3 Supplements a Pharmacist Urges You to Avoid — This Health Trend Could Endanger You!
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any changes to your health regimen.
In the age of social media, where health trends go viral overnight, it's easy to get swept up in the latest wellness craze.
But before you jump on the bandwagon, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to what we put into our bodies.
Recently, new health trends have been making waves online. In particular, supplements are being promoted here and there–but do they cause more harm than help to you?
Amina Khan, longtime UK pharmacist and founder of supplements brand The Pharmacist Beauty, shares three types of supplements she avoids.
1. The Sugary Deception of Gummy Vitamins
Gummy vitamins have become a popular alternative to traditional pills, especially for those who have difficulty swallowing tablets or simply enjoy the candy-like taste.
However, according to Khan, these chewable delights could be doing more harm than good.
“These are basically just a sugar pill — you might as well go have a sweet,” Khan remarks. “They can be very easily over-consumed and can lead to mineral toxicity.”
Instead, Khan leans towards traditional capsules and tablets for adults and liquids or spray supplements for children.
Gummy vitamins often contain 3 to 5 grams of sugar per serving, which might not seem like much, but can add up quickly if you're not careful.
Nebraska Medicine highlights this concern, noting that the sugar content in these supplements can contribute to unnecessary calorie intake and potentially lead to dental issues.
Moreover, gummy vitamins typically offer fewer nutrients compared to their pill counterparts. This means you might not be getting the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals your body needs.
UCLA Health advises checking the label for nutrient content and sugar levels, looking for third-party certification seals, and adhering strictly to the proper dosage to avoid any potential health risks such as exceeding the recommended daily sugar intake.
2. The General Multivitamin Myth
Multivitamins are often marketed as a one-stop-shop for all your nutritional needs, but the truth is a bit more complex.
Khan points out that these supplements “...have a bit of everything in them. Some of the doses of each nutrient are so low they’ll hardly have an effect on you. Also, you don’t need all the vitamins in the multivitamin.”
Some experts claim that multivitamins are a “waste of money,” since there’s no proof that they reduce the risk of illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or premature death.
Although some exceptions are given. Pregnant women and individuals that suffer from malnutrition may experience benefits from multivitamins, but physicians also recommend merely following a balanced diet to get the nutrients you need.
3. Multivitamins for Beauty
Hair, skin, and nail health has been widely promoted on social media. Thanks to influencers and celebrities, supplements dedicated to these three body parts have been popularized.
Khan, however, is in favor of “solution-focused supplements” or supplements that focus on a specific health concern.
“Hair, skin and nail multivitamins, what do these focus on? Hair, skin or nails?” Khan questions.
As we navigate the golden years, it's more important than ever to be mindful of our health choices. While supplements can play a role in maintaining our well-being, they should be taken with caution and under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
Pharmacist warns social media users to be careful with engaging in health trends. Source: @aminathepharmacist / Tiktok
Have you had experiences with gummy vitamins or multivitamins that you'd like to share? Are there any supplements you swear by, or are you skeptical about their benefits? Join the conversation in the comments below!
In the age of social media, where health trends go viral overnight, it's easy to get swept up in the latest wellness craze.
But before you jump on the bandwagon, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to what we put into our bodies.
Recently, new health trends have been making waves online. In particular, supplements are being promoted here and there–but do they cause more harm than help to you?
Amina Khan, longtime UK pharmacist and founder of supplements brand The Pharmacist Beauty, shares three types of supplements she avoids.
1. The Sugary Deception of Gummy Vitamins
Gummy vitamins have become a popular alternative to traditional pills, especially for those who have difficulty swallowing tablets or simply enjoy the candy-like taste.
However, according to Khan, these chewable delights could be doing more harm than good.
“These are basically just a sugar pill — you might as well go have a sweet,” Khan remarks. “They can be very easily over-consumed and can lead to mineral toxicity.”
Instead, Khan leans towards traditional capsules and tablets for adults and liquids or spray supplements for children.
Gummy vitamins, although popular, may contain excessive sugar and fewer nutrients compared to traditional multivitamins. Image source: Pexels.
Gummy vitamins often contain 3 to 5 grams of sugar per serving, which might not seem like much, but can add up quickly if you're not careful.
Nebraska Medicine highlights this concern, noting that the sugar content in these supplements can contribute to unnecessary calorie intake and potentially lead to dental issues.
Moreover, gummy vitamins typically offer fewer nutrients compared to their pill counterparts. This means you might not be getting the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals your body needs.
UCLA Health advises checking the label for nutrient content and sugar levels, looking for third-party certification seals, and adhering strictly to the proper dosage to avoid any potential health risks such as exceeding the recommended daily sugar intake.
2. The General Multivitamin Myth
Multivitamins are often marketed as a one-stop-shop for all your nutritional needs, but the truth is a bit more complex.
Khan points out that these supplements “...have a bit of everything in them. Some of the doses of each nutrient are so low they’ll hardly have an effect on you. Also, you don’t need all the vitamins in the multivitamin.”
Some experts claim that multivitamins are a “waste of money,” since there’s no proof that they reduce the risk of illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or premature death.
Although some exceptions are given. Pregnant women and individuals that suffer from malnutrition may experience benefits from multivitamins, but physicians also recommend merely following a balanced diet to get the nutrients you need.
3. Multivitamins for Beauty
Hair, skin, and nail health has been widely promoted on social media. Thanks to influencers and celebrities, supplements dedicated to these three body parts have been popularized.
Khan, however, is in favor of “solution-focused supplements” or supplements that focus on a specific health concern.
“Hair, skin and nail multivitamins, what do these focus on? Hair, skin or nails?” Khan questions.
As we navigate the golden years, it's more important than ever to be mindful of our health choices. While supplements can play a role in maintaining our well-being, they should be taken with caution and under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
Pharmacist warns social media users to be careful with engaging in health trends. Source: @aminathepharmacist / Tiktok
Have you had experiences with gummy vitamins or multivitamins that you'd like to share? Are there any supplements you swear by, or are you skeptical about their benefits? Join the conversation in the comments below!
