If it feels like your social media feed is being run by Lemme, Kourtney Kardashian’s newest line of vitamins and botanical supplements, you’re not alone. There’s no doubt Lemme’s trendy branding is appealing (some products even have a waitlist!). But before you click “add to cart” and take the Kardashian’s health advice as gospel, a deeper dive into the ingredients is warranted.
After all, Lemme’s motto states that “wellness should be delicious” and their clinically-backed ingredients are said to be formulated to become a “divine part of your everyday life.”
But what does that *really* mean? Are these gummies really providing what they promise? What should everyone know about the ingredients? And are they really worth the money?
More From Women’s Health
Women’s Health asked trusted experts (who are not affiliated with Lemme) to offer their honest thoughts on some of the most popular purchases in the gummy line. Here’s what you should know before trying them yourself.
Meet the experts:
Laura Purdy, MD, is a family medicine physician in Nashville, Tennessee.
BreAnna Guan, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in women’s hormone health.
Melanie Bone, MD, is an ob-gyn and member of Daye’s medical board.
Samantha Nazareth, MD, is a gastroenterologist and WH advisory board
What To Consider Before Taking A Supplement
First of all, supplements are not generally subject to the same testing and regulations as a lot of prescription medications, says Laura Purdy, MD, a family medicine physician in Nashville, Tennessee. “So, we have to be careful about what we say they will or will not do.”
TLDR: Nothing is guaranteed from a supplement, despite what Lemme or any other supplement brand claims. Instead, Dr. Purdy says it is best practice to say what they may or might do. There’s no guarantee on a supp’s effectiveness.
Supplements like these also are not a cure-all or substitute for medical treatments. “While [supplements] do promote overall wellness, they should not be expected to be a substitute for treating conditions that need prescriptions,” Dr. Purdy says. So, if you’re having specific symptoms (especially in your intestines or your vaginal area), check in with your doctor first.
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What’s the deal with the Lemme Debloat daily digestive gummies?
Lemme’s debloat supplements promise to “support” digestion and help you kiss away bloat, but they have their limitations. For starters, this product will not resolve bloat from food intolerances, stress, or pelvic floor dysfunction, so you should always address the underlying cause of bloating first, says BreAnna Guan, ND, a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in women’s hormone health.
Now, the good news: These blackberry-flavored gummies contain probiotics—the good bacteria that live in your intestines and promote a healthy gut, says Dr. Purdy. Of the two probiotics listed, lactospore (Bacillus coagulans) and Bacillus subtilis both appear to help with bloating symptoms.
Four weeks of Bacillus subtilis use in healthy adults showed a reduction of GI symptoms like bloating, a 2021 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found. Lactospore has also been shown in new research to reduce GI symptoms like bloating and gas, says Samantha Nazareth, MD, a gastroenterologist and WH advisor. But more studies are needed to confirm lactospore’s efficacy.
Worth noting, though: The gummies also have three grams of sugar per serving, which may do more harm than good (bloat and indigestion are often associated with high sugar intake), adds Guan.
While these supps may help improve bloating for people with poor gut health, they’ll only be effective in addition to a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, Guan notes. That means not smoking, consuming minimal amounts of alcohol, exercising, getting good sleep, and managing stress (you know this!).
What To Do Instead
You might consider modifying your diet. Add probiotic-rich foods—fermented veggies, yogurt, kefir, and kombucha—and prebiotic-rich foods—garlic, onions, bananas, oats, mushrooms, and cabbage—to your nutrition plan to support a healthy gut microbiome, says Guan.
She also recommends avoiding highly processed foods. “A whole foods diet, low in sugar, can go a long way in improving gut health, and taking time to prepare foods and slowing down at mealtimes is also important for improving digestion.”
What’s the deal with the Lemme Purr vaginal health gummies?
These pineapple gummies may be delicious, but they’re not guaranteed to support vaginal pH levels and help with vaginal odor like they claim.
“The vagina is self-cleaning, therefore there is no medical or health-related reason for wanting to alter your vagina’s odor,” says Melanie Bone, MD, an ob-gyn and member of Daye’s medical board. “There is no evidence to back the claim that a particular ingredient can change vaginal odor for different women.”
