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Make Me Well
There has never been a more confusing time to try to be healthy. In the past decade, the healthcare sector has witnessed a remarkable surge in drug design, genomics and diagnostic technology have all changed almost beyond recognition.
Simultaneously, there has been a significant expansion in consumer health services, including the supplement industry, blood testing, consumer genomics and wearable technology, which claim to improve “wellness” (emphasising physical and mental performance and longevity) rather than curing or preventing specific disease states.
For a typical consumer this is both confusing, as the health and wellness industries are almost indistinguishable, and expensive, as consumer health emphasises personalised products, often sold on a subscription basis.
In Make Me Well, Xand van Tulleken investigates the new Wild West of the wellness industry, demystifying a landscape dominated by three supplements, blood testing, and wearable technology. In doing so, he shines a light on how people can take care of themselves better in this new and overwhelming world of wellness.
Simultaneously, there has been a significant expansion in consumer health services, including the supplement industry, blood testing, consumer genomics and wearable technology, which claim to improve “wellness” (emphasising physical and mental performance and longevity) rather than curing or preventing specific disease states.
For a typical consumer this is both confusing, as the health and wellness industries are almost indistinguishable, and expensive, as consumer health emphasises personalised products, often sold on a subscription basis.
In Make Me Well, Xand van Tulleken investigates the new Wild West of the wellness industry, demystifying a landscape dominated by three supplements, blood testing, and wearable technology. In doing so, he shines a light on how people can take care of themselves better in this new and overwhelming world of wellness.
390 pages, Hardcover
About the author
Xand van Tulleken
29 books8 followersAlexander 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 14, 2026
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.
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.
September 16, 2026
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...
September 18, 2026
Everyone should read this!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews