* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    ‘Today’: Sheinelle Jones Thanks Katie Couric for Support After Husband’s Death – CBS 19 News

    Sheinelle Jones Expresses Heartfelt Thanks to Katie Couric for Support After Husband’s Passing

    Sate your hunger at DBA’s Taste of Downtown – Bakersfield.com

    Indulge Your Cravings at DBA’s Taste of Downtown!

    Caesars Entertainment (CZR): Assessing Valuation After Times Square Casino Setback and Mounting Investor Concerns – simplywall.st

    Caesars Entertainment Faces Times Square Casino Hurdles as Investor Concerns Mount

    Why Hilaria Baldwin Has Found the ‘DWTS’ Process ‘Embarrassing’ At Times – WFXG

    Hilaria Baldwin Opens Up About the Embarrassing Moments on Her ‘DWTS’ Journey

    Harvest Fest 2025 – yadkinripple.com

    Celebrate the Bounty: Harvest Fest 2025 is Coming!

    Fox News Entertainment Newsletter: Kate Middleton stuns during Trump state visit, Brett James dead at 57 – Fox News

    Kate Middleton Stuns During Trump State Visit; Remembering Brett James at 57

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    What are we really gaining from technology? – Fast Company

    What Are We Really Gaining from Technology?

    TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. Expands SteraMist iHP Technology Services in Healthcare Sector with New Provider Partnership – Quiver Quantitative

    TOMI Environmental Solutions Accelerates SteraMist iHP Technology Expansion in Healthcare with New Provider Partnership

    Indiana County Technology Center’s Joint Operating Committee looks to the future as program plans began to take shape – Indiana Gazette Online

    Indiana County Technology Center’s Joint Operating Committee Charts an Exciting Path Forward as New Program Plans Take Shape

    Meta to expand Montgomery data hub, pushing total investment to $1.5 billion – Alabama Department of Commerce

    Meta to Supercharge Montgomery Data Hub with $1.5 Billion Investment

    Agentic AI and the future of work: navigating technological promise and the risk of increased automation – Equal Times

    Agentic AI and the Future of Work: Embracing Innovation While Navigating Automation Challenges

    Technology alliance introduces system for stable recycling quality – RECYCLING magazine

    Innovative Technology Alliance Unveils Breakthrough System for Consistent Recycling Quality

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    ‘Today’: Sheinelle Jones Thanks Katie Couric for Support After Husband’s Death – CBS 19 News

    Sheinelle Jones Expresses Heartfelt Thanks to Katie Couric for Support After Husband’s Passing

    Sate your hunger at DBA’s Taste of Downtown – Bakersfield.com

    Indulge Your Cravings at DBA’s Taste of Downtown!

    Caesars Entertainment (CZR): Assessing Valuation After Times Square Casino Setback and Mounting Investor Concerns – simplywall.st

    Caesars Entertainment Faces Times Square Casino Hurdles as Investor Concerns Mount

    Why Hilaria Baldwin Has Found the ‘DWTS’ Process ‘Embarrassing’ At Times – WFXG

    Hilaria Baldwin Opens Up About the Embarrassing Moments on Her ‘DWTS’ Journey

    Harvest Fest 2025 – yadkinripple.com

    Celebrate the Bounty: Harvest Fest 2025 is Coming!

    Fox News Entertainment Newsletter: Kate Middleton stuns during Trump state visit, Brett James dead at 57 – Fox News

    Kate Middleton Stuns During Trump State Visit; Remembering Brett James at 57

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    What are we really gaining from technology? – Fast Company

    What Are We Really Gaining from Technology?

    TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. Expands SteraMist iHP Technology Services in Healthcare Sector with New Provider Partnership – Quiver Quantitative

    TOMI Environmental Solutions Accelerates SteraMist iHP Technology Expansion in Healthcare with New Provider Partnership

    Indiana County Technology Center’s Joint Operating Committee looks to the future as program plans began to take shape – Indiana Gazette Online

    Indiana County Technology Center’s Joint Operating Committee Charts an Exciting Path Forward as New Program Plans Take Shape

    Meta to expand Montgomery data hub, pushing total investment to $1.5 billion – Alabama Department of Commerce

