The Neuro Experience

Former NFL Athlete Reveals: The Truth About Popular Supplements | Guest: Jeff Byers

Host: Louisa Nicola
Date: July 9, 2024

Episode Overview

In this episode, Louisa Nicola sits down with former NFL athlete and CEO of Momentous, Jeff Byers, for a comprehensive discussion on the supplement industry. They delve into the truth about supplement quality, third-party testing, product sourcing, and the challenges of trust and transparency in an underregulated industry. The conversation addresses the real purpose and value of supplements, with practical advice for consumers, an in-depth look at protein, omega-3, and creatine, and a glimpse into the future of supplement development—all grounded in science and experience at the highest levels of human performance and athletics.

Main Theme

Demystifying Supplements:
Louisa and Jeff investigate what truly sets high-quality supplements apart from the rest—focusing on how products are sourced, manufactured, and certified. They advocate for scientific rigor, stringent third-party testing, and honest communication in an industry often plagued by misinformation and marketing hype.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining Human Performance

• Performance is Universal:
  • Jeff reframes human performance:

    "Performance is just like, are you able to do the things that you want today and tomorrow and the next day? ... How do we have lifespan and healthspan be the same?" (03:26)

  • Not limited to athletes—it's about quality of life for all.

2. Supplements: Pyramid of Priorities

• Supplements Are Accessories, Not Foundations:
  • Louisa’s "pyramid to human performance" places sleep, nutrition, and exercise at the base—supplements, ice baths, and saunas are “icing on the cake.”

    "If you just did these things on top, they're not going to push the needle forward." (05:33)

• Definition of Supplements:
  • Anything not consumed in its raw, whole-food form (06:14–06:24).

3. Protein: Whey vs. Plant

• Whey Protein Isolate as the Gold Standard:
  • Easily digestible, high in leucine, and contains a complete amino acid profile.

    "Whey protein isolate is the highest refined form and has the least amount of other fats, sugars, lactose… it's the gold standard..." (09:10)

• Plant Proteins:
  • No single plant offers a complete amino acid profile; often higher in trace heavy metals due to soil absorption.

    "No plant contains a single amino acid profile... you always have to combine more than one plant-based source." (09:50)

• Consumer Misconceptions:
  • Importance of understanding differences and what supplements can/can’t do vs. whole foods.

4. Regulatory & Manufacturing Challenges

• An Unregulated Marketplace:
  • Louisa:

    "Anyone can really buy a vegetable capsule, put whatever they want in it, slap a label on a bottle and sell it." (13:11)

• Country of Origin Matters:
  • Many raw materials, especially for supplements like creatine, come from China due to cost. The manufacturing process (clean vs. dirty) affects purity.

    "Creatine... it's a chemical process and it can be done very dirty or it can be done very clean." (17:01)

• Consumer Blind Spots:
  • Product labels rarely disclose ingredient origins. Many assume supplements made in the USA contain only American-sourced materials, which is usually not the case.

5. Third Party Testing & Certifications

• What "Third Party Tested" Really Means:
  • Most brands tout third-party testing that simply ensures products "won't kill you" (i.e., basic heavy metal screens).

    "What a lot of what you see in third party testing is actually just certificate of analysis... it's not actually verifying anything other than this won't kill you." (00:00, 20:55)

• Meaningful Certifications:
  • NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport are industry gold standards—required in pro and collegiate sports.
    • Ensures content matches the label—if you say 20g protein, there are 20g.
    • Screens for banned substances.

    "NSF Certified for Sport is really, really the gold standard... Not only are the contents certified, but also the product is screened for banned substances." (25:58)

  • Obtaining these certifications is expensive and prohibits many small brands.

    "In 2023 we spent 1.4% of top line revenue on just post-production certifications... it's really, really cost prohibitive for businesses to start by certifying products when they're young and starting up." (26:32)

6. Consumer Guidance: What To Look For

• Product Labels:
  • Look for true third-party certification logos (NSF, Informed Sport, USP) on bottles.
  • Avoid products with "proprietary blends" where dosages aren’t specified.

    "Proprietary blend means you don't have to say what the ratios are... does it have the right dosage that is shown to be clinically efficacious?" (30:14)

7. Omega-3 Sourcing and Quality

• Fish Oil Sourcing:
  • Sourced from small, wild-caught fish off Norway and North Africa; processed in Norway to ensure purity and sustainability.

    "We source our fish... off the coast of Norway, also off the coast of North Africa. All of it is distilled and processed in Norway." (33:44)

• Importance of Dosage and Purity:
  • Many cheap fish oils require consuming large amounts to meet research-backed EPA/DHA doses.
  • Rancidity is a concern—store capsules in cool, dark places; glass bottles help minimize oxidation (38:28).

