Make Me Well: The Truth About the Wellness Industry, Supplements, and Personalised Health

by Xand van Tulleken

In a world of endless wellness advice, learn how to make smarter decisions about your health with the empowering new book from doctor and broadcaster Xand Van Tulleken.

With exclusive bonus content featuring an interview between Xand and his twin brother Chris van Tulleken, author of #1 Sunday Times bestseller Ultra Processed People.

Drawing on original reporting, expert insight and real-world case studies, he


The truth about supplements and vitamins - what works and what doesn’tThe rise of at-home blood testing and personalised health plansHow wearable technology (fitness trackers, sleep trackers, smartwatches) shapes our behaviourThe promises and pitfalls of consumer genomics and DNA testingWhy the line between healthcare and the wellness industry has become blurredThere has never been a more confusing time to try to be healthy.
From supplements and blood testing to wearable technology and consumer genomics, the modern wellness industry promises better energy, performance and longevity. But how much of it is science, and how much is marketing?

In his groundbreaking book, Make Me Well, Xand van Tulleken investigates the new Wild West of the wellness industry, offering a clear, evidence-based guide to navigating today’s most popular health trends.

With practical advice and accessible science, Make Me Well will help you cut through misinformation, avoid unnecessary costs, and make informed decisions about your physical and mental wellbeing.

If you’ve ever wondered which health trends are worth your time and money, this is your essential guide to modern wellness.

'This book is actually useful. Timely and thorough, it tells us what's what.' - Tim Key

'If anyone can drag the wellness industry into the light and make you laugh while doing it, it's Xand Van Tulleken.' - Hannah Fry

'Make Me Well made me laugh, made me angry -- and ultimately made me feel better informed about my health.' - Helen Lewis

Xand van Tulleken 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Science, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published September 10, 2026

About the author

Alexander Gerald van Hoogenhouck-Tulleken is a British doctor and TV presenter. He is known for jointly presenting with his identical twin brother Chris several television programmes, including the CBBC children's series Operation Ouch!, and the Channel 4 show How to Lose Weight Well.

Van Tulleken has also individually presented many documentaries, including an episode of Horizon discussing male suicide and a BBC programme on the European migrant crisis. He can often be seen offering up his own body for science experimentation in diet show How to Lose Weight Well, as well as in BBC Horizon episodes "Sugar vs Fat" and "Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?" As of July 2023, he was appearing regularly on the BBC One weekday programme Morning Live, providing a variety of medical advice. Van Tulleken is also a member of the Made of Stronger Stuff podcast on BBC Sounds.

Reviews

[Tanja Berg]

Several years ago I read a book by the other Dr. Van Tulleken, Chris, "Ultraprocessed People". That was brilliant: funny, informative and life-changing. Of course I pre-ordered "Make Me Well" by his brother Dr. Xand van Tulleken as soon as I saw that it was coming.

It was good, extremely informative and slightly shocking in places.

I've been skeptical of the supplement industry for some years now, since I learned that eating vitamin A as a supplement can cause osteoporosis. Despite this, after starting down a path of wellness myself, and being exposed to a litany of influencers, I do take one or two occasionally. One being creatine, and the other magnesium. Although the latter I usually slather on my calves if I've outdone my exercise. Now that my legs have caught up with the increased load, it's not needed. I took creatin for the same reason, but haven't really felt that it does anything for me. In earlier winters, I also took vitamin D. I live in the Nordics, it's dark for months on end. However, after a change of jobs, I usually manage a noon walk or run, and that half an hour of day light is evidently enough. At least I haven't felt the need for vitamin D the past couple of winters.

Thus, I'm quite well placed as an audience for this book. I've even tried eating to avoid sugar spikes, ha ha. I do still avoid refined sugars and I never drink sodas anymore, but avoiding normal food because of its high glycemic index seems a bit excessive. The author has a chapter where he looks into the glucose monitors and supplements to avoid glucose spikes. Spoiler: unless you're diabetic, it's not something you need to worry about.

I did find the author's analysis of the vitamin D studies to be rather shocking though. Despite being generally skeptical, I had totally bought into the vitamin D myth. Apparently that's all it is.

The author looks mainly at supplements and tech that seems legitimate, its history and the industry developed around it. It's incredibly thorough. Sometimes boring, occasionally shocking, but all in all pretty much as expected. It doesn't have any effect. Supplements will not make you the best version of yourself.

[Ellen Welch]

As a GP, I found myself nodding along to Xand van Tulleken’s bewilderment at the world of wellness. Faced with questions about TikTok trends, supplements and private blood tests, I’ve also wondered whether I missed a memo somewhere. *Make Me Well* explores this confusing territory with curiosity and a welcome willingness to question the claims. An engaging read for anyone trying to work out what might actually help and what’s simply being sold to us. Full review https://drellenwelch.substack.com/p/t...

[Lily Gregory]

This was a lot more political than I expected it to be. Genuinely was a really good book, filled with humour, facts, and interesting details.

[Coral Roberts]

Everyone should read this!

[Michelle]

Wow 😯 I don’t know quite what to say about this book except that I wish everyone would read it.

