TODAY'S AJENDA #100

Today's Ajenda

• Dose of Honesty: I wish I didn't have to write this

• Symptom Solutions: The Biggest Myth About Menopausal Hair Loss

• Community: Sometimes the Strongest Move is Rest

• Chicken Pick-Me-Up Recipe

My (long) fuse got lit last week. 

Learning what was happening within my own professional community left me angry, repulsed, and deeply disillusioned. If you’re feeling some version of that too, that reaction is valid and appropriate. 

Part of me wanted to unread what I learned about Peter Attia and his involvement with Epstein, to shield this precious community from something so disturbing. There’s a balance we have to hold. We need to protect our energy and be mindful of what and how much we consume. Our brains aren’t wired to process information this way. At the same time, there are moments when silence isn’t neutral. Though I am a big believer in ‘staying in our lane(s)’, I finally felt that I had an obligation to use my platform and my voice to speak about something critically important, not just for women, but for medicine, and for all of us. 

Even though I am no longer under contract with the #1 network in the country (ABC), having a national platform for nearly two decades carries real responsibility, especially when the issues at hand directly affect your health and trust in medicine. I take that responsibility seriously, and I would never jeopardize the trust you have placed in me.

Having a public platform for so long changes you. It gives you reach, yes, but it also gives you a kind of moral responsibility you don’t get to opt out of. And this particular event makes staying quiet feel like a betrayal of everything I’ve spent my career standing for.

I’m not trying to be loud or dramatic. I’m trying to be honest. Medicine, at its best, is about humility, respect, and care for real people — not branding, not power, not proximity to fame. Watching those values get chipped away, normalized, or waved off as “not a big deal” has been genuinely painful.

What I want is simple: for people to pause before they outsource their trust. To remember that influence isn’t the same thing as integrity, and credentials alone don’t equal character. I want the profession I love to feel worth defending again, and for patients to feel protected, not marketed to.

Speaking up isn’t comfortable. It’s not fun. But silence feels worse. And I’d rather be clear about where I stand than make peace with something that doesn’t sit right in my bones. That’s why I’m saying something and hoping to empower you with things to look for before you put something as valuable as your health in anyone else’s hands.  

The important lessons: 

1. Credentials matter. Taking medical advice from someone who never completed residency or earned board certification is inherently risky. Training and certification exist to protect patients, not to pad résumés and pockets.

2. Ethics are fundamental. Medicine requires a moral compass grounded in respect for all people and, as outlined in the Hippocratic Oath, a commitment never to let financial gain drive care. When that standard is violated, especially through degrading language or conduct, trust in the profession erodes.

3. Morality clauses matter. Network contracts include them for a reason. When behavior that undermines professional integrity is tolerated, it sends a troubling message about what standards are actually being upheld. Referring to women’s body parts in vulgar and defamatory language reveals a side of a person that should not be tolerated when that person is a physician.  A higher standard should be applied, and behavior and language should be professional ALL THE TIME, not only when people are watching.  I feel so strongly about this and Peter Attia’s repulsive demonstrations of the exact opposite that I will not appear on any CBS or Paramount platform while he is still under contract with CBS News.

4. Professionalism is demonstrated, not declared. For nearly 18 years, I’ve cared for patients across the socioeconomic spectrum, providing treatment because it was needed, not because it was lucrative or advantageous. That is what medicine is meant to be. When influence replaces integrity, the profession itself begins to erode.

Bottom line: do your homework before you take anyone’s advice. Popularity is not proof of ethics. Followers are not credentials. And when someone shows you who they are, believe them.

You see it in the mirror.
You feel it in the shower.
You notice it on your sweater, 

Hair loss.

In midlife, it’s rarely just one thing causing your part to widen, hairline to recede, or your volume to thin out. For me, it was a perfect storm: menopause, stress, not eating enough protein, years of heat styling, and decades of highlighting. The thinning, breakage, dullness, and slower growth felt like something I was supposed to accept (and my faux-po felt like my only solution). 

But I wasn’t ready to just accept it. 

Once I understood what my hair actually needed, starting with nutritional support felt like the most logical next step. And for most well-meaning (and perhaps a little desperate) women, turn to hair supplements.

Here’s what most people get wrong: more biotin is not better.

The fact is, most women are not biotin-deficient. And once your needs are met, taking more biotin does not equal more hair growth.

Biotin (vitamin B7) supports keratin production and helps convert food into energy. The National Institutes of Health recommends just 30 mcg per day for adults. Many hair and nail supplements have over 3,000 mcg of biotin. 

Why this matters: 

High doses of biotin can backfire.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that megadoses of biotin can interfere with lab tests, including thyroid panels and even cardiac troponin tests used to diagnose heart attacks. High doses have also been linked to breakouts, cystic acne, and digestive discomfort in some people. 

What I use: 

Wellbel* was the first thing that really moved the needle for me. Last August, I was convinced to try it after spending time with Wellbel’s founder, Dr. Daniel Yadegar, a cardiologist with advanced fellowships in functional medicine. I was impressed by Wellbel’s formulations, which replace biotin megadoses (and their side effects) with thoughtfully crafted supplements just for perimenopausal and menopausal women.

Wellbel has a conscious, plant-based formulation with a low dose of 500 mcg of biotin, formulated with 3 key ingredients, for optimal hair growth, fullness, and shine. The part I love most: it’s made specifically for perimenopausal and post menopausal women experiencing hair loss.

