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Lately the media has reported on a number of disappointing and alarming results from recent published peer-reviewed journals regarding the use of micronutrients we commonly refer to as vitamins and supplements. Some recent long-term studies have shown increased incidence of cancer with long-term use of multivitamins/minerals and one study specifically showing increased breast cancer rates in women taking calcium supplements. More studies are needed and a close look into the types and quality of supplements used in these studies is warranted. A recent article by Consumer Reports, Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 discusses the problem with the lack of quality control and oversight as it relates to the nutraceutical and vitamin industry. We have included some excerpts below from that news article:
What consumers might not realize, though, is that supplement manufacturers routinely, and legally, sell their products without first having to demonstrate that they are safe and effective. The Food and Drug Administration has not made full use of even the meager authority granted it by the industry--friendly 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
As a result, the supplement marketplace is not as safe as it should be.
• We have identified a dozen supplement ingredients that we think consumers should avoid because of health risks, including cardiovascular, liver, and kidney problems. We found products with those ingredients readily available in stores and online.
• Because of inadequate quality control and inspection, supplements contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, or prescription drugs have been sold to unsuspecting consumers. And FDA rules covering manufacturing quality don’t apply to the companies that supply herbs, vitamins, and other raw ingredients.
• China, which has repeatedly been caught exporting contaminated products, is a major supplier of raw supplement ingredients. The FDA has yet to inspect a single factory there.
Knowing that these quality control issues have existed for years, we are very careful who we purchase our supplements and herbal botanicals from. We use companies that employ quality control that guarantees no harmful ingredients in their products and spend a lot of money hiring independent companies to make sure their procedures are taking the right precautions to produce safe products. We are very confident in the quality of what we recommend and carry in our office. Over the years we have continued to stress a wholesome diet as the main way to obtain all your nutritional needs and as much as possible, use whole food nutrition as opposed to synthetic vitamins and supplements. The use of probiotics, digestive enzymes, green foods, safe glandular products and botanicals are our first line therapy when supplementation is needed. Micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) treatment and related supplementation should be based on diagnostically proven needs and not taken “willy-nilly”. The reality of the vitamin and supplement industry today is that we are simply not safe buying supplements off the shelves. It is paramount for our health, safety and well being to consult with a knowledgeable health care provider when taking supplements and making sure you are not causing problems while you are trying to solve your health problems. In this situation, caveat emptor (buyer beware) is strongly suggested.
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