There’s arguably no time more important to get nutrition right than during pregnancy, yet for many women, it’s one of the most confusing and overwhelming stages when it comes to food, supplements, and health advice.

In this episode of From A to Zinc, I’m joined by registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Lily Nichols, bestselling author of Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes.

With her evidence-based, real-food approach, Lily has helped women worldwide nourish themselves and their babies with clarity, confidence, and science-backed guidance.

Together, we break down what truly matters when it comes to pregnancy nutrition, prenatal supplements, and blood sugar — without fear, myths, or guesswork.

In this episode, we cover:

🧠 Pregnancy Nutrition Foundations

• Why there is still so much conflicting advice around pregnancy nutrition

• How nutritional needs change from preconception through each trimester

• Is folate only important early in pregnancy — or throughout?

• The best real food sources of key nutrients

• Can women realistically meet nutrient needs through food alone?

• The most overlooked nutrients in pregnancy

• Common myths like “eating for two” and vitamin A fears

• When nutritional testing makes sense

💊 Prenatal Supplements & Vitamins

• When to start supplements — before, during, or after pregnancy

• What to actually look for in a high-quality prenatal vitamin

• The most common mistakes women make when choosing prenatals

• Folic acid vs methylated folate — who really needs to care?

• Should you continue prenatals postpartum?

• Which supplements may be helpful (omega-3, vitamin D, CoQ10)

• Supplements and ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

📊 Blood Sugar & Gestational Diabetes

• What actually causes gestational diabetes

• How nutrition influences blood sugar during pregnancy

• Practical strategies for stable glucose levels

• Common mistakes that worsen blood sugar control

• Are low-carb or keto approaches safe in pregnancy?

• How Lily thinks about carbohydrates in prenatal nutrition

🌱 Long-Term Health & Postpartum Nutrition

• Why postpartum nutrition is often overlooked

• How maternal diet affects breast milk quality

If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, postpartum, or simply want clarity around prenatal supplements and nutrition, this episode will give you practical, evidence-based guidance you can trust.

Because nourishing your baby starts long before birth.

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In this episode of From A to Zinc, I’m joined by Shawn Wells, one of the world’s leading supplement formulators with over 1,200 formulas to his name.

We break down the supplement industry from the inside out, so you can finally make smart, confident, evidence-based decisions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
•How to read supplement labels properly
→ What are real green flags, what are red flags, and how to spot marketing vs science
•How great supplements are actually formulated
→ Where to start, common mistakes to avoid, and why most formulas fail
•The future of supplements
→ What Sean is betting on, what’s changing, and what consumers should expect next

Whether you’re a consumer, athlete, health professional, or just tired of confusing supplement claims — this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been looking for.

🎙 From A to Zinc - demystifying supplements, one expert at a time.

Episode 6 - From A to Zinc: The Supplement Podcast

Fuel Like an Olympian: How to Use Supplements for Peak Performance with Olympic Nutritionist Professor Louise Burke

What does it really take to fuel like an Olympic athlete?

In this episode of From A to Zinc: The Supplement Podcast, host Charleen speaks with Professor Louise Burke, one of the world’s leading authorities in sports nutrition and the former head nutritionist for Olympic athletes, to uncover how science, strategy, and precision come together to achieve peak performance.

With over four decades of research and hands-on experience, Professor Burke explains how athletes at the highest level approach fueling, recovery, and supplementation, and how those same principles can help anyone improve performance, endurance, and overall health.

The conversation explores:

•How elite athletes design their pre-, during-, and post-workout nutrition plans
•Evidence-based insights into supplements such as caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, nitrates, beetroot juice, and electrolytes
•The AIS Sports Supplement Framework - how to identify what’s scientifically proven, what’s emerging, and what to avoid
•The importance of personalized fueling strategies for different sports, environments, and physiological needs
•How the science of sports nutrition has evolved from a “food-first” philosophy to a precision, data-driven approach
•Why third-party testing and supplement regulation are essential for safety and credibility
•What current research reveals about gender differences in performance and recovery

Professor Burke also shares why sports nutrition remains one of the most dynamic areas in health science - how new discoveries, from nitrates to caffeine efficacy, continue to reshape the field and inspire ongoing learning for both professionals and athletes.

Whether you’re an elite competitor, a dedicated gym-goer, or simply someone who wants to optimize your training and recovery, this episode offers a clear, evidence-based roadmap to fueling smarter, performing stronger, and recovering better.

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@FromAtoZinc

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From A to Zinc- Episode 5

How do you really know what’s inside your supplements? And can you trust the label on the bottle?

