Nikki Reed Reveals Years-Long Health Crisis Fueled Her Wellness Venture

Actress Nikki Reed has opened up about a prolonged health challenge — and ultimately discovering solutions.

“While the placebo effect holds power for many, it never seemed to impact my own experience,” the 37-year-old Reed shared during the November 12 installment of “The Squeeze” podcast. “I dedicated considerable effort to delving into these matters, particularly in the realm of wellness and various supplements. Without going into excessive detail, I encountered a significant and bewildering health crisis that persisted for numerous years.”

Following this, Reed consulted with numerous medical professionals.

“Naturally, I was consulting top-tier doctors, given my nature as someone who relentlessly pursues knowledge and answers,” she recounted. “I was actively searching for the most skilled practitioners available and conducting extensive research for an extended period. I found myself unable to get to the bottom of this, which was incredibly frustrating, but just as frustrating was the multitude of products I was being offered that proved ineffective.”

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While keeping the specific nature of her ailment private, Reed disclosed that various prescribed treatments had failed to provide relief.

“These remedies not only proved ineffective, but they represent a sector that profits from individuals' vulnerability, preying on their fervent desire for a cure,” she asserted this past Wednesday. “People are investing their valuable resources and hard-earned money, clinging to a profound conviction that they will recover, often at the hands of an industry that exploits their trust.”

This personal ordeal subsequently “ignited a passion” in Reed, motivating her to develop offerings that users “can immediately perceive” as effective. (Reed co-founded her wellness enterprise, The Absorption Company, in 2024 alongside her husband, Ian Somerhalder.)

“My involvement in this area stems from my deep appreciation for alternative healing practices, yet I also value the clear-cut approach of conventional Western medicine,” she stated. “I believe all forms have their rightful place, and I position myself at the intersection of wellness and traditional medical understanding. I acknowledge and respect both perspectives.”

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Reed had earlier disclosed that her health crisis emerged following the birth of her daughter, Bodhi, in 2017.

“A short while after my first child was born, around the time she was two and a half years old, I found myself navigating a perplexing and unexplained health dilemma,” Reed, who is a mother of two with Somerhalder, shared during a July broadcast of “The Art of Being Well” podcast. “It felt as though I underwent every conceivable blood test and consulted every doctor imaginable. I realize I might be exaggerating, but I truly pursued every possible avenue to unravel this mystery. It was an endless cycle of new supplements and blood work, yet no one could pinpoint the cause.”

Reed, who refrained from detailing the specific treatment that ultimately alleviated her symptoms, also made significant changes to her dietary habits.

“Roughly seven years ago, I completely eliminated caffeine, and my quality of life improved dramatically as a consequence,” Reed informed her Twilight colleague Taylor Lautner and his spouse, Tay Lautner, on their “Squeeze” podcast. “Existence is defined by the decisions we make, and I also abstain from alcohol. My focus is on how to optimize my well-being. What can I remove from my routine that no longer benefits me? That was my approach, and indeed, life genuinely became better once caffeine was out of the picture.”