🦠 Hidden bacteria, peanut allergies, Ozempic

Happy Friday my friend,

Have you ever seen a “water bridge?” Clever Dutch engineering and water management (in a country that’s mostly beneath sea level) allows tall ships to sail directly over this road! ⛵

ECL TRIVIA: What percentage of Earth's land area is covered by deserts? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🍄 MACRO MUSHROOMS: I’ve never seen photos of most of these beautiful fungi species, photographed super close-up in Australia and beyond, so I couldn’t wait to share this with you, too! See photographer Stephen Axford’s mycology magic here.

🦭 DUGONG RETURN: Have you heard of the dugong? It’s a close relative of the manatee, eats solely seagrass, and is extremely sensitive to environmental changes. This quick clip of a baby dugong sighting in Indonesia is offering hope to researchers who’ve been fighting for seagrass and dugong conservation for years. To learn more about sustainable tourism and the importance of coordinated conservation strategies, click here.

🧊 FROZEN LIFE: Is there a new life source frozen in the Arctic Ocean? A new discovery shows nitrogen fixation is indeed occurring, when until now, nitrogen was “thought to be in short supply in the Arctic.” In fact, it’s “being quietly cycled and replenished back into the system even under ice.” Understand more about this new chapter of Arctic ice with charts, maps, and explanations.

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

🥜 PEANUT ALLERGY AVOIDED: Good news! Early introduction of peanuts in infancy is paying off. New research reveals 60k kids have avoided developing peanut allergies since the 2015 guidelines began recommending “introducing the allergen to infants starting as early as 4 months,” instead of after age 3.

🤖 AI IN EMERGENCY ROOMS: Northwestern U scientists have developed this AI tool that can accurately “identify children at high risk for sepsis (and sepsis shock) within 48 hours, so they can receive early preemptive care,” according to their study published in JAMA Pediatrics last week.

💊 YOU ARE WHAT YOU TAKE: Your gut flora and brain may be impacted more than you think by ingesting certain prescription medications. A large Estonian study discovered the gut microbiome can be changed by antibiotics, antidepressants, and even cold meds, in some cases lasting years after taking the prescription, saying that out of the 186 drugs that were tested, “89.8% were linked to at least one microbial effect.”

Not on Ozempic? You still need this hormone working for you

You’ve probably heard about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® — and the buzz around their weight-loss effects. But here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough: GLP-1 is actually one of the body’s key hormones for regulating blood sugar, appetite, and energy — and keeping it in balance is important for everyone, not just those trying to lose weight.

When blood sugar swings up and down, it can lead to:

• Afternoon energy crashes and brain fog

• Intense sugar cravings

• Mood swings and irritability

• Sleep disruptions

• Long-term metabolic strain – chronic stress on the body that can be a major contributor to many chronic conditions

That’s why supporting healthy GLP-1 levels naturally can make such a difference in daily life — helping you stay energized, focused, and more mentally sharp all day long.

I started taking GLP-1 Up capsules from Ora, a plant-based supplement designed to support your body’s own GLP-1 production — no injections, no synthetics, no nasty side effects. It combines four patented fruit extracts, each at clinically studied doses:

• Eriomin® Lemon – supports GLP-1 and healthy inflammation response

• Reducose® Mulberry – helps smooth post-meal glucose spikes

• Morosil® Blood Orange – supports fat metabolism and waist measurement reduction

• Feiolix® Feijoa – promotes balanced blood sugar and gut health

👉 Explore GLP-1 Up here — I take it daily with lunch.
👉 ECL Readers get 25% off your first bottle

👉 Start supporting your body’s natural GLP-1 today

Photo of the week

Trivia Answer:

About 33% (one-third). Deserts are defined by their low precipitation levels rather than temperature, and they cover a significant portion of Earth's surface.

🎥 Gut Health - from Functional Medicine Dietician

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