Daily Mail health editor reveals best health and wellness products,
As a health journalist, I am always on the look out for the latest and greatest health tech and gadgets.
Whether it is a new probiotic to help with my digestion, a pillow to ease neck pain or a water bottle to filter out impurities, I will try anything (at least once) to improve my health and wellbeing.
And being a health editor means there is no shortage of products that come my way.
So, in the name of health journalism, I tried some of the newest (and, at times, the strangest) products.
Read below for my honest take.
Sleep
BedJet – $699
If you’re anything like me and you seem to radiate heat as soon as you get into bed, then the BedJet may be the answer to your problems. The device sits nicely under my bed and has a tube that climbs up the side and sits atop the mattress to blow air under your sheets.
Using a remote control, you can adjust the temperature to however cold (or warm) you’d like the air.
This device seriously cooled down my bed using less energy (and costing less money in the long run) than it would have taken to blast my air conditioning and keep me comfortable.
The tube is a bit bulky and I do knock into it sometimes in a morning daze, but the occasional bruise is worth the more comfortable sleep.
Honeydew Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow – $250
I have been a side-sleeper for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately that means I’ve had neck pain for as long as I can remember.
Doctors often recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach and side because it contorts your neck in a way that isn’t conducive for a pain-free life.
So, I tried Honeydew’s Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow, which ‘features a unique curve that cradles your neck and shoulders for ultimate comfort, and perfect alignment.’
Paired with my Bed Jet, this pillow helped me get a better night’s sleep and I woke up with less neck pain, but it does come with a $250 price tag, so some people may just want to take the time to train themselves to sleep on their backs – for free.
Gut and digestive health
Tiny Health – $399
My digestive system has never been quite right. I have a lot of food sensitivities and have had multiple blood tests to try and pin down what exactly causes me pain and bloating on a near-daily basis.
It is a constant struggle of process of elimination and trying every new ‘gut health’ supplement and probiotic on the market. That’s why I was excited to try Tiny Health.
Tiny Health tests your gut’s microbiome, the collection of bacteria in your gut, from a small stool sample you collect at home and mail in to the company’s lab. Based on the results, the company comes up with an ‘Action Plan’ based on what types, and amounts, of good and bad bacteria are in your gut.
Turns out, I have multiple strains of bacteria involved in digestion that ‘need support,’ meaning their levels are out of whack, which could explain my less-than-stellar GI function.
What I like about Tiny Health is that it not only tells you what’s wrong, it gives you actionable items, and, your test kit includes a one-on-one session with a specialist to review your results.
Based on my test, I need to incorporate more inulin into my diet, eat more resistant starch and increase my intake of fermented foods.
Suu Tri-biotics – $15 for seven pouches
Speaking of gut health, these Suu tribiotics are filled with apple cider vinegar, vitamin C, fiber and pre-, pro- and post-biotics to aid digestion, promote regularity, improve immunity and reduce stress.
The product is very easy to use; just rip open the pouch, pour it into some water and drink up. I really enjoyed the taste of it, which was far better than other powdered biotics I’ve tried.
As for its effects, my digestion was definitely better. I also felt less bloated and my trips to the restroom became more regular.
My co-worker who suffers from ulcerative colitis even said the product helped calm down the flare ups her condition causes.
Gruns – $80 for a month’s supply
Once I received my order of Gruns, I switched from Suu to these gummies to test out their claims, which include improved digestion (specifically, ‘better poops’), reduced sugar cravings, more energy, stronger immunity and glowing hair and skin.
Gruns gummies have a long list of ingredients, including herbs, super mushrooms, vitamins, minerals, vegetables and fruits. They even claim to have the same amount of fiber as two cups of broccoli.
I can see where the reduced cravings come from; these little pouches of gummies are almost like a candy and I really enjoyed their taste after my lunch gave way to a sugar craving.
The first few days, as is typical with new pre- and pro-biotics and digestive supplements, my stomach was at first upset and I had a lot of bloating.
However, after about five days, my body seemed to acclimate and I was reaping the benefits of improved digestion.
These gummies are a product I’m excited about. My body feels less weighed down and (whether it’s the placebo effect or all the super foods), my energy is up.
