Your Health Today
Are Supplements Safe? Experts Say It Depends on How You Use Them
Dietary supplements are more popular than ever, but an integrative medicine specialist is urging people to think carefully before stocking up.
Dr. Yufang Lin with the Cleveland Clinic says the surge is driven in part by social media, with influencers pushing everything from protein powders to collagen creams. "With the rise of social media and influencers pushing or advertising supplements, there's also increasing use because of those," she said.
Supplements can be useful in the right circumstances. Lin says people with diet deficiencies, those who have trouble absorbing food, anyone who has had stomach or intestinal surgery, or those who are low in vitamin D, especially in winter, may benefit from certain products. Common uses include vitamin C for illness, omega-3 and ginger for inflammation, magnesium for sleep, and collagen for anti-aging.
The concern, she says, is excess. Unlike prescription drugs, supplements are not regulated by the FDA, and taking too many can strain the kidneys and liver. Some can also interfere with medications a person is already taking. "However, excess supplements can be toxic to the body as well, and can be a burden," Lin said.
Her advice before starting any supplement: ask whether it's actually safe and necessary, and if you do take one, watch for real results. "They need to be taken with the same consideration you would have when you're taking a medication," she said.
By: NBC Palm Springs
May 29, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
The #NorteFire is spreading near San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Fire crews are working to contain the blaze as conditions develop. Stay tuned to NBC Palm Springs for updates. #NorteFire #SouthernCalifornia #Wildfire #SanJuanCapistrano SanClemente NBCPalmSprings
Strong winds are expected across Southern California today, with speeds reaching 25 to 35 mph. Officials warn of possible falling trees, downed power lines and hazardous driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles. Southern California Edison says emergency crews will be on standby for possible power outages. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911. #SouthernCalifornia #CoachellaValley #WindAdvisory #PowerOutage #SouthernCaliforniaEdison NBCPalmSprings
Sordid Lives is returning to Palm Canyon Theater October 30 through November 15! Playwright Del Shores joins NBC Palm Springs’ Tod Macofsky to talk about the beloved production and its long history in the Coachella Valley. Want to see the show? NBC Palm Springs is giving away two tickets! Enter on the promotions page at NBCPalmSprings.com. #SordidLives #DelShores #PalmCanyonTheater #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley DesertEntertainment NBCPalmSprings
🗣️ NO KINGS DEMONSTRATIONS ARE COMING BACK TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY! Thousands of demonstrations are planned nationwide Saturday, including FIVE right here in the Valley. Organizers say the goal is to help eligible voters prepare for the polls and know their rights. 📍 Events are planned in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Indio. Will you be hitting the streets this weekend? 👀 #NoKings #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Indio #CaliforniaNews
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. No Kings protests?
Now Open! The new Agua Caliente gas station on Highway 111 in Cathedral City is officially open. A new stop for drivers in the Coachella Valley. Have you checked it out yet? #CathedralCity #AguaCaliente #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprin
A fire broke out Thursday morning at the KESQ News Channel 3 station in Thousand Palms, disrupting its morning broadcast. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire has been extinguished, and restoration efforts are underway. Station leaders told NBC Palm Springs they planned to return to the air at noon. We’re glad everyone is safe. We’ll share updates as more information becomes available. #ThousandPalms #KESQ #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprings
🚨 FIRE AT KESQ WHILE ON AIR! A fire broke out inside the KESQ news station in Thousand Palms around 5 a.m. this morning, forcing the station off the air. 🔥 The fire started in an equipment room where cameras and batteries are stored. Thankfully, NO ONE WAS INJURED. The cause and extent of the damage remain unknown as the station works to get back on air. ❤️🩹 #KESQ #ThousandPalms #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley
☕️Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Four or against daylight saving?
James Talarico is advocating for a solution to immigration enforcement that rejects "the extremism on this issue in both parties." Talarico said, "Joe Biden failed us during his administration." And now, under the Trump administration, Talarico said there is a "different kind of extremism" in enforcement.