The Thorne Podcast

Adaptogens, Revisited: Benefits of Ginseng

Adaptogens, like ginseng root, are botanicals that help the body “adapt” to stress, promote physical endurance, and fortify mental clarity. But are there side effects of adaptogens? Host Dr. Robert Rountree and Dr. Amanda Frick explore the short-term and long-term benefits of supplements with ginseng and other common adaptogens.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. The history of adaptogens, from traditional medicine to modern uses [1:49]
   • Ginseng: One of the best adaptogens that promotes energy and focus [4:31]
   • Why is ginseng so expensive? [7:11]
   • Wildcrafted vs. cultivated ginseng, which is best? [9:07]
2. Long-term and short-term benefits of adaptogen supplements [12:43]
   • What are adaptogens’ side effects [15:57]
   • How adaptogens promote physical and mental endurance [18:43]
3. Questions from the community
   • Should I talk to a doctor before starting an adaptogen supplement routine? [23:56]
   • Can adaptogens interfere with the sleep-wake cycle? [25:51]
   • How do adaptogens work within a broader wellness routine for stress relief? [27:38]
   • What are the different types of ginseng? [31:11]
   • How long should I take an adaptogen supplement? Should I alternate taking different adaptogens? [32:50]
   • What is the best way to take an adaptogen? As a tea? As a capsule? As a powder? [35:28]

Resources related to this episode:

• Thorne: Redefining Healthy Aging
• What Are Adaptogens and Why Should You Care?
• Navigating the Science Behind Botanical Extracts
• Eleuthero: A Botanical that Supports Your Vitality
• Easy Ways to Decrease Stress at Work
• The Potential Health Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom
• 4 Ways Stress and Technology Can Wear You Out
• Thorne’s Medical Affairs Team: Turning Science Into Education
• The Perfect Supplements for Stressed Parents
• All About Adaptogens: Types, Benefits, and Uses

Products related to this episode: Ginseng Plus; Daily Greens Plus; Stress Balance; Emotion Balance Support

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Common Endocrine Disruptors and Hormone Health

Pesticides, plastics, pollution, and even certain foods can interfere with the body’s hormones. These agents are called endocrine disruptors, and they can affect fertility, growth and development, and thyroid function. Dr. Amanda Frick and Dr. Robert Rountree explore lifestyle tips to ease the impact of environmental endocrine disruptors.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. What are endocrine disruptors? How do they interfere with hormones? [1:15]
   • Examples of endocrine disruptors: Plastics, pesticides, and more [3:13]
2. Effects of endocrine disruptors on fertility in women and in men [9:04]
3. Can foods act as endocrine disruptors? [11:26]
4. Birth control pills and why endocrine disruptors are not all bad [15:10]
5. Proactive steps to take at home to mitigate negative effects of endocrine disruptors [20:40]
6. Questions from the community
   • How do endocrine disruptors influence disorders like PCOS? [23:02]
   • Can endocrine disruptors in certain foods and plastics interfere with the effectiveness of birth control? [25:16]
   • Why do people respond so differently to different hormones? What role does genetics or individual microbiome play? [26:55]
   • What are the best nutrients that help mitigate the effects of endocrine disruptors? [31:53]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Healthy Aging at Thorne
• Four Common Endocrine Disruptors and How to Avoid Them
• Estrogen Dominance: What it is, how to recognize it, and what you can do about it
• Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men
• Metabolic Syndrome – What is it and What Causes it?
• Symptoms, Causes, and Consequences of an Overactive Thyroid
• 9 Factors That You Didn’t Know Can Affect Fertility
• Lifestyle Tips for Managing PCOS
• How Lifestyle and Environmental Factors Contribute to PMS
• How to Support Healthy Ovarian Aging
• Healthy Aging Quiz
• Hormones and Your Health

Products related to this episode: Broccoli Seed Extract, Biological Age Health Panel, Ovarian Care, Basic B Complex, Stress B-Complex

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Podcast Rewind: The Secrets to Healthy Skin

Note: This episode originally aired in May 2022. Achieving healthy, glowing skin starts by supporting a healthy lifestyle. In this episode, Dr. Amanda Frick and Dr. Robert Rountree cover the nutrients, lifestyle habits, and other ways to support radiant skin. 

