Science Friday How Shoddy Science Is Driving A Supplement Boom
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Sep 9, 2025 
Pieter Cohen, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard and head of the Supplement Research Program, teams up with Colleen Derkatch, a rhetoric professor and author of 'Why Wellness Sells.' They dive into the booming $64 billion dietary supplement industry, discussing its appeal and the regulatory pitfalls at play. The conversation reveals the myths around popular supplements like CoQ10, the dangers of mega dosing vitamins, and the urgent need for transparency in the industry. Get ready for an eye-opening exploration of wellness culture!
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History Shaped Today's Loose Oversight
- The current legal framework grew from backlash against stricter FDA control in the 1970s–80s.
- That history led Congress to limit FDA oversight and allow broad market access without rigorous testing.
Listener's Energy Boost From CoQ10
- Maggie, a former truck driver, reported that taking CoQ10 improved her energy and job performance.
- Personal experiences like hers motivate many people to try supplements despite limited evidence.
CoQ10: Valid Use, Limited General Benefit
- CoQ10 has a clear medical role for rare genetic mitochondrial disorders but little proven benefit for healthy people.
- Interest in clinical uses drives marketing of supplements beyond their evidence base.
