Biotechnology has advanced to a point where we can do a lot more than heal ourselves. We can improve. Optimize. Maximize. But at what point does this supercharged form of self-improvement devolve into self-obsession — one that ultimately alienates us from the flawed and imperfect qualities that make us human? That’s the topic columnist Ross Douthat explores with biotech entrepreneur Christian Angermayer in the latest episode of Interesting Times. Give it a listen here.
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Vitamins & Supplements
Is Your Bug Spray Actually Attracting Mosquitoes?
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Unsplash
You Should Know: Mosquitoes may be evolving to associate DEET, the active ingredient in most insect repellent sprays, with food. That’s right: Your bug spray might actually attract, not repel, mosquitos.
Going Deeper: DEET is considered the gold standard of mosquito repellents. It works by disrupting mosquitoes’ ability to detect us, while also creating an odor and taste they generally find unpleasant. But a new lab study suggests mosquitoes may be able to learn around DEET. Researchers trained Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by pairing the smell of DEET with warm blood. After repeated exposures, many of the insects began associating DEET with food and were attracted to it rather than repelled by it — essentially a mosquito version of Pavlov’s dogs.
Takeaway: It’s possible that mosquitoes could start perceiving DEET as a reward, which raises concerns for those spending time outdoors. However, experts stress that these were laboratory conditions and DEET is still an effective repellent. One doctor says these results are “unlikely to occur in nature.”
Bottom Line: You can keep using DEET, but the study suggests that reapplication may be more important than previously thought.
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Sponsored
Your Summer Routine Could Use This
Courtesy: Veracity
Summer has a way of making wellness feel louder than it needs to be. More travel, more social plans, more “get back on track” advice. Veracity takes a calmer approach.
Its daily health formulas are designed to support the basics people actually care about this time of year: metabolism, steady energy, digestion, and feeling good in your routine without extreme dieting or overhauling your life.
Think of it less as a summer-body push and more as a midyear check-in for your body. Veracity helps make your reset feel simple, sustainable, and a little easier to stick with, even when your schedule gets less predictable.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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Personal Development
Cutting PFAS Exposure Is More Doable Than You Think
Midjourney
Cut It Out: PFAS, aka “forever chemicals,” have been all over the news lately. These synthetic compounds are linked to certain cancers and other negative health outcomes, and according to federal health data, nearly every person in the U.S. has them in their blood. They don't break down easily in the environment or in our bodies, so exposure accumulates over time. There are, however, concrete steps we can all take to reduce our contact with them.
The Benefits: Taking action now will yield results down the road. Research shows that when people reduce their PFAS exposure, blood levels of these chemicals decrease over several years.
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Sleep & Recovery
Bad Dental Health in Childhood Linked to Heart Disease
April Walker/Unsplash
Brush Up: The body is interconnected in funny ways. A stressful week in the office can lead to gut issues. A slight pronation in your foot can lead to back trouble. And, according to new research, poor dental health in childhood correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Study: Researchers examined data collected and tracked for up to 23 years from a cohort of nearly 569,000 Danish people born between 1963 and 1972. They found that the more severe their childhood cavities and gingivitis, the higher their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Female participants with severe cavities as kids had a 45% higher incidence of ASCVD, and males had a 32% higher incidence.
The Takeaway: It’s well established that regular brushing and flossing are good for the heart, as they can prevent infection. Poor dental hygiene is also associated with high blood pressure, thickening of artery walls, and systemic inflammation, likely due to the body’s inflammatory immune response to dental infections.
Keep in Mind: The findings weren’t causal, and the data didn’t account for other factors, such as adult dental hygiene, smoking, and obesity, which are linked to poor oral and heart health outcomes.
This summer pasta is fresh, light, and full of wholesome flavor. Thinly sliced zucchini ribbons are marinated with olive oil, lemon, and roasted garlic, which give the veggies a subtle sweetness. Cheese tortellini adds satisfying richness, while toasted pine nuts, Parmesan, and fresh basil on top give the dish a nutty, herby finish. It’s a nourishing but easy dish for outdoor summer gatherings or a healthy, satisfying lunch at home.
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This, Not That
Bean Me Up
THIS
NOT THAT
Max Griss/Unsplash, Getty/Unsplash
This: Beans in your pasta sauce Not That: Pasta sauce alone
Blend white beans into marinara or toss chickpeas into a tomato sauce for extra fiber and protein without changing the vibe too much. It’s an easy way to make a comfort meal more filling without turning dinner into a wellness project.
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Sponsored
The Reset That Doesn’t Ask You to Start Over
A summer reset shouldn’t mean cutting out everything you enjoy or pretending your calendar isn’t packed. Veracity is built for a more realistic version of wellness, with daily formulas designed to support metabolism, energy, digestion, and confidence from the inside out.
It’s a simple way to keep your routine moving, whether you’re home, traveling, or just trying to feel a little more consistent heading into summer.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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HEALTHY HABIT
Put Your Phone Across the Room
At bedtime, charge your phone somewhere you can’t reach from bed. That tiny bit of friction can make it easier to stop scrolling and actually wind down.
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Final Thought
There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
