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.
Only One Study Shows Milk Thistle May Have Health Benefits
Introduction The herbal industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Milk thistle extract consistently ranks as one of the most widely used herbal remedies. Milk thistle is probably best known for its alleged role in liver health, but is also promoted for diabetes,...
Does St. John’s Wort Work as an Antidepressant? 18 Studies Examined
Introduction St John’s wort is probably the best known of all of the herbal remedies used today. Dubbed as ‘Nature’s Prozac', it is probably best known for its role in depression. It is also now purported to have benefits in ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorders,...
Do Valerian Root Supplements Work? 28 Scientific Papers Reviewed
Intro If you’re tossing and turning in bed, you might be tempted to brew some Sleepytime® or similar herbal tea to drink. If so, you’ve probably already tried valerian root. It has been used since ancient times as a sleep aid as well as for reducing anxiety and...
Social Media Is Lying About the Health Benefits of Biotin Supplements
Introduction Did you know that there are over 100,00 posts on Instagram for the #biotin? Biotin is claimed to promote healthy hair, strong nails and glowing youthful skin. It is also touted as a cure-all for brain, heart and endocrine health. The impulsive side of me...
18 Research Papers Debunk the Health Benefit Claims of Collagen
Introduction As a vegetarian, I sometimes wonder if I am missing out on health benefits enjoyed by my meat eating friends . Take bone broth as an example. There are 230,000 Instagram posts for the hashtag #bone broth. That’s a whole lot of bone broth. I am often...
Do Selenium Supplements Have Benefits? 19 Research Papers Examined
Introduction Twenty years ago, there was a widespread belief in the medical and scientific community that optimizing selenium status would surely translate into better health for us all. At a minimum, improved selenium levels was touted as one of the solutions for...
Do Echinacea Supplements Have Benefits? The Research Explained
Introduction 'Show me the money’ is the infamous line from the hit movie Gerry Maguire. Well, that’s pretty easy when it comes to echinacea. Echinacea ranks as one of the top selling herbs worldwide and grossed a staggering $15.1 million in 2008 alone. To put this in...
Do Saw Palmetto Supplements Work? 15 Scientific Papers Reviewed
Introduction Saw Palmetto is a plant native to the American Southeast. It has been used traditionally as a treatment for respiratory complaints and conditions of the genitourinary tract. Since the 20th centuries, an extract of the plant has been touted as a treatment...
Do CoQ10 Supplements Have Health Benefits? All Clinical Trials Reviewed
Introduction Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10) is a Nobel prize winning moiety. It is found in every cell in the human body, hence it is also called ubiquinone (UQ10) (ubiquitous) It forms part of cell membranes and belongs to a class of compounds known as the benzoquinones....
Does Zinc Oxide Protect the Skin? Is It a Viable Sunscreen Alternative?
Introduction Zinc oxide products have been trusted for generations to care for delicate or damaged skin. Bathroom cabinets in every corner of the world carry some type of zinc oxide remedy or salve. This is especially true if there is a baby to toddler in the house....