2023 Articles
Real Estate / Finance
2024 Housing Market Price Predictions By Industry Experts
Key Takeaways:
10% decline in median home value comparing Q4 22 to Q3 23
More than half the battle in forecasting is getting the direction right
Predicts 4.5% increase in 2024 home prices after accurately projecting a 8% decline in 2023
Health / Healthcare
Reassessing The Relationship Between Alcohol Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Alcohol consumption is a topic that continues to fascinate me. With all of the rules, regulation and laws surrounding most other drugs, alcohol remains abundantly available, cheap and endlessly promoted across all media. In this article Peter Attia, M.D. discusses how no amount of alcohol is good for you and how it impacts your cardiovascular health (the #1 cause of death in this country).
Health / Healthcare
The MIND diet on trial: can diet choices impact cognitive health?
This is a really good summary and interpretation of a recent study that was done to test whether or not adherence to a MIND diet, which is a combination between a Mediterranean and DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet, had any benefits on cognitive health. As Peter Attia, MD points out, there was a statistically insignificant change for the group on the MIND diet compared to the control. However, without tryin, the study gives credence to the benefits of overall caloric restriction and it’s benefits on both physical and mental health.
It’s interesting, we continue to look for ways to improve our health, longevity, lifespan, mental health, reduce cognitive decline etc… and almost inevitably it comes back to the same core principles. Eat whole foods, not too much and exercise. There is no magic bullet, diet or program. It comes down to those basic things and then grows from there. How are your relationships? How is your sleep? How is your stress levels? But none of those questions are relevant until you are able to rein in your food and exercise choices.
But I do continue to find these studies fascinating. Check it out.
Health / Healthcare
Six factors that affect glucose besides food
Last week I started wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for the first time in my life. I had been thinking about it for over a year and was finally pushed over the edge by this article by Peter Attia, MD. I’m less than a week into wearing it and I’ve been fascinated at the variations in my glucose. Since I’ve been immersing myself in the data, I found this article interesting. The two most surprising non-food items to me? Sunlight exposure and environmental toxins (yikes).
Health / Healthcare
New CDC life expectancy data shows painfully slow rebound from covid
Life expectancy decreased 2.4 years during COVID, and has only rebounded 1.1 years since. Why? The continued prevalence of chronic illnesses (like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke), as well as increased rates of suicide, overdoses, and alcohol use. Combined they are responsible for 60 percent of all U.S. deaths (nearly 2 million Americans).
A 2012 study from The Journal of Affective Disorders concluded: “The economic and marketing forces of modern society have engineered an environment… that maximize[s] consumption at the long-term cost of well-being.”
Despite the years of mounding evidence, the Agriculture and Health and Human Services department only announced last month their intent to investigate for the first time the link between chronic disease and ultra processed foods. Their findings will influence The National School Lunch Program, who’s menu currently includes Dominos pizza and Lunchables.
Health / Healthcare
‘Zoom fatigue’ may take toll on the brain and the heart, researchers say
A small study of 35 students demonstrated that participating in lectures via video conference, as opposed to in person, resulted in greater mental fatigue, and a feeling of being tired, drowsy and fed up. Meanwhile the in person group felt livelier, happier and more active.
Does this translate to the work from home crowd?
If it does, then I wonder what the long term effects might be of remote work. We are so early into the transition. Will a sense of collective fatigue and being fed up lead workers back to the office? Or do the comforts of home outweigh the downsides of video conferencing?
Food / Food Systems/ Food Policy
Consumption of Ultra Processed Food and Depression (study by Harvard University)
The study concluded that excessive consumption of ultra processed foods (UPFs) is associated with a greater risk of depression, especially as it related to artificial sweeteners (whether in food or a beverage). They offered the following suggestion as to why.
“Although the mechanism associating UPF to depression is unknown, recent experimental data suggests that artificial sweeteners elicit purinergic transmission in the brain, which may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of depression.”
Finance / Personal Finance
Why Millennials Need To Earn $525,000 A Year To Feel Happy
This generation has grown up with 24/7 social media where everyone looks like a millionaire. So it shouldn't be a surprise that they think half a million dollars a year is what they need to be happy. Because that's what it looks like.
But the most interesting part of this post is the piece about only desiring $1.7 million in net worth compared to annual income of $525K. It says to me that the millennial generation is only worried about the here and now. I think there's a mental aspect to it. Net worth is for retirement. Annual salary is for spending on things that allow you to keep up with the Joneses.
A high paying job creates a false sense of security and an inflated lifestyle. When you're making a lot of money, you spend a lot of money. And the only way things get better is to make more money. It's only after leaving a high paying job do you realize how excessive it was, and how happy you can be with less.
