Happy Thursday, Zapien 👋

This week, we're spotlighting magnesium – the unsung hero of minerals. Turns out, it's quietly running the show behind 300+ biochemical reactions, from muscle function to heart health. We'll also explore how it teams up with calcium and vitamin D to supercharge your bone health.

Beyond magnesium, our community's been buzzing about food safety, testosterone levels in athletes, and the latest health tech.

Plus, get a peek into Valentina Asmus' longevity-focused health stack and workout routine. Let's dive in and boost our health together.

Forever,
Karol, Martin, Simon & Andy

This Week’s Highlights

➤ Magnesium: your understated mineral ally
An exploration of magnesium's critical roles in the body, its synergy with calcium and vitamin D, and practical tips for incorporating it into your diet.

➤ WhatsApp Community Highlights
A recap of the week's discussions, including topics on food safety, testosterone levels in athletes, low energy issues, privacy concerns in genetic testing, and trends in health technology.

➤ Community Health Stack
Featuring Valentina Asmus, her workout routine, health stack, and contributions to the Life Summit 2025.

➤ This Week’s Top 10 Trending Brands
The 10 most reviewed and trusted brands by the New Zapiens community.

Magnesium: your understated mineral ally

Ever catch yourself feeling a bit drained—mentally or physically—and wonder if there’s some silent nutrient hero you’re missing out on? Enter magnesium, an essential mineral quietly powering more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body (yes, that many!). Although it’s often overshadowed by flashier nutrients like calcium or vitamin D, magnesium is a sort of behind-the-scenes influencer in the realm of health, helping to regulate muscle and nerve functions, manage blood glucose, and even keep our hearts ticking regularly. Below, we’ll explore what magnesium does, where to find it, how supplements might help, and some practical tips you can adopt right now. Of course, bear in mind that not everything is set in stone (research keeps evolving!), so it’s always wise to combine curiosity with a healthy dash of skepticism.

A quick look at magnesium’s many roles

Synergy with calcium and vitamin D
Magnesium has a fascinating partnership with calcium and vitamin D. In fact, these nutrients operate like a well-rehearsed trio when it comes to bone health. Evidence suggests that higher magnesium intake links to enhanced bone mineral density, potentially lowering the risk of osteoporosis. So, if you’re already chugging milk for calcium or standing in the sun for vitamin D, it might be worth adding magnesium-rich foods—or a thoughtful supplement strategy—into the mix.

WhatsApp Group Summary

Discussion on Food Safety and Trans Fats

Hein raised concerns about trans fats in an oat bar, questioning its legality in the EU and seeking advice on its safety. Tessa noted that trans fats aren't required on labels in Germany, comparing the bar to a chocolate bar in terms of nutritional value.

Nicole recommended avoiding such bars due to unhealthy ingredients and suggested alternatives like homemade protein balls or Nakd bars for on-the-go snacks.

Greta suggested that consuming the bar occasionally is okay but advised against regular purchase. She recommended consuming good oils to balance the intake.

Nicole emphasized the misleading marketing of such products and advocated for simpler snacks with fewer ingredients, highlighting the importance of making informed choices.

Exploring Testosterone Levels in Athletes

SebC discussed testosterone challenges faced by ultra cyclists, seeking solutions and experiences with Ashwagandha. Sandra provided testing options, highlighting saliva and blood tests, while noting the complexity of hormone interactions.

Sandra advised against casually altering hormone levels without diagnostics, emphasizing natural methods like stress reduction and supplements like Zinc and Maca.

Sil and Sandra discussed the impact of stress on testosterone, suggesting monitoring HRV as an indirect measure. Sandra explained the 'steal phenomenon' where cortisol production affects testosterone synthesis.

Basti suggested the AMS Test for assessing symptoms of low testosterone, while Robin pointed to available testing services in Hamburg.

Addressing Low Energy and Functional Medicine

Ori Raz sought recommendations for a functional medicine doctor in Berlin due to ongoing low energy issues. Florian suggested checking testosterone and iron levels, but Ori noted these were already tested.

Nicole and Heiko suggested exploring breathing patterns and vitamin levels as potential causes. Ori acknowledged past COVID-like symptoms but remained unsure if they were connected.

Karina and others discussed the possibility of long COVID as a factor for Ori's symptoms, with Ori reflecting on inconsistent symptom intensity over time.

Ori thanked the group for insights and expressed intent to explore further, demonstrating the community's collaborative problem-solving approach.

Privacy Concerns in Genetic Testing Services

Ana Lorena Gomez shared concerns about 23andMe's bankruptcy and potential data access issues. Mr. M expressed apprehension about privacy breaches despite California's Consumer Privacy Act.

Rita Quintana advised downloading and deleting personal data from such services, highlighting past instances where data was sold without consent.

Oushesh suggested using genetic data for research through federated learning models, emphasizing a need for cultural shifts in data usage.

Rita lamented the loss of 23andMe's user-friendly interface but stressed that individuals should host their genomic data to ensure privacy.

Emerging Trends in Health Technology

Rita Quintana inquired about new health services like Mito Health emerging in the US, with Tom Lokenvitz sharing positive experiences using their services from Singapore.

Discussion highlighted the regulatory differences in health tech between the US and Europe, with Fabian Wucher noting stricter European laws impacting service availability.

Max mentioned 'Lifestyle Medicine' as a term for functional medicine in Europe, which Ori found intriguing yet fitting.

Participants exchanged views on various health tech services' scalability and the need for personalized medical advice amidst technological growth.

Community Health Stack

Valentina Asmus

Always passionate about sports, from a mix of strength training and yoga to boxing in earlier years, I turned my personal enthusiasm for health and optimization into a career. As the VP of Marketing & Sales for the Life Summit 2025 (May 27–28 in Berlin), I am helping to create a unique event in the field of longevity. The Life Summit is the central hub for trends and innovations around a long and healthy life. Together, we’re driving change and shaping the future.

Member Stats

• Level 1
• 625 Points
• 11 Reviews

Valentina’s Trusted Brands

Valentina’s Health Routine

• 2x Yoga per week

• 3x Strength training, including body weight exercises

• Ideally, fresh celery juice daily, with lemon, turmeric, barley grass, and a pinch of pepper

• 1 minute cold shower every day

• Daily facial massages/face yoga, including shoulders and neck

• I pay a lot of attention to staying hydrated and always carry a water bottle with me

This Week’s Top 10 Trending Brands

Ways to Collaborate