Posted on 22 August 202214 September 2022 by Dr Cliff Harvey

Are supplements really worthless?

There have recently been a number of articles[1]) that make the claim that most dietary supplements “are worthless”. And you know… I might almost be inclined to agree with them that ‘many’ supplements are indeed not worth the money. Almost. But for me, this has more to do with the quality of forms and ingredients used, or because certain supplements do offer more hype than substance, than a blanket overall statement.

Take for example this claim that, to me, lacks credibility:

CLAIM: Protein powder: Skip it – eat beans, tofu, nuts, fish or meat instead

I’ve always said, and continue to say that food comes first. So, you might be forgiven for thinking that I agree with this. But I don’t, and here’s why.

Protein powders are no better than food derived proteins, but they are also no worse. They are simply protein. So, what someone should use at any given time comes down to two things: convenience and cost.

Sometimes it may be difficult to prepare a robust, nutritionally sound meal, but easier to whizz up a smoothie that contains a quality protein powder, along with lots of great, whole-foods like berries, nuts and vegetables. This makes for a great meal option.

Protein powders also compare reasonably with meat, fish and chicken from a cost perspective so the added convenience of a protein powder doesn’t need to come at a higher cost. Cost and convenience are two of the factors that we see affecting compliance with a good diet, and so, if a protein powder can help with these, that’s a win in my book.

CLAIM: Creatine: Skip it – eat meat instead

While this article suggests that there are moderate benefits to taking creatine (I would say that the effects can be pretty profound actually!) they go on to say that you should just eat meat to get your creatine intake.

But here’s the thing: animal muscle tissue contains approximately 0.5% creatine by weight, and so to get an effective dose of creatine you’d need to eat around 1kg of meat per day in addition to what you’re currently eating!

Given that well over 1000 peer-reviewed papers published on creatine demonstrate overwhelming benefits, and the extraordinary amount of meat you’d have to eat to get these same benefits, it’s clear that supplementing is a good idea.

What’s more, creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders. The muscle-building, strength and power improvements are likely to benefit most gym-goers. But more importantly, for everyday Joes, emerging evidence suggests that creatine can play a valuable role in supporting brain health and function too.

CLAIM: Ginseng: Skip it — while some research finds that it can help curb fatigue, scientists say more is needed to prove that it’s safe

Ginseng has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems and is typically regarded as safe (when used correctly). When we have foods and herbs that have been used by large populations for many thousands of years in a safe manner, then we need to take that into account.

In fact, this is one of the criteria for common culinary herbs and foods being Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Of course, whenever using herbs to support health it is important to get advice from a qualified, registered health practitioner who is trained in their use (such as a properly qualified naturopath or medical herbalist).

CLAIM: Fish oil pills: Skip them — you can eat salmon instead

Fish is great, but it can be simply too difficult to ensure that you are getting enough of the beneficial omega 3 oils consistently unless you eat a lot of oily fish.

Although there is some debate about the value of fish oil supplements, the evidence shows that fish oil supplementation supports healthy heart function[2] and exerts positive effects on markers of cardiovascular health like supporting our healthy ‘good’ cholesterol levels, overall blood lipids and healthy blood pressure[3][4][5][6].

Increased consumption of omega 3s from fish or fish-oil supplements is shown in the literature to support overall good health and longevity[7][8]. Additionally, fish oil supplementation is also supportive of healthy mood states[9][10]. A modest but consistent benefit from fish oil is also seen for healthy joint function and comfort particularly upon arising[11].

Not all fish oil supplements are created equal though. Some reports have shown that fish oil can be oxidised and rancid by the time it reaches the consumer. This is why it’s crucial to ensure you use a reputable brand of fish oil.

What about Multi’s and Green formulas?

Many of us don’t get all of the micronutrients we need from diet alone. This is especially true of vitamin A, B1, B6, B12 and iron. And a whopping 25% of us don’t get enough zinc, while nearly one half of us don’t get enough selenium![12]

Without all of these vital nutrients we are unable to do anything well. You can think of vitamins and minerals are like the spark plugs in a car—they may not seem too important, but without them, you’re not going anywhere! So, it makes sense that a quality multi can help to fill the gaps in your diet.