    Meta to Supercharge Montgomery Data Hub with $1.5 Billion Investment

    Agentic AI and the future of work: navigating technological promise and the risk of increased automation – Equal Times

    Agentic AI and the Future of Work: Embracing Innovation While Navigating Automation Challenges

    Technology alliance introduces system for stable recycling quality – RECYCLING magazine

    Innovative Technology Alliance Unveils Breakthrough System for Consistent Recycling Quality

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home General

3 pervasive myths about supplements, as explained by an expert

April 15, 2024
in General
3 pervasive myths about supplements, as explained by an expert
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

an open bottle of colorful supplements spilled onto a table next to oranges, apples, grapes and blueberries

Marketing for supplements often frames the products as having benefits they’re not proven to have, and being healthy by virtue of being “natural.”
(Image credit: Valentyna Yeltsova via Getty Images)

Americans seem to have quite a positive view of dietary supplements. According to a 2023 survey, 74% of U.S. adults take vitamins, prebiotics and the like.

The business of supplements is booming, and with all the hype around them, it’s easy to forget what they actually are: substances that can powerfully affect the body and your health, yet aren’t regulated like drugs are. They’re regulated more like food.

Thanks in large part to a 1994 law, the Food and Drug Administration is essentially toothless when it comes to supplements. As the agency acknowledges: “FDA does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements before they are marketed. Companies can sell supplements without going through any sort of approval process, or even having to share safety evidence.”

As a research faculty member in graduate medical education, I’m responsible for teaching resident physicians how to understand and critically engage with health research. I also write about health, wellness and supplements for a broader audience. As a result, I spend a lot of time thinking about supplements.

It’s important to consider why so many people believe supplements can help them lead a healthier life. While there are many reasons, how supplements are marketed is undeniably an important one. In my years following the industry, I’ve found that three mistaken assumptions appear over and over in supplement marketing.

1. The appeal to nature fallacy

The appeal to nature fallacy occurs when you assume that because something is “natural” it must be good. The word natural is used a lot in the marketing of supplements. In the context of health, it often feels right to want natural medicine, remedies, prevention techniques and so forth.

For example, if I say “vitamin C,” what do you immediately think of? Probably oranges or citrus in general and flu prevention. But if I say “the flu shot,” what immediately comes to mind? Probably doctor’s offices, a little bit of pain and pharmaceutical companies. One of these is clinically proven to prevent flu infections and lessen the severity of illness. The other has been marketed as though it does those same things, but there’s no clinical evidence to support this.

Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.

The supplement industry is awash with brand names that incorporate the word “nature,” invoking the appeal to nature fallacy. Also, look at websites and advertisements that urge customers to forgo “artificial” products in favor of “pure” and “natural nutrition.” Using the word artificial to describe other products and natural to describe a specific supplement is intended to make you feel like that product will be superior to the competition and that you need it to be healthy.

To be clear, “natural” does not equate to “better,” but that’s what the marketing wants you to think.

2. The belief that more of a good thing is always better

There’s another assumption that piggybacks on the appeal to nature fallacy: If something is natural, it must be good, and more of it must also always be better. If a little vitamin C is good for us, then a lot of it must be great!

close up of a woman picking up a supplement from her open palm with her other hand

The supplement industry likes to capitalize on the idea that “doing something is better than doing nothing” when it comes to your health. (Image credit: vorDa via Getty Images)

The truth is that our bodies tightly regulate levels of the vitamins and minerals we consume. If you don’t have a deficiency, consuming more of a particular vitamin or mineral through a supplement won’t necessarily lead to health benefits. That’s why supplement skeptics sometimes say, “You’re just paying for expensive pee” — since your body will excrete the excess.

For an example of the more-is-better myth, look at basically any vitamin C supplement. The packaging often prominently displays dosages that can reach 750 or 1,000 milligrams. But adults need only about 75 to 120 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Similarly, look at vitamin D supplements that can come in dosages of 5,000 IU, or international units — a fact also often prominently displayed on packaging. But adults should have no more than 4,000 IU daily. Again, it’s easy to exceed what we need.

3. The action bias

Finally, the supplement industry likes to capitalize on the idea that doing something is better than doing nothing. This is the action bias. Taking action makes people feel like they have more control of a situation, which is especially powerful when it comes to health. “Even if I don’t need the extra vitamin C,” they might think, “I’ll take it just to be sure. What’s the harm?”

