The Thorne Podcast

How Thorne Uses Clinical Trials to Make Products

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. Myth-busting trending health topics: Does vitamin K interfere with vitamin D absorption? [1:53]
2. Today’s main topic: Clinical trials [5:22]
   • How Thorne uses clinical research to formulate products [7:42]
   • Limitations to clinical trials [10:07]
   • What clinical trials mean for everyday consumers [12:58]
3. Questions from the community
   • Why don’t all supplements go through clinical trials? [15:32]
   • What is the main focus of a clinical trial? Supplement safety? Ingredient efficacy? Something else? [16:42]
   • How does Thorne address clinical trial results that don’t meet expectations? [19:41]
   • How does Thorne use clinical trials to improve formulas over time? [23:22]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• How Thorne's Medical Affairs Promotes Supplement Education, with Dr. Jennifer Greer
• Why Clinical Research Matters: My Journey to Thorne
• Does Thorne Participate in Clinical Trials?
• Why Should You Care About Clinical Research?
• Working Better Together: Magnesium, Calcium, and Vitamins D and K
• Thorne's Medical Experts Share Their Favorite Supplements
• What Are Adaptogens and How Do They Help?

Products related to this episode: Stress Balance, Sleep Bundle, Daily Greens Plus, Vitamin D + K2 Liquid, Vitamin D Test

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Buy This, Not That: How to Shop for Supplements

Overwhelmed by all the different supplement brands out there? Dr. Jennifer Greer, Thorne’s Director of Medical Education, joins podcast host Dr. Amanda Frick to talk about how to read a supplement label, red flags in the supplement industry, and how cost is a matter of quality.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. How to choose a supplement brand [2:15]
   • Look at the label for third-party certifications [3:58]
   • Read up on ingredients and nutrient forms [7:21]
2. What does it mean when an ingredient is trademarked? [10:04]
3. Cost: Cheap vs. expensive supplements as a matter of quality [12:05]
4. How to interpret health claims [15:08]
5. Questions from the community
   • What is “bioavailability”? How do I know if a nutrient is “bioavailable”? [18:56]
   • What minerals are most important in a daily multi-vitamin formula? [22:39]
   • What “other” ingredients should I avoid? How can I tell if a brand is using a clean formula? [24:24]
   • How can I tell if the dosage in a product’s Supplement Facts is effective or backed by science? [26:07]
   • Are there any red flags to look for in the supplement industry? [27:14]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Find the Best Form of Magnesium for You
• Product Quality: Thorne's Defining Characteristic
• Thorne Supplements are 3rd-Party Contents Certified
• Why Are Supplements’ Daily Value Percentages So High?
• Get the Most Out of Mineral Supplementation
• The Best Quiz to Find Which Nutritional Supplements You Should Take
• What is NSF Certified? What Thorne’s NSF Certifications Mean for You
• What is Methylation and Why Is It Important?
• Anatomy of a Multi-Vitamin: Micronutrients, Minerals, and More

Products mentioned in this episode: Magnesium, Curcumin Phytosome, Quercetin Phytosome, Boswellia Phytosome, Green Tea Phytosome, Vitamin B12

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Podcast Rewind: NSF Certified: A Contract for Product Quality

Note: This episode originally aired in September 2024. 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 to Build a Supplement “Stack” for Athletic Performance
• How Thorne Supports U.S. National Teams and Their Athletes
• How to Build a Human Powered Health Routine
• What NSF Certified for Sport ® Means to Human Powered Health Cycling Athletes
• The Training Bundle: Best Supplements to Take While Working Out
• Manufactured by Thorne: Why You Should Know Who Makes Your Supplements
• From the podcast archives:
  • 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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Low T? Natural Ways to Support Testosterone Levels

