Better! with Dr. Stephanie

013 Shawn Wells – On Mitochondrial Health, Supplements, & Tribe

Episode Summary

Dietician and sports nutritionist, Shawn Wells joins the podcast the share his experience working with mitochondrial health. Widely considered the world’s greatest formulator, Shawn has an eclectic background and understands the important roles energy, recovery and supplements play in maintaining strong health and wellness. Dr. Stephanie and Shawn expound on glycation, oxidation, and inflammation and their effect on our mitochondria and the ability to create energy within our bodies. Shawn shares a comprehensive list of supplements he recommends along with their benefits and side effects. Finally, Dr. Stephanie and Shawn speak to the importance of sleep, happiness, and community.

Episode Notes

00:57 – Introducing today’s guest, Shawn Wells

05:53 – Shawn breaks down the role of mitochondria its impact on energy

07:14 – Insufficient Cellular Energy (ICE) states

09:38 – Glycation, explained

12:17 – Signs of accelerated glycation

14:10 – The benefits of the supplement, Berberine

16:22 – The value of context

17:53 – The importance of checking and modulating your blood sugar

20:23 – How Barberry works

22:09 – How chronic low-grade inflammation can affect our mitochondria

25:06 – Dr. Stephanie and Shawn discuss why it’s not ideal to rely on caffeine and other energy boosters that have negative side effects

28:39 – Dr. Stephanie explains oxidative phosphorylation

29:25 – How keto works

30:49 – Key differences between ketogenic diets and Standard American Diet

39:41 – Digestive resistant starches

45:39 – Benefits of being metabolically flexible

51:22 – Shawn’s favorite foundational supplements

55:11 – Dr. Stephanie and Shawn talk about the supplement NAD

59:02 – The power of mitochondrial pathways

1:02:21 – The value of recovery

1:03:44 – Happiness

1:06:50 – Sleep deprivation and social jetlag

1:09:19 – Community and sex

1:11:47 – Shawn answers a series of rapid-fire questions

1:18:21 – Where listeners can follow Shawn

1:18:59 – Dr. Stephanie thanks Shawn for joining the show

1:19:23 – Where listeners can follow Dr. Stephanie and subscribe to her newsletter

TWEETABLE QUOTES

“What happens though, that’s so important that we’re finding out, why I say, ‘mito is the new keto,’ is that we are often in insufficient cellular energy states, which is an acronym called ICE. And, there’s something else that’s in neurological diseases, it’s a very similar idea called brain energy gap.” (07:14)

“It’s [Berberine] been shown in studies to be as effective, if not more effective, than Metformin, which is known as an incredible glucose disposal agent.” (14:47)

“One of the ways that keto works is that you’re not creating as much oxidation and you are using an alternate fuel source – ketones – and you are insulin-resistant, and you are in this insufficient cellular energy state, and you don’t have enough glucose readily available for substrate. That’s why keto is a miracle.” (29:34)

“It’s a beautiful thing in terms of evolution that we could be by the ocean, we could be in the trees, we could be in a barren winter wasteland, we could be in whatever climate all over the world and find a food source. That’s incredible.” (46:53)

“When we’re in an optimized state, when our mitochondria are functioning optimally, we’re not only anti-aging, anti-disease, pro-energy, but we’re able to deal with stress better.” (1:01:08)

“I think happiness is a choice. Every day you can choose whether you’re happy or not, whether you’re positive or not.” (1:04:24)

“I have amazing people like you [Dr. Stephanie] in my life because of the energy I’m putting out is coming back to me. And, it’s so important that yes you’ve been burned, yes you’ve been hurt, but don’t let that change what’s going out because that’s what’s going to come back.” (1:12:44)

“Whatever you’re thinking right now is your weakness is actually probably your superpower. You’re hiding it away and it’s the thing you’re so blessed for that makes you unique. And, once you let it out, you’ll become so powerful.” (1:15:28)

LINKS MENTIONED

Better! Website

Dr. Stephanie’s Website

Dr. Stephanie’s Twitter – @dr_stephanie

Dr. Stephanie’s Instagram – @dr.stephanie.estima

Dr. Stephanie on LinkedIn

Shawn’s Website

Shawn’s Instagram – @zonehalo

Shawn’s LinkedIn

Shawn’s Twitter – @ZoneHalo

Shawn’s Facebook

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