A new study looks at how social media platforms in Vietnam are being used to sell herbal and dietary supplements that may not be safe or real. Researchers found that many companies are making false health claims online and selling products without proper testing or approval. This is a growing problem because people trust what they see on social media, but there’s often little checking to make sure these products actually work or won’t hurt you. The study highlights how the internet has made it easier for dishonest sellers to reach customers, and why we need better rules to protect people from buying fake or dangerous health products.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How social media platforms in Vietnam are being misused to sell herbal and dietary supplements with false or misleading health claims
  • Who participated: The study examined social media content, online marketing practices, and supplement products being sold through digital platforms in Vietnam, though specific participant numbers weren’t detailed
  • Key finding: Social media has become a major channel for selling supplements with unproven or false health claims, with little oversight or verification of product safety and effectiveness
  • What it means for you: Be very careful when buying health supplements online or through social media. Check if products are approved by health authorities, look for scientific evidence backing the claims, and talk to a doctor before trying new supplements—especially if you take other medications

The Research Details

This research examined how herbal and dietary supplements are being marketed and sold through social media platforms in Vietnam. The researchers looked at the types of claims being made, how companies are advertising these products, and what ethical problems exist in this online marketplace. They analyzed patterns in how supplements are promoted and sold without proper regulation or verification.

The study focused on understanding the gap between what companies claim their products can do and what’s actually been proven by science. Researchers investigated whether these products have proper approval from health authorities and whether the marketing follows ethical guidelines. They also looked at how easy it is for consumers to be misled by false or exaggerated health claims on social media.

Understanding how supplements are being sold online is important because many people, especially in Vietnam, are buying these products based on social media recommendations without knowing if they’re safe or effective. This research helps identify the problem so that governments and platforms can create better rules to protect people. It also shows why consumers need to be more careful and skeptical about health claims they see online.

This is a research article that examines real-world practices in supplement marketing. While the study doesn’t have a specific sample size listed, it appears to be based on analysis of social media content and marketing practices. Readers should note that this type of research is observational, meaning it describes what’s happening rather than testing a specific treatment. The findings are important for understanding the problem, but they don’t prove cause-and-effect relationships.

What the Results Show

The research reveals that social media platforms in Vietnam have become a major marketplace for herbal and dietary supplements, often with little regulation or oversight. Companies are making health claims that haven’t been scientifically proven, and many products are being sold without proper government approval or safety testing.

The study found that false or misleading advertising is common on social media, with sellers making exaggerated promises about what their supplements can cure or treat. Many products lack proper labeling, ingredient lists, or information about potential side effects. The ease of reaching customers through social media has made it profitable for dishonest sellers to market these products, even when they don’t work as advertised.

Researchers also discovered that consumers often don’t have access to reliable information about whether these supplements are safe or effective. People may buy products based on testimonials from other users or influencers, without realizing these claims haven’t been verified by health experts.

The study highlights how social media platforms themselves may not be doing enough to verify product claims or remove false advertising. It also shows that there’s often a disconnect between what health authorities approve and what’s actually being sold online. Additionally, the research points out that consumers in Vietnam may be particularly vulnerable because of limited access to reliable health information and high trust in social media recommendations.

This research adds to growing concerns about supplement safety and false health claims on social media, which have been documented in other countries as well. However, this study specifically focuses on Vietnam’s unique situation and the cultural factors that make people more susceptible to misleading health claims. It builds on previous research showing that social media is a major source of health misinformation globally.

The study doesn’t specify exactly how many products or social media posts were analyzed, which makes it harder to know how widespread the problem is. The research is descriptive, meaning it shows what’s happening but doesn’t prove that buying these supplements directly causes harm. Additionally, the study focuses specifically on Vietnam, so the findings may not apply to other countries with different regulations and social media use patterns.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering buying herbal or dietary supplements: (1) Check if the product is approved by your country’s health authority—this is a strong sign it’s been tested for safety; (2) Look for scientific studies backing the health claims, not just testimonials; (3) Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you take other medications; (4) Be skeptical of claims that sound too good to be true—they usually are. These recommendations have moderate to strong evidence supporting them based on what we know about supplement safety.

Anyone buying supplements online or through social media should pay attention to this research. It’s especially important for people in Vietnam and other countries with similar supplement markets. People with chronic health conditions, those taking prescription medications, and older adults should be extra careful because supplements can interact with medications. Parents should also be aware if they’re buying supplements for their children.

There’s no specific timeline for seeing benefits from supplements because many of the products studied don’t actually work as advertised. If you do start a legitimate supplement under medical supervision, it may take weeks to months to notice any real effects. However, you should stop immediately and see a doctor if you experience any negative side effects.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Create a ‘Supplement Safety Checklist’ feature where users log any supplements they’re considering buying and check off: (1) Is it approved by health authorities? (2) Have I talked to my doctor? (3) Did I find scientific evidence for the claims? (4) What’s the source of the product? Users can track which supplements they’ve verified as safe before purchasing.
  • Before buying any supplement through social media, users can use the app to: (1) Search the product name and health claim to see if there’s scientific evidence; (2) Log the source (which influencer, which platform) to track where they’re getting health information; (3) Set a reminder to discuss the supplement with their doctor before buying; (4) Compare prices across verified retailers to avoid overpaying for unproven products.
  • Users can track their supplement purchases and any health effects they notice over time. The app could send monthly reminders to review whether supplements are actually helping, prompt users to check for new safety warnings, and encourage them to discuss ongoing supplement use with their healthcare provider. Users could also track which social media sources they trust for health information and adjust based on accuracy over time.

This research describes problems with supplement marketing on social media but doesn’t provide medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement, especially if you have health conditions or take medications. Don’t stop taking prescribed medications to use supplements instead. The findings from this study are specific to Vietnam’s market and may not apply to all countries. If you experience side effects from any supplement, stop using it and seek medical attention immediately.