Dietary Supplements: Is the Fox Guarding the Hen House? Part 2

Last month, I wrote about the dietary supplement industry and how we, as consumers, have no guarantee of the (un)labeled contents, due to the lack of 3rd party oversight, unlike the consumption of over-the-counter medications.  As a quick reminder, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has no ability to preemptively inspect a product during manufacturing and remove it from store shelves until it has been reported to cause harm.  In fact, dietary supplement manufacturers have no duty to prove either efficacy or safety in what they sell to us as long as their advertisements are worded just so: "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."

Unfortunately, consumers are always on the lookout for a shortcut.  No one wants to eat & exercise in a fashion as described by research attesting to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.  Instead, we'd rather believe the Internet hype and recommendations from some high school kid working at a vitamin store pushing the week's hot item.  Which explains why the industry can market & sell products alleged to help you gain & maintain an erection like a 20yo while losing 20lbs of fat in 1wk, etc.

So I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with such a jaded perspective.  In Men's Health, the editors recently researched & published a short 4 page expose on the dangers of dietary supplements.  Check it out - it's rather enlightening and frightening at the same time.  Hopefully, it will make you reconsider those miraculous supplements.  Remember, choose wisely!

Dietary Supplements: Part 3
Dietary Supplements: Part 1