January 2026: A Month for Intentional Health
Welcome to the first newsletter of the year — and a chance to rethink what “getting healthy” really means.
January always feels like a reset button: gyms fill up, people sign up for challenges, and lists of resolutions appear everywhere. This year, three common health goals are gaining traction — weight loss, reducing alcohol intake, and reassessing cannabis or vaping habits.
🔬 1. Weight Loss in the Age of GLP-1s
The explosion of interest in GLP-1 medications like semaglutide — pioneered by companies such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk — has put weight management front and center. These drugs can be powerful tools for metabolic health, especially when used under medical supervision.
However, there are real risks to use without proper guidance:
Muscle loss and “skinny fat” (sarcopenia): Rapid weight loss without preserving muscle can leave people with reduced strength and metabolic resilience — and paradoxically higher risk for long-term chronic disease because muscle tissue is metabolically protective.
Visceral fat is the target: The goal of weight loss shouldn’t just be shrinking the scale — it should be reducing visceral fat, the deep abdominal fat that acts like an inflammatory organ and is linked with many chronic and autoimmune conditions.
Side effects beyond the digestive system: While nausea, vomiting, GI discomfort, and electrolyte shifts are commonly talked about, many patients are reporting significant hair loss with GLP-1s — so much so that it’s becoming a reason people consider stopping treatment.
⚠️ Please don’t simply go to Costco or order online and start self-injecting. These are medical therapies best managed with labs, personalized dosing, and oversight to protect muscle, micronutrients, and overall metabolic health.
If you’re thinking about GLP-1 therapy, we’re here to help you do it the right way — with a focus on outcomes that matter long-term.
🍷 2. Dry January — and What Comes After
Dry January has become a popular goal, especially for those aged 40–65, who see immediate benefits from a month-long break from alcohol.
This is a great habit reset — but don’t treat February like payback month.
Alcohol consumption in the U.S. has been trending downward overall, particularly among young adults and with growing awareness of health risks from even moderate drinking. Recent surveys show a record low percentage of adults report regular drinking, and many now see moderate alcohol as harmful rather than health-promoting.
At the same time, movements like sober-curious and teetotalism show that many people are redefining their relationship with alcohol — not out of deprivation, but out of choice and health awareness.
A balanced message:
✔️ Taking a break from alcohol can improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and give your liver a break.
✔️ Occasional, mindful drinking — like a glass of wine with dinner — still has social and enjoyment value for many people.
The deeper issue isn’t just giving up drinking — it’s developing a sustainable, health-centered relationship with substances of all kinds.
🌿 3. Cannabis, Edibles, and Vaping: What Young Adults Are Choosing
There’s a lot of talk — and some real data — showing shifts in substance use preferences among younger generations:
Some research indicates that young adults now use cannabis daily or near-daily at higher rates than alcohol, suggesting a real shift in preferred substances among certain age groups.
Broader trend analyses have reported increases in cannabis use among adults, particularly those aged 18–34.
These changes are happening alongside long-term declines in adolescent drinking and drug use, showing evolving attitudes and behaviors around substances overall.
Cannabis and edibles are often perceived as wellness alternatives — and while there are positive effects reported from terpenes and cannabinoids (e.g., relaxation, sleep support)
There are also downsides, especially for reproductive and hormonal health:
In men, excessive cannabis use is linked in some clinical observations to lower testosterone and gynecomastia, and these patterns often surface when we check labs in younger male wellness patients.
When I see low testosterone on an intensive lab panel in a young male patient, one of my first questions is: How much cannabis/edibles/vaping are you doing?
This isn’t to shame anyone — but it is to recognize that substance use choices can have unexpected impacts on hormones, metabolic health, and overall vitality.
✨ The Takeaway for 2026
As you set your health goals this January:
Be strategic about weight loss. Target visceral fat, protect your muscle, and use medications under professional supervision.
Enjoy the benefits of Dry January without making deprivation a trigger for over-indulgence later.
Think critically about cannabis and vaping trends — especially if your goals include hormonal health, physical performance, or metabolic optimization.
💛 Wishing You Your Best Health in 2026
If you’re curious about any of the topics above — weight management, alcohol habits, cannabis use, hormones, or metabolic labs — we’re here to help.
Book a consultation anytime — your healthiest year starts with intention, not impulse.
