Supplements Doctors Don't Recommend
The government controls — pretty tightly — what a supplement can claim and not claim on its labels. However, as you well know, numerous little bottles make promises, such as “Burn more energy!” or “Lose more weight!” Of course, you are rarely told what is in these bottles, so it's hard to know what research, if any, is behind these claims. And by the time the government gets around to getting the ineffective pills off the shelves, they have already sold millions of dollars' worth of product (in the best case) or have hurt or killed people (in the worst case).
In general, stay away from any supplement that makes grand promises. Most multivitamin and mineral supplements don't promise anything. They simply tell you what they're designed to do, such as aid women's bodies or provide the nutrients a vegetarian diet might be lacking. Those are explanations, not promises.
Just because supplements are sold over the counter doesn't mean they don't interact with medicines or other supplements. They do, so before you take something, do some research and talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about whether a specific supplement is right for you and your particular health situation.
Now, having said that, some nutrients that aren't vitamins and minerals, such as herbs, protein supplements, and certain fats, are helpful to you. Some possibilities that you might want to investigate are whey and other proteins to build muscle and help promote weight loss; DHEA and fish oils to aid brain function and reduce inflammation throughout the body; and certain herbs for moods, joint problems, and pain reduction.
