How to Interpret Your Vitamin D Test Results

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: What is GLP-1? [2:52] How do GLP-1 weight-loss drugs work? [3:24] Why are weight-loss drugs controversial? [5:42] 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] How to support patients on GLP-1weight-loss drugs [11:39] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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.

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: Why you need to test vitamin D levels [0:58] Benefits of at-home health testing [5:48] How to take Thorne’s Vitamin D Test: Blood spot collection tips [10:26] 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] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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, 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: 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] 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] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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.

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: What are endocrine disruptors? How do they interfere with hormones? [1:15] Examples of endocrine disruptors: Plastics, pesticides, and more [3:13] Effects of endocrine disruptors on fertility in women and in men [9:04] Can foods act as endocrine disruptors? [11:26] Birth control pills and why endocrine disruptors are not all bad [15:10] Proactive steps to take at home to mitigate negative effects of endocrine disruptors [20:40] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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.

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: Basic principles of skin health [2:30] Cigarettes impact on skin health [3:44] Sunbathing and skin [5:05] Vitamin D [6:18] Skin protectants [9:00] Sulforaphane [9:18] Skin supportive nutrients [12:30] Collagen Plus [14:00] Collagen and skin health [15:40] Collagen forms [17:30] Peptides [18:30] Collagen taste [19:30] 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 Subscribe To More Content 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 online magazine.

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: Returning guest Dr. Joel Evans, OB/GYN [0:54] 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] Lifestyle factors that influence when menopause starts and ends [10:19] How gut health influences hormonal health [11:52] 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] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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.

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: What is NSF? An international not-for-profit organization that serves public health [0:54] What does NSF stand for? [5:11] The dietary supplement industry and the need for third-party testing [7:01] 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] What tests does NSF perform? [23:29] 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 [email protected] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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.

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  Subscribe to More Content   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.   

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:  Magnesium and its role in the body [1:17] Why magnesium deficiency is so common [3:26] Food sources of magnesium [5:33] Symptoms of low magnesium [6:33] How to test for magnesium levels [9:01] Dietary magnesium vs. magnesium supplements [13:20] Which form of magnesium is best [15:45] 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  Subscribe to More Content   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. 

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: This week’s guest: Dr. Kathi Head, on protecting eye health and vision [1:41] Oxidative stress effects on cataract formation [4:00] 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] Best supplements for eye health: Omega-3s, zinc, and bilberry [14:42] 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 Subscribe to More Content 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.