The Hidden Supplement Trap

Happy Thursday, Zapien 👋

This week, we’re digging into the fine line between helpful and harmful when it comes to supplements. With more people turning to micronutrients for performance, immunity, and longevity, it’s never been more important to know what your body actually needs — and when too much can backfire.

In our WhatsApp community, members unpacked EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) picks, debated CGMs and wearables, shared plantar fasciitis remedies and compared the latest microbiome testing options.

Plus, take a look inside the personal health stack of Andrew Huberman, Stanford professor and neuroscientist, where cutting-edge science meets daily habits to optimize body and brain.

Forever,
Karol, Martin, Simon & Andy

This Week’s Highlights

➤ Top 10 Supplements to Test Before Use
Some supplements support your health, others can cause real harm. This week we explore why testing matters and which 10 nutrients to check before taking them.

➤ Discover Brand Deals
Explore exclusive offers on top wellness and longevity products, with up to 25% off — curated for the New Zapiens community.

➤ Weekly Summary of our WhatsApp Group
A recap of discussions on EVOO quality, wearable reliability, gut health testing and smarter supplement choices.

➤ Health Stack of the Week
This week’s health stack features Andrew Huberman, Stanford professor and neuroscientist, with a routine built around focus, strength, recovery and the tools he uses to stay on track.

Top 10 Supplements to Test Before Use

What’s well-intended can quickly become too much of a good thing with some micronutrients – here, the rule is: better safe than sorry!

The body is a complex system. And like any system, it has thresholds, feedback loops, and bottlenecks. Micronutrients in particular don’t act in a linear fashion: too little makes you sick – but so does too much.

Many experts and influencers are now talking about micronutrient deficiencies and what you can do about them – and that’s a good thing, because deficiencies are likely more widespread and have greater (especially long-term) impacts on health and longevity than most doctors learned during their training. 

Then every so often, horror stories about overdoses pop up – especially involving vitamin D3.

So what should you do?

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WhatsApp Group Summary

Olive Oil Deep Dive & Brand Debate

Someone asked for EVOO brand recommendations, criticizing Bryan Johnson’s product.

Manlio stressed the importance of lab reports, oleic acid levels, and cultivar choice.

Derek and Niclas endorsed OlvLimits; Ana explained regional limitations and trade-offs in freshness.

Josch added a manufacturer’s view on supply consistency vs. quality; Oushesh and Heiko debated testing and polyphenol claims.

Lucis and Sunday EVOO were mentioned as high-polyphenol alternatives.

Wearables & CGM Experiences

Fabian warned of the likely insolvency of Lactolevel despite liking the VO2 max device.

Nikhil asked about the Ultrahuman ring. Aamir, Glen , Anastasiia and others shared detailed user experiences — praising the app but criticizing hardware reliability.

Comparisons between Libre CGM and Ultrahuman’s software sparked debate on accuracy and added value.

Plantar Fasciitis Remedies

Dr. Malhotra asked for medicine-free solutions. Heiko, Sandra, Ana, and Greta suggested exercises, inflammation control, MSM, and proper footwear.

Michael reported success via a cortisol injection from Dr. Patrick Schoene.

Mo, Josch, and others recommended supportive shoes like Meindl for symptom management.

Testing, Gut Health & Medical Platforms

Titus opened a discussion on gut health testing; Ana, Jill, and Jan compared MyBioma, Medivere, Biomes, and Ganzimmun.

Rita contextualized limitations of microbiome science, sharing the WSJ uBiome podcast.

Lucis was discussed as a European alternative to Function Health. Derek praised Lucis' cross-referencing, while Nikhil and Glen debated app comparisons.

Cholesterol Management & Supplement Strategy

Karol asked about Bergamot extract as a statin alternative. Zain and Niko cautioned about supplement inconsistencies, suggesting statins plus CoQ10.

Heiko uses a combo of statin, Bergamot, and high-polyphenol EVOO. Oushesh recommended inflammation-focused interventions and gut health.

Community Health Stack

Andrew Huberman

Neuroscientist, Stanford professor and podcast host sharing science-based tools for mental and physical performance.

Andrew’s Trusted Brands

+26 more products

Andrew's Health Routine

Routine:
• Wake-Up: No alarm, natural wake-up between 5:30–6:30 AM
• Hydration: 16–32 oz water with LMNT electrolytes and AG1
• Sunlight Exposure: 2–10 min direct light within 30 min of waking
• Delayed Caffeine: Coffee or Yerba Mate ~90 min after waking
• Workout: 30–60 min strength or cardio
• 11:00 AM First Meal: Protein + greens
• NSDR: 10–30 min (Yoga Nidra or similar)
• 5:30 PM Dinner: More carbs in evening to aid sleep
• 9:00 PM Wind-Down: Dim lights, switch to red lighting
• 10:30 PM Sleep: Cool, dark, quiet room

Workout:
• 3x Strength Training: Resistance work (gym or bands)
• Cardio: Rucking or hiking (often with weighted backpack)
• Heat/Cold: Sauna 20 min + 5 min cold exposure

Diet:
• 12–16h Fasting Window: Eating starts around 11:00 AM
• Protein-Heavy: Each meal includes lean protein + fiber-rich vegetables
• Higher Carbs at Night: To support sleep quality

Discover more: Sleep, Diagnostics & Tracking, Mindset & Resilience…

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