Supplement Megadoses Trigger Hair Loss and Skin Damage, Dr Dray Warns

Dr Dray

Unsupervised supplement megadosing driven by social media trends disrupts critical mineral balances, transforming products marketed for hair growth and immunity like selenium and zinc into direct causes of alopecia and tissue damage.

AI-assisted summary of Dietary Supplements Causing Hair Loss & Acne? A Dermatologist Explains — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2026-09-15

Key ideas

Cutaneous symptoms affecting the skin, hair, and nails often serve as the earliest clinical indicators of systemic toxicity or nutrient imbalances caused by supplement overuse. (0:00)
Exceeding the tolerable upper intake level of 400 micrograms per day for selenium—via supplements or selenium-dense foods like Brazil nuts—can cause selenosis, resulting in rapid diffuse hair loss, nail dystrophy, and garlic-smelling breath. (4:06)
Chronic zinc intake above the 40 milligram daily upper limit can block intestinal copper absorption, inducing secondary copper deficiency that causes fragile skin, pigmentary changes, and hematologic complications. (8:45)
While whey protein is biologically linked to acne via insulin and IGF-1 pathways, commercial fitness powders frequently contain confounding acne triggers such as megadoses of B vitamins or adulteration with anabolic steroids. (10:11)

Detailed notes

## Background Published on YouTube by dermatologist Dr. Dray on September 15, 2026, this video examines the connection between viral social media health trends, dietary supplement overuse, and dermatologic conditions. According to the video description, Dr. Dray discusses how excess supplement intake can trigger hair loss, acne, rashes, and nail changes, reviewing clinical examples like selenosis, zinc-induced copper deficiency, and the lack of strict industry regulation.

## TL;DR Dr. Dray explains that the skin, hair, and nails frequently serve as the earliest clinical indicators of supplement toxicity and nutritional imbalances. She details how megadosing trace elements—such as excessive selenium in hair-growth formulas or high-dose zinc that induces secondary copper deficiency—can backfire into severe hair loss, nail dystrophy, and skin fragility. The video also evaluates the complex link between whey protein and acne, highlights the dermatologic dangers of normalized anabolic steroid abuse among youth, and debunks the myth that 'natural' supplements are inherently safe or properly regulated.

## Atmosphere & style The presentation carries a candid, no-nonsense, and clinically grounded tone delivered with Dr. Dray's signature dry, deadpan humor. Watching the video feels like receiving an unvarnished reality check from an experienced doctor who is visibly exasperated by predatory wellness marketing and unregulated health claims. Her delivery balances rigorous pharmacological explanations with witty analogies, creating an engaging, educational experience that cuts sharply through online wellness hype.

## Bulletin - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=0s) Cutaneous symptoms affecting the skin, hair, and nails often serve as the earliest clinical indicators of systemic toxicity or nutrient imbalances caused by supplement overuse. - [04:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=246s) Exceeding the tolerable upper intake level of 400 micrograms per day for selenium—via supplements or selenium-dense foods like Brazil nuts—can cause selenosis, resulting in rapid diffuse hair loss, nail dystrophy, and garlic-smelling breath. - [08:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=525s) Chronic zinc intake above the 40 milligram daily upper limit can block intestinal copper absorption, inducing secondary copper deficiency that causes fragile skin, pigmentary changes, and hematologic complications. - [10:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=611s) While whey protein is biologically linked to acne via insulin and IGF-1 pathways, commercial fitness powders frequently contain confounding acne triggers such as megadoses of B vitamins or adulteration with anabolic steroids.

## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=0s) The skin, hair, and nails function as an early clinical window into internal health, often showing signs of supplement toxicity before major organ damage is detected. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=0s) Dermatologists must adapt clinical history-taking to probe social media trends, specifically asking patients about detox protocols, hormone balancing, and biohacking habits. - [01:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=79s) Nutritional excess triggers dermatologic pathology just as easily as nutritional deficiency, and high-dose multi-ingredient supplements often lack medical necessity. - [04:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=246s) Selenium operates on a strict Goldilocks principle; exceeding 400 micrograms daily can trigger acute selenosis with diffuse hair shedding, extreme nail brittleness, and gastrointestinal distress. - [04:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=246s) Dietary sources can rapidly compound supplement exposure, as eating just a few Brazil nuts (containing 68 to 91 micrograms of selenium each) alongside multivitamins can breach toxicity limits. - [06:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=387s) High doses of niacin in popular energy drinks and pre-workout formulas cause uncomfortable peripheral vasodilation and flushing that clinicians frequently misdiagnose as rosacea flares. - [08:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=486s) Zinc is widely marketed for general wellness, but taking it without an objective deficiency offers no benefit and risks exceeding the 40 milligram daily adult threshold. - [08:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=525s) Excess zinc competitively blocks copper absorption, and attempting to counter high zinc by self-supplementing copper is ineffective and clinically inadvisable. - [08:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=525s) Zinc-induced copper deficiency presents clinically with impaired wound healing, altered hair texture, skin fragility, anemia, and neutropenia. - [10:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=611s) Observational links between whey protein and acne may be complicated by additives in protein powders, including digestive enzymes and megadoses of B vitamins known to trigger breakouts. - [12:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=755s) Anabolic-androgenic steroid use significantly aggravates severe acne, accelerates androgenetic alopecia, and fosters fungal skin conditions like Malassezia folliculitis and seborrheic dermatitis. - [12:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=755s) Algorithmic social media culture has normalized anabolic steroid use among young people seeking aesthetic ideals rather than athletic performance, driven by body dysmorphia. - [14:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=844s) The supplement industry lacks pharmaceutical-grade regulatory standards for purity, minimum effective dosing, post-market adverse event tracking, and pregnancy safety. - [14:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=844s) A substance being 'natural' does not guarantee safety, as any biologically active compound exerts pharmacological effects inside the body. - [16:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=960s) Nutritional interventions and supplementation should be guided by laboratory-verified deficiencies and coordinated with registered dietitians and physicians.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=0s) Supplements, Social Media Trends, and Dermatologic Clues

When considering the hazards of dietary supplements, the general public usually worries about severe organ damage such as liver toxicity or kidney impairment. However, as a dermatologist, Dr. Dray emphasizes that the skin, hair, and nails serve as an immediate internal window into systemic health. Dermatologic changes are not merely superficial aesthetic complaints; they are often the earliest clinical indicators that something harmful is occurring inside the body due to an ingested supplement.

Because of this, dermatologists must adapt their clinical history-taking when evaluating patients presenting with new-onset skin conditions like sudden acne or rashes. Instead of simply asking about changes in topical skincare products, clinicians must inquire into patients' digital media habits. Patients may be influenced by viral wellness trends, necessitating strategic and nuanced questioning. Asking a patient if they "take supplements" often yields an incomplete answer; doctors must specifically ask whether they are participating in a "detox protocol," attempting to "balance hormones," experimenting with "biohacking," or undertaking an aggressive "anti-aging journey." These precise buzzwords match how online communities frame supplement consumption.

