low sperm count ails?
what TikTok is selling may actually work
Good morning. It’s almost Friday. Hang in there Buttercups.
In semi-related Running On Butter news, my parents bought sheep. Their names are Leah, Rachel, Mary, and Martha. If those seem random, read the Bible. My dad has fully embraced his new role as a shepherd. His algorithm is now all sheep content. He’s like the 21st-century David. (Again, Bible.)
Shilajit for testosterone: I was talking with my friend yesterday and he asked me to look into shilajit for testosterone. Apparently it’s been all over his TikTok feed making bold claims about boosting male fertility.
Shilajit is tough to categorize. It’s not a plant, not a fungi. It’s a tar-like, mineral-rich goo that seeps from Himalayan rocks. Very weird. Very oozy. It’s been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.
To my surprise, the TikTok hype around male fertility is actually pretty well-founded. In one study, clinically infertile men were given shilajit daily. After 90 days, their total sperm count increased by 61%. Dang. The bizarre mountain goo puts in the work.
That said, shilajit can come with a heavy metal problem. Some samples have been found to contain high levels of lead and other contaminants, which is less exciting. Some brands do test for heavy metals, so definitely aim for one that’s been purified and verified. High sperm count is great. Lead poisoning? Less so.
When it comes to men’s fertility… It’s tempting to reach for a supplement to optimize or fix the problem. But more often than not, removing the right things can be far more effective than adding anything new.
Soda and energy drinks, processed and fast food, microplastics, and hormone-disrupting chemicals in men’s grooming products are all actively sabotaging sperm health.
I’m not anti-supplement. But if you really want to get to the root of low testosterone or sperm count, you’ve got to ask the harder question: What’s causing it in the first place?
Speaking of sperm count: There’s a great NYT’s piece on finasteride, a pharmaceutical hair-loss drug that, it turns out, can cause a serious drop in sperm count.
Great hair is obviously a basic human right. But at the cost of fertility? That’s the moral dilemma of all moral dilemmas. No judgment.
J.Crew is making pasta: One of many food x fashion moments I suspect we’ll be seeing more of in the future. I sorta love it.
The protein train continues: Dairy farmers used to discard whey as a byproduct of cheesemaking. But now it’s a major source of profit for many American dairymen. I love seeing the growing emphasis on getting enough protein.
That said, the NYT’s recent photos from inside the whey industry reminded me of something: most packaged foods labeled “high in protein” or “good source of protein” are far from ideal. The protein is often denatured (ineffective) due to the extensive processing.
The best protein comes from whole, nature-made foods. The kind that don’t need a marketing campaign. A steak isn’t out here bragging about its high protein content. So yes, eat protein. But be wary of the word “protein” when grocery shopping.
Protein-rich foods to eat:
Meat
Eggs (please don’t remove the yolk!)
Yogurt
Milk
I took a pill on Ibiza: The Spanish party island’s health system is overwhelmed by club drugs, with 70% of emergency medical calls related to party drug use. With $20 cocktails at the clubs, drugs are seen as “a more affordable alternative to alcohol on what can be an expensive night out,” per the NYT. Good times on a budget. Frugal girl summer. Love that.
President Trump says American Coke will be moving back to cane sugar:
AI in dating apps isn’t landing with Gen Z: Like virtually every other facet of life, dating apps have rushed to integrate AI. There are now tools to help you strike up a conversation with someone you find attractive. But according to a Bloomberg study, Gen Z isn’t into it. Can you imagine needing AI to craft your Hinge opener?
“what’s up girl”
AI Chat Box: ***Would you like me to write that in a more sarcastic, flirty, or emotionally available tone?***
Thank you for rejecting this, aGen Z. Now go do something truly radical: ask a pretty girl out. In person. Face to face. Like it’s 1995.
TikTok delivering valuable truth to the American public once again!
I am curious about how you would pronounce "shilajit." Interesting word, but cool to learn something new. Running on Butter never fails in delivering helpful health advice while also keeping things humorous. Though the cane sugar may be better in the Coke's still concerned about the sugar content and whatever else they put in there. Also, Gen Z rejecting AI in dating apps shows that we aren't all that bad. Proud moment!