It's going overboard to say that "supplements are a scam". The evidence for some supplements is strong. For instance, vitamin D, creatine, taurine. In many cases, there isn't sufficient evidence to determine whether a supplement works (for everyone, anyone, or some subgroup). There are no doubt cases of supplements that probably don't work but their purveyors believe they do. That isn't a scam.
Supplements, on the whole, do not have proven benefits for human health. Vitamin D is actually a great example of this, having failed to show benefits for literally dozens of conditions over the last few decades despite constant efforts to prove that it somehow works for something else. https://gidmk.substack.com/p/vitamin-d-supplementation-still-probably
Examine.com is a good source of evaluation of supplements. They go through all the studies and assess strength of evidence and effects. Vitamin D is one that has clear evidence for it. It improves immune health, bone health, and well-being. Supplementation may also reduce the risk of cancer mortality, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Evidence supports use of curcumin for lowering some markers of inflammation and increasingly levels of endogenous antioxidants. Moderate improvements in the symptoms of depression and moderate to large improvements in pain and function in osteoarthritis. Curcumin also shows promise for treating ulcerative colitis.
Evidence is strong for creatine in improving strength and power output. Creatine appears to reduce mental fatigue in some scenarios, particularly highly stressful ones involving sleep deprivation or exercise to exhaustion.
Supplemental magnesium also appears to lower blood pressure in people who are deficient in magnesium and in those who have elevated blood pressure.
Fish oil can reduce triglyceride levels in the blood and may lower blood pressure especially in people with hypertension.
There is too much hype for supplements but some clearly help some people. It would be incredible if none worked at all!
Do you really dismiss ALL supplements? Even for people with deficiencies?
It's going overboard to say that "supplements are a scam". The evidence for some supplements is strong. For instance, vitamin D, creatine, taurine. In many cases, there isn't sufficient evidence to determine whether a supplement works (for everyone, anyone, or some subgroup). There are no doubt cases of supplements that probably don't work but their purveyors believe they do. That isn't a scam.
Supplements, on the whole, do not have proven benefits for human health. Vitamin D is actually a great example of this, having failed to show benefits for literally dozens of conditions over the last few decades despite constant efforts to prove that it somehow works for something else. https://gidmk.substack.com/p/vitamin-d-supplementation-still-probably
Examine.com is a good source of evaluation of supplements. They go through all the studies and assess strength of evidence and effects. Vitamin D is one that has clear evidence for it. It improves immune health, bone health, and well-being. Supplementation may also reduce the risk of cancer mortality, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Evidence supports use of curcumin for lowering some markers of inflammation and increasingly levels of endogenous antioxidants. Moderate improvements in the symptoms of depression and moderate to large improvements in pain and function in osteoarthritis. Curcumin also shows promise for treating ulcerative colitis.
Evidence is strong for creatine in improving strength and power output. Creatine appears to reduce mental fatigue in some scenarios, particularly highly stressful ones involving sleep deprivation or exercise to exhaustion.
Supplemental magnesium also appears to lower blood pressure in people who are deficient in magnesium and in those who have elevated blood pressure.
Fish oil can reduce triglyceride levels in the blood and may lower blood pressure especially in people with hypertension.
There is too much hype for supplements but some clearly help some people. It would be incredible if none worked at all!
Do you really dismiss ALL supplements? Even for people with deficiencies?
Yeah, I could be imagining it. Except then why does it matter?
Some seem to work. REALLY well. They are the only things that do, so I take them.