Taking a Supplement? Read this!

Beet_Girl

Check your assumptions!

#1 Questionable Assumption --
"Even if a product may not help me, it at least won't hurt me."
It's best not to assume that this will always be true. When consumed in high enough amounts, for a long enough time, or in combination with certain other substances, all chemicals can be toxic, including nutrients, plant components, and other biologically active ingredients.

#2 Questionable Assumption --
"When I see the term 'natural,' it means that a product is healthful and safe."
Consumers can be misled if they assume this term assures wholesomeness, or that these food-like substances necessarily have milder effects, which makes them safer to use than drugs. The term "natural" on labels is not well defined and is sometimes used ambiguously to imply unsubstantiated benefits or safety. For example, many weight-loss products claim to be "natural" or "herbal" but this doesn't necessarily make them safe. Their ingredients may interact with drugs or may be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.

#3 Questionable Assumption
"A product is safe when there is no cautionary information on the product label."
Dietary supplement manufacturers may not necessarily include warnings about potential adverse effects on the labels of their products. If consumers want to know about the safety of a specific dietary supplement, they should contact the manufacturer of that brand directly. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to determine that the supplement it produces or distributes is safe and that there is substantiated evidence that the label claims are truthful and not misleading.

#4 Questionable Assumption
"A recall of a harmful product guarantees that all such harmful products will be immediately and completely removed from the marketplace."
A product recall of a dietary supplement is voluntary and while many manufacturers do their best, a recall does not necessarily remove all harmful products from the marketplace.


http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/ucm110567.htm