Football Frenzy

Football Frenzy
Extensive Coverage

°

Homepage / Health
Text Size

Supplements Can Do Good Or Cause Harm

Labels May Contain Red Flags

Have you ever popped a St. John's Wort tablet to feel perkier? Maybe you took milk thistle to soothe your liver after a big party?

People and some doctors recommend the treatments, but they can cause problems.

"We had a patient in clinic taking a lot of homeopathic Prozac, and when we looked it up, one of ingredients was strychnine," said dietitian Roberta Anding, director of sports nutrition at Texas Children's Hospital.

Millions try supplements each year as an alternative to prescriptions or in addition to treatment. It's a $1.9 billion business in the U.S., according to The Nutrition Business Journal.

How much do you really know about your supplements?

'All-Natural' Doesn't Equal Safe

Anding said terms on the label like "made from plants," "natural" or "herbal" give some a false sense of security.

"I think often American consumers are so wanting to trust that a vitamin, herb or homeopathic treatment could only be for the good that they don't realize that the word natural means nothing. I challenge people to think, what if this was an 'all-natural' birth control pill -- you wouldn't take that in a million years. Tobacco, cocaine -- those are plant-based, too," Anding said.

Educated Consumers

Getting educated on what's in a supplement before you take it poses a challenge. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't test supplements before they hit the store shelves. The government can recall supplements if a problem is identified, but that happens rarely, Anding said.

There are two problems: the full ingredient list may not be readily available or may not be written in plain English; or the science may conflict about a particular product's efficacy.

Science Can Be Shell Game

For instance, one set of research showed vitamin E helps the heart, but it has been denigrated recently after further research found that taking too much can dangerously thin the blood.

"One study gave half a teaspoon a day of cinnamon to diabetics, and people taking the cinnamon had lower blood sugar," said Alegent Health dietitian Toni Kuehneman. "The supplements industry started producing cinnamon pills, but pills aren't tested. It was the ground cinnamon tested. The industry takes a shred of evidence and then sell the pills."

Ingredients May Hide From Label

Consumer Reports said that from "January through September 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued nine 'safety alerts' warning consumers to stop using 13 brands marketed as dietary supplements because FDA testing found they contained prescription medications."

Consumer Lab reported that "more than 30 percent of multivitamins tested contained significantly more or less of an ingredient than claimed, or were contaminated with lead."

Enter the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. It was created in 1998 to research complementary and alternative healing practices.

But the sponsor of the bill that created NCCAM, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said this year that NCCAM wasn't working as he'd intended -- it was turning down too many alternative therapies.

"One of the purposes of this center was to investigate and validate alternative approaches. Quite frankly, I must say publicly that it has fallen short," Harkin said.

Harkin is said to be thinking about cutting funding for NCCAM.

Help Does Exist

There are plenty of worthwhile supplements, the dietitians said. So where can you look for good advice?

"There are free Web sites that monitor over-the-counter supplements. My favorite is QuackWatch.com," said Kuehneman.

"I subscribe to ConsumerLabs.com," said Anding. "They send e-mail alerts for recalls, they analyze and compare pills -- it's worth it if someone is really wanting to take care of their health with supplements."

Also, look for red flags on the label.

"I tell people that if the label gives you things you don’t understand, or asks you to consult a doctor, it may not be the safest approach for long-term results," said Omaha, Neb., Hy-Vee grocery store dietitian Carrie Nielsen. "A pill can’t take the place of a healthy, balanced diet."

Anding chooses brand names over unknown companies and advises patients to ask their pharmacist.

"Go out and be cynical. If you're at the store, ask for info on latest recalls," Anding said.

In particular, supplements that Anding, Kuehneman and Nielsen promote for certain patients are folic acid, vitamin D, fish oil and calcium. They'd prefer people get them from food, but pills will do.
Text Size
  SURVEY
Do you take supplements, either as an alternative to prescriptions or in addition to treatment?
The views expressed are not those of Click2Houston.com, KPRC or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum. (Please note the 'Like' and 'Report' tabs.) By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Eating breakfast is good for you, but eating a healthy breakfast is even better. Get the scoop on which breakfast foods are the most nutritious. More

If you're looking to save on your next new vehicle, a low sticker price is just one aspect. Consider all the costs and make the right decision. More

Most Popular

Marketplace

  • AutoClick to Expand

  • JobsClick to Expand

    • Six Answers Interviewers Need To Hire You

      During the typical job interview, you'll be asked a lot of questions. But do you really understand what the interviewer needs to know?

    • Guide To Negotiating A Great Salary

      You can start laying the groundwork for your salary negotiation even before the first interview. Here's a step-by-step guide.

    • Should You Say Yes To A Buyout?

      In today’s economy, the lure of a big-bucks buyout can be tempting, but before you say yes, take the time to understand what it will mean for you.

    • Ten Rules For Interviewing

      In the current job market, you'd better have your act together, or you won't stand a chance. Check yourself on these 10 basic points before your next interview.

  • WomenClick to Expand

    • Healthy Living In Your 40s

      Your guide to looking and feeling your best.

    • Manage Stress, Find Balance

      The idea of living a balanced life may seem like an oxymoron. Yet working toward balance and self-care is key to feeling in control and more joyful at home and work.

    • Weight & Exercise: The Right Mix

      Being healthy is related to how well you take care of yourself. But it’s never too late! A woman can learn new, healthy habits at any age.

  • InsuranceClick to Expand

    • Auto Insurance Quotes

      Simply enter your zip code and get great deals on your car insurance from the top companies. Click here and start saving today!

    • Health Insurance Quotes

      No matter where you live, you shouldn’t have to pay too much for health insurance. Your zip code is all you need and we’ll do the rest to find you great insurance rates.

    • Home Insurance Quotes

      Your home is your most valuable asset. So make sure you have coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

    • Life Insurance Quotes

      What would happen to your family if you were suddenly gone? Don’t leave their future to chance and find top quality life insurance before it’s too late.

    • Business Insurance Quotes

      Don’t take chances when it comes to insuring your business. To get the best rates from top companies in your area just enter your zip code.

  • HomesClick to Expand

Sponsored Links