Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian has sparked debate online after revealing that she consumes nearly 35 supplements every day, with doctors and nutrition experts warning that excessive supplement intake may pose hidden health risks.
Speaking on Good Hang, Kardashian said she spreads her supplements across three doses a day and recently experienced what she described as “pill fatigue”.
“I take probably 35 supplements a day. I spread them out three times a day, and I thought, ‘Okay, I can’t do this fish oil right now anymore. I have pill fatigue,’” Kardashian said during the podcast conversation.
The 45-year-old businesswoman added that she temporarily stopped taking fish oil supplements but later resumed them after bloodwork reportedly showed noticeable changes.
“I wish there was an IV drip I could use every day, and I would just do it on my way to work,” she added.
Her comments quickly went viral online, with many social media users questioning whether consuming such a high number of supplements is safe or even necessary.
Experts caution against excessive supplement use
Health experts say that while supplements can support health in specific situations, consuming large quantities without medical supervision may create serious complications.
According to Dr Shruti Tapiawala, nephrology and renal transplant physician at Global Hospitals in Mumbai, most people do not require a large number of supplements if they already maintain a balanced diet.
“Supplements can be helpful, but they should be used carefully. Choose them for specific needs instead of mixing different types,” she said.
Doctors highlighted several risks linked to excessive supplement consumption, particularly with fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K, which remain stored in the body for long periods.
Excessive intake of these vitamins may lead to toxicity and can potentially cause liver damage, nerve-related complications and heart problems.
Experts also warned that certain minerals compete with each other during absorption. For example, too much zinc may reduce copper absorption, while excessive calcium intake can interfere with iron absorption.
Concerns over drug interactions and organ stress
Medical professionals also pointed out that supplements and herbal products may dangerously interact with prescription medications.
Since the liver and kidneys process everything consumed by the body, doctors warned that taking dozens of supplements daily may put additional stress on these organs.
Another major concern raised by experts is the lack of strict regulation in the supplement industry.
Unlike prescription medicines, supplements are often regulated more like food products in many countries, meaning dosage quality and ingredient consistency can vary significantly between brands.
Dr Steven R. Cummings, a medical researcher quoted in the discussion, noted that regulatory agencies such as the US FDA do not evaluate supplements for safety or effectiveness before they enter the market.
What is ‘pill fatigue’?
Kardashian’s mention of “pill fatigue” also drew attention from health experts, who described it as both a mental and physical exhaustion caused by managing multiple medications or supplements daily.
Nutritionist Diksha Dayal explained that consuming too many pills every day can cause nausea, digestive discomfort and reduced consistency in following health routines.
“The more complicated your routine is, the harder it becomes to stay consistent and identify what is actually helping your body,” she said.
Experts stressed that supplements should only complement a healthy lifestyle rather than replace proper nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress management.
Doctors advise targeted supplementation
Doctors recommend using supplements only when there is a medically identified deficiency such as low vitamin D, iron or vitamin B12 levels.
Dr Tapiawala said taking numerous supplements “just in case” is often unnecessary and may even create confusion when side effects occur.
“The goal is not to take as much as you can, it’s to take what you need and nothing more,” she said.
Experts added that maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, quality sleep and stress control should remain the foundation of overall wellness before turning to supplements.