I've been amazed at how my view of money has changed since I stopped working five years ago. I have more net worth now (about 3 - 4x) than I did when I was working (I benefited from a company acquisition when I left), but without W2 income, every dollar spent is scrutinized in a way that it wasn't before. I want to get the most value out of every dollar earned. It's made me really appreciate what I have and how recklessly I spent when working.
I'll just say one more thing. If life is too expensive on the coast, move somewhere else. A lot of what the coastal cities "offer" in happiness, isn't really worth the investment. I know, I grew up in New York and lived in Los Angeles.
Environment
States must target transportation carbon emission cuts under new federal rule
The way forward is to make walking, cycling or riding the train so enjoyable that people don’t want to drive. But in our current state, driving remains to best way to get around. I was just in Switzerland. The rail system there is unlike anything I've ever seen in my life. It connects major cities (Zurich) to the smallest towns (Engelberg). Within the major cities the transportation system was so well run that there were barely any cars on the road. And less cars meant more bikes, more walking. That's how you improve greenhouse emissions. You have to make the alternative to driving better than driving! We need a comprehensive rail system here, that can shuffle people all over the country in a comfortable, efficient and affordable manor. We can't just take away and force the change. Spend the money and time over the next 10 years to improving travel without a car and we’ll hit our targets.
World’s richest 1% pollute more than the poorest two-thirds, Oxfam says
This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently. This article focuses on emissions from transportation, but what about the footprint from owning multiple large homes. These homes require enormous amounts of gas to heat and electric to cool. They require enormous amounts of water to keep their gardens and lawns looking good, as well as chemicals and fertilizers. They require workers coming and going on a regular basis, creating more and more emissions as they travel to and from. And most of these homes are not even occupied for most of the year (some not at all). A lot of the wealthiest people claim to be concerned about climate change, but the reality is their concerned with making everyone else change while they hold onto their comforts.
Health / Healthcare
Continuous glucose monitoring to improve health in non-diabetics
I’ve been debating whether to get a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This article perfectly articulates why it’s such an important tool in the pursuit of better health. There are a few good companies who now provide CGMs, along with an app to track all your data. Levels is one such company I’ve been following. I’m going to follow through and order one. I’ll report back on my findings.
Alcohol Overuse Causes 140,000 American Deaths Annually. Why is it so under treated?
Alcohol use, and it’s role in disease, is something that doesn’t get enough attention. 140,000 people die every year from alcohol use disorder (AUD). 14.1 million adults suffer from AUD annually. The top 10 percent of drinkers are responsible for half of the alcohol purchases in the country. And less than 5 percent of people suffering from AUD receive treatment. Opioids and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety garner a lot of attention, and somehow the affects of alcohol on our country continues to fly under the radar.
Sharon Osbourne on her Experience using Ozempic
This isn’t a great article per se, but the message is important. Sharon Osbourne’s experience highlights what can never be tested in a clinical trial. The mental impact of taking the new “weight loss” drugs that work by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion. As she points out, it became addicting to lose weight, and now she’s having trouble putting it back on.
I fear that the experience of being on these drugs is also going to cause a lot of people, children especially, to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. It’s easy to develop and extremely difficult to unwind. I don’t think the potential downsides of long term use are being weighed appropriately. The industry sees dollar signs, and the public sees a chance at overcoming their struggle with weight (rightfully so). But there are far better ways of accomplishing the latter.
The food industry pays ‘influencer’ dietitians to shape your eating habits
FTC cracks down on food industry for paid dietitian ‘influencer’ posts
These two article highlight why it’s so important to know who you’re following. So many credentialed people are bought by big beverage and sugar industries (as reported here). And are happy to promote their messages of eating more processed food and sugar. But even aside from those that are paid to advertise a harmful message, many more just have no idea what they are talking about. And just regurgitate information they hear without ever having tried it themselves. If you need a good nutritionist to follow, check out EC Synkowski. She offers practical advice on how to improve your diet and your health.
Overdose deaths have soared among pregnant people, study reveals
“Experts say the rise in overdose deaths in this group from 2018 to 2021 can be attributed to many external factors, including social isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic and lack of adequate prenatal and postpartum care in the United States.
The majority of pregnancy-associated overdose fatalities involved opioids, most notably fentanyl.”
So unacceptable. We are failing big time when it comes to helping and supporting people. I want to be extra upset because it’s moms who’s children are now going to grow up without them, but it’s everyone who is being failed. We can’t continue to ignore how much people are struggling.
