Pharmacist Reveals The Three Supplements You Should Avoid And Their More Effective Alternatives

"These are basically just a sugar pill; you might as well just go and have a sweet."

2025 is fast approaching, and New Year's Resolutions are on the horizon. Of course, for many of us, a stock-standard resolution each year is to 'be more healthy,' and that often entails incorporating some dietary supplements into our routine.

But are all the fancy vitamins with their enticing packaging really all they're cracked up to be? Pharmacist Amina recently took to her TikTok to share the three supplements she would never take and the ones we should be taking instead.

It turns out that many of the most popular supplements on the market are not doing as much for our bodies as we thought they were. So, which ones should we avoid?

Amina says the first supplements to go should be our beloved gummies, explaining, "These are basically just a sugar pill; you might as well just go and have a sweet," she said. "They are packed with sugar and filler ingredients."

The other concern with gummies is that they tend to be very easy to over consume, which can lead to mineral toxicity in more extreme cases. "Some of these gummies don't even have enough nutrients in them to even have an effect on you," Amina said.

Next on Amina's list of supplements to avoid are multivitamins. She says that while a multivitamin has "a bit of everything" in it, the doses of each nutrient aren't high enough to have a positive effect.

Last but not least on Amina's list are multivitamins for skin, hair, and nails. "What do these focus on? Hair, skin or nails? They're not solution-focused," she said.

The most important vitamins in these are often too low to even have an effect on you," Amina added. So, what supplements does Amina recommend?

"Traditional capsules and tablets are the best," she says. "If you can't swallow any of these, you can take the powder out of the capsule or crush the tablet and mix with food/drink."

Amina says if we want actual results, we should be taking solution-focused supplements. "Best to focus on ingredients that help the actual issue," she advises.

If you find it hard to swallow tablets, or if you have fussy children, liquid supplements or sprays are a great option. Amina has all the bases covered!

For many of us, a stock-standard resolution each year is to 'be more healthy,' and that often entails incorporating some dietary supplements into our routine.

For many of us, a stock-standard resolution each year is to 'be more healthy,' and that often entails incorporating some dietary supplements into our routine.Getty Stock Images/Tang Ming Tung

But are all the fancy vitamins with their enticing packaging really all they're cracked up to be?

But are all the fancy vitamins with their enticing packaging really all they're cracked up to be?Getty Stock Images/Fiordaliso

Pharmacist Amina recently took to her TikTok to share the three supplements she would never take and the ones we should be taking instead.

Pharmacist Amina recently took to her TikTok to share the three supplements she would never take and the ones we should be taking instead.TikTok/aminathepharmacist

Amina says the first supplements to go should be our beloved gummies.

Amina says the first supplements to go should be our beloved gummies.TikTok/aminathepharmacist

Next on Amina's list of supplements to avoid are multivitamins.

Next on Amina's list of supplements to avoid are multivitamins.TikTok/aminathepharmacist

Last but not least on Amina's list are multivitamins for skin, hair, and nails.

Last but not least on Amina's list are multivitamins for skin, hair, and nails.TikTok/aminathepharmacist

What are your thoughts on Amina's advice? Do you currently take any of the supplements she recommends (or doesn't), and do you find them to be helpful (or unhelpful)?

As always, we would love to hear your opinions on this story. You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

Expert Opinion

Refusing to share an inheritance may reflect personal boundaries or past family conflict. It's not always selfish - sometimes, it's about self-respect. Refusing to share an inheritance may reflect personal boundaries or past family conflict. It's not always selfish - sometimes, it's about self-respect.
Jane Cooper
Our Expert

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