AG1: A Deep Dive into the World's Most Popular Supplement
Really Useful or Potentially Harmful?
If you’ve tuned into any health and wellness podcast lately, you’ve probably heard about AG1. It’s hard to miss—every big-name influencer and podcaster seems to be raving about it.
Sure, we know these promotions are paid, but when the endorsements come from trusted figures, it’s still tempting to give it a try. After all, when personalities like Tim Ferriss, Lewis Hamilton, and Andrew Huberman swear by it, it feels like a solid recommendation. But before we jump on the bandwagon, it’s worth asking: Why are we really taking AG1? Does it actually deliver on its promises? And most importantly, could there be any hidden downsides?
Let’s take a closer look at AG1 to uncover the truth.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. We are not doctors, and the content is not intended to replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding your health, performance, or longevity.
What is AG1?
AG1, formerly known as Athletic Greens, is marketed as an all-in-one daily supplement designed to simplify your wellness routine. It combines a variety of essential nutrients—vitamins, minerals, probiotics, adaptogens, and other whole food-derived compounds—into a single serving, making it convenient for those seeking a comprehensive approach to health.
Each scoop of AG1 is packed with 75 carefully selected ingredients that aim to support a wide range of functions, from boosting energy levels and immune health to improving digestion and promoting healthy aging. Essentially, it replaces the need for multiple supplements like a multivitamin, probiotics, superfood powders, and more, all in one blend.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your gut health, balance hormones, support brain function, or simply fill nutritional gaps, AG1 promises to be a versatile solution for overall well-being.
Why Do People Start Taking AG1?
Nutritional Insurance—All Your Needs in One Scoop
Many people turn to AG1 as a form of nutritional insurance, a way to cover their bases in case they aren’t getting enough nutrients from their diet. This concept isn’t new—it dates back to the 1940s when Miles Laboratories first marketed a one-a-day multivitamin, promoting the idea of “just in case” supplementation. The idea stuck and helped create today's $8 billion multivitamin industry in the U.S. But here’s the catch: research shows most people already get enough vitamins and minerals from their diet.
AG1 taps into the same marketing strategy that multivitamin brands have been using for decades—"You might not need it, but just in case, take it." The supplement also sells the idea of convenience: one scoop to cover all your bases, with the appeal of 75 ingredients packed into a single serving. The message? More is better.
“I’m Probably Missing Something in My Diet”
Many people feel, rightly or wrongly, that their diet isn't perfect and that they’re missing key nutrients. While the obvious solution might be to improve your diet—like eating more fruits and vegetables—it can seem daunting or inconvenient. AG1 offers an easy fix, making people believe that one scoop can cover any potential dietary gaps.
This appeal extends to followers of specific diets like Keto, Carnivore, or other restrictive eating plans, where it’s clear they might be missing key nutrients. For them, AG1 feels like an efficient way to fill in those gaps without overhauling their diet.
“It Can’t Hurt, Right?”
The idea that “75 good things for your body can’t hurt” is a common reason people reach for AG1. But science doesn’t fully back this assumption. There is such a thing as vitamin toxicity, and probiotics are not the cure-all they were once thought to be.
If your diet already provides ample amounts of certain vitamins and minerals, adding more through a supplement could push you past safe levels, raising the risk of negative health effects.
Trust in Famous Voices
Another strong motivator is the endorsement from respected figures—health influencers, podcasters, and athletes—who often say AG1 is the one supplement they would choose if they could only take one. While it's clear they believe in the product, how many other supplements have they really tried? What makes AG1 better than other alternatives? And why these specific doses of certain nutrients?
It's easy to trust their enthusiasm, but the question remains: What scientific basis are they using to recommend AG1? How can one supplement be the right fit for everyone, regardless of individual dietary needs?
How Safe Is AG1?
Before exploring the potential benefits of AG1, it's crucial to assess whether it could pose any risks. Although AG1 is marketed as a safe and comprehensive supplement, there are several considerations to keep in mind.
Third-Party Testing and Safety Certifications
One reassuring factor about AG1 is that it is NSF Certified for Sport, a respected third-party certification. This means the product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from contaminants such as microbes and heavy metals.
Additionally, this certification ensures that AG1 is free from substances banned by most competitive sports organizations. This is particularly important because dietary supplements are not held to the same regulatory standards as pharmaceuticals in many countries, including the United States, where supplements are largely unregulated.
The NSF certification offers consumers a level of trust in the purity and potency of AG1.
Potential Concerns
While AG1 is generally considered safe for healthy adults, certain groups should exercise caution.
According to AG1’s website, pregnant and breastfeeding women, individuals on medications, and those with specific medical conditions should consult a healthcare provider before using the product.
Some ingredients in AG1 could interact with medications or aggravate existing health conditions, making professional guidance important for those with unique health circumstances.
The Risk of Nutrient Overload
AG1 contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals, which, while seemingly beneficial, may lead to nutrient overload if you're already consuming a nutrient-dense diet.
Water-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin C and B vitamins) are typically excreted if taken in excess, but fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E, and K) can accumulate in the body and potentially cause harm.
For example, excessive intake of vitamin A, iron, or zinc can lead to adverse effects, especially in those already getting adequate levels from their food.
A study of 90,771 adults ages 45 and older found that while most were already meeting their nutrient needs through diet, adding a multivitamin pushed over 10% of them into levels of vitamin A, iron, and zinc above what is considered safe.
Probiotics: Beneficial or Risky?