The price tag is a bit high – nearly $3 a pouch – but I am hoping that because they have so many beneficial ingredients in them, I can replace some of my standalone pre- and pro-biotics and vitamin supplements to save money.
Beauty
Shark CryoGlow Red Blue & Infrared iQLED Face Mask & Under Eye Cooling – $349.99
Infrared is all the rage right now. Claiming to relieve pain, boost muscle recovery, improve circulation, detox the body and fight aging, there are infrared products for the face and entire body.
Shark’s CryoGlow LED Mask uses high-energy LEDs, deep-penetrating infrared and under-eye cooling pads to fight acne and signs of aging, as well as de-puff the under eye area.
All it takes is a few minutes with the mask on every day, with sessions running from four to 15 minutes to tackle breakouts, wrinkles and baggy eyes.
I will admit, I am not very diligent with using mine every day so I haven’t noticed much of a difference when it comes to wrinkles, but before and after photos on the company’s website, show significant wrinkle reduction in just eight weeks.
I do, however, love the under-eye cooling pads.
As a chronically tired person, I tend to get puffy under my eyes, and the Shark mask’s under-eye relief is instantly noticeable.
evre. – pricing varies
I am always on the look out for clean beauty brands , knowing that many products contain cancer-linked ingredients or endocrine disruptors that can impact hormones and fertility.
Technically evre. is designed for young adults and teens, keeping their young and developing skin in mind. Still, the brand’s ‘It’s A Vibe’ face mud mask made from avocado and kiwi seed oil left my skin feeling gently exfoliated and hydrated.
My skin felt clean without that dried-out stripped-away feeling some face masks and washes leave.
While I won’t be ditching my adults-only face products, I can turn to evre. when my skin needs a gentle refresh.
And it gets bonus points for being cruelty-free.
Seald Wellness Face Tape – pricing varies
If creams and serums aren’t your thing for fighting wrinkles, or if you’re a dreaded mouth breather, you may want to consider face tape.
Seald offers adhesive strips in different sizes to be applied to your eye area, mouth and forehead, and be worn while you sleep.
The forehead tape is marketed to target expression lines to reveal a ‘refreshed, well-rested appearance by morning.’ The face smoothing strips that can be applied near the eyes ‘gently lifts and helps skin stay smooth while you sleep.’
And the mouth tape is designed to promote breathing through your nose.
I am not a mouth breather so I don’t have a need to wear mouth tape, but I did try the forehead and face tape, which left me with fewer wrinkles on my face when I woke up in the morning.
I’m not sure how much the tape lifted my skin, but I didn’t have the deep lines in my face from my pillow or sheets often seen upon waking, so I did wake up looking more refreshed.
Fitness
GoRuck Spy Ruck 12lbs weighted vest – $99
Rucking, walking with weight, is a major fitness trend right now, and people swear it helps them shed pounds faster than exercising without the added baggage.
Getting in on this trend is GoRuck, which launched a special ‘SpyRuck’ weighted vest inspired by its founder, a real-life (former) CIA agent.
I tried out the 12lbs vest, which is extremely comfortable and fits very well across the chest, back, and shoulders.
It seamlessly slid on, stayed put and remained so comfortable that I forgot I was wearing it and actually kept it on for almost an hour after my workout ended.
I love how easy the vest made it to ramp up my workout by doing nothing extra. All my moves stayed the same, the weight I was lifting remained constant and I didn’t hold my planks for any longer, but the added weight sitting on my back and shoulders instantly turned up the heat and I noticed my body working harder.
Rucking is becoming such a trend now that it’s common to see people wearing weighted vests even outside of the gym, and with an accessory like SpyRuck, I am definitely inclined to do the same.
BetterMe Pilates clothes and equipment – pricing varies
To say I am a bit obsessed with BetterMe’s new fall/winter workout collection would be an understatement. The soft chocolate color palette actually motivated me to work out. Who doesn’t love a warm palette, color-coordinated yoga or Pilates sweat session?
Aside from the leggings and sports bra being buttery soft and comfortable, I appreciate BetterMe’s Pilates equipment.
