Pharmacist Reveals 3 Types of Supplements She Avoids
Longtime UK pharmacist Amina Khan, founder and director of the skincare and supplements brand The Pharmacist Beauty, is sharing the three types of supplements she avoids.
Gummy Vitamins
Khan declares that gummy vitamins are “basically just a sugar pill” and can be easily over-consumed, leading to mineral toxicity. According to Nebraska Medicine, gummy vitamins often contain 3 to 5 grams of sugar per serving, and tend to have fewer nutrients per serving compared to traditional multivitamins.
UCLA Health recommends checking the label to ensure the gummies contain the proper amount of nutrients and not too much sugar, looking for a certification seal on the package to signify the gummies have been third-party tested and sticking to the recommended dose.
General Multivitamins
Khan believes that general multivitamins are a waste of money, as there is no evidence they reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, or premature death. About a third of Americans, especially people 65 and older, take a multivitamin every day.
“These have a bit of everything in them,” Khan explained. “Some of the doses of each nutrient are so low they’ll hardly have an effect on you. Also, you don’t need all the vitamins in the multivitamin.”
There are some exceptions, such as pregnant women and people who are malnourished, who may benefit from a multivitamin. However, physicians recommend simply eating a balanced diet to get your fill of nutrients.
Hair, Skin, and Nail Multivitamins
Khan questions the focus of hair, skin, and nail multivitamins, wondering what they actually target. She favors “solution-focused supplements” – individual vitamins or supplements that target a specific health concern.
“Hair, skin and nail multivitamins, what do these focus on? Hair, skin or nails?” Khan wondered.
Conclusion
Khan’s advice is to opt for traditional capsules and tablets for adults, and liquids or spray supplements for children. She emphasizes the importance of reading labels and looking for certification seals to ensure the supplements are safe and effective.
FAQs
Q: Why does Khan avoid gummy vitamins?
A: Khan avoids gummy vitamins because they often contain high amounts of sugar and may lead to mineral toxicity.
Q: What does Khan recommend instead of general multivitamins?
A: Khan recommends traditional capsules and tablets for adults, and liquids or spray supplements for children.
Q: What is the focus of hair, skin, and nail multivitamins?
A: Khan questions the focus of hair, skin, and nail multivitamins, wondering what they actually target. She favors “solution-focused supplements” – individual vitamins or supplements that target a specific health concern.
