Not All Supplements are Created Equal

One of the biggest mistakes people make with supplements is assuming that what's printed on the label is what their body receives. I’ve spent a lot of time researching ways to protect the brain as we age, and sulforaphane keeps coming up for an interesting reason: it may activate NRF2, a pathway involved in the body’s cellular defense systems. In this episode, I’m joined by David Roberts and Dr. John Gildea, co-founders of Mara Labs, to dive into the science behind sulforaphane, why it’s difficult to stabilize, and what consumers should actually look for when choosing a supplement. We also get into a much bigger problem with supplements: having an ingredient on a label doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a biologically relevant dose or that the compound is reaching your cells. We discuss “fairy dust” formulations, bioavailability, third-party testing, and why sulforaphane and curcumin may work differently depending on how they're formulated. Then we discuss brain aging, inflammation, bone density, microplastics, sleep, weight loss, and menopause. We also discuss the guests’ research and experiences developing stabilized sulforaphane and other formulations designed to improve delivery. **Podcast Sponsors:** \- For the next week, Brain Fit loyal listeners can get an exclusive 25% off all Mara Labs products when you go to www.mara-labs.com/LOVE and use code LOVE at checkout. After this week, the code will return to the standard 15% off. **In this Episode:** \- The story that led to Mara Labs and sulforaphane research \- Why sulforaphane is so difficult to stabilize in supplements \- The problem with sulforaphane supplements \- Sulforaphane, IL-6, inflammation and bone health \- Microplastics, environmental exposure and cellular cleanup \- Why sulforaphane may be more than an immediate cognitive boost \- Berberine, sleep and the surprising connection \- Supplements from Mara Labs \- Their menopause-focused formulation and the science behind its ingredients **Resources:** \- First Evidence of Microplastic Mobilization in a Human Subject – A Self-Experiment - https://jonbrudvig.substack.com/p/first-evidence-of-microplastic-mobilization \- The Plastic Detox (a Netflix documentary) - https://www.netflix.com/ph-en/title/82074244 \- Get Your Copy of the Microplastics Detox Protocol - email info@maralabs.com **Connect with David Roberts & Dr. John Gildea:** 🌐Website - https://mara-labs.com/ **Connect with Robert Love:** 🌐Website - https://roarlionsmane.net/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/robertwblove/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/discover/robert-love-lions-mane ▶️YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RobertWBLove ***Disclaimer:* This podcast is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your medical treatment or care plan.**