Pair Vitamin D With K2, Eat Your Melatonin—and 3 More Health Trends This Week

This week, learn about a promising new weight loss drug, a pharmacist’s take on vitamin D and K2, and why olive oil deserves a spot in your kitchen.

1. This experimental weight loss drug may be too effective 💊

Eli Lilly’s experimental weight loss drug may be working almost too well. In a clinical trial of retatrutide, some participants lost so much weight that they had to drop out.

Unlike existing drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound, which target one or two appetite-regulating hormones, retatrutide mimics three. The drug isn’t FDA-approved yet, and research is ongoing. Some people have tried buying it online, but any products marketed as retatrutide are fake and potentially dangerous.

2. Consider whether you really need to take vitamin D with K2 ☀️

Online forums are in a heated debate over whether vitamin D should be taken with vitamin K2. People argue that K2 helps direct vitamin D to where it belongs in the body, preventing calcium from being deposited in the wrong places, like your arteries.

Natalie So, PharmD, clinical supervisor of pharmacy services at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, said that it’s safe to take both, but you can still get the benefits of each without pairing them.

3. Cook with olive oil to maximize nutrients 🫒

If you use an air fryer or bake often, consider making olive oil your go-to fat. One new study suggests that air-frying or baking with extra-virgin olive oil may boost nutritional value in your food.

Olive oil provides healthy fats and helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K. It also contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals and inflammation.

4. Eat your melatonin 🧀

Melatonin supplements are everywhere and marketed as an easy sleep fix. If supplements aren’t your thing or haven’t worked, some foods naturally contain melatonin and may support better sleep.

Pistachios, cheese, edamame, and chamomile tea are a few options. Having these foods or drinks around dinner time could help you wind down and feel more ready for bed.

5. Pick the right magnesium for sleep 💤

With so many magnesium supplements on shelves and social media feeds, it can be tough to know which one to choose for better sleep.

Magnesium oxide likely has the strongest evidence for improved sleep. Magnesium citrate or glycinate may help, but there’s less research supporting them for sleep specifically.

Magnesium oxide has been studied in doses ranging from 250–729 milligrams daily. Check with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, and keep in mind that too much magnesium can cause diarrhea, nausea, and headache.