But quality is key. Many multi formulas use poorer (cheaper) forms of vitamins like B9 and B12 and others, that are either not as effective, or could even be harmful in the long-term. Likewise, most of us now don’t eat the recommended quantity of veggies every day. A quality Green multi formula helps to stock up your green intake for the day. This is where using a whole-food based, high-quality multi-nutrient Greens formula like Good Green Vitality can make a massive difference.

Many other supplements have considerable evidence backing their benefits, from magnesium and vitamin C to zinc – to name just a few. A qualified and registered practitioner can help you to determine which specific supplements you should or shouldn’t take based on your own unique health needs.

So where does that leave us?

While some of the statements circulating on the net might have some value, I’ve found it to be unwise to become too ‘absolutist’ about a pro vs. con position towards supplements.

Each supplement should be evaluated on its own merits, including:

Does it use quality ingredients?
Does it use the best forms of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients?
Does it have a sound, evidence-base for its use?
Does it include ingredients that actually work…or just ones that are trendy?

The evidence clearly shows that some supplements offer tremendous benefits and that many of us don’t get enough of even the essential nutrients from diet alone which provides a sound AND evidence-based rationale for supplementation.

References:

[1] Brodwin, E. (2016). Most dietary supplements are useless but here are the ones you should take. IFLScience. https://www.iflscience.com/most-dietary-supplements-useless-but-here-are-the-ones-you-should-take-37015

[2] Delgado-Lista J, Perez-Martinez P, Lopez-Miranda J, Perez-Jimenez F. (2012). Long chain omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012;107(SupplementS2):S201-S13.

[3] Montori VM, Farmer A, Wollan PC, Dinneen SF. (2000). Fish oil supplementation in type 2 diabetes: a quantitative systematic review. Diabetes Care. 2000;23(9):1407-15.

[4] Eslick GD, Howe PRC, Smith C, Priest R, Bensoussan A. (2009). Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Cardiology. 2009;136(1):4-16.

[5] Balk EM, Lichtenstein AH, Chung M, Kupelnick B, Chew P, Lau J. (2006). Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2006;189(1):19-30.

[6] Campbell F, Dickinson HO, Critchley JA, Ford GA, Bradburn M. (2013). A systematic review of fish-oil supplements for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 2013;20(1):107-20.

[7] Wang C, Harris WS, Chung M, Lichtenstein AH, Balk EM, Kupelnick B, et al. (2006). n−3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not α-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006;84(1):5-17.

[8] León H, Shibata MC, Sivakumaran S, Dorgan M, Chatterley T, Tsuyuki RT. (2008). Effect of fish oil on arrhythmias and mortality: systematic review. BMJ. 2008;337.

[9] Appleton KM, Rogers PJ, Ness AR. (2010). Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressed mood. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

[10] Appleton KM, Hayward RC, Gunnell D, Peters TJ, Rogers PJ, Kessler D, et al. (2006). Effects of n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressed mood: systematic review of published trials. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006;84(6):1308-16.

[11] Miles EA, Calder PC. (2012). Influence of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune function and a systematic review of their effects on clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012;107(SupplementS2):S171-S84.

[12] University of Otago and Ministry of Health. (2011). A Focus on Nutrition: Key findings of the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. Wellington: 2011.

Dr Cliff Harvey

Nutritionist, Naturopath, Life & Purpose Coach

Cliff Harvey is a New Zealand-based author, nutritionist, researcher and speaker. He is also a qualified Naturopath, a strength and nutrition coach of 20 years, and an IAWA Weightlifting World Chamption (2004 & 2007). Over the years he has consulted all types of athletes, from champion fighters and cyclists to yacht teams and rugby unions.

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Are supplements really worthless?

CLAIM: Protein powder: Skip it – eat beans, tofu, nuts, fish or meat instead

CLAIM: Creatine: Skip it – eat meat instead

CLAIM: Ginseng: Skip it — while some research finds that it can help curb fatigue, scientists say more is needed to prove that it’s safe

CLAIM: Fish oil pills: Skip them — you can eat salmon instead

What about Multi’s and Green formulas?

So where does that leave us?

Dr Cliff Harvey

Nutritionist, Naturopath, Life & Purpose Coach

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