Experts warn that the widespread daily use of multiple supplements, driven by social media, may be harming health, leading to liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal issues. Cases like Ginger Smith's kidney stone highlight the risks of excessive intake.
Netflix's 13th Harlan Coben adaptation, 'I Will Find You,' follows David Burroughs, imprisoned for his son's murder, who learns his son might be alive. Despite a predictable plot, the series is compellingly watchable, typical of Coben's formula.
Hong Kong customs arrested a 39-year-old truck driver and seized HK$10 million (US$1.27 million) in smuggled goods, including weight-loss injections and fish maw, at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge crossing.
Tatiana Khodanovich, CEO of Pharmedu, discussed the challenges of marking dietary supplements at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. She noted that while marking aims to eliminate counterfeits, tracking them on marketplaces is difficult due to the lack of a unified registry and established system. Khodanovich also highlighted potential issues with a new law allowing doctors to recommend supplements and warned of risks to small businesses without a transition period.
Vietnam's Ministry of Health has ordered a recall of two Nature's Own supplement products due to potential glass fragments in the packaging, following a similar emergency recall in Australia. The products, Glucosamine Sulfate with Chondroitin and Magnesium Glycinate, were distributed by Sanofi Consumer Healthcare. Although not officially registered in Vietnam, authorities are investigating potential "hand-carried" or e-commerce sales.
Experts express concerns over the lack of scientific evidence for many popular dietary supplements like collagen, melatonin, and probiotics, highlighting potential risks and inconsistent findings. A new study also links chronic stress and late-night eating to gut health issues, while another study connects excessive smartphone use in teens to increased alcohol and smoking rates.
Food and agriculture expert Wayne highlights garlic's potent health benefits, comparable to supplements. Its active compounds, particularly organosulfur compounds derived from allicin, offer antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-supportive properties, and may aid in lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol.
While creatine is proven to enhance athletic performance by boosting energy production, its benefits for cognitive function are still under early research. Experts suggest it's an optional supplement for athletes, not a necessity for the general population, who can achieve similar benefits through diet.
Fukuoka prosecutors have decided not to indict Takeshi Niinami, former chairman of Suntory Holdings, who was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of illegally importing supplements containing prohibited cannabis-derived ingredients from the US. Niinami denied the charges, stating he was unaware of the illegal components and believed the purchase was lawful.
South Korea's Customs Service has blocked the import of over 100,000 unsafe children's products and 1,000 health supplements ahead of Family Month. Violations included excessive phthalates and nonylphenol in children's items and banned ingredients in health products.
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Could omega-3 supplements hurt the brain? Chinese military study flags risks 2. Hong Kong schools record net student rise for 2 years straight 3. Trump heads to China weakened as Xi gains leverage ahead of summit 4. ‘Foreigner won’: Filipinos divided over pageant winner’s US roots 5. Singapore...
Oral fish oil intake may not improve and could even speed up cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, a research team from China’s Army Medical University has found. Many older adults are accustomed to taking omega-3 supplements to help protect cognitive function. However, findings from the Chinese study challenge this view. The study was based on an analysis of more than 800 older adults in North America, around half of whom carry the dementia-risk gene APOEε4. The data showed that those...
Andrographis paniculata is a common ingredient in cold and flu supplements, but it may not be as low-risk as first thought.
Complaints about health supplement advertisements to Britain's watchdog have more than doubled in two years, rising from 255 in 2023 to 512 last year. The Advertising Standards Agency acted against 19 ads in 2024, up from just five in 2023. The £552m UK supplement market grew 8.7% in 2024, with experts describing the industry as a "wild west" with misleading claims proliferating across social media and billboards.
Nongshim Co., South Korea's leading instant noodle maker, has partnered with Guangzhou Wanglaoji Pharmaceutical Co. to launch collagen-based dietary supplements in China during the second half of 2026. Under the agreement, Nongshim will sell its Lifill collagen products through the Chinese company's distribution network, while also planning to introduce partner supplements in the Korean market later this year. China's dietary supplements market is valued at approximately 41 trillion won ($27.8 billion), with expected 7% annual growth through 2027.
A silent health crisis is unfolding in India as self-medication with over-the-counter painkillers, antibiotics, and supplements leads to acute liver failure. Dr. Kavya Harika Dendukuri highlights that paracetamol, NSAIDs, and unregulated supplements are major culprits, often causing irreversible damage before symptoms appear. This widespread practice, fueled by a lack of awareness, puts millions at risk.