AG1 contains two strains of probiotics—Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum—which are intended to support gut health and digestion.
While probiotics can offer benefits for many people, there isn’t a universal consensus that taking them is necessary or beneficial for everyone. In fact, for some individuals, particularly those with compromised immune systems or certain medical conditions, probiotics can potentially cause harm, such as infections or digestive imbalances.
Additionally, the long-term effects of supplementing with external bacterial strains are not fully understood, and what works for one person may not work for another.
For most healthy adults, AG1 is considered safe, especially with the added assurance of third-party testing and NSF certification. However, as with any supplement, certain individuals—such as pregnant women or those with underlying medical conditions—should exercise caution.
One key risk to keep in mind is the potential for nutrient overload, particularly for those already consuming a nutrient-dense diet.
How Useful Is AG1?
AG1’s formula contains 75 carefully selected ingredients that can be divided into five categories:
Vitamins and Minerals: Includes essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, C, E, B12, biotin, folate, and more.
Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense Raw Superfood Complex: Comprised of organic spirulina, lecithin, organic apple powder, inulin, organic wheatgrass juice powder, organic alfalfa powder, organic chlorella powder, and others.
Nutrient-Dense Extracts, Herbs & Antioxidants: Contains alkaline pea protein isolate, citrus bioflavonoid extract, rhodiola, milk thistle seed extract, ashwagandha root extract, and more.
Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex: Features ingredients like reishi and shiitake mushrooms along with digestive enzymes.
Dairy-Free Probiotics: Provides probiotic strains to support gut health.
However, there are a few important issues that raise questions about AG1's overall effectiveness:
Issue 1: Undisclosed Dosages
Out of the 75 ingredients in AG1, 49 do not have disclosed doses. This means that many ingredients might be present in such small amounts that they may have no real effect.
These ingredients are part of proprietary blends, which allow the company to group multiple ingredients together without revealing individual quantities.
Legally, companies only need to list these ingredients in descending order by quantity, but without specific dosages, it’s impossible to know if the ingredients are present in clinically effective amounts.
For instance, the entire Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex, which includes astragalus root powder extract, bromelain, burdock root powder, reishi mushroom powder, and shiitake mushroom powder, totals just 154 mg.
When compared to the recommended daily doses of these combined ingredients—which should be in the 3,400 to 10,000 mg range—it’s clear that AG1 provides only about 1 to 5% of the effective dose.
For instance, most reishi mushroom supplements provide a minimum of 2,000 mg per serving, whereas the reishi content in AG1 is undoubtedly much lower, as the total dosage for all five ingredients in the blend combined is only 154 mg.
Issue 2: Missing Key Nutrients
Two of the most common nutrient deficiencies—vitamin D and iron—are completely absent from AG1. Given how frequently people lack these nutrients, it’s hard to view AG1 as a comprehensive multivitamin. Without these key ingredients, it falls short of being a complete supplement capable of replacing others.
Issue 3: Misleading Claims
AG1 is marketed as having the same antioxidant content as 12 servings of fruits and vegetables, which could lead consumers to believe it’s a replacement for whole foods.
However, a single scoop of AG1 contains only 2 grams of fiber, whereas the recommended daily intake of fiber is 30 grams.
This gap is significant, and relying on AG1 as a substitute for fruits and vegetables could be misleading and even harmful. While AG1 does provide important nutrients, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that powdered produce can offer the same health benefits as whole fruits and vegetables.
Issue 4: Imbalanced Nutrient Ratios
Even for the vitamins and minerals that do have disclosed dosages, some choices seem questionable.
For example, AG1 provides only 9% of the daily value for calcium, 10% for phosphorus, and 6% for magnesium, while offering 5 to 10 times the daily recommended value of vitamins B7, B12, C, and E.
For a product marketed as a complete supplement, these disparities raise concerns about the reasoning behind these dosages.
It would be beneficial for the company to explain why certain nutrients are underrepresented while others are provided in excessive amounts, so consumers can better understand the formulation.
A decent multivitamin, not a comprehensive supplement.
AG1 does deliver value in certain areas. It provides a convenient way to obtain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, which can be beneficial for those who struggle to meet their nutritional needs through diet alone.
However, AG1 has notable shortcomings that make it difficult to consider it a comprehensive supplement.
One major issue is the lack of transparency around dosages for nearly two-thirds of its ingredients, many of which may be present in such small quantities that they offer little to no benefit.
Additionally, the absence of key nutrients like iron and vitamin D—which are among the most common deficiencies—raises concerns about its ability to serve as a true multivitamin replacement.
Moreover, the low doses of certain ingredients and the company claims around antioxidants may give consumers a false sense of security, potentially leading them to neglect more effective sources of nutrition like whole foods.
In summary, while AG1 can offer some nutritional benefits, it falls short of being a one-size-fits-all solution.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for joining us in uncovering the facts about AG1 and the ever-evolving world of supplements. We hope this guide empowers you to better understand your own health metrics and how they relate to your overall well-being, performance, and longevity. Optimizing your health is an ongoing journey, and we're here to provide the knowledge and tools to help you take action.
If you have any questions or insights to share, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to hear from our readers.
Twitter: https://x.com/au_sapiens
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augmented-sapiens
E-mail: jonathan@augmentedsapiens.com
Stay tuned for this Friday’s newsletter, where we’ll bring you a curated summary of the most popular videos and podcasts on health and longevity, along with key highlights from the latest scientific research.
Until then, stay healthy and stay curious!
Warm regards,
The Augmented Sapiens Team