Dietary Supplements Can Harm When Taken Without Medical Guidance

Dietary supplements, available in capsules, powders, and gummies, are increasingly used for purposes beyond vitamin deficiency, including improving sleep, building muscle, easing menopause, and extending life. Aggressive marketing, social media promotion, and online availability fuel demand. While some supplements are necessary for specific patients, experts warn of the dangers of uncontrolled use without considering individual health conditions and existing medications. A 2022 Israeli Ministry of Health survey found 71% of Israelis aged 18 and older take supplements, primarily to address nutrient deficiencies (56%) and to boost overall health (50%), with 55% believing they prevent chronic diseases. Only a third were aware of potential harm.

Dr. Sigal Frischman, chief dietitian for Clalit Health Services hospitals, notes a trend shift from addressing deficiencies to self-improvement, where people seek to enhance themselves through supplements. However, she cautions that not all theoretically beneficial substances work as expected in pill form. The global dietary supplement market is substantial, projected to reach $209.5 billion by 2025 and $431.7 billion by 2033. Marketing often relies on influencers without medical backgrounds, leading consumers to purchase unsuitable products. Dr. Frischman emphasizes that incorrect dosages, interactions with medications, or existing illnesses can cause harm, recommending consultation with a doctor or dietitian due to the public's difficulty in evaluating scientific information.

Professor Eyal Schwartzberg, Chairman of the Israel Association of Pharmacists, highlights that unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements face less advertising regulation, allowing anyone to promote them. He criticizes reliance on short social media clips for health decisions, leading to the ingestion of poorly understood substances. Prof. Schwartzberg observes that people meticulously research consumer products but often make health decisions based on limited information. He notes the enduring interest in supplements, amplified by social media's focus on longevity, but warns of potentially dire consequences from improper use.

Dr. Frischman frequently encounters cases of harm from supplement misuse in hospitals, reiterating that beneficial substances can also be harmful. Exceeding maximum dosage limits for vitamins or minerals can lead to serious risks, such as elevated blood calcium and kidney damage from excessive Vitamin D, or kidney strain from protein supplements. High doses of certain vitamins can also harm the liver or pancreas. In the U.S., an estimated 23,000 emergency room visits and 2,000 hospitalizations annually are linked to supplement side effects, with weight loss products and energy drinks causing cardiac issues in youth, and large capsules posing choking hazards for seniors.

A document from the Israel Association of Family Medicine and the Association of Public Health Physicians stated in early 2026 that many take supplements without medical indication. Experts advise that while proper use can be relatively safe, risks include exceeding nutrient norms and unproven benefits. Relying on supplements may also lead to reduced intake of healthy foods. The recommendation is to obtain nutrients from natural sources and use supplements only under professional guidance.

Prof. Schwartzberg stresses that dietary supplements are not medications and do not undergo the same rigorous testing for safety and efficacy as drugs. In Israel, they are regulated as food products under laws ensuring safety, production, import, composition, and labeling, prohibiting claims of therapeutic or disease-preventing properties. Dr. Ziva Hamama, Head of Risk Management at the Ministry of Health's Food Service, confirms strict controls on supplements as sensitive food products, requiring GMP standards. Prof. Schwartzberg notes the Ministry's limited capacity to curb unsubstantiated advertising claims, placing responsibility on consumers to verify information. The Association of Pharmacists offers training on supplements, as university curricula are often insufficient, and plans to launch a Hebrew website for public access to verified information.

Online purchases, accounting for 44% of supplement orders in Israel (compared to 79% in pharmacies), present challenges due to limited oversight of international shipments. The Ministry of Health urges purchasing from certified sources and issues warnings about products recalled abroad, even if not officially imported. Dr. Frischman reiterates that supplements are appropriate for individuals with dietary restrictions but advises healthy individuals to prioritize lifestyle changes, diet, sleep, stress management, and exercise, over seeking a "magic pill."