Surprising dangers found in nutritional supplements
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More than half of American adults take nutritional supplements, but they are not without risk. The Food and Drug Administration has received more than 6,000 reports of serious adverse events in the past five years.
A Consumer Reports investigation has found many surprising dangers in vitamins and supplements, which are largely unregulated products. Moreover, there’s increasing evidence that there may be few, if any, benefits.
For example, a study published in June showed that calcium supplements increased the risk of heart attack by 86 percent compared with the group who didn’t get them. On the other hand, that same study showed eating calcium-rich foods can protect your heart.
A recent study of antioxidant supplements showed that high doses of some “may increase cancer risk” and not reduce it.
Even more troubling, some supplements have turned out to contain prescription drugs, such as Viagra and Cialis, that were not on the label. The FDA says supplements spiked with prescription drugs are “the largest threat” to consumer safety. There have been more than 400 recalls of such products since 2008.
Even with uncontaminated vitamins and minerals, the labels don’t tell the whole story because generally, the FDA does not require manufacturers to include warning labels.
When Consumer Reports checked out the labels on more than 200 bottles of supplements, it found just one in three listed possible adverse reactions.
In some cases, the potential risks of supplements outweigh their benefits. Consumer Reports says that if you’re generally healthy, you can skip them. Eating a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein is the best way to go.
However, for those on a restricted diet or with certain medical conditions, there are some supplements you may need to take. Of course, check with your doctor first.
Government experts say reports of problems related to supplements are quite likely to be underreported. If you experience a problem, you can report it to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or 800-332-1088.
Consumer Reports' complete investigation is available online.
A Consumer Reports investigation has found many surprising dangers in vitamins and supplements, which are largely unregulated products. Moreover, there’s increasing evidence that there may be few, if any, benefits.
For example, a study published in June showed that calcium supplements increased the risk of heart attack by 86 percent compared with the group who didn’t get them. On the other hand, that same study showed eating calcium-rich foods can protect your heart.
A recent study of antioxidant supplements showed that high doses of some “may increase cancer risk” and not reduce it.
Even more troubling, some supplements have turned out to contain prescription drugs, such as Viagra and Cialis, that were not on the label. The FDA says supplements spiked with prescription drugs are “the largest threat” to consumer safety. There have been more than 400 recalls of such products since 2008.
Even with uncontaminated vitamins and minerals, the labels don’t tell the whole story because generally, the FDA does not require manufacturers to include warning labels.
When Consumer Reports checked out the labels on more than 200 bottles of supplements, it found just one in three listed possible adverse reactions.
In some cases, the potential risks of supplements outweigh their benefits. Consumer Reports says that if you’re generally healthy, you can skip them. Eating a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein is the best way to go.
However, for those on a restricted diet or with certain medical conditions, there are some supplements you may need to take. Of course, check with your doctor first.
Government experts say reports of problems related to supplements are quite likely to be underreported. If you experience a problem, you can report it to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or 800-332-1088.
Consumer Reports' complete investigation is available online.
Note the word, "MAY"A recent study of antioxidant supplements showed that high doses of some âmay increase cancer riskâ and not reduce it.But Aspartame has shown to increase the cancer rate in lab rats by 47%
1,250 adverse reactions per year isn't that bad when considering that their are 10,000 deaths, (not just adverse) from properly prescribed and taken prescription drugs.
I call BS on this. Just a bunch of government propaganda. I mean come on, even IF dietary supplements don't have as strict of regulations as prescription drugs Viagra and Cialis do. Another thing, if people taking calcium supplements have increased risk of heart attack than theoretically people who consume a lot of calcium via natural methods should also, and there is no data to back that up. The government simply doesn't want people consuming healthy dietary supplements because that means people won't get sick as often and the medical industry won't make as much money. Just about everything in this country revolves around profit and this does too.
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We consume things far, far worse than dietary supplements on a daily basis but the FDA has no problem with those substances. In the initial testing of Aspartame, before the FDA approved it, it was tested on laboratory mice. Something like 96% percent of the mice developed cancer and tumors related to the aspartame. All of the mice developed holes in their brains and the majority of them developed diabetes. You're telling me that crap is safer than a multi-vitamin? HA!!
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Another incredibly bad one is High Fructose Corn Syrup. That crap turns off the natural function of the body that tells you when you are full. In essence, it makes you eat more. Some people argue that it isn't bad because it comes from corn, well, yes and no. It is derived from corn but the final product is laced with stuff that is artificially created in a lab. Not to mention the majority of corn in the US is genetically modified. There is still no research on the long term effects of consuming genetically modified products.
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Eating a health diet in this country is damn near impossible. The vast majority of our food contains High Fructose Corn Syrup or Aspartame and a significant number of products contain both. Unless you grow your own fruits and veggies and get dairy products and meats from a local farm you won't be able to eat healthy...
"Moreover, thereâs increasing evidence that there may be few, if any, benefits."
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There have always been suckers to buy some snake oil.