It’s not just for men: The sex hormone testosterone plays a role in both men’s and women’s health by supporting metabolism, libido, and bone density. Dr. Jennifer Greer, ND, returns to the podcast to discuss the best ways to balance healthy testosterone levels at every age.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. This week’s returning guest, Dr. Jennifer Greer, Thorne’s Director of Medical Education [1:01]
2. What is testosterone? How is testosterone different in men and women? [4:24]
   • How age affects testosterone levels [6:49]
   • Endocrine disruptors and aromatase: Why testosterone levels are declining across all age groups [10:18]
3. Dietary interventions and supplements to help optimize testosterone levels [14:44]
   • Benefits of shilajit, a supplement from Ayurvedic medicine [16:05]
   • Ashwagandha, an adaptogen that helps balance hormones in men [19:20]
   • Zinc for men’s health [22:02]
4. Questions from the community
   • How do a man’s testosterone levels affect fertility? [25:27]
   • What’s the difference between testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and a testosterone support supplement? [28:02]
   • What ingredients should I look for in a testosterone support supplement? [30:41]
   • How do I prevent my testosterone levels from dropping? [33:58]
   • Are there safe ways to support testosterone levels at age 50 and older? [35:20]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• How Thorne's Medical Affairs Promotes Supplement Education, with Dr. Jennifer Greer
• Meet the Sex Hormones and Their Role in Your Health
• How Exercise Routines (Or Lack of One) Affect Your Testosterone Level
• Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men
• Too High or Too Low? A Guide to Women’s Testosterone Levels
• Mayo Clinic: 10 Things You Didn't Know about Male Menopause
• Zinc 101
• Can a Man Boost His Fertility Through Diet?
• How to Create a Men's Health Diet Plan
• The Thyroid's Role in Regulating Your Sex Drive
• Mayo Clinic: Essential Health Screenings for Men
• Hormones and Your Health
• Common Endocrine Disruptors and Hormone Health

Products related to this episode: Advanced Testosterone Support, Zinc, Men's Multi 50+, Hormone Advantage

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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.

Podcast Rewind: Lifestyle Factors that Lead to High Blood Pressure

Note: This episode originally aired in November 2021. Find out what Dr. Lipman and Dr. Rountree have to say about the rise of blood pressure in U.S. adults, hypertension symptoms, and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your heart.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. High blood pressure as a lifestyle issue [1:54]
   • Modern society and high blood pressure [2:20]
   • Influence of western diet [3:05]
2. Lifestyle factors for high blood pressure [4:08]
3. Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome [5:00]
4. Salt sensitivity [5:47]
5. Diet and high blood pressure [6:47]
6. Stress and high blood pressure [7:29]
   • Lack of sleep and exercise [8:00]
7. What to do about high blood pressure [8:36]
   • Addressing lifestyle issues [8:48]
8. Consequences of high blood pressure [10:48]
   • Symptoms [11:20]
9. Measuring blood pressure [12:20]
10. Supplements [13:30]
    • Fish oil [14:48]
    • Methyl-Guard [15:08]
    • Olive oil and olive leaf [18:08]
11. Questions for the community [20:00]
    • How does blood pressure work? [20:20]
      • Understanding systolic and diastolic numbers [20:30]
      • Hypertension [22:27]
    • What to look for if you have high blood pressure [22:48]
    • How can I lower blood pressure immediately? [22:43]
    • Why is blood pressure called hypertension? [25:12]
    • Does blood pressure vary by age? [26:02]
      • Blood pressure going up with age [26:26]
    • What is the best kind of yoga for dealing with blood pressure? [27:06]
    • Why does anxiety increase blood pressure? [29:11]
      • Stress chemicals [29:20]
    • How to maintain healthy blood pressure [31:00]
    • Understanding low blood pressure [32:15]

Products mentioned in this episode: Methyl-Guard®, L-Arginine, PolyResveratrol-SR®, CoQ10, Magnesium Bisglycinate, Berberine, Super EPA Pro

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Nutrition For Healthy Blood Vessel Elasticity
• The Benefits of Healthy Blood Vessels
• What’s the Connection: Understanding How Weight Affects Blood Fats

• Metabolic Syndrome Guide 

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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.

