Can David Beckham's IM8 Supplement 'Do it All'?

Legendary soccer player David Beckham has recently launched a supplement line, IM8, that promises to replace 16 capsules with only one powder drink. Is this really possible, and what are the risks?

By introducing IM8, Beckham has joined the long list of celebrities with supplement lines. For example, Kourtney Kardashian's Lemme gummies are marketed to solve issues ranging from bloating to vaginal odor, while Bella Hadid's Kin Euphorics drinks promise to activate power, energy, and even peace.

Supplements promoted by celebrities often attract criticism from health experts, some due to exaggerated claims, while others for their formulas not being clinically tested.

The science team behind Beckham's IM8 is robust and includes the former chief scientist of NASA and doctors at leading healthcare institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai.

However, as supplements are known for being poorly regulated in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, Wellnesspulse dived deeper into one of Beckham's new products, All-in-One Supplement.

'All-in-one' or too much?

The açaí and mixed berry-flavored powder promises to replace the need for 16 daily supplements with 92 nutrient-rich ingredients. At £213 ($268) for a 354-gram jar, the powder claims to be vegan and gluten-free with no artificial flavors, added sugar, or artificial sweeteners.

According to the company's website, "IM8 proactively addresses one of the biggest criticisms faced by similar all-in-one supplements—dosage."

However, our Wellnesspulse analysis reveals that of the 26 vitamins and micronutrients used in the product, half exceed the recommended daily intake values according to federal guidelines.

Linas Černiauskas, PhD Candidate

Health Content Researcher

Considering that the individuals taking such supplements would also consume adequate levels of certain nutrients through diet alone, this may result in overconsumption of many essential vitamins and micronutrients. Even people with less balanced diets are at risk of overconsumption and toxicity.

Excessive amounts of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, a condition in which the calcium level in the blood becomes too high, leading to nausea, vomiting, neuropsychiatric disturbances, pain, and kidney stones, among other symptoms.

High doses of niacin can cause side effects like flushing and gastrointestinal discomfort, while chronically high selenium intakes may lead to hair and nail loss, skin rashes, and neurological abnormalities.

Beware of possible interactions in IM8

Joanna Harnett, a senior lecturer within the School of Pharmacy at The University of Sydney, says that, generally, in countries where supplements are regulated, most nutrients are included in them and, when taken within the recommended daily amounts, are safe.

However, they may pose a risk of interactions with medications and medical conditions.

Černiauskas points out that Beckham's All-in-One Supplement includes multiple extracts, many of which have the potential to interact with various medications or pose additional risks.

For example, sea moss contains high levels of iodine, which can be dangerous when consumed in large quantities. People with thyroid problems should be especially careful and consult a health professional before using it.

One of the most important factors is to check that third-party testing is provided for the product, as sea moss might contain heavy metals.

Černiauskas

Additionally, there is some evidence that ginkgo biloba leaf extract, another ingredient in Beckham's All-in-One Supplement, may interact with blood-thinning medications and increase the risk of bleeding.

However, none of the ingredients in the list seem to have serious interactions with other ingredients that may cause immediate health risks.

The problem with multiple-ingredient supplements

According to the IM8's website, 90% of participants taking the supplement felt a noticeable boost in daily energy levels, and 81% experienced greater endurance during physical activity after 30 days of use.

The efficacy of Beckham's supplement is currently being tested in a randomized controlled clinical trial, which will be completed in 2025. However, as the study results will be released later this year, it is impossible to verify these claims.

Harnett notes that while some multiple-ingredient supplement manufacturers have published peer-reviewed studies in reputable journals reporting the safety and efficacy of their formulations, many do not.

And with many products lacking evidence to support their claims, experts say there are other ways to boost health.

Eating a varied, balanced diet that contains multiple nutrients and health-promoting plant compounds is generally considered a low-risk approach to meeting nutritional needs.

Harnett

Is IM8 really third-party tested?

In the U.S. and the U.K., dietary supplements are regulated like food, meaning that, unlike medications, they don't need to undergo such rigorous testing for safety and efficacy. There are multiple ways manufacturers have to ensure transparency and ingredient label adherence, including third-party testing.

These tests verify that products are free of contaminants and heavy metals and that the actual contents of the supplement match those printed on the label.

Beckham's IM8 provides testing results in the form of a certificate of analysis (CoA). According to the certificate of analysis provided on the IM8’s website, the whole blend seems to have been tested for ingredient label accuracy and adherence in the original manufacturing facilities, VitaQuest.

This reasonably implies that the manufacturer and third-party tester might be the same company. Usually, third-party testing is done in an independent third-party testing laboratory.

Černiauskas says, "An independent third-party testing certificate is not available online, but it would be highly relevant as it would provide information from another facility rather than the one the blend was made in."

Overall, the All-in-One Supplement could replace 16 capsules, although it may be unnecessary for people without multiple nutrient deficiencies. Moreover, some ingredients in the product can interact with certain medications, potentially posing health risks.

Make sure to always consult a doctor before taking new vitamins, medications, or even ordering a so-called miracle all-in-one product.