Be careful when choosing your supplements
The Food and Drug Administration has recently been contacting many manufacturers of over the counter supplements to warn them to stop spiking their products with dangerous and illegal products such as steroids.
Many of these products are being deceptively labeled or contain ingredients that are supposed to only be available by prescription.
The FDA itself is not responsible for testing these products before they reach the marketplace nor do they look over the findings of testing. Natural supplements are tested by the company creating them. Instead the FDA is left to police the products after they have reached the shelves, and can do nothing more than warn of potential legal action against the companies who distribute unsafe supplements to the consumer.
When considering taking any natural supplement its important to read the label of the package. If a product claims to be a natural alternative to a specific prescription medication then chances are that it has similar ingredients, some of which may be possibly hazardous to your health. A product that warns that you may test positive for a certain substance right on the bottle more than likely contains that ingredient.
Since 2007 there have been over 200 recall orders by the FDA to supplement manufacturers. Many of these recalls had to do with ingredients being used that had been linked to strokes, heart attacks of even death. Many within the supplement industry have agreed that this is a good move to protect the well being of customers and are willing to comply with any requests from the FDA regarding recalls. Those who do not comply will be subject to criminal proceedings.
Certain weight lifting supplements that promote a “natural alternative to anabolic steroids” have been recalled due to containing steroids. Weight loss supplements have been recalled containing an ingredient known as sibutramin which has been directly linked to strokes.
Medical officials warn individuals to talk with their doctors first before taking even natural supplements to avoid potential side effects. Consumers are also warned to read the labels of products before purchasing and to not make purchases of supplements online as they may fall under other jurisdiction other than the United States and FDA.
The FDA itself is not responsible for testing these products before they reach the marketplace nor do they look over the findings of testing. Natural supplements are tested by the company creating them. Instead the FDA is left to police the products after they have reached the shelves, and can do nothing more than warn of potential legal action against the companies who distribute unsafe supplements to the consumer.
When considering taking any natural supplement its important to read the label of the package. If a product claims to be a natural alternative to a specific prescription medication then chances are that it has similar ingredients, some of which may be possibly hazardous to your health. A product that warns that you may test positive for a certain substance right on the bottle more than likely contains that ingredient.
Since 2007 there have been over 200 recall orders by the FDA to supplement manufacturers. Many of these recalls had to do with ingredients being used that had been linked to strokes, heart attacks of even death. Many within the supplement industry have agreed that this is a good move to protect the well being of customers and are willing to comply with any requests from the FDA regarding recalls. Those who do not comply will be subject to criminal proceedings.
Certain weight lifting supplements that promote a “natural alternative to anabolic steroids” have been recalled due to containing steroids. Weight loss supplements have been recalled containing an ingredient known as sibutramin which has been directly linked to strokes.
Medical officials warn individuals to talk with their doctors first before taking even natural supplements to avoid potential side effects. Consumers are also warned to read the labels of products before purchasing and to not make purchases of supplements online as they may fall under other jurisdiction other than the United States and FDA.