Optimize Your Health with Polygenic Risk Scores

At-home DNA tests are everywhere, but what can your DNA tell you about your risk for developing serious diseases like cancer? Returning guest Dr. Joel Evans from Genetype and The Center for Functional Medicine explains how a polygenic risk score may help optimize your future.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. This week’s guest: Dr. Joel Evans, OB-GYN and functional medicine doctor [0:55]
2. How to use polygenic risk scores, a powerful disease prediction tool [2:45]
   • What are SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms)? [5:57]
   • Breakthrough genome-wide association studies (GWAS) [7:15]
3. From GWAS to PRS: Polygenic risk scores show genetic predisposition to disease [10:55]
   • How polygenic risk scores compare to popular DNA test kits [13:14]
4. Who may benefit from getting their polygenic risk score measured? [17:22]
5. Questions from the community
   • If I score high on polygenic risk for something like cancer, does that mean I will get cancer? [22:22]
   • How much do polygenic risk tests cost? Are they worth the cost? [26:49]
   • Are polygenic risk scores the same as ancestry DNA tests? [28:55]
   • How do polygenic risk scores work? Are they secure? Do I need to worry about privacy? [30:02]
   • How can I use my polygenic risk score to optimize my health? [33:21]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Joel Evan’s work on polygenic risk scores at Genetype and The Center For Functional Medicine
• Discover more ways to test your health at home with Thorne
• Assess Your Biological Age With Thorne's Biological Age Health Panel
• How It Works: Health Panel Blood Draw
• What Can A Microbiome Test Tell You That A Genetic Test Can't?
• How Does Thorne's Biological Age Panel Work?

Products mentioned in this episode: Biological Age Health Panel, Essential Health Panel, Advanced Health Panel

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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.

How to Make a New Year’s Resolution Stick

Is it possible to make a New Year’s resolution that lasts? Yes! Dr. Jennifer Greer, Thorne’s Director of Medical Education, joins Dr. Robert Rountree to share tips that will help you set realistic goals and achieve your New Year’s resolutions without losing motivation along the way.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. This week’s guest: Dr. Jennifer Greer, ND, MEd, Thorne’s Director of Medical Education [1:00]
2. How to build a successful New Year’s resolution [2:57]
   • Small steps vs. big changes [4:56]
   • Do something you like to find something you love [7:16]
   • Set a goal that can adapt and evolve with you [8:30]
3. How to prepare for a fitness resolution [9:34]
   • Exercise safely [10:30]
   • Go at your own pace; don’t compare your progress to others [11:26]
   • Listen to your body and monitor your biomarkers [11:59]
4. What are the best health tests for New Year’s success? [17:27]
5. Is your resolution related to diet? Why you should see a nutritionist [21:31]
6. Questions from the community
   • What are some low-effort, high-reward New Year’s resolutions? [25:24]
   • How do I set realistic goals without losing motivation? [28:17]
   • Is it worth setting resolutions that may be out of my direct control? [30:34]
   • What are the best resolutions to support mental health? [34:26]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Home Health Tests from Thorne: Meaningful insights, personalized plans
• How to Set and Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution
• 6 Tips to Jumpstart Your New Year's Resolutions
• The Science of Change | 7 Steps to Create New Habits This Year
• The Thorne Testing Philosophy: 5 Ways We’re Revolutionizing Wellness
• Five Strategies for Healthy Weight Management
• Healthy Living: We Know What to Do. Why Don't We Do It?
• Combat Winter Fatigue with Hygge – a Danish Secret to Happiness
• What is Dry January? Your 5 Questions, Answered

Products mentioned in this episode: Stress Test; Biological Age Health Panel; Sleep Test; Gut Health Test

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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.

