Interview with Dr. Dorothea Portius - Scientific Advisor of MOLEQLAR

Dr. Dorothea Portius is a PhD in nutritional science and teaches and researches at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. In addition to numerous professional publications, she has written several books and is a nutrition expert for MDR and the ARD Mittagsmagazin. As a scientific expert, she advises the MOLEQLAR team on topics related to nutrition and women's health.  

Mario (MOLEQLAR): Hello Dorothea, I am very pleased that we managed to meet for an interview today. Now we know each other quite well.Can you perhaps tell our readers a bit about yourself and your career path?

Dorothea Portius: Thank you very much for the invitation to the interview, I am very pleased to be here today! I would be happy to share a bit about my career path. I combine extensive expertise in nutritional science with practical experience in the health sector.

My academic career began with the completion of my diploma studies and the writing of my diploma thesis at the Else-Kröner-Fresenius Institute at the Technical University of Munich. Here, my love for obesity research was also ignited. This led me to pursue a doctorate, which I completed at the medical faculty of the University of Geneva. This was followed by research projects in San Diego, USA. This time greatly shaped my scientific understanding and further fueled my passion for practical research.

In addition to my research activities in the States, I obtained certification in clinical trial management and completed further training in Functional Nutrition Coaching. In 2020, I returned to Germany and accepted a position as a professor at a private university.

Shortly after returning to Germany, I was able to rebuild my network, and I felt a growing desire to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical healthcare.

Thus, I chose the path of an independent Medical & Nutrition Advisor and advise various companies and start-ups in the healthcare sector.

Nevertheless, I could not completely say goodbye to research and have had the opportunity to lead my own research project at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg at the Chair of Human Nutrition.

I am particularly passionate about collaborating with professional committees, such as the German Obesity Society (DAG) and the German Society for Nutritional Psychology (DGEP). Here, I contribute to important discussions around health topics. Additionally, I am a co-founder of the start-up F-50, where we have developed a digital self-help program for people with eating disorder symptoms.

My commitment to knowledge transfer is reflected in various publications and books, as well as in my role as a nutrition expert for MDR and ARD.

The connection between research, practice, and educating people is what drives me every day. I am excited to share these experiences and my passion here!

Mario (MOLEQLAR): This sounds really exciting. I can imagine that it is not easy to get all of this organized. What exactly did you research in America and what motivated you to return to Germany?

Dorothea Portius: In the USA, I had the opportunity to conduct research at two renowned institutes: the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP).At Salk, I worked on a previously unknown RNA sequence that plays a role in regulating hunger and satiety, thereby influencing metabolism. In addition, I used knockout mouse models, similar to my time during my PhD – these are mice in which specific genes have been deliberately disabled.

My research focus was on liver metabolism in connection with obesity and diabetes.

At SBP, my focus shifted more towards application, particularly on drug target screening for cardiovascular diseases related to metabolic disorders. In this context, I worked with various cell and mouse models to identify potential therapeutic approaches.

The decision to return to Germany was a very personal one.A family fate as well as the almost simultaneous COVID-related border closures prompted me to take this step.

Once the borders were reopened, it was clear to me that I had to return to Germany.

The opportunities that arose for me here to contribute my expertise in both science and practical healthcare confirmed that this was also the right decision from a professional perspective.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): You have recently become part of our MOLEQLAR family as an expert.What was decisive for you to participate? Why MOLEQLAR and not another company with a similar focus?

Dorothea Portius: As a scientist and nutrition expert, it is particularly important to me that the products I support are based on solid scientific findings and are of high quality. The supplement market is often flooded with offers that are hardly scientifically substantiated – I would not lend my name to such products.

At MOLEQLAR, I particularly appreciate the scientifically based approach and the transparency in product development.

The focus on health maintenance and the area Longevity, although there is still no generally accepted scientific definition, is an extremely exciting and important topic.

MOLEQLAR has a product portfolio that helps to support health in the long term, and that convinced me to become part of the team.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): What are your responsibilities as an expert or scientific advisor at MOLEQLAR?

Dorothea Portius: My main task at MOLEQLAR is to support the team as a medical and nutritional consultant – especially in product development and potential innovations.

