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- 23andMe’s Fall, APOE-4 Insights & The App Paying You to Work Out
23andMe’s Fall, APOE-4 Insights & The App Paying You to Work Out
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Welcome to your Friday Newsletter | March 28, 2025
Big moves in health and wellness this week—starting with your DNA. 23andMe just filed for bankruptcy, and yes, your genetic data could be on the table. Meanwhile, new research is drawing a direct line between your gut and your brain—think Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more. There’s also a new app paying people to work out. And if you’ve ever argued high reps vs. low reps on leg day, we’ve got the final answer. Let’s dive in.
What's Inside
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🧬 23andMe Bankruptcy: Is Your Genetic Data Going to the Highest Bidder?
Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
On March 24, 2025, Reuters reported that 23andMe (ME.O) filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. after years of helping millions unlock insights into their genetic health and ancestry. Following the 2023 data breach—where attackers gained access to roughly 7 million customer profiles—demand for the company’s testing kits sharply declined. Due to severe damage to its reputation and ongoing struggles to regain customer trust, stock prices plummeted 📉, and the company eventually settled a $30 million class-action lawsuit.
Now, 23andMe plans to sell its assets (and by assets, we mean its users' personal data). If you've used 23andMe, what does this mean for you?
🛑 Before deleting your data, know that you have the option to download your raw data. In order to request a raw data download, users need to confirm date of birth. Upon filing the initial request, you will need to wait a few days to receive an email confirmation:
Here's how to access and download your raw 23andMe data:
Sign in to your 23andMe account
Go to "Account Settings"
Click "23andMe Data"
Request a "raw data download"
Sign back in to your account.
Go to "Account Settings"
Click "23andMe Data"
Request a “raw data download” (you can request multiple reports at one time):
Reports Summary
Ancestry Composition Data
Family Tree Data
Imputed Genotype Data R6
Phased Genotype Data
Profile Data
Need more? Check out the customer care for 23andMe here.
To remove your personal information, follow these simple steps from 23andMe:
Log in to your account.
Go to "settings"
Scroll to "23andMe data"
Click "view"
Scroll to "delete data"
Click "permanently delete data"
Confirm your request.
🌀Rotating Wellness Spotlight
The APOE-4 Gene: What Your Genetics Are Telling You About Your Alzheimer’s Risk
Scientists pinpointed APOE ε4—a genetic variant linked to Alzheimer’s—as a hidden alarm in your DNA, affecting about 14% of people. But don’t panic: knowing you have APOE ε4 isn’t a prediction, it’s an opportunity. Armed with this knowledge, we can explore targeted lifestyle changes and promising treatments to proactively protect brain health. Want more? Check out simplydished.com/trends
Gut Check: 6 Surprising Ways Your Microbiome Impacts Parkinson’s Disease
Your gut could hold the key to preventing Parkinson's disease, and science just revealed exactly how. Researchers uncovered fascinating links between gut bacteria and nerve health, suggesting simple dietary tweaks might delay or even stop Parkinson's before it starts. Ready to protect your brain? Start by nurturing your microbiome. Check out the article: simplydished.com/trends
📱Health Tech & Biohacking
Get Fit, Get Paid: How Receipts App Turns Workouts Into Shopping Rewards
Receipts, a new fitness rewards app, is redefining how we think about exercise by turning movement into currency. Their mission? To reward consistent physical activity in a world where screen time often overshadows real-world movement.
With the launch of their Collective Moment Series, Receipts is gamifying fitness by introducing monthly challenges centered around specific workout goals—each one featuring a partnered premium brand.
Their slogan, “Consistency is Currency,” says it all. The more you move, the more you earn. Users can connect their Apple Watch, Garmin, Coros, Whoop, and Oura Ring (with more devices coming soon) to track workouts, compete with friends, and even upload photos and videos. The best part? Staying active earns you points that can be redeemed for gift cards to Nike, Lululemon, Vuori, and other premium brands, along with exclusive in-app experiences and perks.
The latest challenge, which launched just five days ago, spotlighted Kelly Slater’s new venture, Freaks of Nature. This company produces Peak Performance Stick, a 100% mineral sunscreen that’s reef-safe and non-toxic to humans and wildlife.
These limited-time drops create major hype by tying fitness challenges to brand launches. But don’t get too comfortable—each challenge comes with new rules, keeping workouts fresh and engaging. It’s like muscle confusion for your motivation, preventing plateaus and keeping you on your toes.
So why not turn your sweat into shopping rewards? Download Receipts and follow them on Instagram (@receipts_xyz) to stay updated on the latest drops. Your health wins, and so does your style.
🏋️♂️Fitness & Performance
Why Science Says 'Hypertrophy Snacks' Could Transform Your Fitness Routine
Wish you had more time for building muscle? Meet your new best friend: hypertrophy snacks—short bursts of resistance training designed to boost muscle growth without lengthy gym sessions. Learn more on simplydished.com/trends
High Reps vs. Low Reps: Which Training Method Builds Stronger Legs?
Which training method gives your legs the edge? A recent study just shook up the strength-training world by comparing traditional high-load workouts (think heavy weights, fewer reps) against trendy low-load sessions paired with blood flow restriction. Read all about it: simplydished.com/trends
🛒 Market & Food Trends
Snack Smart: Our Honest Review of IQ Bars
We’re always on the lookout for clean, high-protein snacks, and IQ Bars just made it to the top of our list. We tried Almond Butter Chip and Chocolate Sea Salt, and we were impressed! Each bar packs 12g of protein, just 1g of sugar, and only 2g of net carbs.
The texture? Think cookie dough with a slight graininess—but honestly, that didn’t bother us. The flavor was spot on, and for once, we’ve found a bar we’d actually stock in our gym bags.
What really sets these bars apart? The brain-boosting ingredients. Each bar contains five key adaptogens: magnesium, lion’s mane, vitamin E, MCTs, and flavonoids. That’s a powerful lineup for both body and mind.
We don’t have a discount code—we’re just fans. If you’re looking for a smart, nutritious snack, check them out: IQ Bars.
That’s it for today. Enjoy the weekend. As always let us know how you like the newsletter. Bye!