The resistance bands are a good width, allowing me to use them to amp up my workout without them digging into my legs. The company’s arced silicone version of a dumbbell is easier and more comfortable to hold and handle.
And I appreciate that the banded weights are versatile enough to be used as ankle or wrist weights and the mobile weighted plates on the bands make it easy to adjust the fit for optimal comfort.
Overall, it’s a product line I highly recommend.
FlipBelt Rechargeable Running Light – $89
Nothing too fancy here; just a rechargeable flashlight that fits into FlipBelt’s running belt.
It is helpful when I run in the mornings before the sun’s come up or after work in the evenings, when my daylight is dwindling.
It’s on the pricier side for a running light, but I appreciate that it can be charged and I don’t have to worry about batteries.
Something a bit bothersome to note: the light and the belt are sold separately and the belt costs an additional $39.
Core 2 Thermal Sensor – $294.95
This sensor is worn similar to a heartrate monitor against the body while working out and it monitors your body’s temperature while exercising to facilitate heat training.
Heat training is a method of exercise that uses the body’s temperature to tailor workouts. By paying attention to your temperature while exercising, you can tailor your workouts and optimize them, improving endurance, output and, eventually, results.
I’m not an elite athlete so I don’t train that intensely and I’m not looking to biohack my body to reach a new personal record, but Brian Maiorano told me the Core sensor is ‘an easy way to get into heat training.’
So, perhaps I can start dipping my toe in. The device has an accompanying app that is easy to use and makes seeing and interpreting your body’s temperature and ensuing data very easy.
One small annoyance: the sensor isn’t sold with a strap or band, so you either need to already have one or spend money on a new one.
Wellness and recovery
WAVwatch – $697
The WAVwatch is a watch-like device worn on the wrist that emits different frequencies.
The website claims it is a backed-by-science, award-winning and doctor-endorsed device that heals pain and promotes wellness with non-invasive techniques.
You can choose from dozens of frequency options, from those to calm yourself, strengthen the immune system, improve sleep, energy, focus and concentration, speed up recovery and soothe aches and pains.
Some frequencies even claim to enhance different organs, like the thyroid, liver or eyes, as well as the metabolism to assist in weight loss.
When activated, the device emits that frequency, which I could hear as a low, high-pitched tone.
WAVwatch is a type of sound therapy that uses ‘acoustical frequencies that run through your body.’
It is based off the theory that the cells in the body vibrate with different frequencies, so exposing them to certain frequencies can improve their function.
The website states: ‘Our bodies—from individual cells to entire organs—have natural frequencies. When exposed to matching external frequencies, resonance can occur, influencing cellular behavior and physiological processes.
‘WAVwatch utilizes this principle by delivering precise frequencies that resonate with specific biological systems, helping to restore natural rhythms and promote balance.’
The device has hundreds of positive reviews of people applauding its benefits and boasts a 4.4 star rating.
I was really excited for this to work on my migraines so I could get relief without medication, but over the few days I wore the watch when I experienced pain, I didn’t notice any improvement.
BioFreeze pain-relieving gels and creams – pricing varies
If you’re someone who deals with aches and pains, you are probably familiar with menthol pain-relieving gel.
While patches are common, I appreciate Biofreeze’s many options of gels and creams that make it easier to target multiple areas at once, small areas, hard to reach areas, or joints, where patches sometimes have trouble sticking.
I also like that the company offers a small travel-sized option.
I frequently have back pain from sitting at a desk all day and my knees hurt after a long run, so having the option to throw a small menthol stick in my purse and apply the gel on the go is crucial.
I especially like the roll-on option, which allows me to apply the substance without getting it all over my hands.
DNA vibe Jazz Band Live Pro – $289
Another device using red and infrared light to ‘accelerate recovery’ is the Jazz Band Live Pro.
The company claims it ‘is the most advanced wearable light therapy ever, using no chemicals, drugs, or invasive procedures… [it] combines four modes—red, near-infrared, micro-vibration, and magnetic pulse—to reduce stiffness, inflammation, and pain, while speeding up recovery.’
Along with its four modes that ‘work harmoniously to stimulate the body’s natural regenerative processes,’ it also features micro-vibrations to help sooth aches and pains by ‘enhancing nerve gating effects (distracting the mind from pain).’
