Four of six creatine gummies in one round of independent lab testing contained essentially none of the creatine on the label. Every powder passed. Dr. Jordan Glenn, PhD, is an exercise physiologist and Head of Science at SuppCo, a supplement research platform that scores products on manufacturing quality and secret-shops them for third-party lab testing. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications across nutrition, exercise performance, aging, and cognitive health, and spent nearly a decade as chief science officer at a company focused on cognitive decline. In this episode he joins Dom D'Agostino to explain what supplement testing can and cannot tell you: why gummies fail far more often than powders, how retesting a second batch separates a lab error from a systemic problem, the difference between a quality score, lab testing, and a certification, and how Amazon's golden sample system can let mismatched products through. The conversation also turns to ketone supplement claims, including products sold as ketones that actually contain precursors like 1,3-butanediol or MCT, and what a label is allowed to say about brain health. On creatine, Jordan explains why almost 60% of users in SuppCo's study now take it for the brain, where the evidence looks promising, such as sleep deprivation and concussion, and why he thinks the marketing is a little ahead of the science. Along the way: why vitamin D patches absorb poorly, the 6 to 8 gram citrulline threshold most pre-workouts miss, and the five supplements Jordan takes himself. Questions Answered in This Episode: Why did four of six creatine gummies fail identity and potency testing while every powder passed?What is the difference between a supplement quality score, lab testing, and a third-party certification?How can you tell whether a ketone supplement lives up to its label?Do you need to load or cycle creatine, and does it help the brain?How much citrulline does a pre-workout need, and does it lower blood pressure?How should you audit the supplements already in your cabinet?Listeners and viewers will come away with a clearer way to judge any supplement: start with the problem you want to solve, know your numbers, and make sure what is in the bottle matches both the label and the research. Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode: ✅ Genova Connect: Get 15% off any Genova Connect test kit with code METABOLICLINK here. ✅ fatty15: Get 15% off a 90-day subscription starter kit with code METABOLICLINK here. More Links SuppCo (supplement scores, testing, and Jordan's articles): supp.coThe Metabolic Initiative (expert lectures, CME, ad-free episodes, live Q&As): membership.metabolicinitiative.comIn every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in! You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel! Find us on social: InstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedInPlease keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.
