Are Your Nutritional Supplements Safe?

(ARA) - Nearly 40 percent of Americans are taking over-the-counter supplements and vitamins, but according to the National Institutes of Health, some herbal remedies have negative, even dangerous, effects on their own or when taken with other medications. For instance, research has shown that the herb St. John's wort, used by some people to treat depression, may cause certain drugs to become less effective.

A Consumer Reports analysis of 19 Echinacea pill supplements found three products had less than the labeled amount; four products contained amounts of lead that exceeded California Prop 65 standards; and over all, the amount of Echinacea varied substantially from product to product, even within the same bottle.

The concerns about supplement safety coupled with the expansive amount of vitamin and supplement products available make deciding which ones are right for you and your needs a daunting task. Many people are so overwhelmed by what they are presented with at a pharmacy, grocery or specialty store that they just decide not to bother. This isn’t always the best decision, considering nutritional supplements can be used to fill in gaps created by the standard American diet.

“Even informed consumers can feel inundated when trying to shop for supplements,” says Jeremiah McElwee, a spokesperson for Weil Nutritional Supplements, a new line of supplements developed by integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil. According to McElwee, there are a number of steps you can and should take to ensure you purchase the safest and most effective supplements possible.

“Make sure the supplements that you purchase are made by a manufacturer that is certified for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) by a third party organization, such as the NNFA (National Nutritional Foods Association) or the NSF (National Sanitary Foundation),” says McElwee. The best way to determine if the brand you are considering is GMP certified is to visit one of the certifying bodies’ Web sites, as they will list which companies participate in their programs.

“Always be certain not to take a higher dose of a supplement than is listed on the label, unless your health care practitioner advises you to do so,” he continues. “And if you suffer any adverse side effects from any supplement, immediately stop taking it and notify your health care practitioner.”

According to McElwee, there are some general safety guidelines to keep in mind when taking supplements.

• Always consult a physician before making any changes in your daily health and nutrition regimen, and that includes taking any dietary supplements
• Always be very careful to take supplements as indicated on the packaging

*Take vitamin supplements with food, as this aids in digestion

• Finally, be sure to take supplements consistently to achieve the maximum health benefits

For more information about dietary supplements and Good Manufacturing Practices, go to the National Institutes of Health Web site at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/3#3 or www.nnfa.org/services/science/gmp.htm.

Courtesy of ARA Content