These Wellness Products May Be Making You Unwell

The wellness industry offers a myriad of goods that are supposed to make us feel better. But what if some of them may have the opposite effect?

The global wellness industry was worth $6.32 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow to nearly $9.0 trillion by 2028. The industry is loosely defined, and its products and services range from fitness and supplements to beauty products and household items.

However, not all products can improve our emotional and physical well-being. In fact, some may be making us unwell.

Toxic workout clothes

Exercising plays an integral role in maintaining mental and physical health. However, some unexpected dangers may lurk in workout clothes. Two reports from 2022 indicated that workout leggings and yoga pants from popular brands contain PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals."

Exposure to certain levels of PFAS is associated with reproductive issues, a higher risk of some cancers, and interference with the hormone production in the body, among other health issues.

Chemicals called brominated flame retardants (BFRs) may be leaching from microplastics when in contact with human sweat, potentially making them available to be absorbed through the skin, according to a 2023 study. BFRs are commonly used in sportswear and outdoor clothes, among other things, to reduce the flammability of products made from plastics and textiles.

While brominated flame retardants aren’t classified as PFAS, they are potentially dangerous to human health, as they have been linked to endocrine disruption, thyroid dysfunction, toxic effects on the immune system, and cancer, among others.

What to choose instead

Look for clothes made of sustainably produced, minimally processed natural materials. You can also learn which states in the United States have already implemented bans on PFAS in textiles. If more sustainable or out-of-state purchases are not an option, use the Environmental Working Group's and the Natural Resources Defense Council's resources to learn which brands use PFAS in their products.

Protein powders

Protein is an essential building block of bones, muscles, and skin. A healthy adult may need 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of body weight, with higher amounts for those more physically active. As awareness of the nutrient's role in human health increases, consumers turn to protein supplements, including powders.

However, certain powders may come with health risks. Some products may contain large amounts of added sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

As with other supplements in the United States, protein powders are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being marketed. Such a lack of oversight allows toxic substances to go undetected.

When the Clean Label Project researchers tested 160 top-selling protein powder products, they found that many contained heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, often exceeding federal or state regulatory standards for safety.

What to choose instead

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., MPH, professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota, says people should be getting protein from food, unless there is a medical problem that is not allowing people to eat enough or absorb enough protein. Some dietary protein sources include meat and poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, and legumes.

According to Neumark Sztainer, people in the U.S. should be more concerned about getting enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less concerned about their protein intake.

PFAS-containing smartwatch bands

Smartwatches and fitness trackers, although often lacking accuracy, may help people exercise more. However, reliance on wrist-worn trackers may increase anxiety in some people, as they become too fixated on numbers and feel that their daily routines are controlled by the device.

A 2024 study published in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters screened 22 wristbands across different brands and price ranges. Of those, 19 were found to contain PFAS or "forever chemicals."

The chemical called PFHxA was found to be most common, appearing in nine of 22 tested wristbands. The median concentration of PFHxA in tested smartwatch bands was nearly 800 parts per billion (ppb), with one sample exceeding 16,000 ppb. The study authors noted that they have never seen concentrations higher than 1,000 ppb in any wearable consumer product applied to the skin.

In human studies, exposure to PFHxA is associated with negative effects on the liver, thyroid, blood pressure, and insulin resistance, among others. However, the knowledge on PFHxA dermal absorption is limited, and more research is needed to make definitive conclusions about its potential effects on humans.

What to choose instead

Bryan Berger, an associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Virginia, tells WellnessPulse that consumers should carefully check products advertised as water-repellent and find products that advertise the use of non-PFAS materials.

Paraffin candles

Videos of wellness influencers often feature scented candles that help create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. In 2022, the market for scented candles in the U.S. was valued at $145.0 million. This is not surprising, as solely looking at flames may make us feel better. A 2014 study found that watching the recording of a fire with sound resulted in decreased blood pressure and mental relaxation.

Paraffin is the most frequently used candle wax globally, according to the National Candle Association. Because paraffin is derived from petroleum, candles made of it release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toluene, and benzene.

Chronic inhalation of high toluene levels is associated with fatigue, sleepiness, headaches, and nausea. Meanwhile, chronic inhalation of benzene is linked to blood disorders and a higher risk of leukemia, as well as reproductive issues in women, such as irregular menstrual periods.

Fragrances in candles may also be releasing phthalates, associated with generalized headaches, coughing, shortness of breath, migraine headaches, asthma attacks, dermatitis, or allergic rhinitis.

Genny Carrillo, M.D., ScD, a director of the Program on Asthma and Research Education at Texas A&M University, tells WellnessPulse that whether the VOC levels emitted from paraffin candles can pose potential health risks depends on the number of candles used and the length of time that they are lit. Ventilation and individual sensitivity can also influence the extent of risks.

However, a 2015 study discovered that scented candles emit VOCs even before they are lit.

What to choose instead

When buying candles, it is critical to check the blend's ingredients and avoid those that include paraffin if you're trying to reduce chemical exposure, according to Carrillo.

Beeswax and soy candles are safer, greener options. You can fill your home with soothing scents without toxic gases with minimal effort.

Genny Carrillo, M.D.

For example, soy wax is renewable, has longer scent retention, is cleaner burning, and produces less soot. Meanwhile, beeswax is not only clean-burning but has air-purifying properties.

Herbal supplements

A product labeled "natural" or "herbal" may sound safer, but it isn't always the case, especially when it comes to supplements. According to the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) registry, about 20% of liver injury cases reported are due to the use of herbal dietary supplements.

These supplements appear to be widely used. A 2024 study found that 4.7% of American adults reported ever using six supplements potentially toxic to the liver: turmeric, green tea, ashwagandha, Garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh products.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that herbal supplements bought from stores or online may differ from products tested in research studies.

Moreover, these supplements may interact with medications or cause problems during the surgery. For example, turmeric acts as a blood thinner; therefore, it should be discontinued at least two weeks before the surgery.

Another popular supplement, ashwagandha, is promoted to relieve anxiety and improve athletic performance, among other indications. However, it may interact with multiple prescription medications, such as drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure, and anti-seizure medications.

Because dietary supplements in the U.S. are regulated more like foods than medications, some products may contain ingredients not listed on the label, such as prescription drugs.

What to choose instead

Avoid taking any supplement without discussing it with your healthcare provider. When choosing products, look for third-party testing seals or certifications.

The takeaway

Many factors determine health, and our genes, diet, and physical activity levels may have a larger impact than the use of certain products. While clothing made from organic materials or beeswax candles is not necessarily affordable to everyone, avoiding potentially unsafe supplements can benefit health and help save money.