The billion-dollar health habit you might not need at all
Walk into any pharmacy, supermarket, or “wellness” store and you’ll find an entire wall of shiny bottles promising more energy, better sleep, glowing skin, sharper focus—and, if you believe the marketing, a ticket to immortality. The supplement industry has mastered the art of making good health look like something you can buy in a capsule, no matter who you are or what your diet looks like. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of us are swallowing these promises without asking the most basic question—do I actually need this? In far too many cases, we’re taking vitamins without ever testing for deficiencies, chasing the comforting belief that you can’t have too much of a good thing. The reality? Not only can you have too much, but it can tip from “health boost” to outright harm—and sometimes, as in the case of vitamin B6 toxicity now in the spotlight, that harm is lasting.
The Other Big Industry Hiding in Plain Sight
The global complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) sector—vitamins, herbal blends, powders, tinctures, and the occasional glow-boosting mushroom coffee—is worth billions. It’s built on the image of being the “natural” alternative to Big Pharma, appealing to those wary of conventional medicine. But behind the green packaging and wholesome branding, many of the same profit-driven strategies are at play: celebrity endorsements, exaggerated claims, and campaigns that turn the possibility of deficiency into a certainty in the customer’s mind. And the irony? In some cases, the profits flow right back to the pharmaceutical giants it claims to resist, through cross-ownership, licensing agreements, or outright acquisitions. The “alternative” isn’t always as independent as it looks.
When “More” Becomes “Too Much”
Recent headlines have thrown a spotlight on the dangers of unmonitored supplement use. Blackmores, one of Australia’s biggest vitamin brands, is facing a class action after allegations that its products delivered excessive doses of vitamin B6—sometimes more than 20 times the recommended daily amount—causing neurological damage in otherwise healthy consumers. The recommended daily intake for adults hovers around 1–1.7 mg. Too much, even of a water-soluble vitamin like B6, can cause peripheral neuropathy—nerve damage that may result in pain, tingling, or numbness, and in some cases, long-term impairment. This isn’t fringe speculation; it’s well-documented science. Yet high-dose products remain widely available over the counter, no testing required.
Nutrition Isn’t a Shortcut—It’s a Lifestyle
Supplements are designed to supplement—not replace—good nutrition. For most healthy adults with varied diets and regular activity, micronutrient needs are met naturally through food. Real food also delivers fibre, phytochemicals, and other compounds you won’t find in capsules. But the “pill as a safety net” mindset can dull our motivation to cook, try new ingredients, or even think critically about what we eat. It’s a convenience culture that can edge us further from the habits that actually sustain long-term health.
The Environmental Cost We Don’t See on the Label
Beyond the health debate, there’s the issue of waste. Each supplement bottle—often made from single-use plastic—travels from factory to warehouse to store shelf before ending up in landfill. Millions of these containers are sold and discarded every year, many for products that were never truly needed. While some are recyclable, not all councils accept them due to their small size, mixed materials, or residual contents. In practice, this means a significant portion of “wellness” packaging quietly joins the stream of long-term waste. For an industry that markets itself on self-care, it’s an awkward blind spot in caring for the planet.
The Bottom Line
Supplements absolutely have a place—when they’re targeted, evidence-based, and guided by a clear medical need. If you’re deficient in iron, B12, vitamin D, or another essential nutrient, supplementation can be crucial for restoring balance and preventing serious health issues. But in most cases, without testing and clear indicators, the only thing running low will be your bank balance. Eat widely, move often, and test before you swallow—because good health is rarely found in a bottle, and certainly not in a landfill.
