Americans are increasingly inundated with self-improvement advice, but one popular approach to health may be counterproductive, according to Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a celebrity nutritionist and gut health specialist. He warns that the pursuit of extreme wellness trends can lead to increased stress and depletion, working against the body's natural functions.
The trend, which Gioffre describes as "maxxing" various aspects of health—such as fiber, protein, supplements, or sleep—implies that more is always better. However, Gioffre asserts that the body requires balance, not excess. "The goal shouldn’t be to ‘maxx’ everything,” he stated. “It should be to give your body what it needs to function the way it was designed.”
Attempting to "max" too many health regimens simultaneously can elevate stress levels. While short-term stress can be beneficial, chronic stress keeps the body in a prolonged "fight or flight" state. This state prioritizes survival over other functions, negatively impacting digestion and nutrient absorption.
"If you’re forcing yourself to fast when you’re hungry … or feeling guilty because your smartwatch says you didn’t hit your numbers, you’re working against your body instead of with it,” Gioffre explained. “The pursuit of health should reduce stress, not add to it.”
Gioffre advocates for a shift away from extremes and towards consistency in foundational habits. He notes that the healthiest individuals he knows focus on consistent basics: eating real food, healing their gut, getting adequate sleep, moving their bodies, and managing stress.
He identifies "greenmaxxing," or consuming more greens, as a trend he can endorse. Despite the general advice to eat more vegetables, a significant portion of the American population does not consume the recommended daily amount. Gioffre suggests that greens are difficult to overconsume and naturally provide many nutrients that people try to obtain through other "maxxing" trends, including minerals, antioxidants, micronutrients, hydration, omega-3 fats, fiber, amino acids, and protein.
For individuals not yet incorporating more greens, Gioffre suggests starting with green juices or adding greens powder to drinks. He recommends focusing on one consistent habit at a time, rather than chasing multiple trends, to build sustainable healthy practices. "Before you know it, you’re making better choices without forcing it. The good starts to outweigh the bad,” he said. “That’s how real health works. Not through willpower. Not through deprivation. Just simple habits you can actually stick with.”