The examples in the last section show that supplements often contain many times the recommended daily intake of a particular vitamin or mineral. This assumes that taking that much of any of those particular substances is safe.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much vitamin C can lead to diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps and more. Too much vitamin D can lead to conditions including nausea, vomiting and kidney stones. Supplements can also interact with prescribed medications. For example, St. John’s wort is famous for interacting with contraceptives, immunosuppressive drugs, statins and chemotherapy by exacerbating or dulling their effects. When it comes to supplements, taking them isn’t necessarily better than not.

Be on the lookout for these marketing messages — they aren’t necessarily correct or good for your health. And talk with your doctor before taking any supplements.

This edited article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

I am non-clinical faculty in graduate medical education for HCA Healthcare where I am a regional director of research. I develop and teach research curriculum to medical residents and fellows as well as mentor and oversee their research projects during residency and fellowship.

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Live Science – https://www.livescience.com/health/supplements-vitamins/3-pervasive-myths-about-supplements-as-explained-by-an-expert

Previous Post

HelloFresh Is the Most Popular Meal Kit Service, but Is It the Best? We Tested It to Find out

Next Post

32 astonishing ancient burials, from ‘vampire’ decapitations to riches for the afterlife

Week 4 NFL against-the-spread picks, predictions for every game: Ravens or Chiefs will be 1-3 – Yahoo Sports

Week 4 NFL Against-the-Spread Picks and Bold Predictions: Will the Ravens or Chiefs Fall to 1-3?

September 25, 2025
Hegseth summons hundreds of top military brass from around the world for mysterious Virginia meeting – AL.com

Hegseth summons hundreds of top military brass from around the world for mysterious Virginia meeting – AL.com

September 25, 2025
US economy expanded at a surprising 3.8% pace in significant upgrade of second quarter growth – News4JAX

US economy expanded at a surprising 3.8% pace in significant upgrade of second quarter growth – News4JAX

September 25, 2025
‘Today’: Sheinelle Jones Thanks Katie Couric for Support After Husband’s Death – CBS 19 News

Sheinelle Jones Expresses Heartfelt Thanks to Katie Couric for Support After Husband’s Passing

September 25, 2025
Private health insurers use AI to approve or deny care. Soon Medicare will, too. – NBC News

Private health insurers use AI to approve or deny care. Soon Medicare will, too. – NBC News

September 25, 2025
Opinion | We Need to Think Straight About God and Politics – The New York Times

Redefining the Connection Between Faith and Politics

September 25, 2025
Coyotes Hunt Harbor Seal Pups on the California Coast – Gerraty – 2025 – Ecology – ESA Journals

Coastal Coyotes’ Unexpected Hunt: The Battle for Harbor Seal Pups

September 25, 2025

Uncovering the Hidden Risks of Suicide Among Older Men: Pathways to a Safer Future

September 25, 2025
Science Hill High School’s Feed the Hungry Club lends a hand to the community – WJHL

Science Hill High School’s Feed the Hungry Club Makes a Big Impact in the Community

September 25, 2025
Jam Wars: How the Beckhams Quietly Outshined Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Ambitions – vocal.media

Jam Wars: How the Beckhams Quietly Outshined Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Aspirations

September 25, 2025

Categories

Archives

September 2025
MTWTFSS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930 
« Aug    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (836)
  • Economy (857)
  • Entertainment (21,733)
  • General (17,238)
  • Health (9,900)
  • Lifestyle (869)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (859)
  • Politics (867)
  • Science (16,066)
  • Sports (21,357)
  • Technology (15,839)
  • World (840)

Recent News

Week 4 NFL against-the-spread picks, predictions for every game: Ravens or Chiefs will be 1-3 – Yahoo Sports

Week 4 NFL Against-the-Spread Picks and Bold Predictions: Will the Ravens or Chiefs Fall to 1-3?

September 25, 2025
Hegseth summons hundreds of top military brass from around the world for mysterious Virginia meeting – AL.com

Hegseth summons hundreds of top military brass from around the world for mysterious Virginia meeting – AL.com

September 25, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version