Currently, however, my focus is on introducing women to the existing products from MOLEQLAR and showing how these can be specifically used to support women's health – whether during the female cycle or during the transition to menopause.

It is particularly important to me that there are often no optimal solutions or clear recommendations at the moment to effectively support women in these life phases. This is exactly where I see great potential in the scientifically based approaches of MOLEQLAR to provide women with real support through high-quality products.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): Nutrition in itself is an incredibly broad field.Where have you set a focus for yourself?

Dorothea Portius: Indeed, nutrition is an incredibly broad field that is unfortunately often flooded with unscientific trends and false recommendations. That is why nutrition communication is particularly important to me.

As an expert, I see it as my task to make valid statements and to inform people in a well-founded manner to protect them from misinformation.

My own research focus is on personalized nutrition and eating behavior. A current project that I am advancing in collaboration with the Duale Hochschule Heilbronn deals with the question of how nutrition affects the quality of life of women in menopause.We use sensor technologies and artificial intelligence to develop personalized approaches.

Another central point for me is eating behavior, especially regarding nutritional psychology. It is often not the knowledge about healthy or unhealthy foods that is lacking, but the way we eat – whether sitting, walking, in the car, or under stress.

The hectic everyday life and the pressure from social media contribute to more and more people developing problematic eating habits, whether through restrictive diets or binge eating.

Through my startup F-50, I see firsthand how much these issues affect our society – and especially women.Many feel pressured by beauty ideals and dietary trends, which often leads to weight fluctuations, difficulties in building muscle, or micronutrient deficiencies. These can, in turn, lead to cycle irregularities, sleep disturbances, hair loss, or even depressive symptoms and concentration difficulties. This is where I come in to support people, especially women, with scientifically based information and individual solutions.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): This sounds very exciting and highly relevant. At first glance, your second area of expertise Female Health seems as unspecific as nutrition.Even though the two areas are closely intertwined - which points are particularly important to you here?

Dorothea Portius: You are absolutely right – Female Health and nutrition are closely intertwined and influence each other. As I always emphasize, health is based on three pillars: nutrition, exercise, and stress management. All three are closely connected, and if one pillar wobbles, it can quickly affect the others. Especially for women, the interplay of nutrition and hormones is extremely important, and this is often underestimated.

The female cycle is a topic that has received little attention in research for a long time, but fortunately, it is getting more attention in recent years.

The metabolism of women works differently than that of men – while testosterone fluctuates in men in a 24-hour rhythm, women are shaped by a 28-day cycle, which is controlled by hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Within this cycle, women go through four phases (menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase), which place different demands on the body, especially regarding macro- and micronutrients as well as metabolic activity.

Particularly interesting to me is the topic of stress. In the second half of the cycle, that is, in the luteal phase, women are significantly more susceptible to stress, as the body prepares for a potential implantation of the egg. During this phase, stress – whether from fasting, restrictive diets, or psychological burdens – can strongly affect the body.If the body does not receive the nutrients it needs, symptoms such as lack of energy, concentration difficulties, hair loss, or even depressive moods and cycle problems can become more pronounced. Many women also report cycle irregularities when fasting, such as with intermittent fasting.

Therefore, it is essential to better educate women about these connections and provide them with the knowledge on how to optimally support their bodies – both through nutrition and mindful stress management.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): In the past, women were often underrepresented in scientific studies. In other words: Research results were often generalized from men to the entire population.Has that changed? 

Dorothea Portius: As already mentioned, I have also worked for many years in basic research, primarily with mouse models. Interestingly, we used only male animals for most experiments. This was partly because male mice provided better comparability for scientific studies. On the other hand, female animals reacted differently to certain interventions due to estrogen. Estrogen has a protective effect, especially regarding cardiometabolic diseases. This protective factor can significantly influence and distort study results, which is why female animals were often excluded.

This also shows how long gender-specific differences in research have been overlooked or simply bypassed.

Fortunately, this is changing now, and there is an increasing emphasis on including women – and the associated hormonal differences – in research.

Especially in diseases such as cardiovascular diseases or metabolic disorders, gender plays a crucial role. It is therefore essential that these gender-specific differences are finally systematically researched and implemented in practice.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): What role do supplements play in women's health? What do you say to people who claim that dietary supplements are just an economic factor and provide no real value?

