Do you want to lose weight, gain energy, sleep better, have healthier skin, or quit worrying? If you accept the claims, there is a drug for it that is available without a prescription. Many companies promote nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbal therapies, enzymes, and probiotics with the claim that they will improve a range of health problems, but you should be cautious about whatever bottle you choose from the shelves or add to your online shopping cart.
Key TakeAways:
- The supplement industry is riddled with scams, ranging from hazardous to ineffective products.
- Some FDA rules apply to supplements, but the agency often stays out of it until negative consequences are demonstrated.
- There are certain warning indicators to look out for when purchasing supplements, as well as some best practices to remember.
Because of how dietary supplements are classified under the US Food and Drug Administration, they are not required to be registered with or authorized by the FDA before being disseminated to the general public (FDA).
Regulation exists, but it is insufficient. According to Shawn Wells, a “ingredientologist” and “world’s finest formulator” who has developed over 1,000 supplements and patented 25 compounds, the laws can’t keep up. Things must be extremely ludicrous in order for the FDA or FTC [Federal Trade Commission] to act. There are tens of thousands of enterprises, but not nearly enough employees to keep up with the rate at which new businesses begin promoting revolutionary dietary supplements. They are willing to take the risk because the likelihood of receiving a warning is low.
These companies risk having customers pay for their health. Supplement scams can cause allergic responses, negative side effects, dangerous combinations with prescription drugs, or even financial loss.
Wells stressed the existence of rules. In actuality, the FDA issued its final Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) rule for the nutritional supplement industry in 2007, requiring manufacturers to assess the identification, purity, strength, and composition of their products. Furthermore, firms must follow the labeling criteria mandated by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.
The FDA, on the other hand, does not get involved unless there is a report of negative effects caused by taking a supplement—which may happen more frequently than you think.
According to a special analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine, there were “an estimated 23,000 emergency department visits in the United States every year owing to adverse events connected with nutritional supplements” between 2004 and 2013.
Adults who want to take control of their health and enhance their physical and emotional well-being have increased considerably during the last two decades. They now have more access to potentially beneficial substances than ever before.
The dietary supplement market is massive and rising at an unprecedented rate. According to Grandview Research’s Market Analysis Report, the global market for dietary supplements was valued $163.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at an 8.9% CAGR to $327.4 billion by 2030.
According to a consumer survey performed by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, more than 7 out of 10 adults utilize supplements, despite the fact that the majority of them lack scientific evidence. As a result, each year, more and more innovative vitamins are released to the market.
It’s easy to become lost and overwhelmed by the range of options at the grocery store’s supplement area. It’s important to note that just because a supplement’s marketing claims appear great doesn’t mean they’ll be real.
Here are seven warning indicators to look out for and six best practices to follow to protect your health and financial well-being.
There Are Seven Difficulties With Supplements
1. “Private Mixes”
According to Wells, proprietary blends only disclose part of the story. The quantity is more essential than whether all of the ingredients are present. It presents the ingredients in decreasing mass order, so the first item has the most, and as the list progresses, the amount becomes smaller and smaller. Such explanations, however, do not provide an exact figure for each. This could result in “fairy dusting,” in which the most important component is employed in very minute amounts and the rest is made up of less important components.
2. Wild Number Claims
When companies offer facts and scientific support for their products, it’s often just a marketing ploy. Take those promises with a grain of salt, especially if it’s a supplement from an unknown manufacturer, because the “science” behind it may be exaggerated and manipulative based on a small sample size study.
3. There Are Far Too Many Components
If a product (other than multivitamins) contains too many ingredients, especially those labeled as “Other ingredients,” it may not produce the expected results. Because different components function via distinct physiological pathways, more is not always better.
4. Beneficial For A Variety Of Disorders
When a product makes many concurrent claims of delivering relief, such as for leaky gut, skin problems, bloating, insulin sensitivity, and more, it most likely overpromises and underdelivers.
5. Claims Of Disease “Prevention,” “Treatment,” Or “Cure”
Because the FDA does not need approval before dietary supplements can be advertised, there is no valid proof that they will prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Furthermore, making those claims is prohibited.
6. Unrealistic Assessments
Although reading customer reviews of any product you’re contemplating purchasing is a good idea, they should not affect your decision. Because each human body is unique, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution due to our bioindividuality.
7. Using Complicated Scientific Terminology
Avoid expressing or making promises that appear to be backed up by science. Companies are free to employ whatever revolutionary-sounding marketing technique they want to persuade you to buy their product, but “miraculous results,” “new scientific breakthroughs,” and “life-changing outcomes” are just shiny pennies; they may be appealing, but they don’t have much value.
Six More Excellent Techniques
1. Select Reputable Brands
Buying from a company that has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation will give you a lot more confidence. Wells recommends supporting firms that promote your health because these companies invest millions of dollars on validation by independent groups.
2. Dependable Labeling
The stronger the company’s disclosure of its ingredients and the amounts of each utilized, the greater the transparency and confidence. A quality seal and container, as well as a simple contact method on the label, all exhibit transparency and confidence.
3. Independent Validation
Third-party organizations such as the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), Certified for Sport, and USDA Organic provide independent testing standards and product certifications. They seek to protect consumers from contaminants and ensure that the supplement has no additional substances not specified on the label.
4. Conduct Research On Your Subject
Investigate the company, its history, and its sourcing procedure. Make sure to mention any strange substances with your doctor.
5. Verify That Active Component Is Correct Form Of Ingredients
Well claims to have “I will only buy a product if each ingredient is documented and includes information about the plant’s part, genus (Latin plant name), standardized form, and quantity. He emphasizes this issue because if the wrong plant component is used as the active ingredient, it can be completely worthless.
Consider the herb ginseng. However, if the supplement contains ginseng leaf, the desired effect will not be achieved because ginseng root has been shown to be more beneficial. It is critical to realize that “all-natural” does not always imply that everything supports the optimal pathway in your body.
6. Purchase Problems
Consider branded substances with patents and studies proving their effectiveness. According to Wells, knowing that you are “receiving what you are paying for and not getting what you are not paying for” is critical. If the company you’re buying from didn’t go above and beyond to screen and test the components, E. coli, heavy metals, glyphosate, radiation, and illegal compounds might all end up in your next vitamin.
Purchasing supplements might be intimidating. Despite the ubiquity of scams in the nutritional supplement sector, you can protect yourself. Conduct research to ensure you understand the businesses and things you’re acquiring.
