Making Sense of Supplements

Have you ever watched one of those late night infomercials selling a supplement that promises to be the end all-be all for your health? Did you buy it? After all, the product said it was FDA approved or registered with the FDA. Doesn’t that mean it has to be effective and pass some type of FDA requirements for safety? Catch this….the answers are no and no. Many of the herbal and supplement infomercials and websites tout miracle-type claims for your health. Many of these same supplements and herbs state that they are approved by the FDA which makes you think they are safe and effective. But are they really approved and have research studies been conducted to prove their effectiveness? Before you shell out your hard earned cash, here’s what you need to know to make smart decisions when it comes to your health.

The role of the Food and Drug Administration or FDA is to protect the public health by regulating drugs, medical devices, food and animal feed, cosmetics, etc. But here’s the clincher. Not all products undergo what’s called premarket approval by FDA or rather a review of how effective and safe a product is before it’s marketed. Some products are only looked at or scrutinized after the fact, which means after they are on the market and sold to you the consumer. It’s the way the law currently reads.

When it comes to buying herbals and supplements, here’s the real deal:

• FDA does not approve dietary supplements or herbals. This means that any product falling into the dietary supplement category is not reviewed or approved for effectiveness and safety prior to being sold to you. FDA can evaluate safety and adverse events after these products are on the market and health concerns are brought to their attention. Basically this means that a company does not have to prove up front that evidence-based research exits which finds that their supplement or herbal works. It’s up to the FDA to police these products after an adverse event occurs and to prove there is a problem with safety or effectiveness.

• You know those claims on a supplement that describe the effects of the product on the human body such as ‘boost the immune system’? FDA does not approve these structure-function claims. There is a disclaimer on these products if you look closely for it stating that the claim has not been reviewed by FDA and that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Yet, isn’t that why you are buying the product?

• FDA does not approve companies so this means FDA does not approve product manufacturers. They can register with the FDA but this is not approval.

It’s up to you not the FDA to decide if a certain supplement or herb is right for you. Knowing that, you have to be sleuth and do your own homework so here are some action steps you can take to help you make the right decision.

1. Check out the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine or NCCAM, part of the National Institutes of Health. You’ll find information on supplements and herbs such as evening primrose oil, milk thistle and St. John’s wort. Right now, the availability of quality research and scientific evidence on most supplements and herbals is way behind that of drugs since drugs require up front approval before they can be sold. In fact there is no research on many supplements and herb…just testimonials. The US government is changing this by funding research at NCCAM. Right now, for example, the center is conducting research to see if ginkgo biloba can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. New research results are reported here and you can search for information on many supplements and herbs.

2. For a fee, you can subscribe to sites such as consumerlab.com and the natural medicines comprehensive database at naturaldatabase.com. These sites contain in depth information on supplements and herbals including research and product testing.

3. Get a second opinion. Look at other sites where the information is reliable, up-to-date and from evidence-based research. Good sites include:

a. Webmd.com

b. Mayoclinic.com

c. Nytimes.com/health

d. PubMed for research

You’ll find that these sites lead you to other credible sites and often to blogs where people and patients compare notes and information. Don’t be fooled by supplements that promise you the world. There are supplements that are safe and effective and many others that are a sham. Be smart and do your homework before letting go of your cash.

Dr. Susan Dr. Mitchell is co-author of Fat is Not Your Fate, Eat to Stay Young and I’d Kill for a Cookie.

Listen to her weekly Internet Show on AM580 WDBO: http://580wdbo.com/healthcenter/

Visit her websites: http://www.susanmitchell.org and http://www.fatisnotyourfate.com