Today’s Unhealthy News Update pulls together some of the biggest stories in physical health, diet, exercise, relationships, mindset, and mental health. 

Valentine’s Day and Dating Apps: A Mental‑Health Minefield

• Full story at Global Dating Insights

Happy Couples Savor the Small Stuff

• Read more on ScienceDaily

Group Exercise Boosts Mental Health — and It’s Cost‑Effective

• Read the full story at Psychiatrist.com

New U.S. Nutrition Guidance: Still the Same Core Message

• More from the AHA

Health Policy Watch: Beyond “One Disease at a Time”

• Read more at KevinMD

Intermittent Fasting Shows Promise for Crohn’s Disease

• Full coverage at Healthline

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

Nancy shares how her marriage, subsequent divorce, and her grandmother’s final days in hospice forced her to confront unhealthy coping, heavy drinking, and the fear of repeating childhood patterns in front of her kids. She talks about her grandmother’s journey from an unschooled girl in El Salvador to a beloved businesswoman and community anchor, and how those roots inspired Nancy to use her voice and multiply the blessings she was given. They also touch on the power of being still (with a nod to Psalms 46:10), the mental side of letting loved ones go, and the quiet suffering that comes from staying in situations just to protect the status quo.

Takeaways: 

• Painful seasons (like divorce and grief) can position you to show up more fully for the people who need you most.
• You may only recognize you were “right where you were supposed to be” after the storm has passed.
• Staying in a relationship, job, or role just to protect others’ feelings can lead to silent suffering for everyone involved.
• Unhealthy coping—like heavy drinking—can be a signal that your life feels out of control and something deeper needs to change.
• Asking “What am I avoiding?” can reveal the exact things keeping you stuck in the wrong situation.
• Families sometimes need to give loved ones permission to let go at the end of life so they don’t suffer longer than necessary.
• Being still—rather than constantly distracting yourself—creates space to see what’s really important now.

MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

Nancy shares how being a single mom, starting a business, and caring for her sick grandmother forced her to ask, “What matters most right now?” and to choose capacity over hustle for the sake of her mental health and nervous system. Marv offers his own framework from a Lou Holtz story—WIN: “What’s Important Now”—and explains how that guides his choices when work collides with caring for his mom and other family responsibilities. The conversation becomes a real-time example of prioritizing stress management, emotional health, and boundaries over non-stop productivity.

Takeaways

• You can’t take care of everyone else if you never put your own “oxygen mask” on first.​
• It’s okay—and sometimes necessary—to step back from business growth and focus on survival and capacity.​
• “What’s Important Now” is a powerful filter for making decisions when work and family collide.​
• Listening to your body when it demands rest is a crucial health habit.​
• Unresolved grief and fear of loss can keep you stuck in unhealthy partnerships and coping strategies.​
• It’s possible to look back on hard decisions without regret, recognizing that you did the best you could with what you knew.​
• Part of healing is growing your capacity to hold more without collapsing—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

Nancy Henriquez returns to the Unhealthy Podcast to share how she went from “girl with a thousand tattoos” to business owner, coach, and woman in deep transition. She opens up about removing meaningful tattoos, facing divorce, walking with her grandmother through cancer, and still trying to keep the professional plates spinning.

Why Listen

• Hear the real emotional story behind tattoo regret and removal.
• Learn how identity can get tangled up in ink, titles, and external validation.
• Understand what it’s like to grieve a grandparent while working and parenting.
• Get perspective on imposter syndrome as you grow professionally.
• See how breaking family cycles and reconnecting with roots can happen at the same time.

MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

Discover why new global research shows diet causes 90% of obesity rises, not inactivity—learn how to prioritize food for weight loss on the Unhealthy Podcast. Explore the 2026 U.S. measles outbreak with 700+ cases in low-vax areas and urgent CDC vaccine calls. Uncover fitness peaks in your 30s and simple habits adding healthy years.

1. Diet vs. exercise Which really drives obesity?

https//www.science.org/content/article/new-study-blames-diet-not-physical-inactivity-obesity-crisis

2. Small daily changes can add years to your life

https//medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-small-physical-diet-ed-longer.html

3. Measles are surging in the U.S. and the Americas

https//www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

4. Fitness and strength start to fade surprisingly early

https//medicalxpress.com/releases/2026/01/small-physical-diet-ed-longer.html

5. Relationships can be as powerful as quitting smoking

https//www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/health-checklist-january-2026-rcna251514

6. Fiber and gut‑friendly eating are now medical‑grade advice

https//health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/top-health-and-nutrition-trends-for-2026

7. Ultra‑processed foods are ed to higher death risk

https//prenuvo.com/blog/11-exploding-health-trends-you-may-see-in-2026

8. Men’s mental‑health stigma is slowly breaking

https//americanbehavioralclinics.com/mens-mental-health-in-2026-breaking-silence-and-building-strength/

9. Workplace mental‑health support is shifting to continuous care

https//www.springhealth.com/blog/2026-mental-health-trends-for-your-workplace

10. Youth mental‑health support systems are under threat

https//jedfoundation.org/anticipated-youth-mental-health-trends-in-2026/

11. Fast, simple workouts are beating marathon‑style cardio

https//www.goldsgym.com/blog/2026-fitness-trends/

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

Tired of "eat less, move more" lies leaving you exhausted? Diana Feinstein drops truth bombs on protein-powered midlife hacks that fuel your hustle, not fight it.

