The Truth Behind ‘Quick Fix’ Supplements

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Step into any grocery store or pharmacy, and you'll be greeted by a rainbow of supplements: pills, gummies, powders and wellness shots, all promising to make you calmer, sharper, happier, thinner, younger—basically, a better version of yourself. On social media, it’s literally the same story: supplement company ads seem to know exactly what’s been bugging you or some that promise to reignite your sex drive (sure, a little forward). Micro to macro influencers across board rave about everything from ageing gracefully to getting rid of acne to reducing bloats. Some of the influencer grids are blatantly boasting and showcasing competitor products - where is the authenticity?

And while it’s tempting to buy into the hype, (Marketeers are counting on it)—and who hasn't reached for Vitamin C gummies at the first sign of a cold or tried melatonin during a few nights of insomnia and even dabbled with magnesium powder. Ofcourse, we convince ourselves that taking a daily women’s multivitamin (the yummy gummies made from sugar, more sugar and some hidden sugars, obviously) was just what the doctor ordered—though, in reality, no doctor was involved in that decision.

So, do they actually work? Well, probably not. Experts in the industry agree that most of these quick-fix supplements and synthetic vitamins are more hype than help. Most of us don’t need them in the high doses they come in and a lot of the claims are dodgy at best. Worst case? They could mess with your health. Best case? You’re just flushing money down the toilet—literally! 

The other side of the coin is that excessive reliance on these products can have unintended consequences, potentially making your body "lazy" - by suppressing its natural functions and leading to a growing dependence on external sources. Moreover, overuse or rather abuse, of certain supplements can severely impact liver health - a critical organ for processing and detoxifying substances from the body. Let’s explore how these supplements work on the body and their potential consequences for liver function.

The Mechanism Behind Supplement Dependence

1. Disruption of Natural Nutrient Regulation

Our bodies have sophisticated systems for regulating nutrient levels based on dietary intake. Excessive supplementation can interfere with all these natural processes:

A. Melatonin for Sleep: Melatonin production is closely linked to the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Levels of melatonin naturally rise in the evening as it gets dark, signalling to the body that it’s time to sleep, and they decrease in the morning when exposed to light, helping you wake up. The body produces and releases melatonin in response to environmental cues, such as light and darkness, ensuring that its levels are optimised for natural sleep patterns. This finely tuned system helps regulate sleep onset, duration, and quality. Unlike the body’s natural, precisely timed release of melatonin, supplements provide a surge of the hormone at a set dose, regardless of individual needs or timing. This can lead to an imbalance in the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin supplements are often used as a quick fix for sleep issues, but they may not address underlying causes of sleep disturbances, such as poor sleep hygiene, stress, or lifestyle factors. Over-reliance on supplements might mask these issues rather than resolve them. There is a risk that regular use of melatonin supplements could lead to dependency, where the body may reduce its own production of melatonin in response to the external supply, potentially leading to a tolerance where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect. External supplementation, while helpful in certain situations, does not replicate this nuanced balance and can potentially disrupt the body’s natural rhythm if not used carefully.

B. External Collagen: While collagen supplements can provide some benefit, they often come from marine or bovine sources that may cause mild acid reflux or heartburn in sensitive individuals. Collagen derived from marine sources may contain higher levels of calcium, which could lead to hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels in the blood) if consumed in large amounts, potentially causing symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and irregular heart rhythms. The human body produces 28 different types of collagen, each serving specific roles in various tissues and organs. The most common types include:

Type I: Found in skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.

Type II: Found in cartilage.

Type III: Found in the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs.

Type IV: Found in the basement membrane (a layer that supports epithelial cells).

Type V: Found in hair and the surface of cells.

The body synthesises these collagen types based on specific needs, such as wound healing, joint repair or maintaining skin elasticity. This process is tightly regulated, ensuring that the right type and amount of collagen are produced where and when they are needed.

Most collagen supplements available on the market typically contain 1-2 types of collagen. For example:

Bovine Collagen: Often contains Type I and Type III collagen.

Marine Collagen: Primarily contains Type I collagen.

Chicken Collagen: Often contains Type II collagen, which is beneficial for joint health.

Because these supplements are derived from specific sources, they only provide the types of collagen present in those sources. Relying heavily on external collagen sources might not address the broader needs of the body, which requires a diverse range of collagen types. It may also potentially lead to imbalances if the body's natural production mechanisms are not supported through proper nutrition and lifestyle choices. 

2. Altered Absorption and Utilization

High doses of synthetic vitamins and minerals can disrupt the body’s ability to absorb and utilise nutrients from food:

A. Glutathione Supplements: Glutathione, a powerful antioxidant produced by the body, is sometimes taken in supplemental form. However, these supplements often face challenges with absorption and may not be as effective as natural production. Glutathione is a big molecule and therefore it cannot be absorbed completely through the gastrointestinal tract. Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids—glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. When taken orally, it is exposed to enzymes in the stomach and intestines that break down proteins and peptides into their constituent amino acids. As a result, much of the glutathione is broken down before it can be absorbed as a whole molecule.  Even if some glutathione survives the digestive process, its absorption across the intestinal wall into the bloodstream is limited. This low bioavailability means that only a small fraction of orally ingested glutathione actually enters the circulation. Once in the bloodstream, glutathione has a short half-life, meaning it is quickly broken down and utilised by the body, further reducing its efficacy when taken orally.

B. Steroid Hormones: External steroid hormones used to manage hormone levels can alter the body’s natural regulatory mechanisms, leading to decreased production of these hormones internally and increasing dependency on supplements.

3. Impact on Liver Health

The liver plays a crucial role in processing and detoxifying substances, including vitamins and minerals. Excessive use of supplements can strain liver function in several ways:

A. Increased Workload: The liver is responsible for metabolising and detoxifying not only waste products but also synthetic vitamins and minerals. High doses of supplements can increase the liver's workload, potentially leading to liver strain or damage over time.

B. Toxicity Risks: Some supplements, especially when taken in high doses, can be toxic to the liver. For example:

C. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) can accumulate in the liver leading to toxicity.

D. Iron Supplements: High doses of iron can cause oxidative stress and liver damage.

E. Disruption of Liver Function: Continuous exposure to high levels of synthetic nutrients can disrupt the liver’s ability to function properly, affecting its ability to detoxify and metabolize other substances. This can potentially lead to conditions such as fatty liver disease or liver inflammation.

At Caim by arelang, we believe in allowing the body to function naturally, giving it just the right boost through proper nutrition. All our candyceuticals are crafted with this philosophy in mind. Our Rekindle dark chocolates offer potent, plant-based ingredients that provide essential precursors to help regulate male and female hormones. Replenish gummies are rich in micronutrients that support fibroblasts and other cells in boosting collagen and glutathione production. Similarly, Restore dark chocolates are unique in that they deliver a quality, peaceful sleep without relying on melatonin. These candyceuticals demonstrate that our bodies inherently know how to function—they don’t need anything fortified. When our systems go off balance due to certain conditions, what’s needed is a lifestyle adjustment and the right nutrition to help the body get back on track.