Do GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Improve Cardiovascular Health Independently of Weight Loss?
This past week a flurry of articles were published discussing the finding that in addition to weight loss, patients who take GLP-1 receptor agonists were also seeing improvements in their cardiac health and reduction in cardiac events. While it is true, Peter Attia, MD rightfully asks the question whether the cardiac benefits were because of or separate from the weight loss experienced. Weight loss is one of the main ways for a person to reduce their risk for having a major adverse cardiac event (MACE). Excess weight greatly increases the chances of a MACE. As Peter Attia, MD explains, the research thus far does not indicate that the drug (GLP-1) alone, absent excessive weight loss, has any positive effects on cardiovascular health. Something you wouldn’t hear if you were only perusing the mainstream articles.
U.S. Begins Allowing Medicaid Money to Be Spent on Food
This is brilliant and the exact thing I’ve been thinking about recently. The US Govt spends $700B annually on Medicaid. This is for services for people that are already sick. Why not spend that money on food, nutrition counseling and pre-made healthy foods for people that will stop them from getting sick in the first place? That’s what it seems this is beginning to do. Bravo for taking this initial step.
8 of the 10 of the leading causes of death are related to high blood sugar
Sugar is the killer and we’re finally not just waking up to that but it’s gaining attention across the globe and a handful of companies (like Levels who wrote this article, and Calibrate who also monitors glucose levels and metabolic health) are popping up to address it as a result. Sugar is linked to 8 out of 10 of the leading causes of death! That's insane but also promising to know that by limiting just one ingredient from our diets we can make an impactful change towards living happier, healthier lives.
CBS’s 60 Minutes News Segment Was an Unlawful Weight Loss Drug Ad, Physicians’ Complaint Alleges
If you didn’t see the 60 Minutes segment touting the benefits of taking the new GL-P1 weight loss drugs and denying the fact that weight gain has anything to do with lifestyle choices, then you missed a treat. As this physicians’ complaint points out, the segment was nothing more than an advertisement for their sponsor drug Wegovy. It’s sick really. Everyone on this segment got paid to lie about the causes of obesity and what people should do to help themselves. I don’t care what anyone says, it’s sinister to tell people that something like being overweight or obese is out of their control. For sure there are some people who suffer worse than others and who’s body types carry more weight, but to tell people they are helpless against controlling their weight and they should turn to a drug is a drastic disservice to everyone. Everyone that was on this segment should immediately lose their job.
New guidance: Use drugs, surgery early for obesity in kids
This article came out not surprisnginly only days before the 60 Minutes segment. At the risk of being repetitive, telling CHILDREN to seek out medicine and surgery is criminal. Full stop. How about getting healthy food into kids hands and finding ways to educate and promote them on the benefits of taking control of their health early on in life? Not pumping up the healthcare system with future generations of sick children. Its sick.
Food / Food Systems/ Food Policy
Why Does the U.S. Refrigerate Eggs When Much of the World Doesn’t?
This is interesting and something I don’t think many people know. Anywhere (almost) else in the world when you buy eggs they are not refrigerated. In my travels to SE Asia you bought them off the street from a cart that’s baking in the sun.
Politics
'Biggest fraud in a generation': The looting of the Covid relief plan known as PPP
The worst part of how badly our leaders are failing is how it impacts the everyday person. Billions of dollars in tax money flew out the window unchecked because those in power were more concerned with putting a good face on the pandemic and their decision to shut down the economy, that they failed to put any checks in place to make sure money was getting into the right hands. Either that, or our leaders were so frazzled in the heat of the moment that they acted irrationally instead of how we would expect them to act. Steady and unwavering. It infuriates me when I read something like this.
Finance / Personal Finance
A good article in Time about the founder of Uniqlo, Tadashi Yanai, and his message to his home country of Japan. I loved this quote about how to handle failed business ventures: “…the underlying philosophy is to fail rather than fade.” The quote is reminiscent of one we used at work, “fail fast.”
Ranking The Best Passive Income Investments
I’m a long time subscriber to the Financial Samurai. I find his weekly newsletter to be both informative and practical. And I think this post is as well. I’ve been thinking recently about how to redistribute my money into better passive investments and this article was a great help.
The US Housing Market Has Become an Impossible Mess
High interest rates and high prices have led to the “lock in effect” (described in the article). Existing homeowners are afraid to sell and lose their favorable rates, keeping potential inventory off the market and potential buyers on the sidelines. Record high home prices has forced many new potential homeowners sitting idle waiting for something to change. The combination of high interest rates and high home prices has led to the lowest amount of existing home sales in 13 years.
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