In this episode, we dive into the world of third-party supplement testing with NSF International, the global leader in certification. With over 80 years of setting safety standards across 100+ countries, NSF helps ensure supplements actually contain what they claim, and nothing they shouldn’t.

We unpack:
•Why third-party testing matters (and what can go wrong when it’s skipped)
•What “tested” and “certified” really mean on supplement labels
•The difference between NSF’s standard certification and NSF Certified for Sport™
•The inside look at how supplements get certified — and why not every brand passes
•Practical tips for consumers: what to look for on labels, where to verify products, and how to choose supplements you can trust

If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle wondering which brands are safe, this episode gives you the toolkit you need.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to shop smarter, stay safe, and make supplements work for you.

What makes the world’s best detox program so effective — and how can you do it right? In this episode of From A to Zinc, I sit down with Dr. George Gaitanos from Chenot, the global leader in detox and wellness.

Dr. Gaitanos breaks down Chenot’s award-winning approach to detoxification, the science behind how our bodies actually cleanse, and the specific supplements they use to help people reset and renew.

Whether you’re curious about what detox really means or want practical tips to do it properly, this episode gives you direct insight from the team setting the gold standard worldwide.

📌 Learn how to detox the right way — and what supplements actually work — with the world’s best.

In this myth-busting episode of From A to Zinc, I’m joined by Professor Tim Spector - leading scientist, bestselling author, and co-founder of ZOE, a cutting-edge science-backed platform transforming how we understand food and personalized health.

We dive into the top 10 most common (and misleading) supplement myths-  separating fact from fiction with the latest research, especially through the lens of gut health, where Tim is considered one of the world’s foremost experts.

Here’s what we unpack:
•Do greens powders really deliver on their promises?
•Are probiotics and prebiotics the key to gut health- or just marketing hype?
•Is creatine safe and effective for everyone?
•Does supplement timing and stacking actually matter?
•Are trendy gummies as effective as capsules or powders?
•What form of magnesium is best - and who actually needs it?
•Are protein shakes and bars healthy - or just glorified candy?
•Do glucose-spike control supplements work?
•Is personalized supplementation the future?
•And more…

Whether you’re a supplement enthusiast or just curious about what actually works, this episode will help you make smarter, science-backed choices.

Behind the Label: Dr. Marion Nestle on Supplement Safety, Regulations, and Health Claims

The supplement industry promises better health, sharper minds, and stronger bodies—but who’s making sure those promises are safe and true? In this episode, I’m joined by world-renowned nutrition expert Dr. Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics, to explore the hidden world of supplements.

We dive into why the FDA has limited authority over supplements, how a decades-old law shaped the current unregulated marketplace, and why the bold claims on packaging often don’t match the science.

What you’ll learn:
•Why supplement regulations are so weak—and who’s really responsible for safety
•How to decode marketing claims like “supports immunity” or “boosts energy”
•What questions every consumer should ask before buying supplements

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind those shiny labels, this conversation will change how you shop for health products.

Listen now and become a more informed, empowered consumer.

Support the show

In this premiere episode of From A to Zinc, I sit down with Stanford nutrition expert Dr. Christopher Gardner to unpack the basics of dietary supplements — what they are, what they aren’t, and what you absolutely need to know before adding them to your routine.

From vitamins and minerals to probiotics and herbal extracts, we explore the six core supplement categories, demystify common myths, and get real about what supplements can (and can’t) do for your health. Dr. Gardner shares practical, research-backed advice on how to approach supplementation wisely — always starting with food first.

You’ll also learn:
•Why context is everything when it comes to nutrition
•The difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins
•Why not all supplements are created equal (and how to verify quality)
•Surprising facts about vitamin B12, D, and more

Final takeaway? “It’s not about chasing the next magic vitamin — it’s about your whole lifestyle.”

Subscribe now to never miss an episode, and follow us on Instagram @fromatozincpodcast for updates, extras, and expert tips.

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Welcome to From A to Zinc! This podcast is all about bringing clarity to the supplement industry. In this trailer, I’ll introduce the mission of the show—cutting through the confusion, myths, and marketing hype by speaking with the world’s leading experts. My goal is to help you make informed, effective, and safe decisions about your health. Tune in to learn what’s coming up and why this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the world of supplements with confidence!

Stay connected! Follow From A to Zinc Podcast on Instagram @FromAtoZincPodcast for updates, expert insights, and more. Have questions or topics you’d love to hear about? Send a DM or comment on our posts!

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