```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: Pathway from Social Media Trends to Skin Manifestations accDescr: Flowchart illustrating how online inputs lead to biological changes and resulting dermatologic conditions.

subgraph Inputs["Online Inputs"] A["Social Media Trends"] B["Fad Diets & Cleanses"] C["High-Dose Supplements"] end

subgraph Biology["Biological Impact"] D["Nutrient Deficiencies\n(Restrictive Eating)"] E["Nutrient Toxicities\n(Excessive Intake)"] end

subgraph Manifestations["Cutaneous Manifestations"] F["Hair Loss (Alopecia)"] G["Nail Dystrophy & Brittleness"] H["Rashes, Flushing & Xerosis"] I["Acne & Pigmentary Changes"] end

Inputs --> Biology Biology --> Manifestations ```

[01:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=79s) The Gap Between Medical Need and High-Dose Supplementation

While targeted dietary supplementation is essential and transformative for correcting verified nutritional deficiencies—and certain supplements have evidence-based dermatologic utility—a major clinical issue arises when supplementation becomes completely detached from medical necessity. This issue is amplified when consumers ingest multi-ingredient formulas containing megadoses far exceeding physiological needs, propelled largely by social media recommendation algorithms.

Dr. Dray highlights a 2025 review article by Parga and Coven examining the link between viral fad diets, supplement overuse, and cutaneous conditions. The authors catalogue dermatologic manifestations including alopecia (hair loss), nail dystrophy, inflammatory rashes, xerosis (the medical term for dry skin), pigmentary alterations, and acne. The review notes that while rigorous epidemiological data directly proving that social media algorithms cause these diseases is still developing, the behavioral pipeline connecting online advice to clinical pathology is unmistakable.

Nutritional excess can trigger cutaneous pathology just as readily as nutritional deficiency. For instance, a patient complaining of sudden hair loss could be experiencing androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), telogen effluvium (diffuse hair shedding), iron deficiency, or thyroid disease. Alternatively, they might be ingesting a cocktail of half a dozen different supplements under the misguided assumption that extra nutrients guarantee healthier hair, inadvertently causing toxicity that provokes the very shedding they sought to prevent.

- **Review paper cited:** Parga AD, Coven H. "When Diet Trends Go Viral: Cutaneous Manifestations of Social Media-Driven Fad Diets and Supplements." *Cureus* (2025). - **Core biological dilemma:** Consumers equate "more nutrients" with "better health," disregarding the risks of excess intake and toxic accumulation.

[04:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=246s) Selenium Toxicity: The Danger of "Hair Growth" Megadoses

Dr. Dray points to selenium toxicity as a classic example of nutritional overconsumption. Selenium is an indispensable trace element vital for basic physiology, including antioxidant enzyme systems and thyroid hormone metabolism. However, selenium operates under a strict "Goldilocks" principle: health requires maintaining an exact balance, as both deficiency and excess lead to adverse outcomes.

The established tolerable upper intake level for selenium in adults is 400 micrograms per day from all combined sources. Chronic excessive intake produces a clinical syndrome called selenosis. The cutaneous signs of selenosis are severe and abrupt: - Sudden, extensive, painless diffuse hair loss - Nail changes, including extreme brittleness and nail dystrophy - Inflammatory skin eruptions and rashes - Systemic symptoms: gastrointestinal distress, extreme fatigue, a noticeable garlic-like breath odor, and a metallic taste in the mouth

When an unsuspecting clinician sees diffuse shedding, they may order standard lab workup for telogen effluvium, thyroid dysfunction, or ferritin levels, and evaluate the scalp for alopecia areata. However, the true culprit is often a trendy over-the-counter "hair growth supplement" containing concentrated selenium. Selenium toxicity is not purely theoretical; an outbreak documented by the NIH in 2008 involved an adulterated, misformulated liquid supplement containing roughly 200 times the labeled selenium concentration, triggering severe systemic and dermatologic toxicity.

Furthermore, dietary exposure can rapidly compound supplement intake. Brazil nuts are exceptionally rich in selenium, providing roughly 68 to 91 micrograms per single nut (varying by soil and region). Consuming several Brazil nuts daily alongside a selenium-containing multivitamin easily pushes an individual past the 400-microgram daily limit, demonstrating that "natural" whole foods and supplements can become toxic when combined indiscriminately.

[06:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=387s) The Niacin Flush and the Hidden Risks of Energy Drinks

Another frequent cause of sudden cutaneous symptoms is the "niacin flush" caused by high doses of niacin (vitamin B3 / nicotinic acid). While niacin is a standard ingredient in food fortification, massive doses are routinely added to modern pre-workout powders and mainstream canned energy drinks (such as Alani Nu). Because specialty coffee has become increasingly expensive, many consumers rely heavily on flavored energy drinks boasting flavors like strawberry slushie or seasonal caramel apple, without realizing these beverages act as potent, fortified multivitamin supplements.

Pharmacologically, high-dose nicotinic acid induces rapid peripheral vasodilation, leading to sudden, intense erythema, tingling, warmth, and itching across the face, neck, and upper chest. While benign and self-limiting rather than a true IgE-mediated allergic reaction, the experience is uncomfortable and alarming to patients.

In clinical practice, patients presenting with unexplained episodic facial erythema are often suspected of having rosacea flares, alcohol-induced flushing, or UV photosensitivity. A thorough dietary history often reveals that the patient has been drinking multiple energy drinks throughout the day while simultaneously taking a multivitamin, leading to an accidental megadose of vitamin B3.

[08:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=486s) The Zinc Dilemma: When Immune and Skin Boosters Backfire

Dr. Dray turns to zinc, another trace element that is heavily marketed across social media. While zinc plays an undeniable role in skin physiology and maintains a legitimate therapeutic role in select dermatologic conditions—such as managing hidradenitis suppurativa and, to a debated degree, inflammatory acne—it is marketed under broad, catch-all claims like "immune support," "cellular wellness," "wound healing," and "hair growth."

Because zinc is branded as an essential and "natural" nutrient, consumers frequently assume there is no upper safety limit and that escalating dosages yields superior health outcomes. However, taking zinc without a diagnosed underlying deficiency offers no added benefit and introduces substantial physiological risks when taken in excess.

[08:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=525s) Zinc Toxicity and Secondary Copper Deficiency

Prolonged, excessive zinc intake carries significant hidden dangers because it actively interferes with the absorption of another mineral essential for both general health and the skin: copper. The established adult upper limit for zinc from all combined dietary and supplemental sources is 40 milligrams per day. While dermatologists or other physicians might occasionally prescribe higher doses under strict clinical supervision for specific conditions, self-dosing excessive over-the-counter zinc runs a serious risk of inducing copper deficiency. Systemically, copper deficiency can manifest as anemia, neutropenia (a drop in white blood cell count that leaves the body vulnerable to infections), and, in advanced scenarios, severe neurological damage.

