6 Supplements You ‘Shouldn’t Spend Your Money On’ Because They May Be Useless, According To Doctors: ‘They Won’t Help’

In a world flooded with supplement ads promising miraculous health benefits, it can be challenging to discern which ones are worth your money and which ones aren’t. While some supplements may seem like an easy shortcut to better health, experts warn that many of these products are not as effective as they claim to be.

From multivitamins to collagen supplements, we’ve compiled a list of commonly purchased supplements that you might want to think twice about before adding to your cart. With expert knowledge from medical professionals and nutritionists, we’ll help you navigate the supplement aisle with a more critical eye, making sure you don’t spend your hard-earned money on products that may not deliver the results what do you expect

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1. Multivitamins

First thing’s first: Dr. Austin Lake, recently shared insightful warnings about this issue on TikTok, warns against seemingly ubiquitous multivitamins such as Centrum, Nature Made, One A Day and Kirkland. While these may seem like a great way to get essential nutrients in a simple package, he says bluntly that “they’re just not going to be that good for you” and “could potentially be a huge waste money” due to their low bioavailability and artificial additives. Dr. Lake encourages a shift toward getting essential nutrients from a well-rounded diet instead of relying on these widely marketed multivitamins.

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2. Probiotics

Turning to probiotics, Dr. Lake points out that “Probiotics are often a huge waste of money because people are buying insufficient amounts of the right types of probiotics.” He recommends making sure you’re getting the right amounts (typically ranging from 10 billion to 100 billion CFU, depending on your health concerns) and highlights the importance of live activated cultures found in foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha.

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3. Biotin

Biotin is often marketed as a great option for a variety of health needs, especially when it comes to beauty. However, this is the second supplement that Dr. Lake warns. According to him, taking too much can be harmful to your health. “Biotin can actually deplete other B vitamins in your system, especially B5,” he says. Emphasizing the importance of B5 in hormone synthesis and energy production, he advises choosing a B complex instead, stressing the need for a balanced approach to supplementation.

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4. Vitamin C

You may often hear about the importance of vitamin C, especially when it comes to immunity. While getting enough vitamin C in your diet is definitely important for your overall health, nutritionist Krutika Nanavati says that taking a vitamin C supplement may not be necessary or even beneficial at all. “You don’t need mega doses of it,” she tells us. “Nor does it really prevent you from the common cold according to the findings.” In fact, she notes, “there are no proven lasting effects that people can get from taking vitamin C routinely.”

A major reason you may not benefit from taking a vitamin C supplement is that it is water soluble. “Being soluble in water, excess vitamin C is excreted through urine,” explains Nanavati. This means that if you take more than your body needs, your body will just end up flushing it out anyway – ie it won’t overwhelm your immune system. “There is no need to add it as an extra”, she asserts. Good to know!

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5. Detox supplements

Detox supplements (such as “Flat Belly Teas” or supposed miracle pills) often marketed with promises of cleansing the body and improving general well-being have faced increasing scrutiny for their dubious efficacy. . The basic premise behind detox supplements is the notion that they can cleanse the body of impurities and toxins, providing a fresh start for internal systems. However, as noted by Dr. Praveen Guntipalli, Medical Director and Owner of Sanjiva Medical, this idea goes against the natural processes that already exist within the human body.

“Detox or cleansing supplements have been heavily criticized for dubious claims and no scientific evidence to support their efficacy,” he warns. “These pills often claim to cleanse the body of impurities, increase energy levels and improve overall health.” However, “The claims of these supplements are often vague and lack substantial evidence.” Fortunately, your body usually covers all the detoxification. As Dr. Guntipalli explains, “The human body already has organs that naturally detoxify the system, such as the liver and kidneys.” These vital organs play a crucial role in filtering and eliminating toxins from the bloodstream.

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6. Collagen for hair growth

If you’re looking for a supplement to help restore and treat thinning hair, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, recommends skipping collagen. She notes that collagen supplements “come from leftover gelatin” in the meat industry. “You’ll also see marine collagen in supplements, but does it help with thinning hair?

Collagen can help your hair grow stronger and will help hair follicles hold on to existing hair for longer,” says Abdullah. She points out that “it won’t help you grow hair, though. young.” Got it!