The Real Facts About Supplements

Recently the New York state’s attorney general’s office accused four retail stores of selling herbal products that were contaminated or did not contain any of the herbs listed on the label.

So how do you know if you should take a supplement or if the supplements you are taking are safe?

You can’t replace a healthy diet or exercise with nutritional supplements, but supplements can provide nutrients that your diet might be lacking such as calcium, fiber, vitamin D, and B12, and iron in vegetarians for example.

Medications can also deplete your body of certain vitamins and nutrients. If you are taking a statin to lower cholesterol, you may be deficient in CoQ10. If you are taking birth control pills, you may be deficient in B vitamins.

Supplements are regulated, but not as strictly as prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Manufacturers do not have to prove that their supplements are safe or effective before they are marketed. While they can claim that the supplement addresses a nutritional deficiency or supports health or bodily functions if there is research to support the claim, you will always find a disclaimer on the package, stating, “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA in the product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements following the policy of Good Manufacturing Practices. This requires supplement companies to show that there supplements are processed consistently and meet manufacturing standards. Once supplements are available for purchase, the FDA does monitor them for safety. If a supplement is found unsafe or has an adverse effect,  it can be taken off the market or the manufacturer will be required to label it informing the consumer of potential risks.

Supplements are also regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC monitors the accuracy of label claims and package inserts to regulate against false advertising. They work with the FDA to address claims that can be made by supplement manufacturers.

Other than looking for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) labeling on a product, you can also look for other certifications:

The National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) is an organization that independently certifies supplements and ingredients. This ensures that a product has been independently tested to contain the ingredients listed on its label.

NSF Certified for Sport indicates sports supplements such as protein powders and creatine have not been tainted with prescription medications or steroids.

The USP verified seal is given by the United States Pharmacopeia. The United States Pharmacopeia has a program through which supplement companies can have their products and facilities tested and reviewed. This ensures purity, identity, and potency.

Supplement companies may also have their products verified for quantity and purity of ingredients by independent analysis. This information should be readily available if you asked the company.

There are also independent laboratories such as ConsumerLab.com and LabDoor which check a variety of supplements for purity or contamination and content; that the actual amount of the ingredients is accurate.

Lastly, you can do specialized nutritional tests such as a Spectracell Nutritional Analysis to determine if you are getting adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants from your diet and current supplement regimen.

At Preventative Wellness MD, we strive to help women and men address all aspects of their health, including a nutrient-rich diet and targeted supplementation.  Learn more about targeted supplement therapy at Preventative Wellness MD of Hartford or schedule your first consultation with Dr. Anita Petruzzelli and her team to begin your journey to living healthier right now.