• Business Solutions
    • Zone Halo Formulations
    • Novel Ingredients
    • Business Consulting
  • Speaking
  • The ENERGY Formula
    • Take the Course
    • Read the Book
  • Shawn Recommends
  • Resource Library
    • Guides
    • Podcasts
    • Blogs
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • search
  • Business Solutions
    • Zone Halo Formulations
    • Novel Ingredients
    • Business Consulting
  • Speaking
  • The ENERGY Formula
    • Take the Course
    • Read the Book
  • Shawn Recommends
  • Resource Library
    • Guides
    • Podcasts
    • Blogs
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • search
×
WORK WITH ME

Education

icon icon icon icon icon icon icon
Linkdin

Connect with shawn ON LINKEDIN

Guides

Podcasts

Blogs

Shawn recommends

Image

VITAMIN C

– Guides
Image

CAFFEINE ADDICTION? DO THIS INSTEAD

– Podcasts
Image

You Are More Bacteria Than Human

– Blogs
Image

Awakened Uplift

– Shawn recommends
2 hours of walking = 39% lower all-cause mortality 2 hours of walking = 39% lower all-cause mortality rate?!

Simple, but powerful.

Whether you're looking to support cardiovascular health, improve mood, strengthen bones, or manage stress, walking checks a lot of boxes.

And you do not need a gym, equipment, or a complex plan.

Just consistency.

Walking has always been part of how humans are meant to move. It is one of the most natural forms of activity we have.

What I like about it is how easy it is to layer benefits.

A short walk after meals can help with blood sugar.
10-30 minutes daily supports heart health and mood.
Longer walks outdoors can support circadian rhythm, recovery, and mental clarity.

Personally, I like sunrise or sunset walks, often barefoot, just slowing things down and getting some fresh air.

It becomes more than just movement. It is a reset.

If you are trying to improve your health, this is one of the lowest barrier, highest return habits you can build.

You probably do not need more intensity. You need more consistency.

When are you getting your walk in today?

#walkingbenefits #longevityhabits #metabolichealth #movementismedicine #dailyhabits

PMID: 12824093
Kim Kardashian does not join many companies. So w Kim Kardashian does not join many companies.

So when she came in as a co-founder of @drinkupdate, it got attention.

But what matters more is what is inside the can.

Update is built around enfinity® paraxanthine and GeniusPure® Alpha-GPC, which is a very different approach from typical high-caffeine energy drinks.

Most energy drinks rely on caffeine. About 80% of caffeine is converted into paraxanthine in the body, and that metabolite drives much of the alertness and performance people feel.

enfinity® delivers paraxanthine directly.

What stands out with paraxanthine:
- supports clean, steady stimulation without the sharp spike and crash
- improves reaction time and sustained attention
- more consistent effects, including in slower caffeine metabolizers
- shorter half-life (3.1 hrs vs 4.1 hrs for caffeine), so less carryover

That shorter half-life is one reason some people report less of that lingering wired feeling.

enfinity® is self-affirmed GRAS, backed by 20+ patents, and positioned as a caffeine replacement, not something to stack.

Then there is GeniusPure® Alpha-GPC:
- provides choline to support acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter tied to focus and output
- clinical data in the 300-600 mg range supports power and cognitive performance
- higher doses have shown meaningful increases in focus in controlled settings

This combination is intentional.

Paraxanthine supports how energy is delivered.
Alpha-GPC supports how that energy is used.

Add L-theanine and methylcobalamin B12 for smoother stimulation and energy metabolism, without added sugar.

This is less about pushing stimulation higher, and more about making it work better.

Comment “Drink Update” and I'll DM you a link to shop Update with my discount code!

#paraxanthine #nootropicenergy #cognitiveperformance #alphagpc #energyoptimization
 
PMID: 26582972
PMID: 38725238
PMID: 39617850
When people struggle with fasting, it’s usually no When people struggle with fasting, it’s usually not hunger.

