By Mia De Graaf Health Editor For Dailymail.com
Published: 20:45 BST, 5 June 2019 | Updated: 20:46 BST, 5 June 2019
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From weight loss tea to protein shakes, the wellness business is booming - and teens are one of the biggest targets.
But a new study suggest people under the age of 25 are particularly vulnerable to serious side effects from dietary supplements that promote slimming, muscle building or energy boosts.
The research, led by a team at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found young people who take 'enhancement' products are three times more likely to get sick than their peers who take vitamins.
'The FDA has issued countless warnings about supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building or sport performance, sexual function, and energy, and we know these products are widely marketed to and used by young people,' said lead author Flora Or, a researcher with Harvard's center for preventing eating disorders.