--- title: The 3 Worst Supplements (Don’t Take These) description: Discover the hidden dangers of synthetic supplements like folic acid, ascorbic acid, and B-complex vitamins, and learn how to choose safer alternatives. image: https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/close-up%20of%20acetyl%20l-carnitine%20pills.%20dietary%20concept.%20dietary%20supplement%20topview.%20-1.jpg --- [![DrJanine_Logo](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DrJanine_Logo.png?width=100&height=38&name=DrJanine_Logo.png "DrJanine_Logo")](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/) [![DrJanine_Logo](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DrJanine_Logo.png?width=150&height=57&name=DrJanine_Logo.png "DrJanine_Logo")](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/) - [Latest Book](https://drjaninebowring-21916563.hubspotpagebuilder.com/the-lost-medicine) - [Home](https://www.drjaninebowring.com) - Health & Wellness - [Detox](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/detox) - [Weight Loss](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/weight-loss) - 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[Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com) [✕](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these#mnmd-offcanvas-primary) - [Latest Book](https://drjaninebowring-21916563.hubspotpagebuilder.com/the-lost-medicine) - [Home](https://www.drjaninebowring.com) - Health & Wellness - [Detox](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/detox) - [Weight Loss](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/weight-loss) - [Warning Signs](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/warning-signs) - [Women's Health](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/womens-health) - [Recipes](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/recipes) - [Breakfast](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/breakfast) - [Dessert](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/desserts) - [Beverages](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/beverages) - [Beauty](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/beauty) - [About](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/about) - [SHOP Vitatree](https://us.vitatree.com) [B-Complex](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/b-complex) [supplement](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/supplement) [vitamin C](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/vitamin-c) [toxic ingredients](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/toxic-ingredients) [folic acid](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/folic-acid) [ascorbic acid](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/ascorbic-acid) # The 3 Worst Supplements (Don’t Take These) Discover the hidden dangers of synthetic supplements like folic acid, ascorbic acid, and B-complex... ![Dr Janine Bowring ND](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/facebook%20profile%20JB%202020.jpg) By [Dr Janine Bowring ND](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/author/dr-janine-bowring-nd) 23 Jan 2025 - [Share](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these) - [Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these) ![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/close-up%20of%20acetyl%20l-carnitine%20pills.%20dietary%20concept.%20dietary%20supplement%20topview.%20-1.jpg) ### Introduction There are three supplements you should never take, and this is something I want you to be aware of, especially when it comes to the vitamin industry. A lot of people don’t realize this. #### Folic Acid Stress vitamins, often marketed to people looking to relieve stress or boost their B vitamin intake, can be problematic. Specifically, folic acid—often included in these supplements—is not a natural substance. It’s chemically derived, often from the petrochemical industry. Folic acid is not the same as folate, which is naturally found in green vegetables and leafy greens. Some research has shown that folic acid may actually increase the risk of certain diseases, so it’s important to be aware of that. #### Ascorbic Acid Unless it specifically says it comes from a natural source, ascorbic acid in your vitamin C tablets, capsules, or chewables is likely synthetically derived. This is typically done using genetically modified corn and a strong acid to extract the ascorbic acid. This can be problematic, especially if it’s in tablet form, as the acid can be damaging to your teeth. So, always check your vitamin labels—if it just says "ascorbic acid" and isn’t from a whole food source, it’s not natural. #### B-Complex Vitamins B complex vitamins, often taken for stress, can actually cause stress for me—and why is that? Because they’re typically derived from the petrochemical industry, so they’re not something I recommend. When looking for vitamins, make sure they’re whole food-based, not synthetically derived, and free from fillers and flow agents. Watch out for ingredients like magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide. You really need to understand the vitamin industry inside and out, like I do, to know what you’re truly taking. And of course, anything you’re ingesting for your