Test, Don’t Guess: The Problem with Wellness Trends

Ashwagandha. Intermittent fasting. Cold plunges. Keto.

The wellness world is full of bold claims and viral trends—each promising to optimise your energy, hormones, or mood.

But here’s the problem: none of them are designed for you.

Without data, most wellness interventions are educated guesses at best—and counterproductive at worst.

At TrueVitals, we believe personalisation isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Your biology is unique. Your strategy should be too.

1. Wellness Culture Is Built on Generalisation

Every week, a new supplement, diet, or “biohack” dominates the wellness space. But these protocols are often based on:

• Short-term studies or anecdotal evidence
• Benefits shown only in specific populations
• No biomarker tracking to measure actual effect

Example:

• Ashwagandha can reduce cortisol in chronically stressed individuals—but may worsen fatigue in those with already low cortisol¹.
• Intermittent fasting may improve insulin sensitivity in overweight adults—but may disrupt hormones in lean or active women².
• The ketogenic diet may support neurological function—but can lead to elevated LDL cholesterol in genetically susceptible people³.

What works for someone on YouTube might push your body further out of balance.

2. Guessing is Not the Same as Optimising

If you feel off—tired, wired, bloated, moody—common wellness advice will usually suggest:

• “Take magnesium”
• “Try cutting carbs”
• “Drink more water”
• “Start meditating”

But without testing, these are band-aids, not solutions. You might be:

• Supplementing when you're not deficient
• Eating low-carb when your glucose is already too low
• Taking adaptogens when your cortisol is already suppressed
• Avoiding food groups you actually need

“One-size-fits-all wellness advice ignores bio-individuality. Precision health starts with measurement.”

— Journal of Personalized Medicine, 2021⁴

3. The Risks of Following Trends Blindly

Following trends without testing can lead to:

TrendRisk if UninformedAdaptogens (e.g. ashwagandha)May blunt already low cortisol, worsening fatigueKeto or fastingMay cause hormonal dysregulation, especially in womenExtreme cardio or HIITCan elevate CRP (inflammation) and cortisol if overdone“Detox” supplementsOften unnecessary, may deplete nutrients or affect liver enzymes

The result? You spend time, money, and mental energy—and still feel flat.

4. What You Should Do Instead: Test, Track, Tailor

Your symptoms aren’t random. They’re signals. And those signals can be measured.

When you test with TrueVitals, you don’t just get a blood panel—you get a personalised breakdown of:

• Nutritional markers (B12, iron, folate, vitamin D)
• Hormonal status (testosterone, cortisol, thyroid)
• Inflammation and immune activity
• Metabolic health (glucose, cholesterol, liver function)

From there, you can:

• Choose the right supplements (if any)
• Adjust your nutrition plan with precision
• Understand what type of training or recovery suits you best
• Monitor how your body responds over time

5. Data is the Foundation of Effective Wellness

True health doesn’t come from copying a celebrity’s routine. It comes from understanding what your body needs—and acting accordingly.

Blood testing helps you:

• Cut through noise
• Skip unnecessary interventions
• Prioritise what actually needs your attention
• Make adjustments that are measurable and meaningful

Final Thought: Stop Following—Start Leading

Wellness is moving into its data-driven era. We no longer have to rely on trends, guesswork, or generic advice.

With TrueVitals, you can:

• Measure what matters
• Personalise your protocol
• Retest to validate what’s working

Because real optimisation doesn’t start with a trend.

It starts with a test.

References:

1. Lopresti, A. L. et al. (2019). "The effects of ashwagandha on cortisol levels and stress." Medicine (Baltimore).
2. Williams, K. V. et al. (2022). "Impact of intermittent fasting on female reproductive hormones." Nutrients.
3. Kirkpatrick, C. F. et al. (2020). "Review of current evidence and clinical implications of ketogenic diets." J Clin Lipidol.
4. Hood, L. et al. (2021). “Systems Biology and Personalized Medicine.” J Pers Med.

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