Dietary supplements – The importance of potency and purity

What's REALLY in the supplement product you just purchased?

At first thought, it might seem a given that a product actually contains the ingredients listed on the label, in the listed amounts. But it turns out that for dietary supplements, that's not always the case.

The production and sale of dietary supplements is a booming industry. Nearly 3/4 of US adults use at least one supplement on a daily basis. At last check, dietary supplements were a $60 billion per year industry! All you have to do is walk into a pharmacy and look at the supplement shelves to see that many manufacturers have gotten into the game. Why? Because though supplements are often marketed to prevent or treat health conditions, they aren't strictly regulated by the FDA. Instead of the strict regulations that apply to medications, supplements are regulated as if they were food. Looser regulations result in lower costs to bring a product to market. So it's relatively inexpensive to produce and sell a dietary supplement. And once it's on the shelves, we consumers will buy them. It's easy to see why many companies are eager to break into the industry.

FDA requires manufacturers to follow good manufacturing practices, and randomly inspects manufacturing facilities to make sure it's happening. But the products themselves aren't routinely tested by the FDA in the same way they test approved medications. Many supplement manufacturers are reputable companies who market reliable products, But it's not unusual to find supplements from other companies that don't contain the ingredients listed on the label. FDA recalls these products when they're made aware, but they continue to happen. So how can you have confidence that the product you'd like to purchase IS what the label says it is?

Dietary Supplement Seals of Approval

NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, and Consumer Lab Seals of Approval

Look for one of the three Seals of Approval shown above on the product label. It'll give you the confidence you need in the content of the supplement. NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, and ConsumerLab are independent agencies that test supplement products for ingredient potency and purity. USP and NSF require manufacturers to pay a fee and submit their own product sample for testing. ConsumerLab, on the other hand, works on behalf of consumers. CL chooses on its own what products will be reviewed and selects random samples for testing. There are drawbacks to both the fee-for-service testing and the more consumer-driven testing. But all three Seals of Approval provide a measure of consumer confidence that isn't possible otherwise.

Purchasing dietary supplements online

It's tempting to make purchases online, whether it be dietary supplements or Christmas gifts. Online sellers make it easy for us to find an item, fill our carts, and check out efficiently all from the comfort of our own home. But the old adage "buyer beware" is doubly true when it comes to purchasing supplements online. It's not uncommon for online sellers to offer supplements that lack potency or contain impurities. And taking such a product can result in negative health consequences.

Surveys have shown that a many of us can't really tell whether a website is run by a reputable company or not. There are ways to gain confidence in an online seller of dietary supplements, though. Research the company to learn where they're located, how to contact them, and how long they've been in business. Find out if ConsumerLab has tested their products, or if the company subscribes to the services of US Pharmacopeia or NSF International. Take a look at their advertisements - offers that look too good to be true often are.

Choose dietary supplements wisely

Your health depends on choosing supplements that have the stated potency and are free of impurities. Always look for a Seal of Approval on the label of the supplements you purchase. Be sure to choose internet suppliers carefully. Don't take a chance with your health! Have confidence that your supplements are safe and pure.

You're invited to leave comments and question in the space below. Or contact us directly at Better My Meds. We love hearing from you!

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