Nutritionist Vishakha Shivdasani Advises Against Random Supplements: Know the Risks for Women
Dr. Vishakha Shivdasani cautions women against unnecessary or marketing-driven supplements.
Nutritionist Vishakha Shivdasani has issued a clear warning to women against indiscriminate use of popular dietary supplements, urging a more evidence-based and personalised approach to supplementation rather than following trends driven by social media or marketing hype. Her guidance, shared through an Instagram post, highlights that supplements are not a one-size-fits-all solution and emphasizes that “blindly following supplement trends” can be unnecessary or even harmful without proper assessment of individual needs.
Dr. Shivdasani’s central message is that supplements should be chosen based on individual health indicators such as blood tests and clinical symptoms rather than generic recommendations. She stressed that patients are often obsessed with stacking multiple products in hopes of quick health benefits, but this practice ignores key considerations like dosage, interactions, and real physiological needs. According to her, proper testing and professional guidance should precede any decision to start supplementation.
In outlining her recommendations, Dr. Shivdasani identified specific supplements that are often beneficial when genuinely needed: Vitamin D₃ for bone, immune, and hormonal health; Magnesium for sleep and stress management; Omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation and brain function; Vitamin B12 for energy and metabolism; Iron when deficient; and Zinc in controlled doses for thyroid and immune support. These, she says, are best taken based on personalised evaluation rather than popular trends.
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Conversely, she cautioned women to avoid several widely marketed products that frequently do not deliver meaningful health benefits. These include generic multivitamins that are often underdosed and excreted without absorption; undirected iron supplementation that can exacerbate inflammation; hair and skin gummies which may raise blood sugar and interfere with lab tests; and mega-dose antioxidant pills that can paradoxically blunt beneficial physiological responses.
Experts generally support the principle that supplements are only necessary when there is a clinical indication. Recent commentary by medical professionals underscores that routine multivitamin or mineral use in healthy individuals is not universally supported by strong evidence and may not prevent major diseases such as heart disease or cancer. Moreover, excessive intake of certain vitamins — particularly in high doses outside medical advice — can lead to adverse effects.
Dr. Shivdasani concluded that supplements should be seen as adjuncts to, not replacements for, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and women are advised to consult healthcare professionals before starting or stopping any supplement regimen. Her recommendations aim to steer women away from unnecessary pill-popping and toward informed, individualized nutritional care.
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