Herbal supplements. We’ve all heard of them, as well as all of the buzz around their ability to effect our health without the use of drugs. They have been said to be able to do many great things, from boosting your metabolism to swaying your depression.
New studies have begun to show that some herbal supplements may be a dupe. New York State Attorney General has even mandated several large retailers offering herbal supplements remove many brands from their shelves, due to tests showing how phony they actually were.
Tests showed that only about 21% of the supplements contained any herbal value, while the remaining 79% didn’t contain anything!
To make it even worse, 35% of the ones that did show some supplemental value mostly just contained rice, wheat, beans, and pine; all of which aren’t even listed on most labels, and could be extremely hazardous to those with allergies.
It appears that many of the manufacturers are using false advertising tactics to push their products. This is not only illegal, but extremely unethical.
Herbal supplements are regulated by the FDA, but not as drugs or as foods, according to the Mayo Clinic. Instead, they are categorized as ‘dietary supplements’. These regulations provide assurance that herbal supplements meet certain quality standards and that the FDA can intervene to remove dangerous products from the market.
So, how do you know if you’re purchasing ‘quality’ supplements? Below are the FDA’s label requirements for herbal supplements:
- The name of the herbal supplement
- The name and address of manufacturer or distributor
- A complete list of ingredients — either in the Supplement Facts panel or listed beneath it
- Serving size, amount and active ingredient
If anything is questionable, consult your doctor before purchasing or using.
Though the latest test on herbal supplements was small, meaning every brand out there wasn’t apart of this test, this was an eye opener. Do more research before you just hop on a bandwagon. It may save you some money and even your long-term health.
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Herbal Supplements: Where Are The Herbs? was originally published on blackdoctor.org