Why Listen

• Protein every 2-3 hours stabilizes glucose, sharpens focus
• Diagnostic intelligence brief maps your 168-hour habits
• Clean energy mindset: "I get to" beats shame
• North Star vision unlocks business-boosting capacity

Contact Diana for the Couples Diagnsotic we talked about: https://bit.ly/4tmoGEC

Mentioned on the Show

• Max Pact Health: https://www.maxpacthealth.com
• Oikos Triple Zero Pro: https://www.oikos.com/all-products/triple-zero/
• Cauliflower pizza: https://ifoodreal.com/cauliflower-pizza-crust/
• Two-week couples diagnostic: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTvKDUGE4l1/

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

This episode centers on how connection and community shape both workplace culture and personal wellbeing. Lori Saitz shares how she helps companies use internal podcasts to improve communication and build culture, while also telling her story of moving from digital nomad life to creating a grounded, community-focused life in Charlotte. Gratitude, intentional relationships, and honest storytelling run through the whole conversation, from leadership communication to personal health.

Top Takeaways

• Internal podcasts act as a modern replacement for company newsletters and sporadic town halls, giving leaders a direct, human way to communicate with employees.
• Lori’s “core four” focus—culture, communication, connection, and community—guides short, weekly 15‑minute internal episodes that employees can easily consume.
• These internal shows are especially powerful for midsize companies and distributed teams (remote workers, people in trucks, manufacturing staff) who can’t always attend live meetings.
• Gratitude and grounding practices can be woven into workplace content, helping people reset before or after stressful meetings and stay more centered.
• Lori’s own shift from nomading to settling in Charlotte highlights the importance of intentionally building community and creating a “nest” for emotional health.
• Relationships change as people grow; part of staying healthy and authentic is accepting when certain friendships are no longer aligned.
• Social connection and a sense of purpose are major contributors to longevity and wellbeing, often outweighing purely nutritional or medical factors.

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

If you’ve been wondering which health headlines actually matter for your day-to-day life, this episode connects the dots in plain English.

=== 

U.S. Life Expectancy Hits New Record

• Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-01-30/u-s-life-expectancy-hits-record-high-as-death-rates-fall-nationwide

Exercise Can Work as Well as Therapy for Depression

• Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225516.htm

Tiny “Exercise Snacks” Show Big Heart Benefits

• Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00237-0

Nature Plus Movement: A Powerful Mental Health Combo

• Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-nature-daily-life-linked-mental.html

Early Blood Test Shows Promise for Pancreatic Cancer

• Source: https://www.nih.gov/news-events

Alcohol Use Tied to Higher Colon Cancer Risk

• Source: https://abcnews.go.com/health

Why Some People Get Bad Colds and Others Don’t

• Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/top/health/

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

The new 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans urge people to center meals on real, minimally processed foods and water while cutting back on ultra-processed products, added sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol.

=== Read more: https://linkly.link/2Z0R5

A 30-year study of over 116,000 adults shows that doing around 2–4 times the recommended weekly exercise greatly lowers overall and heart disease–related death risk, especially at 300–600 minutes of moderate or 150–300 minutes of vigorous activity per week.

=== Read more: https://linkly.link/2Z0R5

A BBC-highlighted analysis finds that mixing cardio, strength training, and other activities delivers more complete physical and mental health benefits than relying on just one favorite workout.

=== Read more: https://linkly.link/2Z0R9

The 5-3-1 rule, created by sociologist Kalsey Killam, frames social connection as a health habit by encouraging one meaningful interaction per day, three social activities per week, and five intentional connections per month to reduce loneliness and boost emotional health.

=== Read more: https://linkly.link/2Z0RA

A new gut health study suggests that replacing the gut microbiota in older intestines can make tissues act younger, implying that gut bacteria play a role in age-related decline and that people should prioritize fiber-rich, less ultra-processed diets over unproven “miracle” probiotics and drastic interventions.

=== Read more: https://linkly.link/2Z0RB

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/

Marv lays the foundation for the show’s focus this year. Instead of starting with diets, gym memberships, or sugar detoxes, he kicks things off with mindset and happiness, drawing from a research-based article on the seven secrets to happiness.

You’ll hear how tiny, everyday choices—checking in with a friend, taking a short walk outside, pausing to enjoy a quiet meal, or volunteering in a way that matters to you—slowly “upgrade” your happiness sources. The episode wraps with a powerful reminder: if your life feels miserable, your health plan doesn’t stand a chance, so your job is to find one way to be happy on purpose and let your health grow from there.

=== Takeaways 

• Hear why happiness should come before diets, macros, or gym memberships.
• Understand the difference between pleasure and purpose, and why purpose drives long-term well-being.
• Learn seven research-backed happiness habits, from relationships to mindfulness.
• Discover how small interactions beat doom scrolling for your mood and stress levels.
• Get simple, low-cost experiments you can try this week to feel better.
• See how movement in short bursts can shift your brain chemistry without living at the gym.
• Learn how savoring tiny good moments retrains your brain to notice what’s working.
• Hear practical examples of aligning your life with your values—service, growth, creativity, and more.
• Understand how basic mindfulness and loving-kindness practices reduce stress and build resilience.
• Walk away with a clear, realistic way to “be happy on purpose” in everyday life.

=== Mentioned entities with URLs

• Article – “Seven Secrets to Happiness Based on Scientific Research”: https://linkly.link/2X4Bh
• 14,000 Things to Be Happy About (Book): https://amzn.to/4qzIFOJ

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item

• Item Title: Healthy Eating
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P
• Author Username: CrazyTunes
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast
• License Date: January 3rd, 2026
• Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W

=== Show Information

Website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarv

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/