In the majority of cases, the effectiveness of food supplements is not proven. © Belga Image
Often sold in pharmacies, they go unnoticed on the shelves, between painkillers and disinfectants. Except that these food supplements only look like drugs. And even if they are generally not subject to prescription, always ask your doctor for advice before checking out.
The kings of the pipe
Filling a nutritional deficiency is their basic mission. But over the past ten years, anti-fat and even anti-aging miracle cures have appeared on the market. However, studies on the effectiveness of these products are very rare. And if these products work, it is not without risk: they can in particular cause an increase in heart rate. Same thing when it comes to aging: unfortunately, no food supplement replaces a healthy lifestyle.
No but hello, don’t you have vitamin D?
The marketing techniques in this sector are extremely effective, with the help of influencers on social networks and advertising campaigns using the codes of the medical world. If producers allow themselves to fool consumers in this way, it is precisely because food supplements are not medicines. They are therefore only subject to a much more (too) lax regime.
White coats sometimes complicit
Indeed, to be placed on the market, manufacturers are absolutely not obliged to prove the effectiveness of their product, only their non-dangerousness. And yet, few of these products are actually tested before being put on the market. So, we can never repeat it enough: always consult your attending physician, hoping that he or she has not been coaxed by the same firms that offer conferences abroad, goodies and other “gifts” to certain complacent general practitioners. .
Effects on contraception
Some will not hesitate to order a blood test as complete as if you were going to the moon. However, in the eyes of the majority of the scientific community, certain additional analyzes are completely useless in most cases.
Result: the procedure is not reimbursed by the mutual insurance company and can cost you hundreds of euros. But that’s not all: to cure your ailments, you will probably be recommended to take zinc or even magnesium, which are particularly fashionable. However, their effectiveness is still not proven in the eyes of the scientific community.
The potential risks are numerous: overdose, missing information, interactions with other substances, etc. St. John’s Wort, a relaxing plant with mild antidepressant effects, can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.
Is everything to be thrown away?
Contrary to the urban legend fueled by producers, there are no arguments to recommend that all adults take vitamin D. However, in the context of certain diseases such as osteoporosis, this supplement is useful. . Regarding infants, taking vitamin D is recommended for up to one year, or even longer in some cases.
However, some studies have still proven the effectiveness of certain products. This is the case of valerian, a plant which slightly improves sleep and sometimes limits hot flashes which occur during menopause. Ultimately, buying supplements is trying to take care of your health, and the placebo effect is often significant and clearly more desirable than overmedication. However, this positive gesture can cost you dearly, as the prices of these products are often exorbitant.
