Hormones, Metabolism & You!

Episode 28: How to Choose Safe Supplements and Protect Your Health

Oct 13, 2024

01:19:29

About My Guest:

Shawn Wells, MPH, LDN, RD, CISSN, FISSN

Nutritional Biochemistry Expert | "The World's Greatest Formulator" | Serial Entrepreneur

Shawn is a globally recognized nutritional biochemist with a Master’s in Nutritional Biochemistry from UNC Chapel Hill and extensive experience in business and marketing. He has served as Chief Science Officer at Biotrust Nutrition, overseeing R&D and brand marketing for a $125MM company, and is involved in multiple business ventures, having been part of transactions worth over $425 million. A prolific formulator, he has created over 1100 products and holds 40+ patents, including innovations like enfinity® and TeaCrine. Despite overcoming personal health challenges, Shawn remains a leading voice in health optimization, frequently appearing in documentaries, podcasts, and TV segments, and shares his expertise through his company Zone Halo and his website

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Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Back to the Basics podcast, Dr. Cassie Smith and Shawn Wells, MPH, RD, discuss the complexities and challenges of the global supplement market. They highlight the widespread issues with supplement quality, particularly on online marketplaces like Amazon, where up to 30% of products may contain no active ingredients. Shawn emphasizes the importance of choosing reputable brands and understanding the testing and regulatory processes that ensure supplement safety.

Shawn also shares his passion for gut health, stressing its critical role in immune function and mental health. They discuss the impact of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, on gut integrity and overall health. Additionally, Shawn offers practical advice on selecting effective supplements and shares his favorite go-to products, such as creatine, dihydroberberine, and ergothioneine, to support metabolic function and longevity. The episode is a valuable resource for listeners seeking to navigate the supplement industry and make informed choices for their health.

Timestamps:

02:23 - Quality Issues in Supplements

04:36 - Risks of Buying Supplements Online

06:48 - Importance of Quality Control

09:46 - Regulatory Challenges

12:33 - Dangers of Cheap Supplements

14:47 - How to Identify Reliable Brands

20:58 - Choosing Quality Omega-3

30:55 - The Role of Gut Health

40:53 - Shawn’s Top Supplement Picks

52:33 - Mitochondrial Health & Stress

59:58 - Choosing Protein Supplements