Supplements a pharmacist avoids
Pharmacist Amina Khan has turned to TikTok to disclose the three categories of supplements she steers clear of, and her recommendations may cause you to reconsider your everyday habits. With 271,000 followers captivated by her insights, Khan isn’t hesitant to point out products that fail to meet expectations.
At the top of her list? Gummy vitamins. Although they may taste like a playful treat, Khan cautions that they frequently contain more sugar and artificial ingredients than genuine nutrients. If you’re consuming them under the impression that you’re benefiting your body, you might just be indulging in a glorified candy instead.
Next, she avoids detox teas and supplements. The allure of a fast cleanse may be enticing, but Khan clarifies that many of these items depend on laxatives, which can result in dehydration and digestive problems. Your liver and kidneys are already quite effective at detoxifying—no special tea necessary.
Lastly, she firmly rejects megadose vitamins. While it’s easy to assume that more is better, Khan warns that excessive levels of specific vitamins—such as A, D, and E—can actually be detrimental. Your body doesn’t always efficiently eliminate the surplus, and an excess of a good thing can swiftly become harmful.
So before you fill your cart with the newest supplement crazes, it may be wise to take a page from Khan’s playbook and evaluate whether they’re genuinely beneficial—or merely lightening your wallet.
The truth about gummy vitamins
Gummy vitamins may appear to be a fun and delicious method to obtain your daily nutrients, but according to Khan, they’re more like candy than a lifeline. While they profess to provide essential vitamins and minerals, many are loaded with sugar, artificial colors, and additives that do little for your well-being. In fact, some brands boast as much sugar as a small chocolate treat—barely the health boost that most individuals anticipate.
Another concern? Their efficacy isn’t always consistent. Unlike traditional tablets or capsules, gummy vitamins can deteriorate more quickly, which means you might not receive the complete dosage indicated on the label. Khan notes that manufacturers frequently face challenges in balancing flavor with nutrient stability, resulting in variable vitamin concentrations. In other words, you could be munching on little more than flavored gelatin with a dash of vitamins.
Then there’s the dental drawback. Regularly consuming gummy vitamins can subject your teeth to sticky sugars and acids, heightening the likelihood of cavities. Dentists aren’t exactly in favor of these supplements, and Khan concurs—it’s not worth sacrificing your healthy smile for a dubious vitamin intake.
So, if you’re depending on gummies as your primary source of vitamins, it may be time to reevaluate your strategy. Khan recommends choosing more dependable options, like whole foods or high-grade supplements in tablet or capsule formats. After all, your health deserves more than a glorified candy posing as nutrition.