Are supplements modern snake oil?

I think they are. It's a 100s of billions dollar a year industry who has lobbied to keep FDA's hands off. It's literally less safe than food which FDA is allowed to inspect let alone real drugs (or real steroids) which they test and approve via scientific method. I have friends who spend 100s a week on snake oils it's not the money it just dangerous (people have died (ephedra) before feds finally are allowed to get involved) and placebo.

Funny Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnW4uVvIVY4


Fomer FDA commissioners compare supplement industry to tobacco industry

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/06/supplements-make-tobacco-look-easy/488798/

Why am I posting? there are these supplement trolls ads all the time here and other forums from china or wherever it just reminded me don't indulge. Eat right and exercise. The body will take care of itself and go to a real doctor if something is really wrong.

They're essentially a complete ripoff and none of their claims are properly regulated. That being said, there are a few supplements that do have scientific evidence of efficacy:
1. Caffeine
2. Creatine (given certain caveats)
3. Steroids. Not sure if you would count this as a supplement though.


Also, on a side note, don't forget sleep. That's really important for fitness/general health.

Supplements are and aren't.

When a doctor actually say you should take supplements (because your diet doesn't contain enough of the vitamin) or because you plan to do a diet that lack some supplement(s) (AND is suggested by a certified doctor/nutritionist).

Otherwise, it's not exactly snake oil but it's certainly not honest. The vast majority of the supplements won't be absorbed if your body doesn't need it and feeding excess supplements can be detrimental to your health.

Supplements should be a prescription only thing. It's a shady market at the very least, especially with all the ads we see on tv about them when in fact, they don't do shit for the normal person.

No one wants a squeaky snake.

Yes sleep.... thats my major deficit. I only do like 3-4 hrs a day otherwise Im a vegetarian and run 4-6 miles a day. I refuse to go to doctor though because you know they are just going to subscribe something which will make me catatonic all day. My mind is always churning tho. Like right now my wife is sleeping and I'm on laptop right next to herr..I'l wake up before her too.

"

DalaiLama wrote:

No one wants a squeaky snake.

ahhahaa. Snitches get stitches.

In all ways yes they are the modern snake oil. This is of course because snake oil was a thing and did exactly what was promised, as long as you used the right snake which was in China and not a rattlesnake. Supplements also do work assuming you use the right ones.

"

faerwin wrote:

Supplements are and aren't.

When a doctor actually say you should take supplements (because your diet doesn't contain enough of the vitamin) or because you plan to do a diet that lack some supplement(s) (AND is suggested by a certified doctor/nutritionist).

Otherwise, it's not exactly snake oil but it's certainly not honest. The vast majority of the supplements won't be absorbed if your body doesn't need it and feeding excess supplements can be detrimental to your health.

Supplements should be a prescription only thing. It's a shady market at the very least, especially with all the ads we see on tv about them when in fact, they don't do shit for the normal person.

\

This^