health should be as natural and close to nature as possible. For information on what vitamins should never be taken together, please check out my video: '[10 Vitamins You Should Never Take Together](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EX3YlBaF8Q)'. I’ll see you there! ### Connect with Dr Janine Bowring N.D     - [Share](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these) - [Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v25/the-3-worst-supplements-dont-take-these) - [B-Complex](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/b-complex) - [supplement](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/supplement) - [vitamin C](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/vitamin-c) - [toxic ingredients](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/toxic-ingredients) - [folic acid](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/folic-acid) - [ascorbic acid](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/ascorbic-acid) ![Dr Janine Bowring ND](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/facebook%20profile%20JB%202020.jpg) [Dr Janine Bowring ND](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/author/dr-janine-bowring-nd) Dr Janine Bowring is a doctor, researcher, author formulator, television personality, mother & speaker on all things natural. - - ### How to Choose a Probiotic [Previous article](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v15/how-to-choose-a-probiotic) ### The Hidden Dangers in Your Supplements [Next article](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v06/the-hidden-dangers-in-your-supplements) [![SIDEBAR-02-CFL-Immune-Support](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/SIDEBAR-02-CFL-Immune-Support.jpg "SIDEBAR-02-CFL-Immune-Support")](https://us.vitatree.com/immune-support/) #### Trending News - [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/THE%20LOST%20MEDICINE%20BANNER.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v15/introducing-the-lost-medicine) [The Lost Medicine](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/the-lost-medicine) ### [Dr. Janine's Newest Book, The Lost Medicine](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v15/introducing-the-lost-medicine) - [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/J9CON230178-SEG-VITAMINS%20SUPPLEMENTS-SUPPLEMENTS%20YOU%20SHOULD%20NEVER%20TAKE%20WITH%20COFFEE%20BLOG.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/magnesium/vitamind/vitaminb/supplements-you-should-never-take-with-coffee) [supplement](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/supplement) ### [Supplements You Should NEVER Take with Coffee](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/magnesium/vitamind/vitaminb/supplements-you-should-never-take-with-coffee) - [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2223896623.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v21/3-early-warning-signs-you-have-parasites) [Parasite Protocol](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/parasite-protocol) ### [3 Early Warning Signs You Have Parasites](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v21/3-early-warning-signs-you-have-parasites) #### Trending News - [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/Puking%20Asian%20woman%20experiencing%20motion%20sickness%20and%20vomiting%20during%20travel%2c%20vomit%20bags%2c%20nausea%2c%20travel%20sickness.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v23/5-tips-for-motion-sickness) [Quercetin](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/quercetin) ### [5 Tips for Motion Sickness](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v23/5-tips-for-motion-sickness) - [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/close-up%20of%20acetyl%20l-carnitine%20pills.%20dietary%20concept.%20dietary%20supplement%20topview.%20.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v47/zinc-deficiency-why-you-should-care) [Zinc](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/zinc) ### [Zinc Deficiency: Why You Should Care](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v47/zinc-deficiency-why-you-should-care) - [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/effb1ad1-8fe0-4d05-bc77-0e7b8e8e1a6c.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v60/boost-your-brain-power-5-best-supplements) [Turmeric](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/turmeric) ### [Boost Your Brain Power: 5 Best Supplements](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/v60/boost-your-brain-power-5-best-supplements) #### Related news [![](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/hubfs/J9CON230178-SEG-VITAMINS%20SUPPLEMENTS-SUPPLEMENTS%20YOU%20SHOULD%20NEVER%20TAKE%20WITH%20COFFEE%20BLOG.jpg)](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/magnesium/vitamind/vitaminb/supplements-you-should-never-take-with-coffee) [supplement](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/tag/supplement) ### [Supplements You Should NEVER Take with Coffee](https://www.drjaninebowring.com/en/blog/magnesium/vitamind/vitaminb/supplements-you-should-never-take-with-coffee) If you're like most people, you probably enjoy starting your day with a cup of coffee. 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