Skin Anarchy: The Pharmacology of Wellness
Dr. Stephanie Redmond on the Future of Supplements
November 3, 2025
Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Dr. Stephanie Redmond, PharmD, PhD
Episode Overview
In this insightful episode, Dr. Ekta sits down with Dr. Stephanie Redmond—a pharmacist, pharmacologist, and founder of Ridgeview Clinics’ medication therapy management practice—to explore the evolving role of supplements in wellness, the science behind colostrum and GLP-1 support supplements, and why rigorous clinical dosing and third-party testing matter. Dr. Redmond sheds light on how pharmacists are uniquely positioned to guide supplement use, and offers a transparent look at her mission to bring evidence-based, safe, and effective products to the market.
Guest Background & Credentials (01:05 – 03:15)
- Dr. Redmond’s journey: Started in community pharmacy, became a board-certified diabetes educator after encountering a gap in medication management during her residency.
- Expanded role: Saw the need for pharmacists to collaborate with physicians in clinics, managing both prescription meds and over-the-counter therapies—including supplements for dose optimization and safety.
- Expertise: Focus on endocrinology, diabetes, and specifically the intersection of medications and supplements.
Memorable quote:
“I sometimes think people hear ‘pharmacist’ and then ‘supplements’ and it’s almost like an oxymoron. It's definitely been an interesting journey… I saw a very important role for pharmacists working alongside medical doctors to manage medications and supplements comprehensively.”
— Dr. Stephanie Redmond (01:33)
The Pharmacist’s Role in Wellness (03:15 – 06:11)
- Collaboration: Pharmacists should be included earlier in patient care for their deep expertise in medication interactions and dosing.
- Supplements Complexity: Patients often take many medications plus supplements, creating risk for side effects and interactions that most clinicians are untrained to manage.
- Dosing Problem: Many patients suffer from prescriptions being “dose too low” rather than too high or too many, prompting Dr. Redmond to create products with clinically effective doses.
Ingredient Deep Dive: Colostrum (07:13 – 16:54)
What Is Colostrum? (07:53 – 09:25)
- “First milk” produced by mammals, rich in peptides, growth factors, and immune-support molecules (the original “liquid gold”).
- Most supplements use bovine (cow) colostrum—collected after calves are fed to ensure ethical sourcing.
Human Compatibility & Innovation (09:49 – 11:26)
- Bovine colostrum matches only about 40–45% of bioactive proteins in human colostrum.
- Potential for GI side effects if proteins are not human-compatible—pro-inflammatory response.
- Dr. Redmond collaborated with a company using AI to purify bovine colostrum, isolating only human-identical glycoproteins, enhancing efficacy and tolerability.
Notable Moment:
“The proteins in bovine colostrum that your body doesn’t recognize cause actually like pro-inflammation instead of lowering inflammation… I have actually never been able to take colostrum or tolerate colostrum until I launched our new Purify Colostrum capsules.”
— Dr. Redmond (09:49)
Clinical Efficacy & Dosing (11:56 – 13:14)
- Patented “Super Colostrum” is 7x more potent anti-inflammatory than traditional bovine or even lactoferrin.
- Potency allows for effective benefits in a small capsule (100mg), avoiding the need for large “heaping scoops” of powder.
Who Should Take Colostrum? (13:14 – 16:54)
- Originally targeted postpartum for hair, skin, immunity, and gut health due to hormone shifts and immune vulnerabilities.
- Also beneficial for perimenopause, general microbiome support—“this is beneficial for everyone.”
- Rigorous third-party testing ensures safety, especially for sensitive populations like postpartum women.
Notable quote:
“There are three huge instances in [a woman’s] journey where we see tremendous fluctuations in hormone shifts: puberty, postpartum, and perimenopause/menopause. …Colostrum can be so extra powerful in these stages.”
— Dr. Stephanie Redmond (13:40)
GLP-1 Supplement Support (16:54 – 22:06)
GLP-1 Medications and Modern Wellness (17:47 – 19:54)
- Dr. Redmond’s background as a national speaker and advisor for GLP-1 pharmaceuticals (e.g., Ozempic).
- Rise of GLP-1 agonists for diabetes management and weight loss sparks need for specialty support supplements.
Two Supplement Paths:
- GLP-1 Buddy: Designed for those on GLP-1 meds, helps replenish nutrients and digestive function; vitamin, creatine, and enzyme blend.
- GLP Wonder: Natural, medication-free, gently enhances natural GLP-1 and helps with hunger/craving control.
Digestive Support for GLP-1 Use (20:46 – 22:06)
- Up to 70% of GLP-1 users experience digestive side effects (nausea, slowed motility, constipation).
- GLP-1 Buddy uses a blend (protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, lactase) plus ginger for digestive relief.
Notable moment:
“We use a specific digestive enzyme blend… to help break down your food. Because what you’re saying—it slows digestive motility, right? …With the digestive enzymes, ginger can help alleviate some of that nausea, upset stomach… just a great all around option to promote digestive health and regularity.”
