The Truth About Supplements

Written by Kelly Dodds - Masters in Nutrition and Human Performance

The supplement industry is now worth over $40 billion in the U.S. alone; promising more energy, faster recovery, and a longer, healthier life. But while marketing often makes supplements seem essential, the truth is that most people don’t actually need them, and most don’t work as claimed. Though supplements can play a helpful role in specific situations, they should never replace the foundations of health: adequate amounts of nutrient-rich food, regular movement, quality sleep, and stress balance.

Why Most Supplements Don’t Live Up to the Hype

Unlike prescription medications, supplements are not regulated by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before they reach the shelf. Companies can sell products without proving that they work or that they even contain what’s listed on the label. Study after study, findings show that 40-90% of the supplements sold at major retailers do not contain the ingredients listed on their labels when tested. Independent studies have also revealed contamination with heavy metals, banned substances, and unlisted fillers.

Even when purity isn’t the issue, the scientific evidence often is. Large-scale reviews have shown that multivitamins and most popular supplements provide little to no measurable benefit for preventing chronic diseases or extending lifespan.

The bottom line: most supplements don’t make a meaningful impact unless they’re correcting a true clinical deficiency.

When Supplements Can Actually Help

While most supplements are unnecessary for people eating a well-balanced diet, there are a few with scientific support, especially when used to fill nutritional gaps or support specific health and performance goals. They are typically only necessary when someone has dietary restrictions, avoids food groups, or learns they are deficient through lab work - in order to bring levels up to an adequate amount. Taking more of something does not mean better health or performance.

There are some common patterns seen in Western diets, when the average person may need to be more vigilant about getting certain nutrients that tend to be insufficient, like omega-3 fats, fiber, vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, or potassium.

Below are supplements that have supporting research that they may be beneficial to take, with relatively low risk when taken appropriately:

1. Vitamin D: plays a crucial role in bone strength, immune function, and hormone production. Many adults are deficient in the US, roughly 40%; especially those in northern climates, during winter months, spend most of their time indoors, or have darker skin.

Typical dose: 400–800 IU (10–20 mcg) daily is considered safe and sufficient for most adults.
Type: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
Safety: the upper limit is 4,000 IU (100 mcg) daily without medical oversight. Toxic levels of vitamin D are possible with high doses.

2. Creatine Monohydrate: helps replenish energy during short, intense efforts. It’s one of the most well-studied and effective supplements for improving strength, power, and lean muscle. Studies have found creatine supplementation can improve high-intensity performance by 10–20% and enhances muscle growth and recovery. There’s also emerging research suggesting it has cognitive and neuroprotective benefits as well.

Typical dose: 3–5 grams daily (no loading phase needed). Any time of day; consistency matters more than timing.
Safety: Extensively studied; safe for long-term use in healthy adults.

3. Protein Powder (Whey or Plant-Based): protein is vital for muscle repair, metabolism, and satiety. While food should be the main source, protein powders can help people who struggle to meet daily needs, like those with busy schedules, low appetite, or higher protein goals.

Typical dose: 20–40 grams per serving, daily as needed.
Type: Whey and casein are most bioavailable; pea or soy blends are good plant-based options.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA): play a central role in cardiovascular health, brain function, and reducing inflammation. Most people don’t get enough from their diet. Supplementation has been shown to improve triglyceride levels in those with high levels.

Typical dose: 500–1,000 mg combined EPA + DHA per day. For triglyceride reduction, up to 2–3 grams daily under medical supervision.
Type: Fish oil, krill oil, or algae-based oils for vegans.
Safety: There is a risk of heavy metal contamination, like mercury. Oil in supplements can go rancid and lead to health complications. High doses can lead to atrial fibrillation and bleeding risk.

5. Magnesium: supports muscle function, energy production, and sleep. Active adults often don’t get enough from diet alone, and suboptimal levels can go unnoticed because blood tests don’t accurately reflect magnesium stores in the body.

Typical dose: 200 mg per day. Often taken at night to promote sleep.
Type: Magnesium glycinate, citrate, or malate (well-absorbed and gentle on digestion).
Safety: upper limit is 400 mg/day from supplements.

Supplements to Be Skeptical Of

The supplement aisle is full of products that overpromise and underdeliver. Be cautious with anything claiming to “boost,” “detox,” or “balance.” If a product sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Common examples to skip include:

“Fat burners” and “metabolism boosters” - ineffective and often risky.
Detoxes and cleanses - unnecessary; your skin, liver, and kidneys already detoxify naturally.
Superfood or greens powders - may seem convenient, but can’t replace whole fruits and vegetables.
Proprietary blends - often hide mis dosed or ineffective ingredients.

How to Choose and Use Supplements Wisely

If you decide to use supplements, think of them as support tools, not shortcuts. Here’s some general rules of thumb when it comes to finding which supplements are best for you:

Test, don’t guess. Get bloodwork to identify true deficiencies before supplementing.
Build the foundations first. Supplements won’t fix poor nutrition, lack of sleep, or chronic stress.
Choose third-party tested brands. Look for seals such as NSF Certified for Sport, USP Verified, Informed Choice, or Consumer Labs to ensure purity and potency.
Keep it simple. More isn’t better. Overlapping supplements can be redundant or unsafe. It is possible to consume toxic levels of some supplements.

Supplements can fill small gaps, but they can’t build the foundation. Our health, fitness, and longevity mostly comes from consistent dietary & lifestyle habits, not a pill or powder.

Take Action:

Audit Your Supplement Cabinet. Look at each bottle to check the label for third-party testing seals, such as: NSF Certified for Sport, USP Verified, Informed Choice, or Consumer Lab Tested.
Watch Out for “Proprietary Blends.” Flip each bottle over. If you see a “Proprietary Blend” listed without ingredient amounts, that’s a red flag. Choose products that list exact dosages of every ingredient.
Simplify and Strengthen the Foundations. Prioritize eating whole, nutrient-dense foods, staying hydrated, sleeping well, and moving daily. Get rid of overlapping, unverified, or gimmicky products and stick to safe doses of evidence-based supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3s, creatine monohydrate, or protein - as needed.