Do you sleep like a dolphin or a bear?

Matcha Nation has recently been rocked by claims that everyone’s favorite fancy green tea is directly tied to hair loss. The truth? Not no. 

Hair health isn’t just about the shiny and the bouncy (though, yes, that too). It signals what else is going on in our bodies.

For matcha lovers, their caffeine fix is high in tannins — an antioxidant that can prevent cell damage, but can also block your body’s ability to absorb iron. And, iron is (you guessed it) a key nutrient for hair growth. Other factors — like genetics, stress, and hormone swings — play a huge role. 

Case in point: Last year, after months of hair loss, I asked doctors for advice. One shrugged it off, but my derm (shoutout Dr. Weiser) ran a blood test. Turns out, I have a thyroid condition that’s easily managed… just not so easily diagnosed.

If you, like me, are always looking for more info on the hair-to-health connection, here’s the latest…

• Sorry, my hair wants how much protein every day?

• While you’re adding chicken to your grocery cart, grab these 11 other iron-rich items to super-charge hair growth.

• There is such a thing as a “trichologist,” and they have expert tips on managing postpartum hair loss. 

• Here’s something I wish I’d known before spending all that money on biotin supplements. 

• The bad news? You should be washing your hairbrush. The good news? It’s really easy. Here’s how.

–– Kate “Letting My Baby Hairs Fly” Preziosi, editor  

PS: We asked an expert about how to manage thinning hair in your 30s. Keep scrolling…

Are you a dolphin or a bear? Take the sleep type quiz.

How fast can you open a jar of pickles? This has to do with longevity.

Your high school classmate who loves raw milk and measles parties is posting about “terrain theory.” Here’s why.

If you want to get your heart rate up, but you’re allergic to jumping jacks and battle ropes, meet the “Pilates burpee.”

Ballerina Farm is expanding her sourdough-starter empire… and her first store opening is stirring up some serious local drama.

People not in high school are microdosing accutane for one-off breakouts... but does it work?

The so-called “King Kong” of GLP-1s is making its way through clinical trials... and a new type of customer is cutting the line.

Rachel Sennott shouted them out on the red carpet. Robert Downey Jr. credited them in an awards speech. And, those who self-identify as “gigglers” have heard they’re key to calming a panic attack before you go on stage. 

Sorry, what are we talking about? Beta blockers. Specifically, propranolol. Prescriptions are up almost 30% in the past five years.

I’ve heard. Explain? Propranolol works by blocking adrenaline from hijacking your nervous system. This slows down your heart rate and steadies your blood pressure. Officially, these meds are used to treat heart conditions. Off-label, people take them to manage high-stress situations like public speaking. 

What don’t they do? Beta blockers calm the physical symptoms of anxiety — the racing heart, the sweat, the flush — but not the thoughts racing in your head.

Are there side effects? Cold hands and feet, fatigue, sleep disruptions, dizziness, and potentially serious interactions with other medications.

If You're Curious:

• Beware the questionnaire. It’s extremely easy to get propranolol from online pharmacies by gaming questionnaires, without talking to a provider. Here’s just one reason why you absolutely need face time first.

• Consider your health history. This new study changes everything doctors thought they knew about beta blockers as a first-line treatment for women with heart disease. 

• All anxiety is not equal. There’s situational anxiety, there’s generalized anxiety, there are anxiety disorders. And beta blockers are not one size fits all.

• A heartbreak cure? Scientists are exploring whether beta blockers could ease PTSD symptoms… and even help you through a painful breakup. 

FEATURED EXPERT:

Ross Kopelman

Hair Transplant Surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration

A: "When I evaluate a patient, I always start with a medical workup to check things like iron, vitamin D, and thyroid function. I want to be sure we’re not missing something underlying that’s correctable. 

As for supplements, I tell my patients they can help if there’s a deficiency, but they aren’t a cure-all. If your body needs more iron or protein, replacing that makes a real difference. But no supplement will overcome unchecked stress or a thyroid imbalance.

So if you’re in your 30s and noticing more hair in the shower drain, don’t panic but don’t ignore it either. I see hair as an early warning sign from the body. With the right evaluation and plan, most women can slow or even reverse that shedding.”

PS: Here are some hair-growth treatments that docs say actually work.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BANK OF AMERICA’S BETTER MONEY HABITS^®

Under Pressure

Between expensive group trips and all the skincare "must-haves" on your social feed, the pressure to keep up can quietly chip away at your budget. That’s where Bank of America’s Better Money Habits^® comes in. They offer advice on everything from overspending to financial peer pressure. Their guidance? Start by identifying your spending triggers (hint: it might be less about what’s in your cart and more about how you feel when you fill it). Then, set up simple guardrails that work for you, like deactivating one-click buying or instituting a 24-hour cool-off period. Ready for more money guidance? Start here.

When Your Usual Stretch Isn’t Cutting It

Even if you never skip your stretch routine, your muscles may still feel stiff and sore. That’s because it can be hard to reach your fascia: The thin layer of connective tissue that keeps everything in your body gliding and supported.

Enter: a fascia-focused course led by expert and medical exercise specialist Erin Tietz. She’ll walk you through simple moves designed to unlock more mobility, ease tension, and hit “reset” on your posture.

The Course Includes: 

• Easy fascia activations

• Posture refreshers

• Muscle-tension relief tricks

Think of it as a “thank you” to your spine. This course is pay what you want. Learn more here.