Yearning for longer, restful sleep? Supplements with ingredients like melatonin, valerian root, and magnesium promise “sleep support.” And what about the “sleepy girl mocktail” (tart cherry juice and magnesium powder, topped off with a fizzy drink), which swept TikTok this year? Here’s what the science says.
Lowering LDL cholesterol can curb your risk of heart disease. If a heart-healthy diet doesn’t work, prescription drugs can slash LDL. Do supplements also work?
In a crowded marketplace, supplement companies want their products to stand out. Some cite vague scientific theories. Others cherry-pick a study that seems to lend credence to a claim they’re making. Still others pay to have a study done, highlight any results that support their bottom line, and watch the cash roll in. Here’s a sampling of recent examples.
Food manufacturers use a legal loophole to introduce new food ingredients without FDA review—endangering public health and leaving consumers in the dark about what’s in our food. Here’s what you should know about the FDA’s review process—or lack thereof—for new food ingredients.
When it comes to food and supplements, confusion abounds. One reason: Some ideas catch on and linger, despite iffy evidence or, worse yet, studies that prove them flat-out wrong. Here’s a handful of claims to doubt.
FDA alerts online shoppers that tejocote root supplements may be toxic yellow oleander; Amazon warned to stop selling mislabeled erectile dysfunction drugs.