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. Basic principles of skin health [2:30]
2. Cigarettes impact on skin health [3:44]
3. Sunbathing and skin [5:05]
   • Vitamin D [6:18]
4. Skin protectants [9:00]
   • Sulforaphane [9:18]
5. Skin supportive nutrients [12:30]
   • Collagen Plus [14:00]
6. Collagen and skin health [15:40]
   • Collagen forms [17:30]
   • Peptides [18:30]
   • Collagen taste [19:30]
7. Questions from the community [23:22]

• Why do we need lotions and creams? [23:30]
• What does sunscreen do for skin health? [28:00]
  • What fruits are good for glowing skin? [30:00]
  • What cause acne and what can be done about it [31:39]
  • Water and your skin [33:56]
  • What destroys collagen in the body? [35:05]
  • How can I manage eczema? [36:00]
  • What is Botox? [39:35]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Expert Tips for Ultimate Skin Hydration
• The Plant Extracts that Support Healthy Skin Aging
• Considering Botox for Younger-Looking Skin? Read These Tips First
• 6 Supplements that Maintain Healthy Skin from the Inside Out
• Collagen For Your Skin
• Fish Oil and Skin Health – What's the Connection?
• Mayo Clinic: How Sunlight and Pollution Cause Skin to Age (And What You Can Do About It)
• Mayo Clinic: Effective Tools for Skin Longevity
• Mayo Clinic: Protect Fragile Skin as You Age
• Mayo Clinic: How Antioxidants Protect Your Skin from Sun-Induced Aging
• Mayo Clinic: Under Pressure – The Impact of Stress on Skin Health
• Mayo Clinic: The Beauty of Sleep – How Your Skin Reflects Your Rest
• The Microbes on Your Skin: Your Partners in Healthy Living
• Five Expert Tips for Cold-Weather Skincare
• Tips for Protecting Your Skin Inside and Out This Summer
• Pros and Cons of Different Types of Sunscreen

Products related to this episode: Collagen Plus, Collagen Fit, Biotin, Skin Health Bundle

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Menopause Self-Care – Before, During, and After

All women face menopause, but not all women have the same menopause symptoms. Dr. Joel Evans, OB-GYN, returns to the podcast to talk about hormone changes women face before, during, and after menopause and what self-care lifestyle interventions women can practice to address their symptoms.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. Returning guest Dr. Joel Evans, OB/GYN [0:54]
2. What is menopause? When does menopause start? [2:35]
   • Can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ease menopause symptoms? [5:49]
   • How long does menopause last? [8:03]
3. Lifestyle factors that influence when menopause starts and ends [10:19]
   • How gut health influences hormonal health [11:52]
4. How do hormones like estrogen and testosterone affect menopause? [13:50]
   • Is HRT beneficial for managing menopause symptoms, like hot flashes? [16:16]
   • How long should a woman continue hormone therapy after menopause ends? [19:38]
5. Questions from the community
   • What is premenopause and when can it start? [24:03]
   • What causes hot flashes? What are treatments for hot flashes? [24:45]
   • What cause menopause weight gain? How can a woman lose weight during and after menopause? [28:31]
   • How can someone interested in biohacking prepare for menopause and hormone changes? [35:48]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Joel Evans’s work at The Center for Functional Medicine and The Institute for Functional Medicine
• Am I in Menopause?
• How to Stay Healthy During and After Menopause
• 6 Strategies to Control the Menopause Chaos
• Embracing A Positive Mindset During Menopause From Mayo Clinic
• 6 Foods You May Want to Avoid During Menopause
• 6 Women's Health Allies to Support You During Every Life Phase
• A Lifetime of Balanced Nutrition Advice for Women
• Are You an Athlete Who Suffers From Leaky Gut?
• What My Menopause Test Results Mean for My Cycle
• What Causes a Leaky Gut?
• All About the Thyroid, the Body's ‘Sentinel Gland’ (featuring Dr. Joel Evans)
• What is Stress and How Does It Affect the Body? (featuring Dr. Joel Evans)

Products mentioned in this episode: Menopause Test, Vitamin D Test, Advanced Bone Support, B Vitamins, Calcium, Vitamin D

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NSF Certified: A Contract for Product Quality

