,' posted $66.16 million revenue in 2025 while system-wide sales grew 64% over five years.
This Optimizer newsletter examines the exploding peptide trend in wellness culture, focusing on how Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop brand markets peptide skincare products that may not contain what they promise. The $105 Youth Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream contains NMN (a NAD+ precursor) rather than NAD+, and only one peptide ingredient that appears last in the list — suggesting minimal concentration. The piece critiques the conflation of peptides, vitamins, and other injectables by influential figures, warning that such confusion could normalize experimental gray-market treatments.
PepsiCo's Gatorade, the original sports drink invented in 1965, is shifting strategy to target non-athletes seeking hydration and wellness benefits. The company cites research showing 60% of sports drink buyers aren't athletes but want functional ingredients like electrolytes. Unit sales of sports drink mixes rose nearly 20% recently, with 150 new brands entering the space. Gatorade will highlight scientific benefits and launch lower-sugar products targeting everyday consumers.
