While more than half of Americans regularly consume multivitamins and dietary supplements, health professionals, including doctors and pharmacists, assert that many of these products are not worth the investment.
In a TikTok video, Pharmacist Amina Khan, who boasts 271,000 followers, highlighted three types of supplements she would avoid, notably the trendy gummy vitamins.
Gummy vitamins often fall short, primarily because they are laden with sugar, typically containing three to five grams per gummy. Although it may seem insignificant, the recommended daily dosage of two gummies could contribute up to ten grams of sugar, which approaches the American Heart Association’s suggested limits of 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men.
Khan quipped, ‘These are practically sugar pills—might as well indulge in a candy instead.’ She warned that excessive consumption could potentially lead to mineral toxicity.
Moreover, multivitamins are often criticized for containing minimal amounts of essential nutrients, rendering them ineffective. Similarly, popular supplements for hair, skin, and nails are deemed ineffective; Khan suggests that specific supplements targeting individual issues, such as vitamin B8 for hair or vitamin D for skin health, are much more beneficial.
Dr. Pieter Cohen from Harvard Medical School also expressed skepticism about these supplements, emphasizing that robust evidence supporting their efficacy is lacking. With many supplements unregulated by the FDA, the potential for undisclosed substances and harmful interactions with medications remains a concern. Hence, consumers are advised to exercise caution and prioritize proven methods for health improvement.
Vocabulary List:
- Efficacy /ˈɛfɪkəsi/ (noun): The ability to produce a desired or intended result.
- Toxicity /tɒkˈsɪsɪti/ (noun): The degree to which a substance can harm organisms.
- Regulated /ˈrɛɡjʊleɪtɪd/ (adjective): Controlled or governed according to rules or laws.
- Undisclosed /ˌʌndɪsˈkloʊzd/ (adjective): Not revealed or made known.
- Consumption /kənˈsʌmpʃən/ (noun): The act of consuming especially in terms of food or resources.
- Skepticism /ˈskɛp.tɪ.sɪ.zəm/ (noun): A doubting or questioning attitude towards something.
How much do you know?
What did Pharmacist Amina Khan highlight as a type of supplement to avoid?
Why are gummy vitamins often criticized?
What did Dr. Pieter Cohen express skepticism about?
What does Pharmacist Amina Khan recommend as more beneficial than multivitamins for specific issues?
What did Pharmacist Amina Khan warn excessive consumption of gummy vitamins could lead to?
What is a concern mentioned regarding supplements?
Many health professionals believe that most dietary supplements are worth the investment.
According to Pharmacist Amina Khan, gummy vitamins are laden with sugar.
Popular supplements for hair, skin, and nails are considered effective by Khan.
Dr. Pieter Cohen supports the robust evidence backing the efficacy of supplements.
FDA regulates all supplements in the market.
Pharmacist Amina Khan recommended specific supplements targeting individual issues for better results.
Pharmacist Amina Khan warned that excessive consumption of gummy vitamins could potentially lead to toxicity.
Dr. Pieter Cohen expressed skepticism that robust evidence supporting the efficacy of these supplements is .
Pharmacist Amina Khan suggests that specific supplements targeting individual issues, such as vitamin B8 for hair or vitamin D for skin health, are much more .
Consumers are advised to exercise caution and prioritize proven methods for improvement.
Multivitamins are often criticized for containing minimal amounts of essential nutrients, rendering them .
Pharmacist Amina Khan highlighted three types of supplements she would avoid, notably the trendy vitamins.