Are your dietary supplements third-party certified? John Travis, technical manager and spokesperson at NSF, an independent non-governmental organization dedicated to improving global health, joins the podcast to explain the different NSF certifications and why third-party testing matters for supplement safety.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. What is NSF? An international not-for-profit organization that serves public health [0:54]
   • What does NSF stand for? [5:11]
2. The dietary supplement industry and the need for third-party testing [7:01]
3. Certifications that NSF provides for dietary supplements: GMP, NSF Contents Certified, and NSF Certified for Sport® [10:12]
   • NSF’s requirements for certification: Annual audits and testing [11:51]
   • How does NSF Certified for Sport® keep athletes safe? [19:08]
4. What tests does NSF perform? [23:29]
5. Questions from the community
   • What’s the difference between NSF and FDA? [28:32]
   • What should coaches tell their athletes, especially young athletes, about supplement safety? [30:14]
   • Why should nonathletes care about NSF Certified for Sport®? [32:54]
   • How many tests or test methods does NSF perform? [36:18]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Got questions? Connect with John Travis via email at travis@nsf.org
• Learn more about NSF at NSF.org.
• Are you a professional athlete? Explore the ins and outs of NSF Certified for Sport®
• Taylor Hooton Foundation: Educating youth athletes and coaches about supplement safety
• What is NSF Certified? What Thorne’s NSF Certifications Mean for You
• Thorne Supplements are 3rd-Party Contents Certified
• Unparalleled Quality: Thorne’s Promise From Start to Finish
• Why the Best Supplements for Athletes Are NSF Certified for Sport®
• For Peak Performance, Start with a Strong Foundation
• How Thorne Supports U.S. National Teams and Their Athletes
• How to Build a Human Powered Health Routine
• Manufactured by Thorne: Why You Should Know Who Makes Your Supplements
• Why NSF Certified for Sport® Supplements Are Important for All Athletes

Products related to this episode: NSF Certified for Sport® Supplements

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AI and the Future of Personalized Medicine

Dr. Nathan Price, Thorne’s Chief Science Officer, returns to The Thorne Podcast to talk about advances in artificial intelligence in health care, and how doctors might use AI to spend more time with patients and help patients better understand medical research. 

During this episode you’ll learn about: 

1. This week’s guest: Dr. Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer at Thorne [0:54] 

2. AI, or artificial intelligence, in health care [2:20] 

• How AI helps doctors spend more patients [4:29] 

• How AI can reduce human error in health care [7:36] 

• Can AI find new treatment plans for diseases? [10:07] 

3. How does AI work? What are LLMs? [12:45] 

• What are AI agents? [17:55] 

• Is AI accurate? What quality control checks are there for AI in health care? [23:05] 

4. How AI makes published medical research easier for the public to understand and access [25:02] 

5. Questions from the community 

• How much personal information does AI need to give useful results? [32:44] 

• Will AI health care replace real doctors and nurses? Is AI being taught in medical school? [36:47] 

• How does AI in health care change “getting a second opinion”? [44:20] 

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode: 

• Connect with Dr. Nathan Price on LinkedIn and follow @NathanPriceSci on X. 

• The Age of Scientific Wellness – How to Reshape the Future of Personalized Medicine with Data and Artificial Intelligence 

• The AI Revolution in Personalized Health Care, with Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer 

• How Can Technology Affect Your Health? The Pros and Cons of Living in a Connected World 

• Meet A Thorne Health Advisor 

• Presenting: Thorne HealthTech, a New Era for Data-Driven Wellness 

• Redefining Healthy Aging with Thorne 

• From the podcast archives: Using AI to Advance Scientific Wellness 

Products related to this episode: Biological Age Health Panel, Vitamin D Test, Thorne Advisor 

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Everything You Need to Know About Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common dietary conditions worldwide. Dr. Amanda Frick and Dr. Robert Rountree explore why you may be deficient in this essential mineral. Listen now to find out the best food sources of magnesium and which form of magnesium is best. 

