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 GABA Supplements Do Anything? This Might Save You Time & Money

Have you heard of GABA? You might have seen it in a health food store or it could have been recommended to you when you were browsing supplements on Amazon. GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter that can be found in your brain, right now! And it has...

Is Whey Protein a Magic Bullet for Health Benefits and Workouts?

Two tablespoons of peanut butter. Three-quarters of a cup of unsweetened almond milk. One half-cup of oats. And the most important ingredient: chocolate-flavored whey protein. Blended together, this has been my typical breakfast for a long time. Whey protein has been...

Does Quercetin Have Health Benefits? 6 Popular Health Claims Examined

Quercetin is marketed as an 'ergogenic' or an agent that enhances physical performance. Needless to mention, the promise of ergogenic benefits is of great interest to many people. Me included. To be honest, I would love to add another few hours to my day by moving...

Does Phytoplankton Have Health Benefits? 6 Health Claims Reviewed

Intro Foods and ingredients originating from the ocean have continued to gain momentum in health-promoting circles. Whereas fatty fish used to get all the attention, the spotlight then turned to seaweeds, and is now highlighting the little guys: spirulina and...

Black Cohosh Supplements May Have This One Health Benefit

Introduction Black cohosh is probably best known as the herbal remedy for all things to do with women’s health. It has been used throughout the various stages of womanhood from painful periods to childbirth to the menopause. Native to the Appalachian mountain region...

Do Iron Supplements Work? Conclusions From 24 Research Papers

Introduction The question of iron supplementation is so important that I am going to answer the question here in the introduction and then justify/elaborate on the answer in the rest of the article. Iron supplementation is not an amateur sport. Unlike other...

Research Shows Chromium Supplements Have These Two Benefits

Introduction Many of my patients are interested in the health benefits of chromium. Chromium is promoted for use in common lifestyle related health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and cognitive impairment, in addition to the related polycystic...

The Health Benefit Claims of Colloidal Silver Are Just a Marketing Scam

Introduction Everyday at work, I don and doff personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, visors, long sleeved gowns, plastic aprons) to prevent the transmission of resistant bacteria from patient to patient. Such is the life of a hospital based infectious diseases...

The Health Benefits of Krill Oil Are Lacking Scientific Support

Introduction Krill oil is marketed as an alternative source of healthy fatty acids for people who (for whatever reasons) do not want to include oily fish or traditional fish oil supplements in their diet. Extractable krill oil is not just promoted as an alternative to...

Yohimbe Supplements Have Benefits but Watch out for Side Effects

Introduction Technically, it is true to say that yohimbe comes from the African savannah and has been used for a very long time as a herbal aphrodisiac and aid for erectile dysfunction (which all sounds very exotic and earthy). However, that would only be part of the...