The False Cause Fallacy: Why Influencers Get It Wrong About Supplements
If the internet handed out gold medals for bad advice wrapped in good intentions, wellness influencers would be standing on the podium. Here’s their logic bombshell:
"To know if a supplement works, take it for a month or two. Then stop. If you feel worse, it was working. If you don’t notice any difference, you don’t need it."
It’s the health equivalent of saying, “If you want to test if your parachute is working, just cut the cords mid-air and see what happens.” Genius. Truly. Just brilliant.
As a diehard (and long-suffering) Chicago Bears fan, I know all too well the dangers of flawed thinking. After decades of mediocrity, I’ve often found myself pondering if supplements—or, let’s be honest, drugs—could save my team. Can we get the McCaskey family on some omega-3s for better decision-making? Vitamin D for the offensive line? Maybe just pump the whole organization full of nootropics and call it a rebuild.
Unfortunately, much like the Bears, these influencer-approved “tests” for supplements fundamentally misunderstand how things are supposed to work.
Supplements Are Preventative, Not Reactive
Here’s the thing: supplements aren’t there to swoop in and save the day like some magical nanny when your three kids (6, 4, and 2) simultaneously melt down—one demanding mac and cheese, another screaming about a missing stuffed otter, and the youngest scaling the Christmas tree.
They’re more like teaching your kids good habits: brushing their teeth, eating vegetables, and not licking the playground equipment. You don’t see the payoff immediately, but later, you’re grateful when their teeth aren’t rotting, and they’re not bringing home every cold from school. Supplements work the same way: quiet, preventative wins that pay off in the long run.
Examples of Preventative Benefits
- Vitamin D: Essential for bone health and immune support. It’s like flossing your teeth—no immediate fireworks, but future-you thanks you when you avoid a root canal (or a hip replacement).
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: They reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health. Will they stop me from panicking during a breakfast-turned-WWE smackdown? Probably not. But they might help me live long enough to actually drink a cup of coffee while it’s still hot.
- Probiotics: Your gut health influences your brain, immunity, and overall well-being. Think of them as a good housekeeper for your insides—tidying up and keeping things running smoothly, even if nobody throws them a parade.
In short: supplements play the long game. They’re more like planting a tree than duct-taping a hole in the roof during a thunderstorm. Sure, it’s not flashy, but the payoff is stronger, longer-lasting, and doesn’t leave you scrambling later.
Nutritional Benefits Are Cumulative
Your body doesn’t send an alarm when it’s low on zinc, nor does it celebrate when your magnesium levels are ideal. Proper nutrition accumulates over time, much like teaching your kids to say “please” and “thank you.” It takes consistency and patience, but eventually, it becomes second nature.
False Cause Fallacy in Action
Stopping a supplement to “test” it is like ditching sunscreen because you haven’t gotten sunburned recently. Sure, nothing seems to happen at first—but give it time, and the consequences will show up, whether it’s wrinkles, skin damage, or worse.
Why Are We Conditioned to Think This Way?
Blame the quick fixes. From painkillers to fast food, we’ve trained ourselves to expect instant gratification. Pop a pill, feel better, move on. Supplements, however, are more like therapy—you don’t leave your first session with all your issues resolved. It takes months (sometimes years) of consistent work before you see lasting results.
This disconnect creates skepticism: supplements don’t have the dramatic “aha!” moment we expect, but they quietly work to build resilience over time.
A Better Framework for Evaluating Supplements
To make smarter decisions about supplements, we need a new approach:
- Understand Their Purpose: Supplements aren’t magic pills; they’re tools for long-term health. Think of them as maintaining a complex machine—you wouldn’t skip oil changes and expect your car to last.
- Set Realistic Expectations: You might not feel the effects immediately, but that doesn’t mean they’re not working. It’s like planting a tree: the benefits grow stronger with time.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about specific nutrients from credible, science-backed sources—not from TikTok influencers who also sell collagen gummies and cartoon-character vitamins. Cute marketing doesn’t equal good advice.
- Be Consistent: Supplements are a habit, not a quick fix. You don’t get fit by doing one push-up and declaring victory. It’s about showing up every day and trusting the process.
Final Thoughts
The next time someone suggests stopping your supplements to “test” them, ask if they’d recommend unplugging their smoke detectors to see if they’re really necessary. Just because the house hasn’t burned down doesn’t mean they’re useless.
Supplements are investments in your future health. They’re not flashy or immediate, but their impact is undeniable over time.
Take your vitamins. Build your health. And if you’re dealing with skeptics? Maybe take something for your patience, too. You’ll need it.
