Supplementers Beware

As many of you know, I have a business selling, among other things, dietary supplements. So it may surprise you to know that I am a big fan of increased regulation of the industry by the FDA. Nearly 70%% of Americans take one or more supplements at least once a week and, while most people assume that they are safe, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned.

For one thing the FDA does not do - or even require - comprehensive testing of dietary supplements. Not for effectiveness, and not for safety. Instead they rely on the manufacturer to self-report any problems after the fact. Independent tests consistently reveal variances of -50% to +500% between the nutrition labeling and actual content of various supplements. Sometimes this is harmless - other than not giving you what you paid for. Other times it can cause serious health issues or even death. Just ask Gary Null, a vendor hospitalized for taking his own product.

Other than wildly inaccurate doses of what you want in your supplement, you are often likely to find things there that you don't want there at all. Traces of prescription pharmaceuticals (the FDA will act on this if and when they find out about it) or other unhealthy ingredients or contaminants. In a 2019 Consumer Reports study of echinacea and tumeric supplements, more than a third were found to have elevated levels of lead.

Congress is currently working (at its usual snail's pace) on legislation that would increase funding for the FDA to provide better oversight of supplement products. In the meantime, it is up to you to protect yourself. There are plenty of reputable companies manufacturing accurately labeled, safely produced supplement products. These are not necessarily the cheapest bottles on the shelf because quality and testing costs money.

If you do decide to supplement (I do every day) invest a little time up front to investigate the company you are thinking of purchasing from. How long have they been in business? Do they have a history of complaints or enforcement issues? Do they make their own products at their own facilities, or job shop it out to a mass producer? How did they perform in their last FDA GMP audit (an inspection of their facilities and manufacturing processes). Google makes all this pretty easy. Gary Null would approve.