Hey Biohackers,
Ah, October, the month of pumpkin spice everything and Halloween prep. This week, we're looking at new research on popular NAD+ supplements and their effects on health markers. There is also some interesting news on the horizon: California is considering a ban on certain non-stick pans, and a new study highlights the cardiovascular benefits of Finnish saunas.
A closer look at the research behind the $800 million NAD+ supplement industry
A new meta-analysis of 23 clinical trials finds that while NAD+ supplements do raise NAD+ levels in the blood, there's "insufficient evidence" they improve key health markers in healthy adults. This comes just a week after the FDA reversed its NMN ban following industry lawsuits.
The supplement industry is projected to hit $800 million in NAD+ product sales this year, with consumers spending $60-200 per month on NR, NMN, and other precursors.
- Blood NAD+ levels increased 40-100% across studies
- Zero consistent improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, or physical performance in the analyzed studies
- Possible benefits were noted in adults 65+ and those with metabolic disease
- FDA reversed its NMN ban in September after industry sued
The timing is notable given that Bryan Johnson just publicly discontinued rapamycin after 5 years, citing side effects. His Blueprint brand, meanwhile, continues to offer NAD+ supplements.
The growth in longevity supplements highlights the intersection of optimization culture and aging. Companies like Elysium Health and ChromaDex have built strong valuations by focusing on the mechanism (the importance of NAD+) while research on the direct outcomes continues to evolve. As the FDA reviews industry claims, we may see a shift in the longevity and wellness space.
• Meta-analysis in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (August 2024)
• Science Advances review by Damgaard and Treebak (2023)
• Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle meta-analysis (June 2025)
• FDA Principal Deputy Director Donald Prater reversal (September 30, 2025)
California may ban PFAS cookware if Newsom signs bill by Saturday
Governor Newsom has until Saturday, October 12, to sign or veto SB 682, which would ban the sale of cookware containing PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2030. The bill has drawn attention from celebrity chefs like Rachael Ray and Thomas Keller, while the Cookware Sustainability Alliance is working to prevent it from passing.
The business implications are massive. California already banned PFAS in textiles (January 1, 2025) and cosmetics (also January 1, 2025), but cookware represents a $2.9 billion market. Most non-stick pans use PFAS for their coating, and alternatives can cost 2-3x more to manufacture.
This follows a week where PFAS kidney cancer trials continue in federal court (Thursday) and New Hampshire just received its first $7.96 million installment from 3M's $12.5 billion PFAS settlement — the largest environmental settlement in U.S. history.
- EPA's new drinking water standards: 4 parts per trillion for PFOA/PFOS
- 3M facing $12.5 billion in settlements over 13 years
- DuPont entities settled for $1.185 billion (already paid)
- Over 10,000 pending PFAS lawsuits in federal court
PFAS is becoming a major area of concern for corporate America. With California leading the regulatory charge and billions in settlements already flowing, companies still using "forever chemicals" face significant challenges. Many companies are now moving to PFAS-free alternatives in anticipation of future regulations.
• California SB 682 (passed Legislature September 13, 2025)
• 3M settlement (June 2023, final approval March 29, 2024)
• EPA drinking water standards (April 10, 2024)
• MDL 2873 Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation
• New Hampshire settlement payment (September 2025)
Finnish study highlights longevity benefits of saunas
As the market for NAD+ supplements grows to $800 million, Finnish researchers have published data showing that sitting in a hot box 4-7 times per week reduces cardiovascular mortality by 50%.
The 12-year study tracked 18,000 adults and found dose-dependent benefits: more sauna use correlated with lower mortality rates. Sessions over 19 minutes cut sudden cardiac death risk by 52% compared to sessions under 11 minutes. The effect held even after controlling for exercise.
Meanwhile, a Cochrane review of 17 randomized trials on blue light blocking glasses concluded that there is not yet clear evidence for their effectiveness on sleep or eye strain.
- Sauna 4-7x weekly: 40% lower all-cause mortality
- Blue light glasses: 0% proven benefit for sleep or eye strain in review
- Home sauna market growing 15% annually, reaching $2.4 billion by 2028
- Optimal protocol from study: 80-100°C for 19+ minutes, 4-7 times weekly
Foundational health practices often have powerful effects. A home sauna offers benefits that are well-supported by research, similar to consistent exercise. As the wellness industry evolves, we can expect to see a continued focus on companies that provide products and services rooted in fundamental health principles like heat, cold, and movement.
• JAMA Internal Medicine Finnish study (2015, Laukkanen et al.)
• BMC Medicine expanded study (2018, 1,688 participants)
• Cochrane systematic review on blue light glasses (August 18, 2023, Singh et al.)
• Mayo Clinic Proceedings review (2018, Laukkanen, Laukkanen, and Kunutsor)
• Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal (2024, 2,575 Finnish men)
THE BEST THING WE READ TODAY
Your organic strawberries might not be as clean as you think. New testing found 40% of organic produce contains pesticide residues — not from the organic farms, but from drift from neighboring conventional farms, shared water sources, and contaminated shipping containers. The USDA actually allows up to 5% contamination and calls it "unavoidable."
Consumer advocacy groups tested 126 organic samples from major retailers across 12 states and found some approaching conventional pesticide levels. Meanwhile, enforcement budgets got slashed 18% since 2023, with one certifier admitting they now inspect less than 30% of farms annually (down from 100% a decade ago).
Even worse? A Harvard study just found that even "safe" levels of pesticide exposure reduce beneficial gut bacteria by 23% and increase inflammatory strains linked to metabolic disease and depression. This suggests that even with a healthy diet, external factors can impact gut health.
Want to know how your gut bacteria is actually doing? A gut microbiome test kit can reveal whether environmental factors like pesticides are disrupting your microbiome — and help you protect your gut health before damage becomes irreversible. Use code Biohacker15 for 15% off at checkout!
What Else We're Tracking
- 🔬 Two aging cliffs discovered: Stanford found we don't age gradually — we hit walls at 44 (metabolism tanks) and 60 (immune system crashes). Perfect timing for preventive interventions.
- 💉 First OTC glucose monitors arrive: Dexcom's Stelo ($89/month) and Abbott's Lingo ($49/month) let anyone track blood sugar. The worried-well wellness market is about to explode.
- 🌱 "Regenerative" agriculture exposed: Investigation finds 12 of 30 farms using the label couldn't prove their practices. One farm charging $45/lb for "regenerative" beef traced back to an Iowa feedlot.
- 💰 Prop 65 hits supplements hard: California extracted $76.3 million in in-court settlements and $27.08 million out-of-court in 2024-2025, with 5,440 violation notices filed. Lead and cadmium can be in dirty supplements, choose your supplement brands wisely!
- 🌾 Seed oil disclosure laws pass: Louisiana now requires restaurants to disclose seed oil use on menus. Industry expects similar laws in Texas, Utah, and Arizona by year-end.
Low-level pesticide exposure reduces gut bacteria diversity by 23%, even at EPA "safe" levels. This highlights how our environment can impact gut health, even when we're eating "clean" organic produce.