It’s electrolytes dropping, stress hormones rising, or blood sugar swinging more than expected.

Most of the discomfort people blame on willpower is really physiology asking for support.

A few things that matter more than most realize:
- Fasting increases sodium and fluid loss, especially in the first 24-72 hrs
- Low magnesium can worsen poor sleep, cramps, and irritability
- Early “hunger” is often a glucose dip, not a true energy need
- Longer fasts temporarily increase oxidative stress before adaptation kicks in

This is where supplements can be useful tools, not crutches.

How I think about them during fasting:
- Electrolytes and magnesium help stabilize nerves, hydration, and sleep
- C8 MCT oil and exogenous ketones can raise ketones without spiking glucose, though they do add calories
- Dihydroberberine and apple cider vinegar can help smooth glucose swings around feeding windows
- NAC and glutathione support antioxidant defenses while the body is under metabolic stress
- Curcumin complexes can help manage inflammation during longer fasts

None of these are mandatory. Fasting can work without supplements. These are options to reduce friction, especially if you’re busy, under stress, or pushing longer fasts.

I’ve learned that the goal isn’t to fast harder. It’s to fast in a way your body can actually sustain.

What part of fasting feels hardest for you right now?

Follow me and comment “Fast Mode” and I’ll DM you my free fasting journal!

#fastingperformance #metabolicflexibility #ketoneadaptation #biohackingfasting #electrolytebalance

PMID: 24440038
PMID: 29086496
PMID: 29163194
The vagus nerve is the main communication highway The vagus nerve is the main communication highway between your brain, heart, lungs, and gut.

It controls your parasympathetic nervous system, the system that brings you back to calm after stress.

When vagal tone is strong, you typically see:
- Higher heart rate variability
- Better emotional regulation
- Steadier digestion
- Faster recovery after stress

When it is weak, you feel wired but tired.

Most people try to fix stress at the level of thoughts. The vagus nerve reminds us that stress is also electrical and physiological.

Here is what actually improves vagal tone...

- Slow breathing at about 5-6 breaths per minute for 5 minutes can measurably increase HRV. Longer exhales matter more than deeper inhales.

- Humming, chanting, or singing stimulates vagal pathways through vocal cord vibration.

- Consistent movement improves autonomic balance. Daily walking plus 2-4 strength sessions per week builds resilience.

- The gut brain axis runs through the vagus nerve. Omega 3 fats, fermented foods, and fiber rich diets support that communication.

- Cold exposure creates a short stress response followed by parasympathetic rebound. Brief and controlled is enough.

- Meditation and prayer reduce sympathetic dominance and improve vagal tone over time.

- B vitamins, especially B12 and folate, support nerve function and methylation pathways that influence stress regulation.

- Red light therapy and intermittent fasting show early data for inflammation and autonomic balance, but results are mixed and protocol dependent.

From my own routine, breathwork and outdoor walks make the biggest difference. Not extreme biohacks. Consistency.

Your nervous system adapts to what you practice daily.

Which habit do you think would shift your stress baseline the most right now?

#vagusnerve #HRVtraining #nervoussystemregulation #stressresilience #gutbrainaxis

PMID: 28265249
PMID: 29593576
PMID: 32385728
1 in 3 U.S. women and 1 in 5 men take calcium supp 1 in 3 U.S. women and 1 in 5 men take calcium supplements.
But do they actually help... or do they quietly harm?!

Calcium is essential. But how you take it changes how your body handles it.

In food, calcium comes with a full system. Magnesium, vitamin K, protein, and other cofactors help direct it into bone where it belongs.

In isolation, especially in higher doses, it behaves differently.

Here is what the data shows:

- Fractures
In generally healthy adults, calcium or calcium + vitamin D shows little to no reduction in fracture risk. Some benefit may exist in frail or institutionalized populations.

- Kidney stones
In a study of 36,000+ adults, calcium + vitamin D increased kidney stone risk by 17%.

