| Dietary Supplements
Products marketed as "dietary supplements" include a huge range of products,
from traditional vitamins and minerals, to high-potency free amino acids, enzymes,
animal extracts, and bioflavanoids that often have no scientifically recognized
nutritional role. Even though nearly 4 out of 10 adults in the U.S. take supplements
regularly, there is currently no systematic evaluation of the safety of these products
since they are regulated as “foods” not “drugs.” Dietary supplements often enter the
marketplace without undergoing a safety review by the FDA, and studies on their safety
are extremely sparse and are usually not publicized.
There is no systematic collection and review of adverse reaction reports for dietary supplements, as there is for drugs, and physicians rarely seek information about their patients' use of dietary supplements. This is very important since certain substances can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, and serious health problems can arise when certain medications are taken in conjunction with particular dietary supplements.
Health Hazards: Due to the lack of a systematic evaluation of the safety of dietary supplements,
the ingredients indicated on their labels do not necessarily reflect the actual contents of the product. Not only could
the products be filled with inert ingredients such as sugar, many products have been found to be contaminated with heavy
metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic as well as certain pesticides. Some have even been found to contain none of the
ingredients that their labels indicate. Many of these supplements are developed in Asian countries where the potential for
being harvested in contaminated soil or water is higher. Some Asian companies have even been known to add pharmaceuticals
(such as aspirin) to their supplements so that the consumer in fact feels some kind of medicinal effect. Whatever the situation
may be, not knowing what is truly in your dietary supplements puts you at risk for ingesting chemicals or other substances that
you may be allergic to or that may be harmful to your health.
How to Minimize Exposure: Tips and Alternatives
The FDA has taken some action to help Americans get accurately labeled and properly manufactured
dietary supplements, through its Proposed Rule for Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs). The proposed rule would
establish standards necessary to ensure that dietary supplements are not adulterated with impurities or contaminants and are accurately labeled
to reflect the ingredients in the product. The rule also attempts to address the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary supplements.
Although it would not limit consumers' access to dietary supplements, nor would it address the safety of their ingredients or the effect on
health when proper manufacturing techniques are used, the proposed rule has the potential to create a level playing field for the industry by
ensuring that every firm uses high-quality manufacturing procedures and abides by the same rules for describing a product’s ingredients.
To be safe, you should consult your physician before starting to use any kind of dietary supplement. Make sure that the doctor is aware of any other medications that you are currently taking to avoid potential interactions between them. You may also choose to do some research into studies that have been performed on the particular supplement you are considering, as well as the manufacturer. Particular substances recently been found to have harmful health effects in some people include: ephedra, chaparral, comfrey, and germander.
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