{"id":115775,"date":"2025-08-28T07:59:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T07:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/115775\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T07:59:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T07:59:19","slug":"pharmacists-viral-tiktok-reveals-3-supplements-you-shouldnt-take-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/115775\/","title":{"rendered":"Pharmacist’s Viral TikTok Reveals 3 Supplements You Shouldn’t Take\u2014Here\u2019s Why"},"content":{"rendered":"

A viral TikTok video from a pharmacist<\/a> is making waves\u2014and sparking serious conversations about supplement<\/a> safety. In the now widely shared clip, Amina Khan, MPharm, a UK pharmacist who goes by @aminathepharmacist on social media, says there are three supplements she would never take\u2014and she\u2019s urging her followers to make the same call. \u201cI think you\u2019re going to be surprised at most of these,\u201d she said in her TikTok video<\/a>, which now has over 1.5 million views.<\/p>\n

With 75% of Americans taking a dietary supplement, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)<\/a>, Khan\u2019s advice underscores what many medical professionals have long cautioned: certain supplements can cause more harm than good, especially when taken in high doses or without medical guidance. Here\u2019s a closer look at the three products she skips and why they\u2019re not necessary for the average healthy adult.<\/p>\n

RELATED: 12 Supplements You Should Never Take Together, Doctors Say<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Gummy vitamins<\/p>\n

\n\"OrganiciStock\n<\/p>\n

Khan first recommends avoiding all gummy vitamins<\/a>, noting that many people \u201cbinge\u201d on these as they might with a bag of candy. <\/p>\n

\u201cThese are basically just a sugar pill\u2014you might as well go have a sweet,\u201d she says. \u201cThey\u2019re packed with sugar and filler ingredients. They can be so easily over-consumed and can lead to mineral toxicity.\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019s right. According to GoodRx<\/a>, overconsumption of gummy vitamins can lead to vitamin A toxicity, which can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, or even liver damage. It can also lead to an overdose of iron, which is especially dangerous for children and can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and organ failure. Digestive issues, like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, are also a concern when taking too many gummy vitamins.<\/p>\n

Always follow the dosage listed on the label and ask your doctor if you need to be taking a gummy vitamin supplement.<\/p>\n

2. Daily multivitamins<\/p>\n

@aminathepharmacist<\/a> <\/p>\n

When you think your \u00a31.50 multivitamin or vimto flavoured gummies work? \ud83d\ude43 \u27a1\ufe0f Traditional capsules and tablets are the best. If you can\u2019t swallow any of these, you can take the powder out of the capsule or crush the tablet and mix with food\/drink. \u27a1\ufe0f Solution focused supplements is what you need to see real results. Best to focus on ingredients that help the actual issue. \u27a1\ufe0f For children, use liquids or spray supplements. \u2728 My 2x award-winning Hormone Balance supplements restock is soon. Make sure to sign up to the wait list to be notified instantly \u2013 link in bio \ud83d\udc8a #pharmacist<\/a> #pharmacy<\/a> #gummybear<\/a> #gummyvitamins<\/a> #supplements<\/a> #needtoknow<\/a> #vitamins<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 Amina Khan<\/a> <\/p>\n

Next, Khan suggests skipping general multivitamins<\/a>, which are unlikely to adequately compensate for any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. <\/p>\n

\u201cThese have a bit of everything in them. Some of the doses of each nutrient are so low that they hardly have an effect on you,\u201d she says. \u201cAlso, you don\u2019t need all of the vitamins in a multivitamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)<\/a>, most healthy adults who eat a well-balanced diet don\u2019t need a multivitamin. You\u2019re already getting the essential nutrients you need from whole foods<\/a> like fruits and vegetables, which offer the best form of vitamins, plus fiber, antioxidants, and other benefits.<\/p>\n

That said, taking a multivitamin may help you if you\u2019re pregnant or trying to conceive, following a restricted diet, or aging. Talk to your doctor to get personalized recommendations. <\/p>\n

RELATED: 22 Surprising Signs You Have a Vitamin Deficiency<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Multivitamins for hair, skin, and nails<\/p>\n

\n\"multivitaminsOLOZANO \/ Shutterstock\n<\/p>\n

Finally, Khan says she doesn\u2019t bother taking vitamins that claim to improve your skin, hair, and nails. These often take the form of multivitamins<\/a> containing added nutrients such as biotin, keratin, or collagen. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do these focus on\u2014hair, skin, or nails? They\u2019re not solution-focused. The most important vitamins in these are often too low to even have an effect on you,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n

Her skepticism is warranted. Research suggests there is limited clinical evidence<\/a> that these supplements significantly improve skin, hair, or nail health in otherwise healthy people.<\/p>\n

Plus, they can also lead to some serious side effects.<\/p>\n

For instance, products containing high doses of biotin<\/a> can interfere with blood test results for your thyroid and heart. They can mimic the appearance of hyperthyroidism and make it seem like you have a thyroid issue, Rebecca Hartman, MD, MPH, FAAD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, told Today.com<\/a>. Or, they can show a falsely low level of troponin in cardiac tests, which are used to measure your heart attack risk.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, collagen supplements can be a common source of contamination<\/a>. In 2020, when the Organic Consumers Association and the Clean Label Project tested 28 of the most popular brands of collagen supplements, they found that 64% tested positive for arsenic, 37% tested positive for lead, 34% tested positive for trace levels of mercury, and 17% tested positive for cadmium, Today reports.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, supplements are not regulated as strictly as medications in the U.S., meaning dosage and purity can vary.<\/p>\n

So, if you find yourself shopping for supplements, ask your doctor to perform a blood test to confirm any suspected deficiencies. Then, they can custom-tailor an approach to fit your specific needs.<\/p>\n

This story has been updated to include additional entries, fact-checking, and copy-editing.<\/p>\n

We offer the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you’re taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.<\/p>\n

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