From a dermatologic standpoint, copper deficiency triggered by zinc overload manifests through distinct cutaneous signs: pigmentary abnormalities, changes in hair texture or density, fragile skin, and impaired wound healing. Dr. Dray explains that when a patient presents with unexplained hair shedding or pigmentary issues and mentions, "Yeah, I've been taking zinc for my hair," the first priority is determining their exact dosage. Often, the solution is not adding more zinc or attempting to balance it by haphazardly tossing in a copper pill—"it doesn't work like that either"—but discontinuing unnecessary zinc supplementation altogether so normal copper absorption can resume. Zinc should only be taken when clinically indicated.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Excess Zinc Inducing Copper Deficiency Cascade accDescr: Flowchart illustrating how excessive zinc intake blocks copper absorption and leads to systemic and dermatologic symptoms.

subgraph Intake ["Intake"] A["Excess Zinc Supplementation (>40 mg/day)"] end

subgraph Mechanism ["Biological Mechanism"] B["Blocks Intestinal Copper Absorption"] C["Systemic Copper Deficiency"] end

subgraph Manifestations ["Clinical Manifestations"] D["Systemic: Anemia, Neutropenia, Neurologic Damage"] E["Dermatologic: Pigmentary Changes, Fragile Skin, Hair Abnormalities, Poor Wound Healing"] end

A --> B B --> C C --> D C --> E ```

[10:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=611s) Protein Powders, Whey, and the Acne Connection

Protein supplementation has exploded far beyond the realm of traditional bodybuilding powders into everyday consumer culture. Dr. Dray jokes that manufacturers are aggressively fortifying everything in sight: "Pretty soon you're going to have protein infused toothpaste, protein infused mouthwash. Your shampoo has already got protein in it. Protein tampon, you name it." In dermatology, observational studies have linked whey protein consumption to acne flares. The biological plausibility is well understood: whey stimulates increases in insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), both of which signal sebaceous glands to ramp up sebum production.

However, observational associations do not establish direct causation, and multiple confounding factors complicate this relationship. When evaluating individuals who consume large amounts of fitness supplements, clinicians must consider what else they might be taking. In fitness communities, high supplement use sometimes coexists with undisclosed anabolic steroid use, which can trigger catastrophic forms of acne severe enough to cause fevers, destroy bone, and land patients in the intensive care unit.

Furthermore, the formulation of commercial protein powders introduces additional variables. Dr. Dray notes that in her personal routine, she uses plain pea or hemp seed protein powders as food ingredients in smoothies, but finding pure protein powder without hidden extras is remarkably frustrating: - Powders are routinely packed with added probiotics, digestive enzymes, and ungodly megadoses of B vitamins (which themselves are known triggers for acneiform eruptions). - Consumers frequently attribute breakouts to the protein source itself when the culprit might be an unlisted or overlooked additive pumped into the blend.

[12:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=755s) Anabolic Steroids and Social Media Culture

Performance-enhancing substances and anabolic-androgenic steroids induce severe dermatologic side effects far beyond standard teenage blemishes. Excess androgen stimulation hyperactivates sebaceous glands, creating an ideal breeding ground for *Malassezia* yeast and driving conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, tinea versicolor, and *Pityrosporum* folliculitis (popularly known online as "fungal acne"). Androgens also induce miniaturization of hair follicles, accelerating androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), and cause striae (stretch marks). In women, they cause distinct signs of virilization and androgen excess, notably hirsutism (unwanted facial and body hair growth).

Historically, steroid abuse was largely confined to niche bodybuilding subcultures and associated with tropes like "'90s roid rage." Today, social media algorithms and fitness influencers have normalized these compounds among young adolescents who have no competitive athletic ambitions. Dr. Dray laments that young people with "zero interest in bodybuilding" are drawn in simply to look muscular or aesthetic, pushed into algorithmic echo chambers fueled by body dysmorphia, social isolation, and low self-esteem.

[14:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=844s) Scrutinizing the Supplement Industry: "Natural Does Not Mean Safe"

Consumers frequently maintain a double standard, approaching prescription drugs with deep suspicion while treating dietary supplements as harmless, holistic remedies. Dr. Dray rejects the romanticized fantasy that supplements drift through the human body "like the tooth fairy, like mother nature... dancing on like a pixie in the rainforest." In reality, if a supplement exerts any biological effect at all, it acts pharmacologically like a drug.

Yet dietary supplements operate without the rigorous regulatory oversight imposed on pharmaceuticals: - **No strict dosing standards:** Manufacturers do not have to determine the minimum effective dose or the toxic threshold. - **No mandatory adverse event reporting:** Companies are not held to comprehensive post-market surveillance. - **Unverified bioavailability:** Formulations do not require proof that the delivery vehicle delivers the active nutrient into target tissues. - **Lack of quality and purity controls:** Supplements often suffer from contamination, adulteration, or significant discrepancies between the label and actual contents. - **Zero pregnancy safety verification:** Formulations rarely undergo rigorous safety assessments for vulnerable populations.

The assumption that everyone requires a daily supplement cocktail makes as little sense as prescribing methotrexate to the general public just because it effectively clears plaque psoriasis. Economically, the supplement industry generates massive profits with far less accountability than pharmaceutical companies, giving manufacturers immense financial incentive to overstate claims. Referencing Gary Paulsen’s survival novel *Hatchet*, Dr. Dray warns that nature is inherently indifferent and often dangerous: "A lot of stuff is natural. I don't want to be messing around with... Keep that in the woods with the beavers and the bear."

[16:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=960s) Clinical Guidance, Medical Diets, and Closing Thoughts

Supplements certainly have a vital, legitimate place in modern medicine when an objective, laboratory-confirmed deficiency exists. However, those decisions should be guided by physicians and registered dietitians rather than viral online trends. Contrary to common online assertions that medical doctors receive zero nutritional education, physicians are trained to recognize the clinical hallmarks of nutritional deficiencies and toxicities, and they collaborate closely with registered dietitians—"the real champions"—to customize medical nutrition therapies for patients with gastrointestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Specialized nutritional oversight has also become critical for patients using modern weight management medications (such as GLP-1 receptor agonists). These patients have unique macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and are frequently advised by their doctors to incorporate protein powders to preserve lean mass. For those concerned about breakouts while trying to meet protein targets, Dr. Dray advises reading ingredient labels carefully to screen out unnecessary megadoses of vitamins and other additives. Noticing the blinking recording light on her camera signaling that time has run out, she wraps up the discussion and directs viewers to her dedicated playlist covering dietary supplements and dermatologic health.

