A Roper St. Francis Healthcare physician shares information about health supplements. | Photo via Pexels
Green powders, pills, and potions, oh my. Social media is saturated with claims from wellness influencers and athletes that the latest, beautifully packaged product is the key to unlocking a healthier, more vibrant life.
But are health supplements truly the game-changers they’re touted to be?
Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Dr. Matthew DeMarco, a primary care physician and athlete with an interest in health and human performance, shares some insights.
Popular belief vs. scientific evidence
“The history of vitamins and supplements can be traced back hundreds of years,” says Dr. DeMarco. “An impactful example of that history in the US is Linus Pauling, the chemist who first championed vitamin C. Early clinical trials conducted to test its efficacy in treating colds and later, cancer, yielded disappointing results.”
Yet, Pauling continued to promote it, and people gobbled it up — revealing a contrast between popular belief and scientific evidence.
Unregulated claims
Many claims made by the manufacturers of vitamins and supplements are unproven. “The industry is unregulated, so they can say whatever they want. Their claims aren’t backed by the type of rigorous research that pharmaceutical drugs go through because they don’t have to be approved by the FDA,” says Dr. DeMarco.
Consider collagen, one of the most popular supplements today. “While the data supports that taking it is beneficial for beauty, the evidence that it will support joint/cartilage repair is extremely weak, which is crazy because collagen worldwide is a $1.8 billion industry,” he says.
He says while it’s possible that things like plant-based powders, ashwagandha, and elderberry elixirs could offer some minor benefits, keep reading for six fundamental elements of healthy living that can truly move the needle.
Which type of content did you most like reading about in CHSwellness? A. Healthy eats B. Active events C. Outdoor content D. Self-care E. Healthcare info from the experts
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Fittest of the Coast 2024 | Friday, January 19-Sunday, January 21 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Charleston Area Convention Center | $20-$30 | Spectate as athletes across various age groups and divisions compete in exercise-based events, and check out 20+ fitness vendors.
Hot Girl Walk & Stretch | Tuesday, January 23 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Gahagan Park, 184 West Boundary St., Summerville | Free | Join other women in the community for an evening of fitness and fun with a stroll through the trails at Gahagan Park.
Save the Light Half Marathon and 5K | Saturday, February 3 | 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Folly Beach Fishing Pier | $45-$65 | Registration is open through January 31 for this half marathon + 5K run/walk in support of the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse.
Outdoors
Forest Bathing Fridays | Friday, January 19 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5800 Savannah Hwy., Ravenel | $9 | Join a naturalist for a stroll into a local forest + a chance to connect with nature using all five senses.
Sunset Moonrise Beach Walk | Thursday, January 25 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Folly Beach County Park, 1100 W. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach | $9 | Enjoy a walk along the southwest end of Folly Beach and watch the sunset + full moon rise.
Family
Johns Island Youth Basketball Clinic | Saturday, January 20 | 10-11:30 a.m. | St. John’s Basketball Gymnasium, 1518 Main Rd., Johns Island | $15 | Kids ages 7-12 are invited to learn basketball fundamentals like ball handling, shooting, passing, and more.
Home
Edible Garden Series: Plant Propagation | Thursday, January 25 | 12-2 p.m. | 2865 Savannah Hwy. | Free | Learn about various methods of plant propagation, with a focus on native plants, fruit trees, and shrubs.
We want to give a huge thank you to our CHSwellness sponsor, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, for fueling this newsletter and sharing their expert knowledge over the last year.
We’ve learned so much about Charleston’s health and wellness communities over the last year — and we want to keep learning.
So let us know what you like, what you don’t like, and what you want to see more of in the future via this two-minute poll.
In case you missed it: A new Charleston County Park will be developed near Bradham Road on James Island. The park will provide easy public access to the Stono River, a freshwater pond, and more. (ABC News 4)
Eat
Over the weekend, National Gluten Free Day (Jan. 13) got us thinking — with so many restaurants in Charleston, it’s hard to know where to go for good gluten free food. Whether you’re hungry for a sandwich, a slice, or something sweet, this list is our holy grail for gluten free eats in CHS.
Did you know January is National Blood Donor Month? You can do your part by registering for The Blood Connection’s upcoming blood drive at Two Blokes Brewing on Sunday, January 28. Pro tip: All donors will receive a $40 gift card for their contribution.
Wellness
Sleep specialists say just three to four nights of poor sleep can cause irritability, weight gain, anxiety, and more. Read about sleep habits you can implement to promote a good night’s rest and support your brain function, memory + mood.
Active
If movement and mental health are at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list, this is for you: We’ve rounded up 20+ local yoga studios to get your fix of exercise, breathwork, and zen.
