I started Previnex because like you, I’m passionate about my health and figuring out ways to optimize it so I can live the longest, healthiest, most active life possible. But when it came to nutritional supplements, I was inundated with questionable information and claims that left me more confused about which products could positively impact my health, and which were simply marketing jargon slapped on a bottle of garbage.
As a research analyst in the health and wellness industry, I saw first-hand how a largely unregulated industry was preying on unsophisticated consumers who didn’t have a background in nutritional science. It was frustrating and really disappointing. This came in the form of lies and misinformation about the industry, the truckloads of products that many take on a daily basis that literally provide zero real health benefits, and the substandard ingredients, testing and manufacturing processes that many of the top brands employ.
It’s literally sickening to see how many popular brands prey on misinformed consumers with products that don’t hold up and don’t deliver on their promises. We're talking about most of the major brands that you see TV ads for and you see every day in prime locations at your local grocery store, big box discounters, and even supplement stores.
To help you sift through the clutter of the supplement industry and understand what’s true and what isn’t, I put together my 4 Lies You Shouldn’t Believe About Supplements.
Lie #1: There’s no clinical data that supports supplementation
Detractors of supplements will often highlight negative studies and suggest that there is no clinical evidence that supports nutritional supplementation; that they have no benefit and that you shouldn’t take them. This has created a huge misconception. We have an internal document that has over 750 references to peer reviewed, proper clinical studies over 23 years that show the broad health benefits of supplementation Saying that there is no clinical evidence supporting supplementation is flat out misleading in light of the breadth of clinical data available.
But, that doesn't mean you should run out and grab a bottle of the first supplement you see...
Lie #2: Supplements aren’t beneficial (but beware…)
Supplements do in fact provide broad health benefits, as numerous studies have shown. Where the issue lies is that the vast majority of supplements on the market, especially the majority of those available in traditional retail outlets, are not of the quality to provide those benefits (in terms of ingredients and production standards, etc.). For the consumer, it’s all about finding a supplement company that invests in science, high-quality and clinically proven ingredients, and in an unregulated industry, takes it upon itself to adhere to the highest production and testing standards available. When those things are in place, the studies show supplementation provides broad health benefits. When they’re not, you’re most likely wasting your money.
Lie #3: Supplements are harmful
The caveat here is that you have to look for the correct ingredients and forms of the specific vitamins and minerals (different forms have different levels of efficacy) and how the supplements are manufactured (pharmaceutical grade vs. food grade manufacturing protocols). Supplements produced with low-quality ingredients and minimal production and testing standards may not provide any health benefits, but if you find the right supplement company, which invests in the highest quality ingredients and testing standards, and take the products as directed, they can be incredibly beneficial and optimize your health.
Lie #4: You can get all the nutrients you need from diet alone (aka, you don’t need supplements)
The data is clear that we do not get the levels or breadth of nutrients from our diet alone anymore. To illustrate, to get the amount of vitamin E that the studies show deliver optimal health benefits (400 IU per day), that would translate to 28.8 pounds of spinach per day, 2.3 pounds of almonds per day, etc. That’s just one letter vitamin and it’s not feasible The best way to get the breadth and levels your body needs for optimal health is through both a healthy diet and high quality nutritional supplements. Given this information, in 2002 the AMA changed their stance of nutritional supplements saying, “given the modern diet, supplementation each day with a multiple vitamin is a prudent preventative measure against chronic disease.”[[please foonote and cite]]
The bottom line is that supplements can play a critical role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, along with eating right, fitness, proper sleep and stress reduction, but the key is taking supplements made by companies that invest in quality ingredients and pharmaceutical grade testing, and not companies that invest in celebrity sponsors and prime shelf space at your local grocery store or vitamin outlet.
I hope this information helps clear up some misconceptions and provides food for thought to help you make more informed decisions when it comes to your health and understanding the benefits that the right supplements can provide. What are some misconceptions you've had about supplementation that I can help clear up? Let me know in the comments.
