by Heidi Reid | Aug 31, 2026 | September 2026, Stuff
Essential or unsafe?
When a patient on The Pitt was admitted with highlighter-yellow skin after basically overdosing on turmeric supplements, it wasn’t entirely TV drama. It was a warning.
In the wake of internet-fueled health obsessions, supplements are having a moment: David Beckham co-founded a brand selling a 90-ingredient powder to help users achieve “optimal health and longevity,” while Kourtney Kardashian is marketing gummies promoting better sleep, vaginal health and more. Supplement brands promise everything from glowing skin to enhanced sexual performance. But the catch? They aren’t held to the same FDA standards as Rx drugs, so those claims don’t always hold up.
Still, at least 60% of U.S. adults are buying in. Fueled by celebrity endorsements, rampant misinformation and easy access to what feels like the entire periodic table, the self-selected supplement cocktail you’re popping every day may be doing more harm than good—or simply draining your bank account.
Even gym bros got a reality check after a popular protein powder was discovered to be little more than cake mix, and high doses of other supplements could land you in your own episode of The Pitt.
Taken in high doses, vitamins and minerals like K, E and D, along with zinc and iron, can be toxic and damage organs, while herbal products like ashwagandha and green tea extract can be particularly harmful to the liver. Research also found that herbal and dietary supplements account for 1 in 5 cases of drug-induced liver damage.
In short: Unless you have an underlying deficiency or health condition, you don’t need to be swallowing that colorful array of supplements every morning—regardless of what an immaculately toned influencer tells you. Instead, doctors suggest sticking to a balanced diet, taking a multivitamin or fish oil as needed, and upping vitamin D intake during the winter. For everything else: Run it by your doctor before adding it to cart. Better safe than cake batter.
by Christa Gala | Mar 31, 2016 | April 2016, Polish, Stuff
Low testosterone used to be a somewhat hush-hush conversation, but today one in four men over 30 experience low levels.
Although commonly linked with low sex drive or erectile dysfunction, low “T” levels are also associated with lethargy, muscle wasting, depression, trouble sleeping and even heart issues if levels go unchecked.
GNC North Hills is getting great feedback on its testosterone supplements, which boost levels naturally by encouraging the body to ramp up production.
“There are several different supplements that can help increase free testosterone levels,” says owner Laura Dalton. “Some of them work with your brain telling it to produce more, and some work directly with the testes. Look for names like Tribulus, Ashwaganda, d-aspartic acid, longjack, fenugreek and ZMA. Our most popular name-brand products are P6, Super T, Methyl Andro, TestX 180 and Nugenix/Nugenix Ultimate.”
Supplements are a good alternative to patches and injections, which are costly and can prevent even amateur athletes from competing because some sports, including cycling, test for it.
Testosterone is considered low if levels are below 300ng/dl, but testing isn’t necessary to see if supplements might improve how you feel.
“If customer’s test levels are low, they’ll feel the effects of the booster more than someone whose levels are normal,” says Dalton. “The supplements simply help your body increase its own levels of free testosterone so your body may utilize it; it is not actual testosterone taken from an outside source.”
Consumer anecdotes on the “pro” side include increased lean muscle mass, muscle stamina, better mood and increased libido. For the “cons,” some have experienced a slight increase in aggression, which can typically be handled by changing the dose.
Dalton suggests men prone to prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) take milder blends like Nugenix or include a prostate health supplement like saw palmetto; many testosterone boosters have prostate health included.
Stop by GNC North Hills if you have questions or call 919-787-0462.
