EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014If you\u2019ve ever been tempted by an online supplement promising to \u201cboost metabolism\u201d or support your thyroid or adrenal glands, an endocrinologist has a simple message: don\u2019t expect miracles.<\/p>\n
Dr. Luis Ortiz joined Christian for a Monday \u201cMedical Myth busters\u201d segment to tackle a trend he says is everywhere right now \u2014 products marketed as natural multivitamins that claim to help the thyroid, adrenal glands and metabolism. Ortiz said many of these supplements are sold like a standard multivitamin you could pick up at CVS, Walgreens or Walmart, but with bigger promises attached.<\/p>\n
Ortiz, who said he specializes in hormones and gland-related conditions, said most of these organ-targeting supplements aren\u2019t effective. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of these supplements do nothing,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cJust like you’re throwing money away.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said when someone truly has a thyroid issue, adrenal issue or metabolism issue, the first step is figuring out what\u2019s actually going on. That typically means a full workup, including lab tests \u2014 \u201cmost of the times blood work and sometimes imaging,\u201d Ortiz said \u2014 before deciding what needs treatment.<\/p>\n
There is one important exception Ortiz pointed out: supplements can help when they\u2019re used to correct a true deficiency. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you use supplements because you have vitamin D deficiency any sort of vitamin the deficiency then they actually work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Christian also asked about another popular category: \u201cdetox\u201d products marketed for organs like the liver and lungs. Ortiz said that\u2019s another trend he\u2019s not a fan of. \u201cThe majority of these detoxes are not good,\u201d he said, adding that they generally \u201cdon’t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ortiz said the body already has built-in systems for cleaning itself \u2014<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo organs that cleanse our body,\u201d Ortiz said: \u201cthe kidney and the liver.\u201d And, as he put it, \u201cthey’re free.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo no magic peel, no magic solution drink is gonna help detox,\u201d Ortiz said.<\/p>\n
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