Experts Flag 4 Social Media Wellness Trends as Harmful, From Maxxing to Detoxes
Updated
Updated · VICE · Jul 6
Experts Flag 4 Social Media Wellness Trends as Harmful, From Maxxing to Detoxes
3 articles · Updated · VICE · Jul 6
Summary
Four social-media wellness trends — maxxing, detoxes, over-supplementing and biohacking — can do more harm than good, wellness experts said, warning that balance matters more than extreme optimization.
Maxxing trends such as protein or fiber maxxing reduce health to a single nutrient, dietitians said, encouraging people to overconsume foods that are not automatically healthy just because they score high on one measure.
Detoxes and cleanses were singled out as especially risky and expensive because healthy bodies already remove waste on their own, while vague claims about parasites, heavy metals or unnamed toxins often lack clear evidence.
Taking 10 supplements a day can also backfire: experts said excess vitamins and minerals may cause toxicity, including cardiovascular, neurologic, hormonal and liver problems, and urged a food-first approach.
The warning broadens a recent backlash against social-media "maxxing" culture after skin-cancer specialists said tanmaxxing raises melanoma risk, with tanning-bed use before 35 linked to a 75% increase.