This post discusses the benefits and challenges of tracking health data in Markdown format, highlighting the importance of data accessibility and control. It presents contrasting opinions on Markdown vs traditional spreadsheet tools for health tracking. Key criticisms of Markdown include its inefficiency compared to spreadsheet applications like LibreOffice Calc, which offer better usability and control over data privacy. The discussion also emphasizes the increasing relevance of APIs and CSV exports from health apps and wearables, which enhance data management capabilities. The need for open formats for health data is mentioned as a crucial factor in ensuring data longevity and ease of access.