    "Omega-3 can be rancid meaning it's gotten too hot in storage or post-production... keep fish oil in a cool dark place." (38:28)

8. Creatine: Myths, Science, and Best Practices

• One of the Most Studied Supplements:
  • Overwhelming evidence for benefits in cellular energy, brain health, and even concussion recovery.

    "Creatine is fascinating because it's one of the most well-studied substances on planet... it's definitely the most misunderstood supplement." (43:11)

• Not Just for Muscle:
  • Used in pro sports for brain health—may reduce severity and accelerate recovery after concussion.
• Form & Sourcing:
  • Stick to creatine monohydrate—highly effective and affordable.
  • Must be kept dry until use; do not rely on RTD drinks with creatine, as it degrades quickly in liquid (46:50).

    "Once creatine is mixed in solution, [it] has a very, very short half-life... starts converting into creatinine." (46:50)

9. The "Big Three" Supplements

• Consensus Across Elite Performance:
  • If prioritizing, focus on:
    1. Creatine
    2. Whey Protein
    3. Omega-3s (EPA/DHA)
  • Minimal cross-reactivity, robust clinical support, and address major lifestyle needs (energy, muscle, brain health).

    "All the smart people I talk to... it really centers around creatine, protein and omega 3s... The variation in the market is massive." (45:52)

10. Looking Ahead: The Future of Supplements

• Curation, Not More Products:
  • The industry needs clarity, not more “hype” products.

    "I really think our category, what I'm excited about is not a widening, it's a shrinking." (53:22)

• Ongoing Research:
  • Jeff’s focus is on brain health—studying the impact of omega-3s, creatine, vitamin D, turmeric on injury and long-term cognitive function in athletes and the military (51:04).
• Precision and Personalization:
  • Emerging trend: matching the right supplements to the individual at the right time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Supplement Industry’s Core Problem

• Jeff Byers [13:57]:

  "There's not a lot of trust and transparency. And I had my ego at play, was like, I don't want to be a supplement company CEO... fundamentally I believe our category is pretty broken."

On “Third-Party Tested” Claims

• Jeff Byers [20:55 / 00:00]:

  "What a lot of what you see in third party testing is actually just certificate of analysis... it's not actually verifying anything other than this won't kill you."

On Omega-3 Dosage Disparity

• Louisa Nicola [37:41]:

  "You have to take 12 of those to actually equal the same dosage of ours... and you're just taking on a bunch of fish oil. Not all fish oil is omega-3s."

On the Importance of the “Big Three”

• Jeff Byers [45:52]:

  "It really centers around creatine, protein and omega 3s... Very high amount of research supporting all of them. They support brain health, they support exercise, they support muscle mass."

On The Industry’s Future Direction

• Jeff Byers [53:22]:

  "What I'm excited about is not a widening, it's a shrinking."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Human performance definition: 03:26
• Supplements as “icing on the cake”: 05:33
• Whey vs. plant protein: 09:10
• Manufacturing, ingredient sourcing, regulations: 13:11–18:10
• Understanding third party testing & certifications: 20:55, 25:58
• Advice for consumers (“what to look for”): 29:28
• The problem with proprietary blends: 30:14
• Omega-3 source and quality discussion: 33:44–39:10
• Creatine: myths, brain health, best practices: 43:11–46:50
• The ‘Big Three’ and their scientific foundations: 45:52
• Future directions and industry curation: 50:41, 53:22

Takeaways for Listeners

• Get the Basics Right: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and whole-food nutrition. Use supplements to fill specific gaps, not as a shortcut.
• Be a Smart Consumer: Look for products with reputable third-party certifications (NSF, Informed Sport). Beware of vague proprietary blends and underdosed formulations.
• Focus on Efficacy, Not Hype: Whey protein (or carefully formulated plant blends), omega-3s, and creatine are the scientifically-supported essentials for most.
• Demand Transparency: Trust brands that disclose sourcing, manufacturing practices, and who invest in rigorous testing—even if it costs more.
• The Future Is About Clarity: Supplement companies should guide consumers toward what’s proven and essential—fewer products, more personalization, better science.

Summary Tone

The conversation is candid, direct, and educational, combining scientific nuance with practical wisdom from elite athletics and business. Louisa’s persistent, evidence-based perspective meets Jeff’s transparency, humility, and insistence on best practices—making the episode a valuable guide for anyone navigating the supplement landscape.