KEY TAKEAWAYS
Supplements don’t have to prove they work before they’re sold; the FDA checks only that a product contains what the label says, in the stated amounts, without contaminants.
The label phrase “clinically tested ingredients” often comes from: a study done on a different source, dose, or extract. Evidence that’s worth trusting comes from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, ideally of 40 to 50 people or more, and from a body of research rather than a single study.
Why “clinically tested” doesn’t mean your supplement works
Dr. Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk is a pharmacologist, a lecturer in surgery at Harvard Medical School, and CEO and co-founder of Canomiks, which studies what supplement ingredients actually do inside human cells. She joined us for a Studio Session on how to tell a promising longevity supplement from good marketing.
Pradhan-Nabzdyk shares that the first surprise within the supplement world is what the FDA does and doesn’t check. While a drug has to prove it works before it reaches the pharmacy, a supplement only has to pass identity, potency, and purity testing. This means it must contain what the label says, in the amounts stated, without heavy metals or microbes, but that’s it.
“What the FDA does not require is to know or to find out if that product really works or not,” Pradhan-Nabzdyk said.
That gap is where borrowed science comes in. For example, ibuprofen is one synthetic molecule, so every brand behaves the same. Turmeric, ashwagandha, and green tea are clusters of compounds that vary by source and extraction, and Leena’s team has seen vast differences in biological activity from one source to the next.
Yet brands routinely cite someone else’s study. As Pradhan-Nabzdyk put it: “Is turmeric clinically tested? Yes, but is that particular source of turmeric clinically tested? No.” The cited study may have used a different dose, or a 50x extract.
She also shared that “natural” isn’t the same thing as safe. Concentrated extracts aren’t what’s in your kitchen, said Pradhan-Nabzdyk, and she’s wary of stacking, too:
“More does not always mean better.”
Her advice is to ask whether you really need something, check PubMed for studies, and give your doctor a full list of what you take
Watch the full session to hear her take on where creatine truly stands for women in and after menopause, whether gummies work as well as capsules, and when a premium brand is actually worth the price.
Note: Studio Session replays are a benefit of Inner Circle membership, with one free replay each month for everyone. Live event attendance is still open to all community members.
RSVP for an upcoming Studio Session
THU, NOV 19 · 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
The Female Longevity Advantage: What’s Behind Women Outliving Men
with Dr. Amy Killen
THU, DEC 3 · 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
Strength, Mobility, and Stability for Midlife and Beyond
with Dr. Jessica Shepherd and Antonietta Vicario
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MARCH 5–6, 2027 · SAN FRANCISCO
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The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
