Do You Worry About The Safety Of Your Dietary Supplement?

I’ve read several recommendations that suggest people should take a dietary supplement.  Honestly, I have my doubts about the effectiveness of these products, but more than that, I question their safety.

Many people aren’t aware that dietary supplement safety does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration.  U.S. federal law treats dietary supplements like food products, rather than drugs.  This means that producers are not required to prove the purity of their products.  As a point of fact, independent testing of dietary supplements suggests that as many as 25% of products may be suspect.  Included among the quality problems that have been documented is:

• Lead in zinc supplements.
• A fungal toxin in red yeast rice products sold in 2008.
• Products not properly formulated to release the supplement.
• Supplements that have been shown to contain drugs (i.e. Viagra)

There are other possible risks as well.  People have been known to forego standard Western medical treatments for disease and/or cancer in favor of taking supplements, under the hope that these products will provide a cure.  Although anecdotal stories abound about how someone’s Aunt Suzy was cured of a horrible disease by drinking goat urine, it never seems to work out anyone else.

In fact, some of the “generally accepted truths” about dietary supplements fall apart when placed under a microscope.  Take for instance the recommendation that all men should take selenium and vitamin E supplements to reduce their risk of prostate cancer.  In separate studies of these supplements, neither were shown to have a measurable effect on reducing the risk of prostate cancer.  In fact, vitamin E may increase the risk of prostate cancer, while selenium supplements yielded a slight increase in the risk of diabetes.

What we’re talking about is a $23 billion industry – in the U.S. alone.  This is a behemoth, brought on by our desire to live longer, healthier, fuller lives.  Many of us cave to the belief that we can benefit from taking vitamins, minerals, or ancient chinese herbal remedies.  The desire to believe is understandable, yet the truth is that there is scant evidence to support the belief.  As a matter of fact, most evidence suggests that supplements are, at best, poorly absorbed and utilized by the body when consumed in pill form.

So what’s the answer?  It can be found in the most basic of nutritional advice.

1. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
2. Build a colorful plate.  Try to include foods that are red, leafy greens, orange.  Most people don’t know that broccoli is a great source of calcium.
3. Eat foods that are high in fiber.  Shoot for 25-30 grams/day (without the use of supplements)
4. Nuts are great sources of magnesium, selenium, and beneficial oils.
5. Eat red meat in moderation.  Lean toward poultry and cold water fishes.

A well balanced diet will provide all the nutrients your body needs to function properly, and they will be delivered in such a manner that they can be properly utilized.

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