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Some not so surprising news

Most herbal supplements are fake!

At least it's not a surprise to me. And why would anyone expect it to be otherwise? After all, we're talking about a totally unregulated industry where there in no risk, nor penalty for lying, cutting corners, or making misleading statements concerning the efficacy of such products.

What may be even more disconcerting is what this means for the rest of the industry?

Even though this study only addresses herbal supplements, there is mounting evidence indicting the entire vitamin and supplement industry. (Most recently Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia banned most supplements from it's pharmacy).

And just when I started taking an iron supplement. :(

So if you're still skeptical, or like myself, find themselves in need of a supplement, just remember the old 'free market' adage
caveat emptor [buyer beware]

Such is life!
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Comments

Alan said…
I've always been felt that herbal products were nothing more than placebos but this study is still shocking.
11:03 PM
Marc said…
I'm even more convinced there is a problem, after I had a bad reaction (which I won't get into) to iron gluconate which I briefly switched to because my hematologist told me it is usually more tolerable than iron sulfate.

It could have been the glutonate itself, but I suspect it was from something in the pills that shouldn't have been there. I've since gone back to the iron sulfate, with only minor side effects.
12:23 AM
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