- Cardiovascular risk
A meta-analysis of 13 RCTs found 15% higher cardiovascular disease risk and 16% higher coronary heart disease risk with supplementation. Findings vary, but the signal is consistent enough to pay attention to.

One key difference is how calcium enters your system.

Food leads to slower, controlled absorption.
Supplements can create sharper spikes in blood calcium.

That difference may matter.

A more balanced approach:
- Aim for 1,000-1,200 mg/day from food first
- Use supplements only to fill real gaps
- Keep doses ≤500 mg at a time, with meals
- Stay below 2,000-2,500 mg/day total

Also keep in mind, bone health is not just calcium.
Protein, vitamin D, resistance training, and overall metabolic health all play a role.

From what I have seen, nutrients work best in systems, not isolation.

Calcium is important. But how you take it changes how your body handles it.

What is your current approach to calcium intake?

#calciumbalance #bonehealthscience #osteoporosisprevention #mineralbalance #evidencebasednutrition

PMID: 16481635
PMID: 26420387
PMID: 27776363
PMID: 28466573
Most people think mitochondria only make energy. Most people think mitochondria only make energy.

But they also act like sensors that respond to the stress signals your body experiences every day.

This is where things get interesting.

Certain short bursts of stress can actually strengthen mitochondrial function. Exercise, fasting, heat exposure, and cold exposure push cells slightly out of their comfort zone. In response, the body adapts by building stronger energy systems.

Researchers call this hormesis.

When this happens, cells can increase mitochondrial biogenesis, improve antioxidant defenses, and become more efficient at producing ATP. Over time this improves metabolic flexibility, meaning the body can switch more easily between burning glucose and fat for fuel.

But the same system can move in the opposite direction when stress becomes constant.

Poor sleep, ultra processed diets, sedentary behavior, environmental toxins, and chronic psychological stress place continuous pressure on mitochondria. Instead of adaptation, efficiency starts to decline and cellular energy production becomes less stable.

This is one reason mitochondrial health is increasingly being linked to fatigue, metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and aging.

Nutrition can also play a role in supporting mitochondrial function.

Certain nutrients have been studied for their ability to support mitochondrial activity, including:
- CoQ10, which supports the electron transport chain and ATP production
- PQQ, which may help stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis
- NAD+ precursors, which support cellular energy metabolism
- N-acetyl cysteine, which helps replenish glutathione

None of these replace the fundamentals.

The strongest signals your mitochondria receive still come from daily lifestyle patterns such as movement, sleep, whole food nutrition, and controlled stress exposure.

The signals you repeat become the adaptations your cells build.

What do you think has the biggest impact on your mitochondrial health right now? The stress you take on or the recovery you give your body?

#mitochondrialhealth #cellularenergy #metabolicflexibility #longevityscience #biohackinghealth

PMID: 25193333
PMID: 26073494
PMID: 29874566
PMID: 37107158
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Shawn Wells

Connect with shawn ON LINKEDIN

icon GET CONNECTED

Links

  • The Energy Formula
  • Contact Shawn
  • Media Kit
  • Course

Expertise

  • Zone Halo Formulations
  • Novel Ingredients
  • Business Consulting

Resources

  • Guides
  • Podcasts
  • Blogs
  • Shawn Recommends

Contact

me@shawnwells.com
icon icon icon icon icon icon icon

© 2026 SHAWN WELLS INGREDIENTOLOGIST

TERMS & CONDITIONS

PRIVACY POLICY

Legal Disclaimer

SITE BY SLATE

Company-logo

Are you ready for
True, Lasting Transformation?

 

Join The ENERGY Formula Masterclass, where renowned expert Shawn Wells
‘The most trusted voice in supplements’ guides you toward taking control of your life, mastering a resilient mindset, growing with a supportive community

All the tools you need for unstoppable energy.
Start investing in yourself today.

Enroll now