The Usage Of Dietary Supplements

An increasing number of people are using products to enhance their diets. A recent estimate indicates, “Americans are spending some $6 billion annually on nutritional supplements, and the market is growing by 20% every year” (Zahn, 1997). Of these supplements, the increase in herbal remedy use is most dramatic. Zahn holds that the increase can be attributed to the widely held belief that herbal substances are healthy and harmless because of their natural origins (1997). Unfortunately, research on these supplements, herbal or otherwise, has not transmitted to the public as quickly as the diet enhancers themselves. The phenomenon leaves many consumers misguided by skewed advertising and

Throughout the years we have been prescribed with regular medications for whatever illness we have and also in using supplements for our weight loss program. We at times neglect or willfully forget the side effects and risks we are faced off with regular medications. This is the reason why a lot of herbal supplement companies are increasing in popularity because of the supplements they are recommending in exchange of the regular medications. There are more and more people being aware of these supplements performance. They prevent the onset of a possible health problem and also increase performance with considering very little complications or side effects.

The article discusses the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on health claims and structure/function claims of food products. It explains that the FDA approves a health claim that is supported by

Dietary supplements are becoming more and more widely used. Whether it be for sport performance, herbal, or just a vitamin, many are being used and misused. People do not understand how dietary supplements are regulated and what the pros and cons are.

Due to there being countless supplements to choose from, sundries of individuals trust health professionals for primary nutritional advice. Furthermore, there are many who are in quest of improved holistic health alternatives to remain renewed, and uphold their health.

The FDA’s origin did not begin as the federal consumer protection agency it is widely recognized for being today. Prior to the FDA transforming into the present-day agency, the FDA’s emergence can be traced back to the agricultural industry during the 1800’s (History, 2015). In fact, it was Congress that enacted the FDCA (Food, Drugs, & Cosmetics Act) of 1938 that created the modern-day FDA (Allen, 2013). Despite the FDA’s passing of the tobacco law, the ongoing issues concerning the under and over regulation of products, and the high number of drug recalls suggests that the

Magnesium in normal does of ~350mg per day (MAGNESIUM.n.d.) is considered safe with only minor reported side effects such as:

In other words, it is like “sell whatever you want, but don’t get yourself caught”. These seems to be so irresponsible especially for profit-driven manufacturers. Furthermore, even though the FDA (in cooperation with the FTC) have already regulate product advertisement, there are still so many false advertising claiming that their product somehow could be used for diagnosis and curing certain diseases. In this matter, we could not give the consumer full responsibility to determine on their own which ones are safe as most of the people lack the related knowledge. In other examples, even though the advertising is ‘properly-written’ and acceptable under FTC regulations, they still provide us with some scientific facts that the products showed indication of diagnostic and curing effects, but even the source-reliability could still be questioned. Nevertheless, most people will still get fooled easily by these claims, especially from products sold online that also provide pictures of random celebrities as if they are consuming these products (in fact they are not!) and/or some un-reliable testimonial photos. Robert Longley from about.com reported that in 2014, the FDA have sent warning letters to 16 dietary supplement distributors that made false and

Look around your community and look; most people are living unhealthy tonic lives. Common diseases like diabetes, obesity and cancer are more prevalent than they were in the past by an astoundingly large amount. Any thinking person must ask themselves are they getting the most of life? Although people may attain riches, fame, and honor all of it is like garbage if you’re unhealthy. You cannot buy health and happiness. Even if someone is very successful it doesn’t mean that this person is happy and healthy! Consumers thus should be concerned what they put in their bodies. The Food and Drug Administration is regulating food, but people are sicker now than they ever have been. Not only them, but the big pharmaceutical companies also play a role in this giving drugs to people to help their problems but end up with a host of other problems from their fix. With this project I hope to show how incompetent the Food and Drug Administration is by unveiling what synthetic vitamins really are, the chemicals used, and the comparison of how other countries handle the same food tampering.

The Food and Drug Administration agency, or more commonly referred as the FDA, is a federal agency that takes charge in protecting the public’s health by certifying the safety, efficiency, and security of civilian and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical technology; in addition to certifying the safety of our country’s food, supply, cosmetics, and productions that involve radiation. Not only does the FDA have that responsibility, but also the regulation of manufacturing, marketing, and distribution. The FDA advances the public health by amplifying innovations that create medical products more effectively, safer, and affordable where civilians can gain access to, all the while receiving science-based information they need to

In Couzin-Frankel’s article “The Supplement Sleuth”, she talks about a man named Pieter Cohen who is trying to expose the hazards of supplements. She explains that the FDA is too limited on what they can and cannot do with supplements. They even say that the FDA says “show us the bodies” before the FDA will look at it. Our system is not the most efficient when it comes to drugs of any sorts. We need a better control over what is let into our shopping-marts, and labeling to improve our intake of medications.

Dietary pills manufacturers emphasize that their supplements are intended to intensify the effects of exercise and diet. In contradiction, some doctors think these cannot deliver so much impact and will only shrink the consumers’ wallet. They are pointing out to the lack of strong evidence that could stand the claim they can aid weight loss successfully.

- The main topic of this article is about how a woman named Kelly Smith, lost 195lbs using appetite suppressant weight loss protein shakes

The “accrual of high-level evidence,” according to a review of studies that was published last year in an American Medical Association journal, shows “that the supplements lack efficacy across a range of health outcomes.”

While health foods stores attract consumers to purchase health supplements, many manufacturers use health food stores to promote their bogus products. In March 1999, the FTC filed a complaint in federal court against the makers of Vitamin O. The company ran false ads claiming the Vitamin O supplement prevents cancer, heart, and lung disease by adding an extra oxygen supplement to the bloodstream. With no scientific evidence to prove the benefits of Vitamin O, the two companies from Washington agreed to a settlement of $375,000 for consumer compensation. The settlement prohibited the Vitamin O manufacturers from making claims that were unsupported about the Vitamin O health benefits. Testimonials and endorsements of product represented through previous experience from members of the public who used the product were also prohibited in the settlement. In conclusion, marketing agents with false science beliefs have one common goal: To sell! We as consumers must be aware and informed of unknown supplements that claims to have a great deal of impact to your life. These products are known for its testimonials by doctors and actors that make claims of using the product. Pseudoscience supplements have caused serious illnesses and even death due to consumers lack of knowledge when purchasing these products. It is strongly recommended that consumers research the companies and the product that advertise false products very carefully before purchasing a supplement that claims to