[17:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=1051s) Exploring the Diet and Skin Playlist and Closing Remarks

Addressing new viewers who might mistakenly assume she never addresses nutrition, Dr. Dray humorously pushes back against critics. She points out that she maintains an entire curated playlist dedicated specifically to the relationship between food, nutrition, and the skin. With her characteristic candid humor, she quips, "those of you come here for the first time or like she never talks about diet, dude, I got a whole playlist a whole playlist on food in your face," urging skeptics to explore those existing resources before judging her coverage of dietary topics.

Wrapping up the discussion on supplements and dermatologic health, she invites viewers who enjoyed the breakdown to leave a thumbs up and share the video with friends. She concludes with her signature daily sign-off, reminding everyone to wear their sunscreen and subscribe before heading into the outro music.

- Dr. Dray directs viewers looking for nutritional dermatologic advice to her dedicated video playlist focused on diet and skin health. - The video wraps with her customary channel reminders: like, share, subscribe, and wear daily sunscreen.

## Notable quotes > [08:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=525s) it doesn't work like that either — Dr Dray

> [10:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=611s) Pretty soon you're going to have protein infused toothpaste, protein infused mouthwash. Your shampoo has already got protein in it. Protein tampon, you name it. — Dr Dray

> [12:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=755s) '90s roid rage — Dr Dray

> [12:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=755s) zero interest in bodybuilding — Dr Dray

> [14:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=844s) like the tooth fairy, like mother nature... dancing on like a pixie in the rainforest. — Dr Dray

> [14:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=844s) A lot of stuff is natural. I don't want to be messing around with... Keep that in the woods with the beavers and the bear. — Dr Dray

> [16:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=960s) the real champions — Dr Dray

> [17:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2pbK3w-hM&t=1051s) those of you come here for the first time or like she never talks about diet, dude, I got a whole playlist a whole playlist on food in your face — Dr Dray

## Mentioned Dr Dray, Parga AD, Coven H, Cureus, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Alani Nu, Gary Paulsen, Hatchet

## Video description Can dietary supplements cause hair loss, acne, rashes, nail changes, or other skin problems? Dermatologist Dr. Dray explores the growing connection between social media health trends, fad diets, dietary supplement overuse, and dermatologic disease

In this video, Dr. Dray discusses several important examples, including selenium toxicity (selenosis), niacin toxicity and flushing, zinc-induced copper deficiency, whey protein and acne, and potentially adulterated bodybuilding and performance supplements.

She also explains why dermatologists should ask about dietary supplements when evaluating unexplained hair loss, nail dystrophy, rashes, pigmentary changes, acne, and other unusual skin findings.

One particularly important example is selenium toxicity. Excessive selenium can cause rapid, sometimes dramatic hair loss, nail abnormalities, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, garlic-smelling breath, and other systemic effects. Selenium exposure can come from supplements as well as foods such as Brazil nuts, making total intake important to consider.

Dr. Dray also discusses niacin, which can cause the characteristic "niacin flush," and excessive zinc intake, which can interfere with copper absorption and potentially contribute to pigmentary changes, hair abnormalities, poor wound healing, and systemic complications.

The video takes a more nuanced look at whey protein and acne as well. Although whey protein has been associated with acne in case reports and observational research, a 2024 randomized controlled trial did not find that whey protein significantly worsened acne severity. This provides an important reminder that a plausible mechanism or anecdotal experience is not the same thing as definitive evidence.

The discussion then expands beyond individual supplements to the larger problem of health misinformation on social media. Online nutrition and supplement content can be highly persuasive, particularly when it combines dramatic before-and-after results, confident claims, influencer marketing, and easy access to products.

The skin, hair, and nails can sometimes provide important clues to nutritional deficiencies, supplement toxicity, or other systemic problems. In the era of social media-driven health trends, taking a careful dietary and supplement history can be an important part of dermatologic evaluation.

Primary Paper Parga AD, Coven H. "When Diet Trends Go Viral: Cutaneous Manifestations of Social Media-Driven Fad Diets and Supplements." Cureus. 2025;17(6):e86334. doi:10.7759/cureus.86334.

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes and does not constitute individualized medical advice. Anyone experiencing unexplained hair loss, rashes, nail changes, acne, or other concerning symptoms should consult an appropriate healthcare professional.

#Dermatology #Supplements #SkinHealth #HairLoss #Selenium #Acne #DietarySupplements #HealthMisinformation #Skincare #DrDray

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中文简报

皮肤科医生警告：网红补充剂可能引发脱发与中毒缺乏监管的保健补充剂会引发脱发和继发性营养缺乏，原因在于消费者在没有临床指导的情况下叠加使用网红产品，超出了人体安全生物学限度。 Dr Dray 探讨了皮肤、头发和指甲如何作为反映人体内部状况的直观镜子，揭示无监测摄入膳食补充剂所引起的营养中毒早期迹象。她回顾了具体的临床隐患，包括硒过量导致的快速脱发和指甲营养不良、强化能量饮料中烟酸引起的皮肤血管扩张，以及过量摄入锌诱发的继发性铜缺乏。讨论还审视了乳清蛋白与痤疮暴发之间复杂细致的关联证据，警示运动增强类补充剂及隐性添加剂带来的多重危险。最后，她强调对待补充剂应像对待药物一样严格审视，呼吁公众依靠医疗指导，而非盲从网络流行趋势。过量摄入生发补充剂或巴西坚果等高硒食物容易超出成人每日400微克的上限，引发急性硒中毒，典型表现为快速脱发、指甲营养不良和呼出大蒜味气体。 (4:06) 长期过量摄入锌（每日超过40毫克）会阻碍肠道对铜的吸收，悄然诱发继发性铜缺乏，导致皮肤脆弱、伤口愈合不良、贫血以及进行性神经损害。 (8:45) 能量饮料和健身练前粉中通常含有高剂量的烟酸，会引起强烈的面部潮红和瘙痒，临床上常被误诊为玫瑰痤疮或过敏反应。 (6:27) 尽管乳清蛋白在生物学上通过刺激胰岛素和IGF-1与痤疮发作相关，但市售蛋白粉常添加超大剂量的B族维生素、植物成分或隐蔽掺入同化类固醇，从而使皮肤反应的成因更加复杂。 (10:11)

Reading summary

