Which Supplements Do Doctors Take?

Which Supplements Do Doctors Take?

July 17, 2026

Episode 237: Which Supplements Do Doctors Take?

Confused about which vitamins and supplements are actually worth your money? Dr. Vickie takes you to “mini medical school” to break down what she and her physician colleagues really take and why.

stethescope on intestines plus fruits and veggies

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Recap & Takeaways

In this episode:

  • Why the decades-long advice to take calcium + vitamin D got walked back, and what the risks turned out to be
  • The difference between a vitamin (your body needs it) and a supplement (a manufactured product) and why that distinction matters
  • The 4 facts everyone should know before buying a supplement, including why potency can vary wildly bottle to bottle
  • How to spot third-party verified supplements (look for NSF International or USP)
  • What the COSMOS study really found about multivitamins, brain health, and aging, including the sub-studies that didn’t confirm the benefit
  • Why creatine is having a moment with doctors, not just bodybuilders
  • Magnesium, fish oil, and fiber supplements: when they help and when food beats the pill
  • The one supplement every woman of childbearing age should be taking, even without a pregnancy planned
  • A caution on high-dose vitamin A and E

Evidence-based, no fear-mongering, no sales pitch, just what the research actually shows.

📩 Want more of this? Get evidence-based health info straight to your inbox, plus one simple step each week to move your health forward: healthylooksgreatonyou.com

Links mentioned in this episode:
Harvard Health Report: https://www.health.harvard.edu/preventive-care/do-multivitamins-make-you-healthier
Should You Take a Vitamin D Supplement: https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/should-you-take-a-vitamin-d-supplement/
Creatine: Promise for Muscle and Memory: https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/creatine-promise-for-muscle-and-memory/
https://Healthylooksgreatonyou.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please continue to follow up with your physician or healthcare provider.

 

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Is it too late for you to prevent dementia?

Is it too late for you to prevent dementia?

Is it too late for you to prevent dementia?

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Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology  – Retired

Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine – Retired

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Is it too late to prevent dementia?

Do you worry that your family history determines your destiny? There are steps you can take now to prevent dementia: lifestyle, speed training and learn new things.

In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie gives you practical, evidence-based steps you can take to prevent dementia:

  • Lifestyle: dietary patterns, movement, limiting exposure to alcohol and tobacco, sleep, stress, social connections and correcting vision or hearing loss.
  • Speed training for your brain. The ACTIVE study shows a decrease in dementia with the use of speed training and a lengthening of independence. Check out Brain HQ.
  • Learn new things that challenge your brain.

Dr. Vickie also explores the connection between brain health and belly fat.

Want to go deeper? Join the Healthy Looks Great on You LAB. 

 

 

 

The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow up with your physician.

 

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Creatine has long been associated with gym culture and protein shakers — but research is now exploring its role in muscle preservation, brain energy, and healthy aging.

So what does it actually do?

Creatine helps your cells produce ATP — the energy currency your muscles and brain rely on. While most people associate it with strength and performance, emerging evidence suggests it may also support cognitive function, especially in times of stress, sleep deprivation, or aging-related decline.

In this episode, we break down:

  • What creatine is and how it works

  • Typical dosing (3–5 grams per day)

  • Safety and side effects

  • Who may benefit — especially women over 40

  • A small pilot study in people with Alzheimer’s showing an increase in brain creatine levels after higher-dose supplementation

We also zoom out to the bigger picture: no supplement replaces resistance training, quality sleep, protein intake, and metabolic health. But could creatine be a useful tool on top of that foundation?

If you’re navigating muscle loss, slower recovery, or brain fog in midlife, this episode will help you evaluate creatine through an evidence-based, lifestyle medicine lens — without the hype.

Because aging strong isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about making informed, strategic choices.

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What’s the number one thing you can do to keep your mind sharp as you age? It’s probably not what you think—and it’s definitely not in a supplement bottle.

In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie takes you to mini medical school to explain the science of brain health and cognitive aging. You’ll learn what the U.S. POINTER study revealed about lifestyle and memory, how the six pillars of lifestyle medicine protect your brain, and why learning new, challenging skills may be the most overlooked strategy for preventing cognitive decline.

If you want to protect your brain, boost your memory, and feel mentally sharp for decades to come, this episode is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

  • Why dementia rates are rising and what that means for you

  • What the U.S. POINTER study showed about lifestyle and brain health

  • How exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress, and social connection affect your brain

  • The MIND diet and foods that support cognitive health

  • Why heart health and brain health are deeply connected

  • The most overlooked secret to keeping your mind sharp: cognitive challenge

  • Practical, evidence-based steps you can start today

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