If you do experience vaginal odor, it’s more likely a result of an infection such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), says Dr. Purdy. In that case, it’s important to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis since these gummies won’t treat an infection.
Now, let’s look at the ingredients. The gummies contain Vitamin C, which has been linked with control of chronic bacterial vaginosis infections, but only when used vaginally. Dr. Purdy doesn’t know if oral consumption of gummies would have the same effect, since they would likely be broken down in the stomach and go to the gut or bloodstream.
Lemme also includes a probiotic ingredient, SNZ 1969, which it claims is a “clinically tested” probiotic supporting vaginal health. This is not accurate, says Dr. Bone, because the probiotic isn’t naturally found in the body, and there’s no scientific evidence to show it alters vaginal odor.
It’s also not possible to change your vaginal pH with a gummy, because that pH develops thanks to a “complex balance of naturally occurring bacteria,” notes Dr. Bone. This bacteria can be affected by hormones, sexual activity, menstrual cycles and certain medications. In fact, attempting to alter your vaginal pH could negatively impact your vaginal microbiome, leading to infections, irritation, and other health issues, she adds.
What To Do Instead
The most abundant bacteria in the vaginal tract are Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, so for healthy vaginal support, find a supplement with these strains, says Guan. You also want to opt for a product that is free from added ingredients and flavorings, adds Dr. Bone
If you struggle with urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or BV, Guan suggests a low-sugar and lowcarbohydrate diet. Her other go-to supplements? Jarrow Formula Fem-Dophilus supplements and Good Clean Love’s BiopHresh homeopathic vaginal suppositories.
What’s the deal with the Lemme Matcha Energy B12 gummies?
These energy metabolism gummies actually score high in helpful ingredients because matcha, green tea, and vitamin B12 are all great sources of energy, says Dr. Purdy. The gummies also claim to “support energy at the cellular level,” which may be true when it comes to the vitamin B12, says Dr. Nazareth. (B12 is critical in DNA and RNA synthesis, and low levels of the vitamin can cause lack of energy, she explains).
However, with such a small doses of each, the gummies’ effectiveness isn’t guaranteed. Plus, B12 supplements usually come in a pill, liquid, or under-the-tongue version, so gummies may not be the most effective option, according to Dr. Nazareth.
More importantly, if chronic fatigue and low energy are your norm, it’s time to check in with a doc since it may be a hormonal-based thyroid issue or a nutritional deficiency like anemia, she adds.
“Taking stimulants to overcome fatigue can help for a while, but we’ve got to ensure there is not something more serious,” explains Guan. “We don’t want to cover up deeper issues with matcha.”
What To Do Instead
If you’re looking for a high quality green tea, Guan suggests Sei Mee Tea products, and eleuthero root herbal supplements are her favorite for “nourishing energy and strength at a deeper level.” She also recommends products with active and more biocompatible forms of B12, such as methyl-cobalamin (a quality multivitamin that helps meet B12 needs).
Lastly, don’t skip out on sleep (aim for seven to nine hours a night!). Dr. Nazareth suggests keeping a strict bedtime routine: settling in at the same time each night, avoiding electronics, caffeine, food, alcohol, and intense conversations close to bedtime.
What’s the deal with the Lemme Sea Moss Liquid Drops?
Sea moss contains most essential minerals, is nutritionally dense, and full of antioxidants, says Dr. Purdy. Plus, the Irish moss ingredient is great for overall health and vitality, adds Guan. But while these drops could be beneficial, there’s limited scientific research on their effectiveness, and nothing is guaranteed, says Dr. Purdy.
That’s partly because it’s not clear which minerals are in this Irish sea moss and at what dosage, says Guan. Iodine (which is often found in sea products) is typically the gold standard for thyroid issues, but it’s not clear if iodine is included in this sea moss.
Secondly, while the supplement contains Vitamin D and biotin, which can support healthy hair and nail growth, the dosage is small, Dr. Purdy and Guan point out.
“I’d not recommend this lower dose [of Vitamin D] to meet your nutritional needs,” Guan explains. “The biotin dose is also low, since most nutritional supplements contain 1,000 mcg to 8,000 mcg, and this product has a mere 30 mcg.”
What To Do Instead
Guan suggests trying a Codeage raw wildcrafted sea moss supplement, which packs a stronger health punch thanks to its additional seaweeds.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.