Dermatologist Dr. Dray argues that dietary supplement overuse, frequently driven by social media wellness trends, can directly trigger skin, hair, and nail pathology rather than aesthetic improvement. While targeted supplementation corrects laboratory-confirmed deficiencies, ingesting megadoses without clinical indications risks toxicities that mimic or provoke dermatologic disorders. Cutaneous Signs of Online Supplement Trends (0:00) Dr. Dray highlights that the skin, hair, and nails serve as internal windows into systemic health, frequently displaying the earliest clinical signs of adverse supplement ingestion. Consequently, clinicians evaluating sudden acne, hair shedding, or rashes must probe beyond topical skincare to identify patients' digital media consumption. Inquiring whether individuals are undergoing "detox protocols," attempting to "balance hormones," or engaging in "biohacking" captures supplement habits that generic questions often miss. Citing a 2025 review in Cureus by Parga and Coven, Dr. Dray notes that viral fad diets and high-dose multi-ingredient formulas correlate with alopecia, nail dystrophy, xerosis, pigmentary shifts, and acne. While robust epidemiological data establishing direct algorithmic causation remains developing, the behavioral trajectory from social media advice to clinical pathology is apparent, driven by consumers mistakenly equating higher nutrient intake with superior health. Trace Mineral Megadoses: Selenium and Zinc Risks (4:06) Micronutrients operate under strict physiological balances where overconsumption induces severe cutaneous damage. For example, selenium maintains an adult tolerable upper intake level of 400 micrograms per day from all sources. Exceeding this limit causes selenosis, which manifests as abrupt diffuse hair loss, extreme nail brittleness, inflammatory rashes, fatigue, and a garlic-like breath odor. Overexposure frequently occurs when consumers combine selenium-rich "hair growth" formulas with dietary sources such as Brazil nuts, which contain approximately 68 to 91 micrograms per nut, or encounter misformulated products. Similarly, zinc is frequently overconsumed under the premise of "immune support" or skin healing. Zinc has an established adult upper limit of 40 milligrams daily. Chronic intake above this threshold actively blocks intestinal copper absorption, precipitating secondary copper deficiency. This secondary deficiency can cause systemic anemia, neutropenia, and neurologic damage, alongside dermatologic symptoms like pigmentary alterations, hair texture changes, skin fragility, and impaired wound healing. Dr. Dray stresses that managing this condition requires discontinuing excess zinc rather than adding copper supplements. Fortified Beverages, Protein Powders, and Hidden Additives (6:27) Cutaneous side effects also emerge from common functional foods and drinks. Pre-workout powders and mainstream canned energy drinks frequently deliver massive doses of niacin (vitamin B3). Nicotinic acid triggers peripheral vasodilation, producing sudden facial erythema, warmth, and itching that clinicians easily mistake for rosacea flares, UV photosensitivity, or allergic reactions. Protein supplementation presents comparable diagnostic pitfalls. Observational studies connect whey protein with acne flares, biologically explained by whey-induced increases in insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which stimulate sebaceous gland activity. Furthermore, commercial protein powders are often fortified with high doses of B vitamins—recognized triggers for acneiform eruptions—as well as digestive enzymes and probiotics. These hidden additives obscure whether breakouts stem from the protein source or supplemental compounds. In fitness subcultures, severe cystic acne may also reflect undisclosed anabolic steroid abuse, which drives androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism, striae, and yeast-driven conditions like Pityrosporum folliculitis. Industry Oversight Deficits and Clinical Recommendations (14:04) Dr. Dray challenges the consumer perception that "natural" supplements are inherently benign compared to pharmaceuticals. Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements are not subject to mandatory dosing standards, bioavailability verification, rigorous pregnancy safety assessments, or compulsory post-market adverse event reporting. This regulatory void creates significant risks of product contamination, adulteration, and dosage discrepancies. Supplements serve a legitimate medical function only when laboratory tests confirm an objective deficiency or when specific clinical conditions warrant monitored use. Patients with complex nutritional needs, such as individuals with inflammatory bowel disease or those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, require personalized guidance from physicians and registered dietitians rather than algorithmic wellness advice. Dr. Dray concludes that consumers should approach dietary supplements with pharmacological caution, scrutinizing labels for hidden megadoses and additives. While social media platforms promote unregulated supplements as universal wellness solutions, resolving cutaneous symptoms requires identifying and eliminating unneeded supplements rather than adding more compounds to unverified regimens.

Source quotes

[8:45] Dr Dray: it doesn't work like that either [10:11] Dr Dray: Pretty soon you're going to have protein infused toothpaste, protein infused mouthwash. Your shampoo has already got protein in it. Protein tampon, you name it. [12:35] Dr Dray: '90s roid rage [12:35] Dr Dray: zero interest in bodybuilding [14:04] Dr Dray: like the tooth fairy, like mother nature... dancing on like a pixie in the rainforest. [14:04] Dr Dray: A lot of stuff is natural. I don't want to be messing around with... Keep that in the woods with the beavers and the bear. [16:00] Dr Dray: the real champions [17:31] Dr Dray: those of you come here for the first time or like she never talks about diet, dude, I got a whole playlist a whole playlist on food in your face

Original transcript

[0:00] Well, hey guys. Welcome back. If you're [0:01] new here, I'm Dr. Dre. I'm a [0:03] boardcertified dermatologist. When most [0:05] people think about the risks of dietary [0:07] supplements, they probably think of [0:08] liver disease or damage to the kidneys. [0:11] But as a dermatologist, I tend to well [0:14] think about the impacts on the skin, the [0:15] hair, and the nails. And no, these [0:17] aren't simply cosmetic concerns. Your [0:19] skin, your hair, your nails, they're a [0:20] window to what's going on internally. [0:22] And they can provide early on clues that [0:25] something serious is going on as a [0:26] result of maybe that dietary supplement [0:28] you're taking. As dermatologists, [0:30] increasingly we need to start asking [0:32] these questions when we see a patient [0:33] with new onset acne, for example. Not [0:35] just what's changed in their skincare [0:37] routine, but what kind of social media [0:39] content are they being exposed to? Have [0:41] they maybe been influenced to take some [0:42] sort of bizarre dietary supplement? We [0:44] need to ask patients what kind of [0:46] content are you consuming online? And [0:48] have you been following any kind of [0:49] dietary advice? Have you been taking any [0:51] new supplements? And we also need to use [0:53] strategic wording because taking [0:55] supplements might not get the response [0:57] of have you been doing any kind of detox [0:59] protocol? Are you attempting to balance [1:01] your hormones? Are you doing some sort [1:03] of biohacking? Are you on an anti-aging [1:06] journey? We need to start asking these [1:08] specific questions because that's really [1:10] how people are engaging with certain [1:12] communities online that can influence [1:14] what they're consuming literally as far [1:16] as supplements and what might be [1:18] impacting the skin. Now, there are many [1:20] situations where a dietary supplement is [1:22] a gamecher. Not only is it necessary for [1:24] correcting a deficiency, but there are [1:26] certain dietary supplements which I've [1:27] covered in different videos you can find [1:29] in the supplement playlist on my channel [1:31] about certain supplements