I recently did an IG Live with Dr. Darshan Shah, CEO of Next Health, where I got to ask him questions about supplements that currently confuse me.
Here are my key takeaways:
1 - For sleep, avoid melatonin unless you’re using it to reset your circadian rhythm due to traveling across time zones. This is because prolonged usage of melatonin negatively impacts your sensitivity to melatonin. I’d asked about this because I noticed that melatonin isn’t sold over the counter in London, UK.
2 - Avoid CBD and THC as well for sleep. Instead, try lifestyle changes like these first: (1) no caffeine after 12 PM, (2) early morning light exposure through an open window, (3) sleep in a room that’s 65-68F, and (4) finish dinner 3 hours before bedtime.
3 - Hormone supplementation can be used for those on the low end of healthy. For example, DHEA and ashwagandha are validated to boost testosterone. I personally take ashwagandha after having my testosterone tested by Next Health. I’ve noticed increased energy and muscle definition since starting this. Hormone injections can be done by doctors at Next Health if supplements fail to get someone into the healthy range.
4 - Vetting supplements is important because many brands don’t actually contain what they claim. You can email any supplement brand and ask them for their third party certification. A few brands that Dr. Shah trusts include Pure Encapsulations and Thorne Research.
If you’d like to get tested for hormone health, food sensitivities, heavy metals, and more like I did at Next Health, you can use the promo code Methodology20 to get 20% off your first online purchase of most, but not all, services.
Speaking of hormone health, it’s hormone health awareness month, so two more things:
1 - Today is the last day to enter our $1,500 Back to Balance giveaway that includes tons of innovative health products designed to balance your hormones, including a 4-Day Methodology Reset. Here’s the IG Post with details on how to enter. Good luck!
2 - Head to our Instagram page today where I’ll share what I think is the single best food for improving hormone balance.
Have a great weekend!
Julie