6 Supplements That Science Proved Will Actually Help You

Are dietary supplements actually helpful? Do they actually work?
More than half of Americans take a dietary supplement, but the truth is, most people don't need them. There are, however, a handful of supplements that scientists do recommend! Join Hank Green for new health-focused episode of SciShow!
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Sources:

[soranuareane]

Do *NOT* take St John's Wort if you're already taking a SSRI or SNRI antidepressant! Seriously, seizure alert! *SERIOUS* seizure alert!

[ThePwaifya]

The list:
1) Creatine 1:08
2) Beet Juice 2:15
3) Antioxidant Multivitamins 3:08
4) Folic Acid / Vitamin B9 4:15
5) Melatonin 5:37
6) St. John's Wort 7:47

[hectorsmommy]

One that was missed is Vitamin D. Very helpful for many living in the dark frozen North during winter and can't get enough sunlight.

[johnnyjames]

magnesium and b2 reduced my migraines after 10 years of suffering.

[Master_Therion]

My cousin swears that mint tea helps her arthritis and keeps her joints supple and strong. She says it's a... supple mint.

[plokijuh]

1 Creatine
2 Beet juice
3 Vitamins and antioxidants
4 Folic acid
5 Melatonin
6 St Johns Wort

[StratfordWingRider]

As a man that has lived my life with the consequences of Spina Bifida, take folic acid when pregnant ladies! ( I can still walk, so I am lucky )

[Redxiii]

I’m so glad you mentioned St. John’s wort’s interactions! A lot of people start it without knowing that detail, and the liver enzyme it induces metabolizes ~40% of drugs.

[cecinestpasuneidee]

An entire episode on Omega-3 fatty acids (supplement or in natural form) would be great!

[artcosta]

No reference to vitamin D, one of the most abundant deficiencies in the modern world?

[blackkittyfreak]

I took St. John's Wort for a month after watching this video, and I am delighted to say that it helped noticeably with my depression, which I had been struggling with for some time, and it actually helped me a little more than the antidepressants I was taking before. Unfortunately, I also take stimulants for ADHD, and after a couple weeks I noticed that they had lost most of their effect. When my test bottle of 30 capsules ran out, I decided not to get more and went back on traditional antidepressants, because the slight increase in mood I got was definitely not worth losing the effects of my ADHD meds.

[sybariticcupboardrat]

I didn't know delayed sleep phase syndrome was a thing. I've been saying for years that my body thinks it was meant to function on a 28 hour schedule day, not knowing that it might actually be a real disorder. And melatonin does jack for me. The only time in my life I didn't have a problem going to sleep was the few years where I was in constant physical activity on my feet all day long. I have to exhaust myself.

[musicbyastrid]

I HAVE DELAYED SLEEP PHASE SYNDROME! It's fairly common (many - perhaps even most? - people with ADHD also have DSPS) but very few people know what it's called. SO SO SO exciting to hear Hank name and define it here! I hope this helps more people understand their bodies, and how to get the sleep they need to stay healthy!

Edit: also, unless you like wildly vivid nightmares from the bottommost bowels of hell, do not EVER combine melatonin with alcohol.

[SaucerJess]

Holy sources, Batman! Thank you for linking all of those 💚

[Ayan-bpdq]

Expected omega 3, vitamin D, and probiotic supplements being included. Many are also deficient in magnesium.

[alfredogomez]

It's a pleasure listening to you. Thanks Sci-show. Thanks Hank!

[kkme]

From a healthcare professional: i was happy to hear the appeal to caution concerning St.John's Wort. It's a mess when patients take it without telling.

[derek]

Equally fascinating would be an episode of truly useless and/or harmful supplements.

[GingerPlease]

I'm so glad that during a genetic test for drug efficacy, I found out that my body has some issues metabolizing folic acid. Now I'm directed by my doctor to take a daily supplement of a metabolized version of folic acid so my body can just absorb it. So glad I found that out!

[elsastark]

I’m thoroughly impressed by the reference list! I’m thrilled to have a plethora of sources to dig into...down the rabbit hole I go!