Dorothea Portius: As the name suggests, supplements are an "addition" and not a substitute for a healthy diet. High-quality dietary supplements, like those from MOLEQLAR, can, however, provide valuable support for health – especially regarding women's health.

Targeted supplementation can, for example, promote fertility, alleviate menstrual cycle discomfort, or mitigate the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.

The problem is often that many people believe they can compensate for an unhealthy lifestyle with supplements. However, that is not how it works. Supplements should always be used in combination with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Another important point is that our way of life and food today are different from the past. We are living longer, and with that, the health challenges increase, but the quality of our food has also changed. Over 80% of products in supermarkets are highly processed, often low in nutrients, and have negative effects on metabolism.Also, plant-based products that lose nutrient density due to long transport routes or breeding, and animal products from factory farming, which are often influenced by processed feed, contribute to us consuming fewer micronutrients.

Even I, although I am very conscious of what I eat, specifically supplement my diet with supplements to promote my health. And I clearly feel the positive effects. The rule always applies, as with everything, more quality than quantity.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): Do you have specific basic tips for our readers on how they can make a simple contribution to a healthy future? (Nutrition, health hacks, supplements... just 3-4 concrete, easily implementable tips that apply to most women)

Dorothea Portius: I’d be happy to! Here are a few simple yet effective tips that every woman can integrate into her daily life to do something for her health in the long term:

1. No restrictive or low-calorie diets: It is important to always give the body what it needs and not to be afraid of fats or carbohydrates.Especially carbohydrates, which have often been demonized in recent years, play a crucial role in energy metabolism and cell health. Complex carbohydrates such as those found in legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are particularly valuable. Carbohydrates are essential for the maturation of follicles (egg cells). Restrictive diets can slow down metabolism and disrupt hormonal balance in the long term.
2. Fats and Hormone Regulation: Healthy fats, especially Omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for hormone regulation and help to stay full longer. Omega-3, particularly DHA and EPA, have strong anti-inflammatory effects and can especially support the inflammatory processes occurring during ovulation and menstruation. These fats also promote cardiovascular health and help keep the body in balance.
3. Regular meals: The misconception that skipping meals or eating less supports weight regulation is one of the biggest mistakes. To maintain metabolism and promote a healthy body weight as well as a balanced ratio of fat and muscle mass, it is important to eat regularly and in a balanced way. Quality comes before quantity – the focus should be on unprocessed, whole foods. Especially in the second half of the cycle, the regularity of food intake is crucial to support a healthy cycle and fertility.
4. Targeted supplementation: For many women, it may be sensible to use certain dietary supplements.Vitamin D, B vitamins, iodine, selenium, magnesium and omega-3 are often among the nutrients that are lacking in the diet. In addition, supplements such as spermidine and berberine, as you offer, can support metabolism and the function of the female reproductive organs. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements like resveratrol and quercetin can also be beneficial. Especially for women in perimenopause or menopause, such dietary supplements that boost energy metabolism can help alleviate symptoms like sleep disturbances or lack of energy.
5. Eat mindfully and listen to your body: In our hectic world, we often tend to eat quickly and mindlessly or let ourselves be influenced by dietary trends. Mindfulness in eating – that is, eating slowly, consciously, and without distraction – can improve the feeling of fullness and positively influence overall eating behavior. By listening to our bodies and giving them what they truly need, we can build a healthy relationship with food in the long term and thereby promote health maintenance.

Mario (MOLEQLAR): What is your personal key to a long healthy life? Do you have a so-called longevity routine that you consistently follow?

Dorothea Portius: Yes, I generally stick to the tips I just mentioned – but the true key lies in handling the whole thing flexibly and with ease.

Too much pressure or strict avoidance rarely leads to long-term success. It's about finding the balance. After all, life should also bring joy!

A glass of wine in good company and my Sunday cake are just as important to me as my morning porridge with berries and daily exercise.Ultimately, it's about living not only healthily but also with enjoyment and serenity – because both contribute to a long, fulfilling life.

Thank you very much for the informative conversation!

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