All About GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs

Everyone is talking about GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Dr. Robert Rountree and Dr. Amanda Frick explain how glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs work, their history of use for insulin resistance, what the common side effects are, and how to support patients who take GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. What is GLP-1? [2:52]
   • How do GLP-1 weight-loss drugs work? [3:24]
2. Why are weight-loss drugs controversial? [5:42]
3. How long do you have to stay on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs? [9:05]
   • Effects of GLP-1 weight-loss on mental and emotional health [10:54]
4. How to support patients on GLP-1weight-loss drugs [11:39]
5. Questions from the community
   • What are GLP-1 side effects? [15:17]
   • How can I avoid nausea and GI upset while taking GLP-1 medicine? [16:13]
   • What alternatives to GLP-1 drugs may benefit weight management? [19:15]
   • How do GLP-1 drugs affect the brain and promote a positive mood? [21:33]
   • What foods should I avoid when taking GLP-1 drugs? [22:34]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Explore Thorne’s Wellness Guides for Weight Management and Medically Guided Weight Loss
• Download all Thorne’s free Wellness Guides
• Managing Side Effects of Weight Loss Medicines
• Top 5 Ozempic® Questions Answered
• 20 Surprising Things that Can Affect Your Weight
• Five Strategies for Healthy Weight Management
• Weight Management Tips While Working from Home
• 6 Tips for Keeping Your Weight in Check During the Holidays
• Can a Probiotic Help You with Weight Management?
• Manage Your Weight with Mindful Eating
• The Six Best Supplements for Healthy Weight According to a Registered Dietician
• Here's the Skinny on Healthy Weight Gain – 4 Steps to Help Your BMI
• Previously on The Thorne Podcast: What is Metabolism?; The Secrets to Effective Weight Management; We Took Thorne's Weight Management Test
  • Weight Management Series: Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle, Supplements, Listeners’ Questions

Products related to this episode: Weight Management Test; Berberine; Metabolic Health; GI Relief

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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.

How to Interpret Your Vitamin D Test Results

Are you getting enough vitamin D? How much is too much? Dr. Amanda Frick and Dr. Robert Rountree took Thorne’s at-home Vitamin D Test to answer these questions and more. Listen here and visit Thorne’s YouTube channel to allow along as they analyze their results.

During this episode you’ll learn about:

1. Why you need to test vitamin D levels [0:58]
   • Benefits of at-home health testing [5:48]
2. How to take Thorne’s Vitamin D Test: Blood spot collection tips [10:26]
3. Robert Rountree’s Vitamin D Test results [13:00]
   • Benefits of re-testing vitamin D levels throughout the year [16:27]
   • Vitamin D diet recommendations [17:09]
   • What are some vegan vitamin D foods? [18:33]
4. Amanda Frick’s Vitamin D Test results [19:36]

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:

• Watch Amanda Frick and Dr. Robert Rountree go over their results.
• Follow Thorne on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest health and wellness news
• Connect with Frick on LinkedIn
• The Sunshine Supplement: Understanding Vitamin D and the Sun
• Seven Reasons to Know Your Vitamin D Level
• Can You Take Too Much Vitamin D?
• Can You Take Vitamin D During Pregnancy?
• The Risks of Being Vitamin D Deficient as an Athlete
• Soaking Up the Sun: Should You Supplement Vitamin D Year-Round?
• 5 Foods High in Vitamin D
• Anxious or Depressed? Focus On These Micronutrient Blood Levels
• Multivitamin vs. Individual Vitamins: Which is Best?
• How the Stress Test Works: Results and Insights
• We Took Thorne's Weight Management Test
• What Do My Sleep Test Results Mean?
• What My Menopause Test Results Mean for My Cycle
• The Thyroid Test: What to Expect and How It Works
• What You’ll Learn From Biological Age Testing

Products mentioned in this episode: Vitamin D Test; Vitamin D Supplements; Super EPA; Methyl-Guard®; Methyl-Guard Plus®; Basic Nutrients 2/Day

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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.

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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Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also learn more about the topics in the episode by checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.