Scientific efficacy of dietary supplements under scrutiny

The dietary supplement market is experiencing significant growth, valued at approximately 5 billion euros in Italy and over 55 billion euros in the United States. However, scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of many popular products remains limited.

According to Harvard Medical School, approximately 99% of supplements may be scientifically useless for healthy individuals, providing no measurable physiological change. Research published in JAMA suggests that multivitamins offer little to no benefit for general mortality. Among widely discussed supplements, only generic multivitamins and creatine have maintained strong scientific support.

Other substances, such as turmeric, berberine, GABA, omega-3, and black garlic, exist in a scientific gray area where marketing often outpaces data. Conversely, certain herbal remedies like ashwagandha, lemon balm, and St. John's wort are frequently used for mood regulation. Experts note that St. John's wort may act as an antidepressant and anxiety combatant, while lemon balm is utilized to counter anxiety and support intestinal flora.