Skin Anarchy Podcast Summary
Episode: Advancing Supplement Integrity Through Potency and Purity ft. Why Not Natural
Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Keland Marquette, Founder of Why Not Natural
Date: September 29, 2025
Overview
This episode delves into the world of dietary supplements, addressing widespread confusion and marketing misinformation. Dr. Ekta welcomes Keland Marquette, a chemical engineer turned supplement entrepreneur, to share her journey founding Why Not Natural and to discuss the science, integrity, and transparency critical to producing effective, safe supplements.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Keland’s Background and Motivation
-
From Oil Rigs to Wellness (01:19):
Keland shares her unconventional journey from chemical engineering—working on North Sea oil rigs—to entrepreneurship, ultimately driven by a lifelong passion for health, wellness, and optimal nutrition. -
On Passion:
"This is much more… I feel like it's almost like it's not work. It's something I'm so passionate about."
— Keland (01:19)
The Supplement Industry’s Transparency Problem
-
Formulation Matters (03:17):
- Supplements often use various forms of the same nutrient, not all of which are equally effective or absorbed.
- Example: Liquid zinc is often zinc sulfate or “ionic zinc,” which Keland’s chemist dubs "garbage zinc," due to low bioavailability.
"If you're not absorbing it well, you're not going to be getting those benefits."
— Keland (03:49) -
Testing and Purity Standards (05:05):
- Keland’s brand conducts third-party testing to ensure labels match contents.
- She points to studies showing up to 87% of Amazon supplements do not contain what their labels claim.
"We always need to be testing it to make sure that actually has what it says on the label."
— Keland (05:05)
Red Flags for Consumers in Supplements
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Fillers & Additives (06:15):
- Common problematic additives: magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, even rice flour as a benign “food based filler.”
- Some forms (like zinc sulfate) are bioavailable only for topical, not oral, use.
"When I'm walking down the supplement aisle, there's things that I just can't really believe that anybody's using... like, you still see dyes in supplements."
— Keland (07:08)
Spotlight: Magnesium—Trends, Physiology, and Risks
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Mocktails & Mineral Hype (07:15):
- Dr. Ekta voices concern over mass magnesium supplementation, referencing physiological risks from not balancing with potassium and understanding true deficiency.
- Keland advocates for testing and chelated forms, which boost absorption and reduce gastrointestinal side effects compared to conventional salts.
"Chelated minerals do tend to be better absorbed ... You tend to have fewer side effects..."
— Keland (08:41) -
What is Chelation? (09:15):
- Binding minerals to amino acids increases bioavailability.
- Not all supplement forms are equal; consumers should know what form they're taking.
Marketing Gimmicks vs. Real Needs
-
On Multi-Form Magnesium Blends (10:18):
- Dr. Ekta questions excessive and confusing blends, saying they muddy information for those without scientific backgrounds.
- Highlights need for brands to clearly explain what enhances supplement efficacy versus what is just marketing fluff.
"You're then not only confusing consumers, but ... just marketing stuff that isn't necessary for the human body."
— Dr. Ekta (10:42)
The Collagen Conversation
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Science vs. Hype (11:32):
- Collagen supplements lack strong efficacy data, but meta-analyses show minor skin hydration and elasticity benefits.
- Keland argues collagen should not be the core of an anti-aging routine; supporting nutrients (vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3s) are critical for endogenous production.
"Consuming collagen is not everything... you need to be thinking about what you're doing to support your body's own production of collagen."
— Keland (11:51) -
Protein Metabolism Clarified (12:59):
- Dr. Ekta notes many studies are flawed, focusing on full-form collagen instead of absorbable peptides or relevant amino acids.
- Calls out the need for consumer education to combat fear-mongering.
"These are amino acid sequences that need to go into the body and then they will fold under certain physiological conditions..."
— Dr. Ekta (13:55)
Three Essential Tips When Choosing Supplements
- Avoid proprietary blends:
If a blend doesn’t specify amounts for each ingredient, companies likely use the cheapest filler (14:47). - Check the specific active ingredient:
Do a quick search—e.g., methylcobalamin vs. cyanocobalamin for B12 (15:17). - Look at all other ingredients:
Don’t just read the supplement facts panel. Consider if you’re comfortable ingesting the listed additives daily (15:58).
Regulatory Gaps and Ideal Solutions
-
Testing & Transparency (17:23):
- Keland calls for mandatory third-party testing in the U.S. to verify product safety and label accuracy.
- Would also enforce transparency—disclosing all active ingredients and dosages, especially in blends.
"If you want to be able to sell in the US Market, you have to test your products... test them for safety or that the label actually matches what is in the bottle."
— Keland (17:23) -
Surprising Topical Loophole:
Dr. Ekta shares that topical skincare brands are not required to list every ingredient, often hiding elements for “proprietary” reasons—a regulatory gap that alarmed her (18:17).
Why Not Natural’s Bestsellers and Client Favorites
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Core Products (20:02):
- B12, B complex, D3 K2, and magnesium are most popular, with magnesium being formulated with extra care for purity and bioavailability.
- The brand’s “mockup blend” went viral on TikTok, though legacy products retain customer loyalty.
- Ashwagandha (KSM66) highlighted for its strong science and positive impact.
-
User Experience:
Dr. Ekta details her success with Why Not Natural’s magnesium and ashwagandha for anxiety, noting longer-lasting effects and fewer side effects than other brands (21:10, 21:57).
Not All Supplements Are What They Seem
-
Supplements don’t always list forms or full ingredient details. According to Keland, even chelated minerals might not be fully chelated, explaining the variability in efficacy.
"Not all chelated minerals are actually chelated."
— Keland (22:32)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the challenges of supplement shopping:
"You're standing in the aisle, you know, and you're like, I don't know, I'm just gonna buy four options... it becomes daunting. It's a really scary experience."
— Dr. Ekta (16:25) -
On the need for regulatory change:
"I'd love to see just the most basic thing: that we have to test the supplements."
— Keland (17:50) -
On brand transparency:
"When you read the bottle, you know what you're getting... it's just wonderful."
— Dr. Ekta (18:47)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction & Guest Background: 00:03–02:17
- Supplement Formulation & Bioavailability: 03:09–05:05
- Fillers & Ingredient Red Flags: 06:00–07:15
- Magnesium: Trends, Dosing, and Chelation Science: 07:15–10:01
- Marketing Gimmicks & Consumer Education: 10:17–11:31
- Collagen: Science vs. Hype: 11:32–14:31
- Top 3 Tips When Picking Supplements: 14:47–16:25
- Regulation and Labeling Issues: 17:23–19:40
- Why Not Natural’s Most Popular Products: 20:02–21:10
- Personal Experiences & Closing Thoughts: 21:10–22:53
Tone & Language
The episode is candid, educational, and passionate. Dr. Ekta combines scientific rigor with consumer advocacy, while Keland brings engineer-level detail and practicality, advocating for accountability and transparency in the often-murky wellness supplement market.
This summary provides a clear roadmap of the episode’s core themes and key advice for consumers navigating supplements, making it valuable for anyone seeking trustworthy, science-based wellness guidance—no podcast required.