Health-claims

Food supplements are regulated differently from medicines in the UK and EU, with no requirement to prove efficacy before sale. This article explains how to identify evidence-based supplements from those relying on marketing claims, using the regulatory framework and evidence hierarchy as a guide.

Weight loss product and programme reviews are subject to numerous biases that make them unreliable guides to what actually works. This article explains the specific sources of bias in consumer reviews, how to identify them, and where to find more reliable evidence.

UK food supplements are regulated under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 — safety is required; efficacy is not. EFSA health claims require pre-authorisation under Regulation 1924/2006 (retained UK law). This article provides a practical framework for evaluating whether a supplement is evidence-based: checking EFSA claim status, active ingredient dose, and category of evidence.

Thailand has a significant dietary supplement market with its own regulatory framework through the Thai FDA. This article covers the Thai supplement regulatory system, the specific risks associated with the Thai supplement market, traditional Thai herbs with evidence, and how to evaluate products safely.

The UK dietary supplement market has expanded rapidly, with thousands of products making health claims of varying credibility. This article provides a systematic framework for evaluating supplement products — covering regulatory standards, evidence quality, red flags, and reliable sources of independent information.