3 pervasive myths about supplements, as explained by an expert

The business of supplements is booming, and with all the hype around them, it's easy to forget what they actually are: substances that can powerfully affect the body and your health, yet aren't regulated like drugs are.

Thanks in large part to a 1994 law, the Food and Drug Administration is essentially toothless when it comes to supplements.

Companies can sell supplements without going through any sort of approval process, or even having to share safety evidence.”

Also, look at websites and advertisements that urge customers to forgo "artificial" products in favor of "pure" and "natural nutrition."

Taking action makes people feel like they have more control of a situation, which is especially powerful when it comes to health.

The examples in the last section show that supplements often contain many times the recommended daily intake of a particular vitamin or mineral.