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A new Vox report examined how Americans began taking so many supplements.
The report traced the rise of pills, powders, and tinctures in US culture (Vox).

Americans now take supplements at very high rates.
The latest national data show about 58 percent of US adults took supplements in the past month (CDC).

A few high-quality trials now challenge common assumptions about supplements.
A major randomized trial found no benefit and possible harm from some single high-dose antioxidants (SELECT trial).

America’s dramatic transformation into a supplement-obsessed society offers sobering warnings for Thailand’s rapidly modernizing healthcare landscape, where educated urban families increasingly turn to pills and powders seeking quick solutions to complex health challenges. Comprehensive analysis reveals how sophisticated marketing campaigns, regulatory loopholes, and cultural shifts toward instant gratification have created a multibillion-dollar industry that often prioritizes profit over proven health benefits.

This American experience carries urgent relevance for Thai families, where social media influences, rising disposable incomes, and Western lifestyle aspirations intersect with traditional healing practices in ways that could either enhance or undermine public health outcomes. Understanding how Americans became captivated by supplement promises provides crucial insights for Thai policymakers, healthcare providers, and families navigating increasingly complex nutritional choices.

US health officials have launched a major crackdown on kratom-related products, targeting an opioid-like compound known as 7-hydroxymitragynine—often called “7-OH”—after a surge of complaints from the dietary supplement industry and growing safety concerns among regulators and medical experts. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its intention to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it on par with substances like LSD and heroin, and recommending a nationwide ban pending Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) review (WBRZ; Yahoo News; FDA).

Daily use of pre-workout supplements—commonplace among fitness-minded Thais and athletes—may not be as risk-free or effective as many believe, according to recent research and expert guidance. While these supplements are marketed for energy, strength, and performance, relying on them daily can cause diminishing returns, potential health risks, and a dependency that shifts the very nature of exercise motivation, new studies and international experts caution (Verywell Health).

Thailand’s booming fitness culture is mirrored in Bangkok’s bustling gyms and the popularity of national sporting events, making the latest international research highly relevant locally. Many Thais use pre-workouts as powder, drinks, or pills to enhance workouts—sometimes without fully considering the risks or regulations. As global sports nutrition finds its place in the Thai urban landscape, understanding the safety and effectiveness of supplement routines has never been more important.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug approval process would allow new medications to be approved “very, very quickly,” according to a recent statement made by a prominent U.S. presidential candidate. The assertion, made at a high-profile live event, has ignited renewed debate about the potential of AI to revolutionize pharmaceutical regulation—raising questions of safety, ethics, and global implications, including for Thailand’s own drug approval landscape.

A dramatic rise in cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) linked to herbal and dietary supplements in the United States is prompting renewed scrutiny of the global supplement industry—a warning that Thai consumers should heed as these products grow in popularity at home. Recent research referenced by NBC News highlights an eightfold increase in supplement-related liver transplants in the U.S. over the past 25 years, with experts cautioning that “natural” does not always equal safe (NBC News).

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to ban a widely used supplement marketed for children over mounting evidence linking its consumption to cases of brain damage, according to several major news outlets including New York Post. The move raises immediate concerns for Thai families, doctors, and educators, as Thailand’s urban middle class has long trended toward American-style supplement use for children, in hopes of boosting learning and health outcomes.

In a sweeping new directive, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market, raising concerns and debate among dental health professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. The move is driven by new scrutiny over the potential impact of systemic fluoride on children’s gut health and overall development, but it contradicts decades of dental best practices and global recommendations for caries prevention. As Thailand continues to battle high rates of childhood dental decay, this decision has important implications for local public health strategies.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is engaging in active discussions with technology company OpenAI as part of a broader push to modernize drug evaluation with artificial intelligence. According to recent reporting by Wired, such collaboration could mark a pivotal shift in how new medicines are reviewed—potentially reducing the time it takes to bring life-saving drugs to market, and setting global trends that are closely watched in Thailand and across Asia Wired.

As the cost of groceries rises and quick meal options are in high demand, canned tuna remains a popular staple in the pantries of households across the globe—including Thailand. Lauded for its convenience, protein content, and long shelf life, canned tuna often stars in salads, sandwiches, and school lunchboxes. Yet as new research suggests, the decision to make canned tuna a daily habit deserves a closer look, especially for health-conscious Thais and vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.