The Chalene Show | Diet, Fitness & Life Balance The 8 Supplements I Had to Stop Taking in Midlife - 1274
Feb 20, 2026
A midlife supplement wake-up call exploring eight common boosters that may now cause acne, bloating, hormone spikes, and misleading lab results. It covers why iron, biotin, DHEA, caffeine, creatine gummies, protein powders, calcium alone, and excess vitamin E can backfire. Emphasis on testing with a clinician and smarter choices rather than guessing.
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Biotin Often Does More Harm Than Good
- Biotin rarely helps hair growth unless you are biotin-deficient, yet many supplements contain massive doses that disrupt skin balance.
- Excess biotin can skew lab results, falsely altering thyroid and cardiac tests and causing dangerous misdiagnoses.
Personal Iron Supplement Experience
- Chalene took iron in her early 40s after fatigue and cold extremities but later stopped when menstruation ceased.
- She warns postmenopausal women to test before continuing iron because excess iron causes oxidative stress and aging effects.
Calcium Needs Cofactors And Exercise
- Calcium supplements alone show minimal benefit for bone density and can deposit in arteries or kidneys if taken without D3, K2 and magnesium.
- Resistance training and impact exercise are far more effective measures to protect and build bone health.