During this episode you’ll learn about: 

1. Magnesium and its role in the body [1:17]

• Why magnesium deficiency is so common [3:26]
• Food sources of magnesium [5:33]

2. Symptoms of low magnesium [6:33]
3. How to test for magnesium levels [9:01]
4. Dietary magnesium vs. magnesium supplements [13:20]
5. Which form of magnesium is best [15:45]
6. Questions from the community

• How often should I take a magnesium supplement? [19:24]
• What foods are best for magnesium? [20:45]
• How effective are topical magnesium products, like Epsom salt, compared to oral magnesium supplements? [21:16]
• If magnesium is a metal, is it safe to consume? [23:55]
• What is magnesium bisglycinate? How does it promote sleep? [25:10]
• What about other forms of magnesium? Why doesn’t Thorne use magnesium threonate or magnesium stearate? [27:05]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode: 

• Link to Guest’s social/websites (all items in bullet point format)
• Explore Thorne's Magnesium Supplements
• Who is at Risk for Magnesium Deficiency?
• Watch: Are You Magnesium Deficient?
• Working Better Together: Magnesium, Calcium, and Vitamins D and K
• Find the Best Form of Magnesium for You
• A Good Night’s Sleep: How Magnesium and Other Nutrients Can Help
• The Role of Magnesium in Exercise Performance
• Thorne’s NSF Certified for Sport® Supplements

Products mentioned in this episode: Magnesium, Magnesium Bisglycinate, Calcium-Magnesium Malate, Magnesium CitraMate 

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The Best Foods for Eye Health, with Dr. Kathi Head

Are carrots actually good for your eyesight? Dr. Kathi Head, ND, returns to the podcast to discuss ways to protect your eyes from stress caused by UV rays and blue light. Learn about which foods – and supplements – are best for healthy eyes at every age.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. This week’s guest: Dr. Kathi Head, on protecting eye health and vision [1:41]
   • Oxidative stress effects on cataract formation [4:00]
2. Red, orange, yellow, green: Colorful vegetables with eye-healthy antioxidants [5:56]
   • Marigolds and eggs yolks: More sources for lutein and zeaxanthin [9:24]
   • How do carotenoids and vitamin A benefit the eyes? [10:53]
   • Why (cooked) carrots really are good for your eyesight [13:12]
3. Best supplements for eye health: Omega-3s, zinc, and bilberry [14:42]
4. Questions from the community
   • How much of eye health is based on lifestyle vs. genetics? [21:39]
   • What is color blindness? [24:13]
   • How do cataracts form? [26:01]
   • Can eyesight improve as we get older or does it only get worse with age? [28:40]
   • What vision exercises promote eye healthy? [29:31]
   • Why do the whites of some people’s eyes look yellow? [30:29]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Check out Dr. Kathi Head’s articles on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily online magazine
• Nutrients and Botanicals for Eye Health

• What is Blue Light and How Does It Affect Me?
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin: More Than Just Eye Health
• Lutein Supports Brain Function in Overweight Adults
• Mayo Clinic: Eat the Rainbow
• Picky Eater? How to Add Vegetables to Your Child's Diet
• DIM vs. I3C: A Broccoli-Based Lesson in Biochemistry
• Exposure to Red Light Could Improve Vision in People Over 40
• 6 Things You Can Do To Age Better
• From the podcast archives:
  • Macular Carotenoids in Eye and Brain Function
  • Thorne's 40th Birthday! Innovation Since 1984

Ingredients mentioned in this episode: 

• Lutein and Vitamin A: Basic Nutrients 2/Day, Men’s Multi 50+, Women’s Multi 50+, MediClear-SGS™, MediClear Plus®
• Zeaxanthin: Memoractiv™
• Broccoli Seed Extract: Crucera-SGS®, Hormone Advantage
• Bilberry: Advanced Nutrients, Diabenil®

Products mentioned in this episode: Advanced DHA; Grape Seed Extract; Zinc Bisglycinate; Zinc Picolinate

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Our 100th Show! How to Live to 100 and Beyond

The Thorne Podcast celebrates its 100th episode with a conversation on centenarians – people who live to be 100 and older. Dr. Nathan Price, Thorne’s Chief Science Officer, joins host Dr. Robert Rountree to explore the healthy habits and surprising genetics of the world’s oldest people. 

