Herbal supplements: they may be ‘natural' but are they safe?

Getting serious about supplements

Dietary supplements are big business. In 1999, $31 billion was spent on herbs, vitamins, and minerals. But as the dietary supplement market grows, many people are starting to ask whether supplements safe enough.

The politics of regulation

Unlike prescription medications, which must undergo rigorous scientific research before receiving FDA approval, dietary supplements are not required to undergo such testing. Thomas J. Moore, a health policy analyst at George Washington University, noted in an article on Salon.com that "dietary supplements don't meet the level of standards that my hair dryer has to meet."

There are several reasons why supplement standards are so different from medication standards:

Economics - Most supplement manufacturers lack the funds necessary to perform the rigorous clinical research on their supplements that the FDA mandates of drug companies. In addition, herbs cannot be patented (as drugs are), so supplement manufacturers cannot expect the same financial return on investing in research as drug manufacturers reap.

Assumption of safety - Many consumers have the misconception that herbs are completely safe because they are natural.

Politics - There are complex political influences at work. Congressional leaders—many of whom receive substantial funding from the nutrition supplement industry—have allocated limited funds to the FDA to oversee dietary supplement problems. Click here for specific details of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

FDA does regulate labeling of supplements

The FDA does, in fact, have strict policies regarding labeling language for unsubstantiated claims and unsafe products. For example, supplement manufacturers are not allowed to print explicit statements on packages regarding a product's effectiveness for treating a specific condition. The Council for Responsible Nutrition and the American Botanical Council say the problem is not so much a lack of regulation, but lack of enforcement.

New certification program for supplements

In an effort to encourage self-monitoring of the dietary supplement industry, the OSHA-accredited company NSF International recently established an independent certification program for dietary supplements. NSF will test products that are voluntarily submitted by their manufacturers and affix their certification seal to products that are approved.

Choosing safe herbs

For now, take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Read labels carefully.
• Buy well-established supplement brands.
• Carefully consider the risks associated with consuming some of these products (see list below).

Be sure to discuss long-term use of any supplement with a health care professional. And always notify your doctor of supplements you take to insure that there are no adverse interactions with any prescription medication you take.

Potentially dangerous ingredients

The following is a list of ingredients that have been found to cause adverse reactions in certain groups of people. These herbs may be sold individually, or as an ingredient in other products, so always check labels.