The device is flexible and comfortable, allowing me to use it on various parts of my body, but the fact that it needs to be plugged in during use has made me less inclined to use it as I can’t always take time to be glued to an outlet.
An on-the-go battery pack is sold separately for $35.
Unfortunately, however, after using the device several times, I’m not convinced my sore and achy muscles and joints have changed at all.
Clean living
Tushy bidets – pricing vary
As a health journalist, I know there are hundreds of chemicals in the most common products, including toilet paper.
Multiple studies have shown that toilet paper contains chemicals and toxins that have been linked to cancer and infertility, and given how toilet paper is coming into contact with intimate parts of your body every day, I was eager to ditch it.
Enter Tushy, the bidet company. Tushy has an array of different bidets that can be installed over your toilet for varying price points, each with different features.
The Ace version that I have has a heated seat, sprays warm water, has a self-cleaning nozzle and also has a built-in dryer to dry you off when your business is taken care of.
I am not ashamed to admit that this bidet has changed my bathroom experience. It’s more hygienic, I’m not exposing my body to toxins and I save money on toilet paper.
It’s a win-win-win.
Larq – $129
I’ve spent years writing about the toxins in water that have been linked to cancer and reproductive issues. So I know how important a good water filter is.
Enter the Larq bottle.
This bottle claims to filter out 99 percent of salmonella and E.coli bacteria, and removes chlorine, pharmaceuticals and toxic ‘forever chemicals.’ It also tracks how much water you drink and you can monitor your hydration via the Larq app.
One major concern with reusable water bottles is cleanliness, as germs and nasty bacteria can build up inside them. However, the Larq bottle self cleans every two hours using UV-LED technology.
Aside from its fancy tech, the bottle comes in very pretty colors, keeps my water cold and has a sleek design. Plus, a detachable carrying handle, which is a non-negotiable for me.
It has quickly become my favorite new accessory and I have no problem bragging about it to anyone who will listen.
Weddell Duo Shower Filter – $89.99
Because of my extensive reporting on water contamination and forever chemicals, I know that the dangers the toxins pose in water go beyond just drinking. That’s why I was excited to install the Weddell Duo Shower Filter.
On its website, the company claims the device reduces PFAS, chlorine and harmful particulates, as well as promotes better skin and hair.
While I can’t directly measure its contamination filtration, as I don’t have the tools to do so, my hair and skin do feel softer.
Additionally, just the mental aspect of knowing I’m not being exposed to toxins that have been linked to cancer and infertility makes the shower filter worth it.
Bonus: It was super easy to install!
Supplements
WonderCow Colostrum – $44 for 30 packets
Colostrum, the first milk produced by cows (and humans) after giving birth, is full of proteins, vitamins, minerals and immune-boosting antibodies.
WonderCow claims its powdered colostrum supplements improve gut health, immunity, muscle recovery, energy, skin, sleep and memory.
I had several packets of the company’s elderberry colostrum over multiple days, which were easy enough to pour into my water.
It didn’t have much of a taste, which made it easy to drink, but I have to admit, mentally I couldn’t get over what I was drinking: milk meant for baby cows.
WonderCow, run by seventh-generation family dairy farmers, states on its website that it has a ‘calf-first promise,’ meaning the calves get all of the colostrum they need before any of it gets collected for the supplement business.
Still, I couldn’t get over it and distributed my products to coworkers and family members. They don’t seem to have the same baby cow problem I have and are excited to make it part of their wellness routine.
Create Creatine Monohydrate – $60 for a month’s supply
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in muscle and brain cells that helps supply energy for muscles to contract.
It is commonly used to enhance fitness and exercise performance and increase muscle mass, as well as improve recovery.
Create Creatine Monohydrate gummies claim to do just that, along with reducing joint pain and brain fog, boosting stamina and improving sleep.
Plus, they’re delicious.
A common problem with creatine gummies is stomach upset, but I experienced nothing of the sort, a major plus. The fact that the supplement is a gummy and not a powder or pill made it very easy to take.
Additionally, I’m no body builder, but I do notice a little more muscle tone after using them for several weeks than when I only followed my workouts with a protein shake.