During this episode you’ll learn about: 

1. This week’s guest: Dr. Nathan Price, researcher, author, and Chief Science Officer at Thorne [1:09]
2. What are centenarians and supercentenarians? How long can we extend the human lifespan? [2:48]
   • The difference between a longer lifespan and a longer health span [4:54] 
   • How healthy are centenarians?  [8:33] 
3. What lifestyle habits do centenarians have to help them live longer? Or is it just genetics? [9:50]
   • Two key factors associated with longevity: Cognitive function and parental longevity [12:19] 
   • Why genes can be used to predict longevity but not define it [15:06] 
4. The wellness model of health care: Reducing health risks with everyday choices [18:35]
   • Prevention vs. treatment: Lifestyle approaches to good health and longevity [23:25] 
   • The future of wellness: Using science to make wellness predictive and precise [27:50] 
5. Questions from the community 
   • Is living longer a good thing? [30:58] 
   • What’s the truth behind centenarians living longer because they eat raw eggs? [34:40] 
   • What are blue zones? Can you improve your lifespan by moving to a blue zone? [36:47] 

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode: 

• Connect with Dr. Nathan Price on LinkedIn and follow @isbnathanprice on X. 

• National Academy of Medicine’s 2019 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Scholars 

• Explore Ways to Redefine Healthy Aging With Thorne 

• The AI Revolution in Personalized Health Care, with Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer 

• The Age of Scientific Wellness – How to Reshape the Future of Personalized Medicine with Data and Artificial Intelligence 

• The Deep Dive: An Exploration of Blue Zones and Human Longevity 

• What You Should Know About Healthy Aging 

• How These Little Known Proteins Impact Healthy Aging 

• Mayo Clinic: 7 Tips for Slowing Down the Aging Process 

• Three Science-backed Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your Dementia Risk 

• Exploring the Connection Between Alzheimer's Disease and Gut Microbiota 

• Can Your Gut Microbiome Predict Your Longevity? 

• The Connection Between Aging and a Reduced Level of NAD+ in the Body 

• Collagen Provides a Protein Boost for Muscle Growth and Joint Health 

From the podcast archives: Previous episodes with Dr. Price; aging with Dr. Lee Hood; 

• Exploring the Science of Healthy Aging 

• Exploring Bone and Muscle Loss and What to Do About It 

• Using AI to Advance Scientific Wellness 

• How to Solve an Age-Old Problem, with Dr. Lee Hood 

• It's Personalized – The Future of Data-Driven Health 

Products related to this episode: Biological Age Health Panel; Phosphatidyl Choline; Whey Protein Isolate – Vanilla or Chocolate; VeganPro Complex® – Chocolate 

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Olympian Ryan Crouser Prepares for Paris 2024

In this Performance Edition of The Thorne Podcast, Olympian and shot put world record holder Ryan Crouser talks about his career as an athlete and college coach, getting his travel routine down to a science, and how he’s preparing for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. This week’s guest: Ryan Crouser, two-time Olympian and current world record holder in both the indoor and outdoor shot put [0:35]
   • Crouser’s shot putting career and how Thorne gives him peace of mind [1:07]
   • What it means to be a self-coached athlete and the importance of data [6:10]
   • Crouser’s experience coaching college athletes [11:43]
   • What goal setting means for Crouser [16:59]
2. The impact of international travel on athletic performance
   • Crouser’s sleep and hydration strategies [22:34]
   • How Crouser’s past Olympic Games inform his preparation for Paris [26:48]
3. Questions from the community
   • Competing is so much of your job. How do you stay relaxed? [31:47]
   • Are there any sports that would help with throwing shot put or what advice would you give to younger athletes who are interested? [32:40]
   • Do you have a favorite “food city” that you've competed in or trained in? [36:39]
   • Do you have any superstitions or routines that you try to stick to? [38:22]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• These Are the Ideal Supplements to Pack When Traveling
• The Top 5 Supplements for a Good Night’s Sleep
• Olympic Champion Lee Kiefer Pursues Longevity Beyond Her Golden Legacy
• Team USA Weightlifter Abby Raymond Talks Supplement Safety
• Olympic Fencer Gerek Meinhardt Puts Aging 'En Garde!'
• My Journey to Thorne, From Olympic Athlete to Safety Advocate, with Wes Barnett
• One Dream: Gold Medalist Gail Devers Shares Her Inspiring Health Journey
• Visit USA Track & Field
• Visit Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games
• Follow Crouser’s Olympic journey on Instagram
• From the podcast archives: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About the Olympics with Wes Barnett; Love and Fencing: From Olympics to Medical School

Products mentioned in this episode: Catalyte, EnteroMend, Vitamin C, Zinc

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