1. Methylsulfonylmethane (OptiMSM®): A natural anti-inflammatory precursor of keratin and collagen; strengthens the structure and resilience of hair, skin, and nails.

2. Saw Palmetto: Helps reduce hair follicle shrinkage and shedding by mitigating the impact of DHT.

3. Betaine HCl: Optimizes nutrient absorption by supporting stomach acid levels, critical for breaking down and utilizing hair-healthy vitamins and minerals.

Wellbel’s Women+ formula also includes a few additional targeted ingredients for overall hair health from the inside out.   

• K2: supports metabolic bone health and scalp health.

• Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene): Supports scalp and skin health by promoting normal cell turnover and mucous membrane integrity.

• Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): Helps maintain healthy hair follicles through cell regulation and immune function.

• Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate): Aids in cell division and new tissue formation, essential for active hair follicle growth.

• Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin): Promotes red blood cell production and nutrient delivery to hair follicles, working with folate for cell regeneration.

• Selenium (Selenium Glycinate Complex): Offers antioxidant protection and supports normal hair and nail maintenance through cellular defense.

Wellbel’s hair, skin, and nail supplements are a comprehensive approach that gives aging hair exactly what it needs, without additional fluff and harmful fillers. 

My results: 

Six months ago, I committed to taking Wellbel daily and being consistent. No panic buying, no supplement hopping, just a steady, easy routine. I also decided to discontinue my prescription Minoxidil, because, while it was effective, it does come with some side effects like water retention that I don’t love.

The first thing I noticed was short hairs sticking out near my hairline. I assumed it was breakage. But then seeing the same growth pattern at the top of my head made it clear it was new hair, and that was a moment of real joy.

• Less shedding

• Fewer hairs on my clothes, brushes, and in the shower

• Visible new growth along my hairline and crown

• My hair feels stronger and more hydrated

And maybe the biggest shift? I’ve stopped being depressed over it.

This isn’t about chasing perfect hair or quick fixes.  Hair supplements can take 3-6 months to see meaningful results, and while I saw changes after just one month, I know that consistency is key for me! 

Wellbel Women+ was my game-changer.  If you know me, you know that I can tend towards the, um, melodramatic, at times. So I want to share some comments from Ajenda Wellness Experiment members that tell it like it is (without drama or hyperbole!).

Wellbel has kindly extended a 15% discount to all Ajenda readers. Use the code Ajenda15 for 15% off plus FREE shipping. Or, sign up for a quarterly subscription to take an ADDITIONAL 20% off! 

Note: If you already take another supplement, take caution before just adding Wellbel (or any supplement. Supplement stacking has a risk of getting too much of a good thing. Take one hair supplement at a time. 

This week I’m (finally) recovering from RSV, which has been a humbling reminder that even when you prioritize sleep, strength training, and nutrition, you’re still human. There was no “powering through” this illness; in fact, I haven’t been so sick since my first round of COVID. So instead, I’ve been leaning into rest, fluids, and patience, and thinking a lot about how best to support my body. Although exercise was out of the question for me for a full week (which is torture for me personally), I still think it’s important to understand if you should exercise when sick, or when to return to it after illness. Here’s what the science actually says about working out when sick.

There are peer-reviewed studies on exercise and immune function. Decades of research, including a well-known review in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, describe what’s often called a “J-shaped curve.” Moderate, regular exercise is associated with a lower risk of upper respiratory infections. But very intense or prolonged exercise can temporarily suppress certain aspects of immune function, especially in already stressed or fatigued individuals.

A systematic review in the Cochrane Database looked at randomized trials comparing exercise vs. no exercise during acute respiratory infections (like the common cold). The evidence was considered low certainty, but moderate aerobic exercise did not appear to worsen illness and may slightly reduce symptom severity or total sick days in some cases.

The big picture:
While there’s no definitive yes or no answer to this question, science gives us parameters we can follow. 

​​If your symptoms are mild and “above the neck” (think runny nose, mild sore throat, nasal congestion), then light to moderate movement (like walking, mobility work, easy cycling) is generally considered reasonable if you feel up to it.

But if you have:
• Fever
• Significant fatigue
• Chest congestion or productive cough
• Body aches
• Vomiting or diarrhea

That’s your cue to rest. Fever, in particular, is a hard stop, and exercising while febrile can increase the risk of dehydration and cardiovascular strain and delay recovery.

The bigger picture? Regular moderate exercise supports immune health over time. But when you’re acutely sick, your body is already doing hard work. Sometimes, the most physiologically smart training decision is recovery.

When in doubt, scale it down. And if you wouldn’t want the person next to you at the gym coughing like that, stay home.

(Note: there is an RSV vaccine that is recommended for everyone 65 years of age and over. When I tested positive, my husband rushed out to get his, as it had fallen through the cracks this year. Yes, that happens even to doctors’ families!) 

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ABOUT DR. JEN

In her former roles as chief medical correspondent for ABC News and on-air cohost of “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” Dr. Jennifer Ashton— ”Dr. Jen”— has shared the latest health news and information with millions of viewers nationwide. As an OB-GYN, nutritionist, and board-certified obesity medicine specialist, she is passionate about promoting optimal health for “the whole woman.” She has authored several books, including the national best-seller, The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier & Fitter—One Month at a Time. And she has gone through menopause…

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^{This material is provided solely for informational purposes and is not providing or undertaking to provide any medical, nutritional, behavioral or other advice or recommendation in or by virtue of this material.  This newsletter is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this newsletter or materials linked from this newsletter is at the user’s own risk. The content of this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.}