with [1:32] established benefits for different skin [1:35] conditions. The problem is when [1:36] supplementation becomes disconnected [1:38] from a true deficiency or medical need, [1:41] especially when multiple supplement [1:43] ingredients are being combined and are [1:44] being offered at often times very very [1:46] high unrealistic doses. And this is [1:49] especially true when the information is [1:50] primarily being pushed and driven by [1:53] social media content algorithms. A 2025 [1:55] review specifically examined the [1:57] relationship between social mediadriven [1:59] fat diets, supplement use, and cutaneous [2:02] disease. And the authors describe [2:04] dermatologic manifestations such as [2:06] alipcia, which is just a general term [2:08] for hair loss, nail distrophe, rashes, [2:11] zerorosis, the fancy medical word for [2:13] dry skin, pigmentaryary changes, and [2:15] acne. Importantly though, they also [2:17] acknowledge that we don't yet have [2:18] rigorous epidemiologic data proving that [2:21] it's the social media itself that's [2:23] causing an increase in these diseases. [2:25] And so that distinction does matter. One [2:27] of the fascinating things about [2:28] dermatology, as I already indicated, is [2:30] that the skin, the hair, the nails, they [2:32] provide important clues of what's going [2:33] on internally, and they can be some of [2:35] the first places where problems show up, [2:38] alerting you that something serious is [2:40] brewing beneath the surface of the skin. [2:42] Literally nutritional deficiencies as a [2:44] side note can produce recognizable skin [2:46] findings. But one thing people don't [2:48] realize is that nutritional excesses can [2:51] produce skin and hair and nail problems [2:54] as well. A patient with hair loss, they [2:56] might have androgenetic alopecia, aka [2:58] pattern hair loss, but they might also [2:59] have tiloggen of a type of hair loss [3:01] where you have a lot of hair shedding. [3:03] They might have an underlying iron [3:04] deficiency. They may have thyroid [3:06] disease or they may be taking six [3:08] different supplements because someone [3:10] online told them that the nutrients [3:12] means healthier hair and now they're [3:15] getting too much of an ingredient and [3:17] it's actually harmful to their hair. [3:19] They're all incredibly different [3:20] problems that lead to the same [3:22] complaint, hair loss. That's why a diet [3:25] and dietary supplement history are so [3:27] important. I particularly like the [3:29] schematic that was pitched in the [3:30] article because it illustrates the [3:32] pathway so well. On the left you have [3:34] the inputs. You've got social media. You [3:37] got fat diets, supplements, protein [3:39] products. Then in the middle you have [3:40] the biology. You have restrictive eating [3:42] that can produce nutrient deficiencies. [3:44] You have supplement excess that can [3:46] produce toxicity. You have [3:47] misinformation driving decisions that [3:49] affect both. And on the right you can [3:51] see the skin consequences. You got [3:53] rashes. You have hair loss, nail [3:56] problems, acne, dry skin, pigmentaryary [3:59] changes. The important thing, however, [4:00] is that there can be several different [4:02] pathways leading from an online trend to [4:04] a dermatologic problem. So, let's look [4:06] at a few examples. Number one is [4:08] selenium toxicity. Now, selenium I have [4:10] a whole video on in that playlist as a [4:12] side note about dietary supplements in [4:14] the skin. It's an essential trace [4:16] element. We absolutely need it for [4:18] essential biological processes including [4:21] antioxidant defenses, thyroid hormone [4:23] metabolism. But selenium is a Goldilocks [4:26] type thing. You can have too much, you [4:28] can have too little, you need it to be [4:30] just right. For adults, the US tolerable [4:32] upper limit level is 400 micrograms per [4:36] day from all sources. Okay. Chronic [4:39] excessive intake, however, can cause a [4:41] condition known as selenosis. And the [4:43] dermatologic manifestations of selenosis [4:46] can be pretty striking. You can get [4:48] rapid, sometimes dramatic hair loss. [4:50] Patients also end up developing brittle [4:52] nails. There can be a rash. Systemic [4:54] symptoms can include gastrointestinal [4:56] problems, fatigue, a garlic-like odor to [4:59] the breath, and a metallic taste in the [5:01] mouth. So, imagine a patient who [5:03] presents with diffuse sudden hair loss [5:05] that's painless. You might initially [5:07] think they're dealing with a tilogen of [5:09] you might think maybe they got thyroid [5:11] disease. I'll check that. You might even [5:12] think iron deficiency. Check some laps. [5:14] Look around the scalp for more [5:16] distinctive signs of alopecia ariata. [5:18] Nope. Medication? Nope. Uh, and what if [5:21] the patient recently started taking a [5:23] hair growth supplement? Well, that's [5:25] important because many quote unquote [5:27] hair growth supplements aren't just one [5:29] supplement, but many and often contain [5:31] selenium cuz you know it's good for [5:33] hair. Well, uh, in the right dose, [5:36] selenium toxicity is not just [5:38] theoretical. There have been outbreaks [5:40] from misformulated supplements [5:43] containing dramatically more selenium [5:45] than the label indicated. The NIH [5:47] describes a 2008 outbreak in which a [5:49] liquid supplement contained [5:50] approximately 200 times the labeled [5:53] amount of selenium and caused severe [5:54] adverse reactions. Brazil nuts have a [5:56] very high amount of selenium. The NIH [5:59] estimates approximately 68 to 91 [6:01] micrograms per nut, though that's going [6:04] to vary depending on where the nut is [6:06] coming from, the time of the year, etc. [6:07] Um, so if someone in other words is [6:09] taking selenium containing supplement, a [6:11] multivitamin and consuming a lot of [6:13] Brazil nuts, that could really really [6:15] put them over the edge and that is a [6:17] scenario where it's a perfect example [6:19] actually where might say it's natural. [6:22] It's not going to hurt. But selenium is [6:24] very natural and it absolutely can hurt [6:26] if you get too much of it. The other one [6:27] I want to talk about is particularly [6:29] important and uncomfortable if you [6:30] experience it. It is the nascin flush. [6:33] So uh nascin is vitamin B3. It's found [6:35] in foods, fortified products. It is [6:38] often, for reasons I, you know, I don't [6:40] entirely understand, pumped into at a [6:43] godly levels into the energy drinks, [6:45] which have really, really taken off. [6:47] Coffee's got really expensive, though. A [6:49] lot of people are preferring these [6:50] energy drinks these days. They often [6:52] pack a mega B3 dose. They're also [6:55] putting them in the pre-workout drinks [6:57] as well. And at high doses, the [6:59] nicotinic acid can cause a niacin flush, [7:02] make your face, your neck, your upper [7:04] chest suddenly become uncomfortable and [7:06] itchy. This is a pharmacologic effect, [7:08] not necessarily an allergic reaction. [7:10] However, the important issue for [7:11] dermatologists, however, is that [7:13] patients may not