Are Supplements the New Snake Oil?

Why supplement claims deserve scrutiny—and how to distinguish evidence-based uses from marketing promises.

DRAFT • 28 October 2026

Are Supplements the New Snake Oil

Why the promise of better health deserves more than clever marketing

Better health in a bottle is an attractive idea. A capsule to boost energy, a powder to protect the heart, a herbal blend to turn back the clock. The promises are plentiful, but how often does the evidence match the advertising?

In his NutritionFacts.org article, Are Supplements the New Snake Oil?, Dr Michael Greger raises concerns about supplement marketing, product quality and consumer protection. His central warning is worth considering: the confidence with which a product is sold can exceed what science has established about it. [1]

One revealing example comes from a 2014 study examining how supplement industry organisations communicated research findings. Researchers analysed 47 industry press releases responding to clinical studies published between 2005 and 2013. Every industry release examined contained some form of “spin”—language that exaggerated favourable findings or undermined unfavourable ones. Even when studies reported no benefit or possible harm, more than 90% of the corresponding industry releases continued to advocate supplement use. [2]

This does not establish that every supplement company misleads its customers. It does show why a sales message should never substitute for reading the evidence. When disappointing results can still become encouraging headlines, consumers need to look beyond the promotional language.

There is also a widespread misunderstanding about regulation. In the United States, dietary supplements do not require FDA approval for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. Manufacturers must comply with legal requirements, including manufacturing standards and accurate labelling, and regulators can take enforcement action. However, being available for purchase does not mean a supplement has passed the approval process required for medicines. Other countries operate under their own rules. [3]

Product quality and health benefits are separate issues, too. Independent certification programmes such as NSF assess composition and test for certain contaminants. These checks can provide useful reassurance about what is inside the bottle. They do not, by themselves, establish that its contents will prevent illness or prolong life. [4]

Yet dismissing all supplements would be another mistake. Some address real nutritional needs. Vitamin B12, for example, may require particular attention when dietary intake or absorption is inadequate. Certain medicines, including metformin and gastric acid suppressants, can affect B12 status. In such circumstances, supplementation can serve a defined purpose. [5]

The practical lesson is to ask what each supplement is supposed to accomplish. Is it addressing an identified need? Is there credible evidence for that use? Is the dose appropriate, and could it interact with medication? A doctor or pharmacist can help answer these questions. [5]

Calling supplements “snake oil” makes a striking headline. The more useful distinction is between products supported by evidence for a specific purpose and products sold mainly through hope.

Every bottle should earn its place. Attractive packaging and an impressive promise are easy to manufacture; convincing evidence takes considerably more work.

Sources

[1] Michael Greger. Are Supplements the New Snake Oil? NutritionFacts.org, 27 October 2026. https://nutritionfacts.org/blog/are-supplements-the-new-snake-oil/

[2] Wang et al. Press releases issued by supplements industry organisations and non-industry organisations in response to publication of clinical research findings. PLOS ONE, 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24992571/

[3] US Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements

[4] NSF. Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods FAQs. https://www.nsf.org/about-nsf/faqs/dietary-supplements-functional-foods-faqs

[5] NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12 Consumer Fact Sheet. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/

Before making changes: This website shares general educational information and personal experience, not individual medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing your diet, exercise routine or treatment, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication. Do not stop prescribed treatment without professional advice.