1. Multivitamins
First thing's first: Dr. Lake cautions against seemingly ubiquitous multivitamins, such as Centrum, Nature Made, One A Day, and Kirkland. Although these may appear to be a great way to get essential nutrients in one simple package, he bluntly states that "they just aren't going to be all that helpful to you" and "can potentially be a big waste of money" due to their low bioavailability and artificial additives. Dr. Lake encourages a shift toward obtaining essential nutrients from a well-rounded diet rather than relying on these widely marketed multivitamins.
2. Biotin
Biotin is often marketed as a great option for a range of health needs, especially when it comes to beauty. However, this is the second supplement that Dr. Lake warns against. According to him, excessive intake could be detrimental to your health. "Biotin can actually deplete other B vitamins in your system, specifically B5," he says. Stressing the importance of B5 in hormone synthesis and energy production, he advises opting for a B complex instead, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to supplementation.
3. Collagen
Collagen is another popular supplement that's often touted as a helpful option in the realm of beauty. Dr. Lake brings attention to the trending supplement, stating that the research does not strongly support its efficacy. He emphasizes, "you can oftentimes get a lot of it through your food," highlighting sources like homemade bone broth, meats, and eggs. This challenges the widespread belief in the necessity of collagen supplements and encourages a more critical examination of nutritional trends.
4. Probiotics
Turning to probiotics, Dr. Lake stresses that "Probiotics are often a big waste of money because people are buying insufficient amounts of the right kinds of probiotics." He recommends ensuring you're taking the right quantities (typically ranging from 10 billion to 100 billion CFUs, depending on your health concerns), and underscores the importance of live activated cultures found in foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.
Overall, Dr. Lake's main advice is clear: "Be careful when you’re about to invest in supplements and make sure you’re working with somebody that knows what they’re talking about, because otherwise you can be wasting a lot of your money." In an era of wellness trends, being well-informed and consulting knowledgeable professionals is paramount to making wise decisions for both health and financial well-being.