think of an energy [7:14] drink as a dietary supplement, right? [7:16] Cuz you're drinking it and yeah, it's [7:18] for the caffeine, but it tastes like [7:21] strawberry slushie or caramel apple for [7:23] Halloween. They may not think of it as a [7:25] pre-workout powder or a dietary [7:27] supplement, but it it's a fortified [7:30] dietary supplement with a lot of multi a [7:32] lot of vitamins going on in there. So, [7:34] when someone presents with unexplained [7:36] flushing, redness, you know, you might [7:38] be thinking, do they have rosacea? If [7:40] you just hear that history, you might [7:41] start asking them about their alcohol [7:42] intake. Um maybe wondering about [7:44] photosensitivity too. Does this come out [7:46] when you go outside? Come to find out, [7:47] they've been pumping back the Alani news [7:49] left and right. And well, they got a lot [7:51] of nascin in their system. That's the [7:53] issue, you know, because it's being [7:54] added to things and then you maybe [7:55] taking a multivitamin with it, you can [7:57] easily tip the balance and and get [7:59] yourself a red face and that's pretty [8:01] uncomfortable if you've ever [8:02] experienced. Not life-threatening, but [8:04] you can see how it's important to [8:05] recognize. Zinc is another supplement [8:07] that really gets hyped up a lot. [8:08] Granted, it's a beneficial ingredient, [8:11] we'll say, for the health of your skin [8:13] for sure. And there are a few [8:14] dermatologic situations where zinc [8:16] supplementation might actually help [8:18] quite a bit like acne although that [8:19] remains a bit debatable as well as [8:21] hydraadinitis puritiva. Nonetheless, you [8:24] can definitely have too much of a good [8:25] thing here and it often gets marketed [8:27] for vague things like immune support, [8:29] skin health, acne, hair growth, wound [8:32] healing, general wellness. Because it's [8:34] an essential nutrient, people think what [8:36] harm could come from supplementing it. [8:38] Uh it's natural, right? Taking more zinc [8:40] does not produce better health. Uh [8:42] unless you are zinc deficient, check out [8:45] my video on warning signs of zinc [8:46] deficiency. Uh prolonged excessive zinc [8:49] intake can actually cause quite a bit of [8:51] harm because it interferes with the [8:53] absorption of something else your body [8:55] needs, your skin really needs, and that [8:57] is copper. The adult upper limit for [8:59] zinc is 40 milligrams per day from all [9:02] sources. Higher doses may sometimes be [9:05] used medically under supervision, but [9:07] when excessive, that zinc can interfere [9:09] with the copper absorption. you can [9:11] develop copper deficiency. Copper [9:13] deficiency, I have a whole video on the [9:14] warning signs of that, can cause anemia, [9:17] neutropenia, that's a white cells [9:18] getting too low, make you vulnerable to [9:20] infection, and in more advanced cases [9:23] can be damaging to your nervous system. [9:25] From a dermatologist perspective, the [9:27] other thing we might see with a copper [9:28] deficiency secondary to zinc excess is [9:31] uh pigmentaryary abnormalities, hair [9:33] changes, poor wound healing, fragile [9:36] skin. These are all potential clues. So, [9:38] if a patient says, "Yeah, I've been [9:39] taking zinc for my hair." But they're [9:41] now experiencing these unexplained hair [9:43] or pigmentaryary changes. I want to know [9:45] exactly how much zinc are you taking [9:47] because I'm starting to worry that [9:49] you've made yourself copper deficient in [9:51] in doing so. Um, it may not be the need [9:53] for more zinc. It may be the need to [9:55] back off the zinc and make sure your [9:57] copper gets where it needs to go. And [9:59] it's not simply a matter of if you take [10:01] a zinc supplement, take a copper [10:03] supplement. It doesn't work like that [10:04] either. You need to just make sure that [10:06] a zinc supplement is indicated. If it's [10:08] not, don't mess with it. Then we've got [10:11] protein supplements and acne. This is [10:13] kind of a little bit of a tricky thing [10:15] to parse out what's going on here. [10:17] Protein supplements, I mean, used to [10:19] just be the powders, popular in [10:21] bodybuilding, but now they are pumping [10:23] protein supplementation into anything [10:25] that'll sit still long enough. Pretty [10:26] soon you're going to have protein [10:28] infused toothpaste, protein infused [10:30] mouthwash. Your shampoo has already got [10:32] protein in it. Protein tampon, you name [10:34] it. Here's the thing. We started [10:36] observing um in small observational [10:38] studies, which are not perfect [10:40] indicators by any means, okay? [10:42] Association doesn't prove causation, but [10:45] an association with the consumption of [10:46] whey protein and exacerbations of in of [10:49] acne. It's biologically plausible [10:51] because of whey proteins effects on [10:53] something called IGF-1 and insulin which [10:56] are known to signal to the sebaceous oil [10:59] gland to produce more more oil. So it's [11:01] like duh of course acne is going to get [11:03] worse but it's it's an area with some [11:05] uncertainty because what is it that [11:07] people who take protein supplements at [11:10] least at the time of a lot of these [11:11] studies in particular but still they [11:14] take a lot of protein supplements. Is [11:15] that the only supplement that they take? [11:17] Sometimes they take some other [11:19] supplements that they don't want to talk [11:20] about the the anabolic steroids and [11:23] those will give you acne and they can [11:25] give such a severe type of acne you end [11:27] up in the ICU because you're you've got [11:29] fever and it's destroying your bones. [11:31] I'm not I'm not making this up. Okay, [11:32] it's not as simple as saying don't drink [11:34] whey protein. Okay, I don't I don't [11:36] believe that. But be careful of the [11:38] protein powders. There might be [11:39] something there, especially if you're [11:40] doing a lot of the whey. But the other [11:42] thing, I don't know if they paid [11:43] attention to this at the time this [11:45] association was coming to to light, but [11:47] it's kind of hard a lot of times to find [11:49] a protein powder cuz I enjoy I do pea or [11:52] hemp seed protein myself and a smoothie [11:55] for taste mostly. You know, I like to [11:57] have it as a as a smoothie ingredient. I [11:59] I view it as a food. It's really hard to [12:01] find protein powders that are just the [12:03] protein powder and not they're always [12:05] putting in probiotics in there. Uh, [12:07] okay. As if that's going to do a ton of [12:10] the B vitamins. they just pump in there [12:12] and just all this other random stuff. It [12:14] can be hard to get a protein powder. I [12:16] mean, they exist, but you got to you got [12:17] to spend a lot of time researching [12:18] protein powders without dietary [12:21] supplements aside from the protein in [12:22] there. It's it's harder than it sounds. [12:24] Um, almost all protein powders I come [12:26] across, they've got an ungodly amount of [12:28] some supplement in there. So, [12:30] association doesn't prove causation, but [12:32] something to keep