9 Worst Supplements

1. Synthetic Multi-Vitamins

Let’s kick off the list with a supplement I can guarantee most of you have sitting on your shelf: a multi-vitamin. While getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals is a good thing, synthetic multi-vitamins can be problematic.

Your body can’t effectively absorb synthetically-created vitamins and minerals, and that is why you’ll find up to 1,000% of your daily recommended allowance for a nutrient in just one serving. This poses the risk for over-dosing.

What’s more, many of these nutrients compete with one another. For example, taking calcium with zinc interferes with the absorption of zinc.

Finally, studies are conflicting at best on whether a multi-vitamin can truly help or not. Save your money and get your daily vitamins and minerals from whole foods.

2. Hoodia

Hoodia gordonii is a plant that is native to parts of South Africa, and it made waves over a decade ago as a weight loss supplement. The problem is that it was released with reported weight loss benefits and no real studies.

Once studies began, the results were embarrassing at best. One study found that the group supplementing with Hoodi – over 200 people – experienced a variety of side effects. The most common were nausea and vomiting. The placebo group had no problems at all.

Despite these results, you’ll still find Hoodia being widely sold and incorporated into weight loss supplements. Steer clear of this one.

3. Beef Protein Powder

Let me get one thing clear: the protein you get from eating real beef is great. It’s bioavailable, supports muscle building, and helps with weight management. With that said, beef protein powder supplements are not made from real meat.

Beef protein powder is the result of taking cow leftovers such as bones and tendons, boiling them, then drying the results into a flavored powder form. It’s a way to make a cheap product and sell it at a higher price tag than the more popular whey protein.

Beef protein powder has a terrible rate of bioavailability. The creatine levels found in natural beef are nonexistent in this supplement. Just because you see “beef protein” on a label doesn’t mean a thing. Stick with whey protein for weight loss and muscle building.

4. HMB

Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate is a leucine metabolite that is often touted as an excellent way to support muscle mass. Unfortunately, the research doesn’t exactly agree.

One research review examined the results of several studies on HMB and guess what…Not much could be said. In fact, one of the researchers commented that stricter controls were needed on HMB studies to determine whether or not it could enhance fitness results.

While HMB might be able to prevent a degree of muscle breakdown, it’s often marketed as an anabolic supplement that increases mass. However, no reputable human-based study has presented concrete evidence of it as an effective muscle mass builder.

5. Testosterone Boosters

Testosterone is the holy grail for guys. It promotes muscle building, fat loss, and a positive mood. Unfortunately, most of the testosterone boosters you find online and your local supplement stores are useless.

There are two problems with t-boosters: First, many blends contain ingredients with no scientific evidence to back up the claims of their test-enhancing ability.

Second, when a testosterone booster does contain an effective ingredient, it’s under-dosed to the point of being ineffective. If you want to improve your t-levels, focus on diet and exercise, not a supplement.

6. Garcinia Cambogia

This weight loss supplement became a superstar thanks to Dr. Oz, when he deemed it a miracle in a bottle. Not only was this not the case but Dr. Oz also landed in hot water with Congress for making unproven claims in order to sell supplements.

Human trials show that there was no difference between the group taking garcinia cambogia and the control group. Want to lose weight? Look elsewhere.

7. Weight Gainers

For hardgainers, weight-gaining supplements seem like the only solution. It says right on the bottle that you’re guaranteed to pack on pounds, so it must be true, right? Yes, but those are pounds.

Check out my client Jason Stone’s transformation where he put on a whole bunch of muscle.