A scroll through TikTok, Instagram or Facebook is enough to find supplements claiming to do almost everything. Lose weight. Reverse diabetes. Balance hormones. Cure polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Boost immunity. Detox the body.
Many are promoted by influencers with polished videos, glowing testimonials and promises that sound almost too good to ignore.
Often, they are.
The rapid rise of health supplements sold through social media has created a growing public health concern worldwide.
In Bangladesh, where online commerce is expanding faster than regulatory oversight, consumers are increasingly exposed to unregistered and unverified products marketed with little scientific evidence to support their claims.
One of the biggest risks is that consumers frequently have no way of knowing what they are actually buying. Studies have found that many dietary supplements are inaccurately labelled, with some containing ingredients that differ from those listed on the packaging. Others may be contaminated with harmful substances or adulterated with pharmaceutical compounds.
Weight-loss supplements have become a particular source of concern. Health authorities have warned about unapproved compounded versions of popular weight-loss drugs being promoted by influencers online without proper medical oversight.
Endocrinologists caution that these products have not undergone the same safety and efficacy evaluations as approved medications, potentially exposing users to serious health risks.
The word “herbal” often makes these products appear harmless, but natural does not necessarily mean safe.
Scientific studies have linked certain herbal and dietary supplements to drug-induced liver injury (DILI), while investigations have uncovered cases of herbal products contaminated with toxic plants. One widely cited example is tejocote root, marketed for weight loss, which has in some cases been adulterated with yellow oleander -- a highly poisonous plant capable of causing life-threatening cardiac complications.
The misinformation extends well beyond weight loss.
Women living with PCOS are frequently targeted by supplements claiming to “cure” the condition, despite there being no scientifically proven cure. Specialists warn that such marketing often exploits the frustration of patients searching for answers while discouraging evidence-based treatment.
As gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter has observed, “Whenever there’s a gap in medicine, predators take advantage.”
People living with diabetes are similarly vulnerable. Social media is filled with products claiming to replace insulin or conventional medication with herbal alternatives, despite no credible scientific evidence supporting those claims. Following such advice can have life-threatening consequences.
Bangladesh is particularly susceptible to this trend because self-medication is already widespread. Several peer-reviewed studies report high rates of dietary supplement use without medical supervision. One study found supplement use among Bangladeshi adolescents to be as high as 83%.
Another reported that only a small proportion of university students taking supplements had done so on the advice of a physician, while many believed the products were inherently safe simply because they were labelled “natural” or “herbal.”
Medical professionals are already seeing the consequences.
Research suggests that much of Bangladesh’s online health content is produced by individuals without medical qualifications. According to a nutritionist at BIRDEM Hospital, around 30 patients each month require hospitalization after following unqualified health advice found on social media, presenting with liver, kidney or cardiovascular complications.
The internet has made health information more accessible than ever before. Unfortunately, it has also made misinformation easier to package, advertise and sell.
Before buying a supplement recommended by an influencer, consumers should ask a simple question: Is this backed by scientific evidence, or by social media engagement?
The answer could make the difference between improving health and putting it at risk.
Ishrat Jahan Arin is a Scholastica student who channels her creativity through reading, writing, and drawing, inspired by her belief that art exists in everything