Law enforcement authorities said they had conducted tests on top selling store brands of herbal supplements at four national retailers GNC, Target, Walgreens and Walmart- and found that four out of five of the products did NOT contain any of the herbs on their labels. The tests showed that pills labeled as medicinal herbs often contained little more than cheap fillers like powdered rice, asparagus and houseplants, and in some cases substances that could be dangerous to those with allergies.
Most people do not give much thought to the purchases of their nutritional supplements, assuming that they are basically the same. However, the quality of dietary supplements varies tremendously from manufacturer to manufacturer. Raw materials can come in many forms and from many numerous sources. Some are not as effective as other, perhaps because they are less bioavailable or less stable than others, Some are selected by manufacturers, not because they are better but because they are cheaper and easier to use in the manufacturing process. While dietary supplement manufacturers are required to preform identification testing on raw minerals, they are not required to test their material for things such as residual solvents that may be used on the ingredient production process. While some of these solvents pose little or no risk, others have potential to be harmful, especially if consumed over prolonged period of time.
Since, many products are not what they are represented to be how can a customer make an educated choice when purchasing nutritional supplements? With the assistance of their Healthcare Professional, they can recommend products with which they have confidence, based on consistent and effective clinical results.
If you are unsure about the nutritional supplements you are taking, give us a call at (864) 365-6156 to set up an appointment.
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