your eye out on for [12:34] sure. Like I said, the [12:35] performance-enhancing [12:37] supplements, anabolic steroids, they [12:39] will cause acne. They also can cause um [12:42] you to have uh malisthesia related skin [12:45] conditions because of the excess sebum, [12:46] seabriic dermatitis, tenia versaol, [12:49] pitosperm feliculitis, which the kids [12:52] these days call fungal acne and it can [12:54] cause miniaturization of the hair [12:56] follicles leading to uh you know onset [12:59] of more rapidly more severe androgenetic [13:01] alopecia. Of course, there's stretch [13:03] marks as well. And for women, the signs [13:06] of androgen excess, viralization, you [13:08] get heretism, hair growth in an unwanted [13:11] pattern. Those supplements, those [13:13] substances can absolutely absolutely [13:15] drive this. And you know, social media [13:18] definitely feeds into this because um it [13:20] used to just be that the anabolic [13:22] steroid thing was like solely in the [13:24] bodybuilding community. At least that [13:26] was a perception back in like the early [13:28] 2000s, '90s, '8s. Um, you know, you'd [13:30] always hear about roid rage and it would [13:32] always be talking about a bodybuilder [13:34] and you'd be like, "Oh, okay." Seems [13:36] like every young kid on social media is [13:37] pumping themselves full of that. Zero [13:39] interest in bodybuilding as well. They [13:41] just want to look smack or look good or [13:43] I I don't know. It's become it's become [13:46] one of those uh echo chambers, likely [13:48] driven by social isolation and [13:50] self-esteem issues. Um, lots of issues [13:53] going on on social media that lead [13:54] people down those rabbit holes for sure. [13:57] But yeah, it definitely can backfire. I [13:59] I caution about the anabolic steroid use [14:02] for sure. What does this mean though for [14:04] you guys? It means that supplements, you [14:06] know, you got to start looking at them [14:08] with the level of scrutiny that you look [14:10] at pharmaceuticals. If supplements do [14:12] anything, they work like drugs. They [14:14] they they don't just pass through you [14:16] like the tooth fairy, like mother [14:18] nature, you know, dancing on like a [14:21] pixie in the rainforest. Okay? If they [14:23] do anything, they're going to be working [14:25] like a pharmaceutical. But in contrast [14:27] to the pharmaceuticals, there's not the [14:29] dosing establishment. There's not the [14:30] adverse event profile reporting [14:32] requirement uh let alone the pregnancy [14:35] safety reporting testing or the purity, [14:38] the quality. And they're not required to [14:41] put it in a meaningful form or establish [14:43] what the meaningful form of delivery is. [14:45] They're not required to really clarify [14:47] who is going to respond as if we all [14:50] respond at all times of our lives [14:52] identically to a given supplement. I I [14:55] mean if you believe that doesn't make a [14:56] whole lot of sense to me. Just like you [14:58] know if you've got psoriasis you can [15:00] benefit quite a bit from a course of [15:02] methtoresate doesn't mean everybody [15:04] needs to be taking methtoresate for skin [15:06] health now does it? No. Okay that's [15:08] stupid. Same holds true for supplements [15:10] cuz I know a lot of people go down the [15:11] supplement hole because they don't trust [15:13] pharmaceuticals. But I just want you to [15:15] know there's no reason to put all of [15:17] your trust in the supplement industry [15:19] either. It's worth a heck of a lot more [15:21] money than the pharmaceutical industry. [15:23] Less regulation. And there's more [15:24] incentive for people to sell you lies in [15:27] the dietary supplement industry than big [15:29] pharma has. Yeah. Be just a skeptical. [15:30] If you're anti-farmaceutical, you need [15:32] to be anti or supplement skeptic as [15:35] well. Okay. Otherwise, you're you're [15:37] just pledging allegiance to one flag [15:39] versus the other. Natural does not mean [15:41] safe. Have you guys ever read Hatchet [15:43] when you were a kid? Okay. A lot of [15:45] stuff is natural. I don't want to be [15:46] messing around with. Okay. Thank you, [15:48] Gary Pollson, for the heads up. I do not [15:50] want to be messing around with, you [15:52] know, the all that nature stuff. Keep [15:54] that in the woods. Keep that in the [15:56] woods with the beavers and the bear. [15:58] Okay. What should you do, though? [16:00] Because genuinely, there are [16:01] circumstances where supplements are not [16:03] only helpful, but necessary with true [16:05] deficiency. Let your doctor guide that [16:08] decision-making. Okay. Um, contrary to [16:10] popular belief, we do get a lot more [16:11] nutritional education than you may be [16:13] led to believe, especially when it comes [16:15] to the warning signs and the treatment [16:18] of uh, nutritional deficiencies. And [16:20] when we're not sure, we can always phone [16:22] a friend, aka the registered dietitians. [16:24] They're the real champions when it comes [16:26] to, you know, correcting these things [16:27] and building diets around them, [16:29] especially for people who maybe have [16:31] underlying health problems that make [16:32] getting certain nutrients a lot harder, [16:34] like inflammatory bowel disease or [16:36] something of that sort. Okay. Likewise, [16:38] if you are on one of these medications [16:40] for weight [snorts] management that, you [16:42] know, have become really popular in [16:43] recent years, you've got some very [16:45] specific nutritional needs and your [16:46] doctor may have advised you to take a [16:48] dietary supplement. Maybe a protein [16:50] powder. Okay? Maybe in your researching [16:52] protein powders, you came across this [16:53] acne connection and now you're [16:54] concerned. So hopefully this video, you [16:56] know, clarified, not necessarily uh [16:58] clear there, but just be mindful, you [17:00] know, and and look out for other [17:02] ingredients in your protein powders, in [17:04] your supplements, and be skeptical of uh [17:07] supplement claims, just as many of you [17:09] are with uh the pharmaceutical industry. [17:11] All right, y'all. Um I'm getting the [17:13] blinky light on my camera cuz I've [17:14] yapped too much. So editing fun for me [17:17] up ahead. But I hope you guys enjoyed [17:19] today's video. Check out the playlist of [17:21] dietary supplements and skin that I've [17:23] got here cuz I got a lot in there. If [17:25] you've got whatabouts, what about what [17:26] about what about x supplement probably [17:28] have a video on the what about? All [17:30] right, so check the playlist. Um I also [17:31] have a video playlist on diets and skin [17:34] and your diet and skin. So those of you [17:36] come here for the first time or like she [17:38] never talks about diet, dude, I got a [17:39] whole playlist a whole playlist on food [17:41] in your face. Okay, so watch those [17:43] videos before you judge. But if you [17:45] enjoyed today's video, give it a thumbs [17:47] up, share it with your friends, and as [17:48] always, don't forget sunscreen and [17:50] subscribe. I'll talk to you guys [17:51] tomorrow. Bye. [17:55] [music] [18:09] [music]