The 90% Myth – or Truth?
Over 80–90% of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements in India today are driven by market trends rather than human biology. With the rise of white label and contract manufacturing, the industry has become a playground for unqualified entrants pushing recycled, hype-driven formulations with little regard for actual health outcomes. The result is a flood of generic products – repeating the same buzzword ingredients – offering more marketing than meaningful wellness.
- Have no clear deficiency target
- Lack clinical relevance
- Are made from cheap, poorly bioavailable forms
- Exist just to fulfill marketing quotas (Skin glow? Add Glutathione. Immunity? Throw in Vitamin C. Energy? Sprinkle B12.)
But the human body doesn’t work like an Instagram ad.
Top 7 Overhyped & Biologically Pointless Supplements
| Hyped Supplement | Why It’s a Scam in Most Cases | Better Alternative / Truth |
|---|---|---|
| Glutathione | Orally inactive, degrades in gut. IV only works short term. | Boost naturally via NAC, Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid |
| Collagen (Type I & III) | Can’t target skin or joints specifically. Broken into amino acids. | Use glycine, proline, or promote endogenous synthesis via Vitamin C + protein |
| Multivitamins (One-A-Day) | Random dosing, synthetic forms, poor absorption | Go for precision stack based on blood work |
| Biotin (10,000 mcg) | Overdosed, creates false lab reports, excess flushed | 100-300 mcg is enough. Focus on B-complex + silica + protein |
| B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | Poor bioavailability. Cheap but ineffective. | Use Methylcobalamin or Adenosylcobalamin |
| Calcium (Carbonate form) | Poor absorption. May cause arterial calcification | Use Calcium Citrate + K2-MK7 + D3 |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid 1000mg) | Urinary excretion. Overused without co-factors | Use with bioflavonoids, or liposomal form. Combine with zinc, quercetin for immune effect |
Why Most Supplements Don’t Work
Biological & Scientific Logic
Poor Forms = Poor Results
- Most products use cheap, synthetic forms (e.g., cyanocobalamin for B12, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate).
- These either have low bioavailability or don’t activate properly in the body.
No Synergy = No Effect
- Nutrients work in complex chains (e.g., B12 needs folate, B6, magnesium for methylation).
- Giving a single vitamin alone rarely solves a problem. It just decorates your pee.
Excess = Excretion or Harm
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in high doses can accumulate and cause toxicity.
- Water-soluble ones are excreted, especially when megadosed.
Marketing Bombs vs. Biological Needs
Examples of Industry Gimmicks
| Industry Trend | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Skin = Collagen + Glutathione | Skin health = zinc + vitamin A + essential fats + hydration + gut health |
| Immunity = Vitamin C + Zinc only | Real immunity = zinc + selenium + D3 + K2 + magnesium + polyphenols |
| Energy = B12 alone | True ATP needs B-complex + magnesium + CoQ10 + carnitine + iron (if low) |
| Women’s Health = Iron + Calcium | Needs vary: choline, magnesium, omega-3s, adaptogens, hormonal balance |
| Stress = Ashwagandha alone | Cortisol control = magnesium + B5 + rhodiola + taurine |
| Weight loss = Green tea + L-carnitine | Real metabolism: thyroid health, insulin control, gut balance |