What are the costs?

Food supplements are superfluous in a balanced, varied diet. Companies use the desperation of consumers to make high profits. Diet shakes can swallow large sums of money, especially since they (according to the manufacturers) have to be taken over a long period of time to be successful.

Savings are naturally made by avoiding certain meals in favor of drinks. Other dietary supplements, such as fatty acids or vitamin supplements, can also drive up expenses, especially if they are taken daily. Instead of buying questionable dietary supplements, one should instead invest in a healthy, balanced diet.

How can I avoid the JoJo effect?

The yoyo effect always occurs when, after a short-term change in diet, the body is supplied with more energy than it needs. This is partly due to the decreased energy turnover caused by the fat and above all muscle breakdown, but also to the relaxed mentality of the person affected, who wants to “treat himself” again after a strict phase. Those who want to keep their weight permanently should change their diet for the long term and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise.

Side effects

The positive effects of dietary supplements could not be convincingly proven in studies so far. Nevertheless, these are preparations that can be associated with side effects. Especially protein shakes can cause digestive problems.

Fish oil capsules, CLA and other fatty acid preparations can lead to diarrhoea. In addition, overdoses of vitamin D, for example, can even occur. A so-called hypervitaminosis can lead to gastrointestinal complaints, increased blood pressure, kidney stones or organ calcification.

Symptoms of poisoning can also occur with an acute or chronic overdose of vitamin A and other vitamins. Food supplements should under no circumstances be taken above the recommendation given on the package insert and should not replace a balanced diet. How do I recognize hypervitaminosis? What are its causes and consequences? You can read all about this and much more in our next article: Hypervitaminosis