— Dr. Stephanie Redmond (20:46)
Supplement Industry Trends & Ethical Shifts (22:06 – 26:53)
- The supplement industry is “regaining its ethics”—brands like Dr. Redmond’s are science-/doctor-led, with proper dosing and rigorous quality control.
- Major retailers (e.g., Target) now invest in evidence-based, supportive health products over traditional “diet pills.”
- The future of metabolic health will rely more on targeted supplementation, as food alone often no longer suffices for basic needs (e.g., vitamin D epidemic).
- Metabolic syndrome and poor metabolic health are on the rise, even among young adults.
Quote:
“I think we’re in the golden era right now of supplements… I feel like this is going to really shift the way that the future is for how we’re getting everything that we need, whether it’s through our diet or through trusted sources. Very exciting.”
— Dr. Ekta (22:06)
Product Testing, Transparency, and Consumer Safety (26:53 – 33:41)
Importance of Third-Party Testing
- Essential to test for heavy metals, pesticides, and label-claim accuracy both before and after manufacturing.
- CVS has the strictest in-store requirements: annual, independent verification to confirm label-claim compliance and lack of contaminants (28:53).
Label Claims and Gummy Supplements
- Example: Berberine gummy that claimed 1500mg per serving but tested at <2mg.
- Gummies are convenient but often can’t deliver or maintain effective active doses due to heat processing or moisture-induced denaturation (esp. with vitamins, minerals, or creatine).
Notable quote:
“We bought [a berberine gummy] off the store shelf, sent it in for testing—said there was 1500 milligrams of berberine in there and there was less than 2 milligrams... You gotta really just look for that third-party testing certification.”
— Dr. Stephanie Redmond (29:12)
- Transparency initiatives: Sharing Certificates of Analysis (COA) with consumers so they can verify test results.
Final Thoughts on the Future: Biohacking, Longevity, and Trust (33:41 – 34:53)
- Biohacking trends have made “stacking” supplements mainstream; importance of consumer education to avoid ineffective or potentially harmful products.
- There is a cultural shift from “don't take any supplements, they’re dangerous” to more informed trust—provided brands are transparent and evidence-based.
- Dr. Redmond’s company is committed to rigorous science, ethical formulating, and broad consumer access (major Target partnership revealed for Purified Primal Mom’s Colostrum, GLP Wonder, and GLP-1 Buddy).
Dr. Ekta:
“It’s really good to see that you have brands like yours that are out there and you’re doing it right and there is a moral compass… I can actually take supplements now and not feel like I’m gonna kill myself.” (33:59)
Key Episode Takeaways
- Pharmacists are key allies in optimizing supplement use, often filling educational gaps that physicians may not cover.
- Ingredient source, human compatibility, and clinical dosing matter—purely cow-derived or under-dosed supplements may not work or may cause harm.
- GLP-1 weight loss meds have changed the supplement landscape—specialized support products can improve outcomes and minimize side effects.
- Ethical, transparent brands are leading the new wave: Third-party testing and published results should be minimum expectations for all supplement companies.
- The supplement industry is evolving to address real needs—from hormone transitions and postpartum health to metabolic syndrome in youth.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “Pharmacist and supplements—it's almost like an oxymoron... but I saw a very important role... to comprehensively manage medications and over-the-counter therapies.” — Dr. Redmond (01:33)
- “The most common drug therapy problem… is actually what led me to launch my own dietary supplement lines—and that is ‘dose too low.’” — Dr. Redmond (06:11)
- “Bovine colostrum is for cows … the proteins your body doesn’t recognize cause pro-inflammation instead of lowering inflammation.” — Dr. Redmond (09:49)
- “Colostrum can be so extra powerful in [postpartum and perimenopause] stages.” — Dr. Redmond (13:40)
- “You gotta really just look for that third-party testing certification. …We’re including our COA so you can really see transparency in the testing results and just know what you’re getting.” — Dr. Redmond (29:12)
- “We’re in the golden era right now of supplements. …This is going to really shift the way that the future is for how we’re getting everything that we need…” — Dr. Ekta (22:06)
Important Timestamps
- 01:33 – Dr. Redmond’s pharmacy journey & unique clinic role
- 09:49 – Human vs. bovine colostrum, AI purification, and GI side effects
- 13:40 – Why colostrum for postpartum & perimenopause; broad benefits
- 20:46 – GLP-1 Buddy’s digestive enzyme blend & rationale
- 29:12 – Shocking supplement label fraud & testing (berberine example)
- 30:42 – Gummy supplements: heat processing and dose limitations
- 33:41 – Biohacking, supplement stacking, and transparency needs
- 34:53 – Target partnership and what’s next for Dr. Stephanie’s brand
Resources
- Dr. Stephanie’s Supplements at Target: Target.com (search “Dr. Stephanie’s” for Purified Primal Mom Colostrum, GLP Wonder, GLP-1 Buddy)
- Further education: Check show notes for links and additional resources
End of Summary