If you’ve ever bought a supplement to help you with something, it’s likely you’re buying hope rather than anything that will be of real help to you.

A deep dive into the murky world of the supplements industry - many supplement brands begin by creating a market or jumping on a trend rather than a product that will actually be helpful. The supplements industry in the UK isn’t heavily regulated, I could contact a factory in China and start my own supplement tomorrow. It could be ready in as little as 48 hours, they have pills ready to ship and labels don’t have to match what’s in the ingredients. I could pay a company to make up some research about it and have it published. We live in a society driven by capitalism, so it kind of makes sense why we are all going mad for collagen right now, as an example: extracting value from a carcass that would otherwise go to waste by creating demand for a powder that promises us youthfulness. There’s no real evidence that collagen does anything at all for us.

It’s certainly made me think hard about what I personally ingest, and why. The gap between what is spent of menopause supplements in the UK, and what is spent on menopause research is stark, and shows how the wellness industry manipulates us for cash.

A useful insight into which supplements actually work, and which are either a waste of money or potentially dangerous because they contain ingredients that can damage our livers.

Well worth a read to inform yourself.

Given 4 stars rather than 5 as it didn’t go into as much details as I would have liked although there is a huge bibliography to work through. The menopause chapter is disappointingly short, and it’s clear the author is uncomfortable discussing it.

[Mariella]

I listened to this on audiobook and it was well narrated by the author. It's well written and clearly well researched. I found it interesting to hear Xand's take about people/companies in the wellness industry who I am already familiar with such as the Glucose Goddess (Jessie Inchauspe) and Zoe (Tim Spector and co).

However the main theme of the book was a take down of supplements. After hours of this I was starting to tire. I was expecting to hear more about other parts of wellness such as the boom in saunas, and critique of the extreme like Bryan Johnson-esque longevity treatments.

Overall it had a very 'BBC' tone and I felt that Xand was trying to be the last word on certain topics after he had spoken to one expert. Maybe this is harsh but I felt like he was just another voice muddying the water. However he has convinced me never to waste my money on supplements again.

[Beccy Blackwood]

Great book. Accessible and non judgemental.

[Mrs Mary]

An interesting read although at times a bit over the top with claims. I also think it's a very male perspective. The science, research and evidence is not there for women, and especially menopausal women. So yes, the evidence, which is research based, may say X, Y ,Z doesn't have an impact. Practised based evidence, that is, evidence from my own and other women's lives, tell me that some supplements do have an impact and no I'm not making it up. A scientist often only looks at one form of evidence. Therefore, the perspective and evidence from this book is likely valid, but is only one view. It does not expired explore lived experience which, when the research is scant, is important.

[Rachel]

Very interesting and pertinent in today’s world of Instagram and supplement-obsessed world. Initially wanted to learn more about the wellness industry but now am definitely turned off of buying the supplements I had on my shopping list. I’m surprised the industry isn’t as regulated as I thought it would be and the whole “vitamin D” trials are incredible, to say the least.

Interesting how all of these “wellness companies” have now pivoted to subscription based revenue. There is truly a blurred line between health and wellness products now. I think I’ll just stick to fresh produce.

[Sandra]

This was a good book for me to read, I think. It is a good book for being reminded that overly confident health claims are very probably overly simplified and hence not quite true. It's a good book that leads you to the realization that the known marginally beneficial thing is less exciting than the uncertain possibly miraculously good one. Not sure why I put it in spoiler tags. Anyway, I'm a little disappointed that I'm already forgetting some of the factual things I learned from this book, so maybe I have to give it a second listen.

[MS T M Cook]

Amazing

I have never read a book such as this. It is so thought provoking. It gives you a whole picture about health and wellbeing and allows you to freely make your own opinions which matter to you without being selfish or indeed self righteous. I highly recommend reading this book. Thank you Xand van Tulleken you
have given me such a wealth of information to be the person that I am working to be.

[Jedd Raidan]

Absolutely recommend this for everyone, regardless of any interest you may or may not have in the supplement/wellness world - supplements and wearables in particular are so prevalent in our day to day society now that I’d say it’s relevant to every single person.

Very informative but not crammed with jargon, all the studies are well explained and easy to understand regardless of whether you have a scientific/medical background or not.

[Sarah Asbury]

Refreshingly helpful to understand the supplement industry as it ramps up with the assistance of influencers on social media. Xand unpicks a lot of the bafflement and helps you to restructure how to support your own health in an unmeasured and stress free way.

[B J]

Excellent in content and an exposure of the shocking manipulation of people. I heard the author on the radio and was intrigued to read more.

However I found it a bit tedious to read as a book. And anyone with sensitivity regarding animals, avoid the collagen chapter.

[Mrs J]

Everyone should read

Everyone should read this book,thank goodness someone has waded through the evidence and got to the Bottom of the wellness industry - and shown it is largely a massive scam.

[Sissi Pen]

Interesting science and well written, but nothing new re capitalist logic. The book could’ve been an essay.

[Suejeffs]

Well written - amusing in places. Confirmed my own views of the wellness industry and the rubbish we are bombarded with!

[Chloe]

Fab on audio - well researched, great stories/context for each point and an interesting but easy listen for some insight into the wellness industry