Urolithin A, Fiber Maxing, and Direct-to-Patient Pharma: CMO Industry Insights

Host Dr. Kate Kresge talks with Fullscript Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Glad about new human research on urolithin A and immune aging, how to help patients increase fiber comfortably, and what pharma’s direct-to-patient push means for practitioners.

3 Key Takeaways

• Urolithin A has new human immune data. In a 28-day RCT of 50 healthy adults aged 45–70, 1,000 mg/day increased naive-like, less exhausted CD8+ T cells and fatty acid oxidation capacity versus placebo. (Denk 2025)
• Increase fiber gradually. Only about 5% of the US population meets fiber recommendations. (Quagliani 2017). Dr. Glad suggests spreading intake across meals with water and movement. (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2020)
• Keep the practitioner at the center. In an industry survey, 94% of pharma leaders reported running, planning, or exploring direct-to-patient programs. (ixlayer 2025) Dr. Glad sees access benefits but worries about fragmented care.

Guest: Dr. Jeff Glad is Fullscript’s chief medical officer. He curates research and industry trends each month for CMO Industry Insights.

Clinical FAQ

What is urolithin A?

A postbiotic that gut microbes produce from ellagitannins in foods such as pomegranates. (Denk 2025)

How might it support immune aging?

It induces mitophagy, the clearance of damaged mitochondria. (Denk 2025)

How much fiber do adults need?

About 14 g per 1,000 kcal, or 25 g for women and 38 g for men. (Dahl 2015)

What are easy ways to add fiber?

Add berries, flax, or psyllium to yogurt, lentils or spinach to eggs, and beans to soups. (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics n.d.)

Which fiber supplements does Dr. Glad use?

Powder blends of soluble and insoluble fiber. Gummies can help during travel.

Timestamps

01:45 Urolithin A trial

07:31 Balancing immune function

09:35 Fiber maxing and protein

11:41 Simple fiber additions

15:37 Fiber supplement formats

21:10 Direct-to-patient pharma risks

25:13 Fullscript practitioner support

Ready to elevate your practice? This episode is sponsored by Fullscript, a comprehensive care delivery platform designed to support whole-person, integrative healthcare. Fullscript helps clinicians bring supplement dispensing, lab ordering, and patient education into one centralized workflow. For more practitioner education on supplements, nutrition, and evidence-informed clinical care, visit Fullscript Academy at academy.fullscript.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of Fullscript or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. For your safety, always check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.