Viewpoint: Social media and fake natural health propaganda fuel surge in use of mostly useless supplements

Supplements have become a central part of wellness culture, touted by everyone from influencers who “stack” them to celebrities whose routines involve 30-plus pills per day.

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Supplements can be beneficial for some people, but experts say these pills, gummies, and powders may also cause more problems than they solve.

The growing interest in supplements likely stems from several factors. Social media and celebrity culture top the list, said integrative dietitian Christiane Matey, MSHS, RDN, founder of Mint Nutrition. “Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok amplify endorsements, turning a single post into a viral phenomenon,” she [said]. “Consumers are drawn in by life-changing claims and dramatic results, often conflating the promoter’s appearance with the product itself.”

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At the same time, a shift toward a more “natural” approach to health has helped drive supplement purchases. According to the Pew Research Center, about half of Americans report having tried some form of alternative medicine, often in place of conventional medicine. The wellness industry—which emphasizes non-medical approaches to personal health—is now a trillion-dollar enterprise.

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