Your Brain On... Supplements

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Feb 12, 2025

Dr. Adrian Chavez, a nutrition researcher with a PhD in Nutrition and Health Promotion, dives into the booming supplement industry. He reveals the shocking lack of evidence behind many popular claims, urging listeners to distinguish between genuine effects and placebo. Topics like omega-3s and the impact of ashwagandha on brain health are explored, alongside the psychology driving our supplement choices. With tips on navigating misleading marketing, this conversation empowers listeners to make informed decisions about their wellness.

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INSIGHT

Supplements Aren't Always Safe

Supplements can interact with medications and cause harm despite being natural.
Many supplements in the market contain undeclared or contaminated substances risking health.

ADVICE

Use Supplements With Caution

Supplements often have misleading labels with doses too low or too high to achieve claimed benefits.
Use supplements as an adjunct to healthy lifestyle habits rather than expecting significant effects.

ANECDOTE

Patients' Costly Supplement Bags

Patients spend thousands on supplements claiming to prevent or cure brain diseases without evidence.
Clinicians often have to weed out unnecessary or harmful supplements from patients' regimens.

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Supplements have become a hundred-billion dollar industry. But can they really boost your brain health in the ways they claim?

They're everywhere: shelves and shelves of pills and powders promising everything from improved immunity, boosted energy, and faster weight loss to better sleep, happier moods, and enhanced sexual wellness.

Social media influencers won't stop talking about them, and they seem to appear in TV commercials every five minutes.

And yet... the evidence supporting most of the claims these supplements make is next-to-nought. So what's the truth?

In 'Your Brain On... Supplements', we discuss:

The differences between supplements and medication
Why supplements are so loosely regulated
The most popular supplements, and the lack of evidence supporting their purported benefits
Identifying between the placebo effect and real effects
Some supplements with actual evidence-based potential
The psychology behind why we all feel compelled to try supplements
Tips for navigating supplement claims we see on social media

Joining us for this episode is Dr. Adrian Chavez a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant. He has a PhD in Nutrition and Health Promotion where he conducted research developing and delivering lifestyle interventions in community settings for improving cardiovascular and metabolic health.

After graduating he opened up a private practice and has worked with hundreds of clients helping people to lose weight and improve a variety of health problems with science-based nutrition strategies.

He is the host of The Nutrition Science Podcast, a top-rated nutrition podcast that provides bite-sized episodes covering important topics in nutrition.

This is... Your Brain On Supplements.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On...' is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... Supplements' • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 9

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LINKS

Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez

Dr. Adrian Chavez's website: https://www.dradrianchavez.com/

Dr. Adrian Chavez's Podcast: https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/

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SELECTED CITATIONS

Dietary Supplement Studies