Latest Evidence in Supplements
According to a recent report, the global dietary supplements market is expected to reach USD 278 billion dollars by 2024. Some supplements are claimed to have benefits that haven’t been validated by research. Others are claimed to have benefits that haven’t even been studied. Some really are validated by research as being worthwhile for certain people in certain situations.
The question is: Which are which? This section contains research reviews for popular supplements, and answers to the most common health claims made about them.
Do MCT Oils Have Proven Benefits? 42 Studies Reviewed
My introduction to MCT oil happened many decades ago (I won’t say how many) when I was a pediatrics resident doing my neonatal ICU rotation. MCT oil was used as part of the nutrition for the tiny premature babies who needed to gain weight. Since their digestive system...
Do Green Coffee Beans Have Proven Benefits? The Research Examined
What Are Green Coffee Beans? According to the National Coffee Association, coffee belongs to a genus of plants called Coffea, with over 500 genera and 6000 species if tropical trees and shrubs. There are an estimated 25-100 species of coffee plants. The genus was...
Do Ashwagandha Supplements Have Benefits? 1000 Studies Reviewed
Introduction One of my biggest concerns about modern medicine is our increasing 'medicalization of human despair'. Life can be stressful and many people live with what is called a 'high allostatic load'. Something trivial (or big) can be the tipping point. These...
The Science of Probiotics As of 2019: How Strong Is The Evidence?
Introduction As an infectious diseases physician, I was trained at a time when most bacteria were considered to be public enemy number 1. It was very much a 'them' versus 'us' perspective. Fast-forward to 2018, and we are now talking about probiotics or good bacteria....
Does Caralluma Fimbriata Have Proven Benefits? The Research Reviewed
Introduction Is there something out there that can help us lose weight? Ideally, something instead of 'eating less and exercising more'. As a compromise, we might even accept something that would enhance the effects of eating less and exercising more. In this blog, we...
Do Potassium Supplements Do Anything? We Review the Research
What Is Potassium? Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K (from Neo-Latin kalium) and atomic number 19. It is considered an alkali metal with a single electron in its outer shell, which is easily removed to create an ion with a positive charge. Potassium...
Do BCAA Supplements Have Health Benefits? We Review The Research
Introduction How exactly did doctors manage before the internet? Take branched chain amino acids (BCAA) for example. If I search my undergraduate lecture notes from medical school, I would probably find two brief references to BCAA. The first mention of BCAA would...
Do GH3 Supplements Have Health Benefits? Analyzing The Research
Introduction Gerovital or GH3 is yet another candidate compound which is touted as the secret to eternal youth. It is said to boost sexual prowess, prevent heart disease (which you might need to support your new-found sexual mojo) and also prevent wrinkles and color...
Do Forskolin Supplements Have Health Benefits? Full Review Of The Evidence
Introduction One of the most common issues troubling the modern human race is weight loss. To put this in perspective, it has to be said, that our obsession with weight loss is unique to the first world and our way of living. We already know that eating less and...
Does Passion Flower or Its Extract Have Health Benefits? Science Responds
Introduction Passion flower might just sound like the type of flower to send your loved one on Valentine's Day - but it's not that kind of passion flower. It actually got its name from Christian missionaries who drew parallels between the flower and the 'passion' or...