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Please note that any comments expressed in these forum posts do not reflect the opinions of Medical News Today in any way at all. Opinions posted in this forum do not constitute medical
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side effects
posted by kathryn binding on 04 Aug 2010 at 3:03 amWhy are not the list of serious side effects of perscription drugs also not included in a write up some people are saved know doubt,but many are harmed and end up in hospital as a result of perscription drugs it it far safer to keep to vitamin supplements and do your own research on preventable conditions.
Read the news article that this opinion was posted about:
US Dietary Supplements Not As Safe As Consumers Might Assume
unsafe indeed!
posted by Steve on 04 Aug 2010 at 5:21 am
Why not tell us about the 800,000 people who died of interactions with prescription medications last year? How many died by taking their herbs or vitamins? I can bet you that number is much smaller. Where's the danger now?
Consumer reports etc
posted by Arthur Gittleman on 04 Aug 2010 at 5:24 am
It should be mentioned that most raw material for United States drugs comes from China. If supplements get negative report on raw material than so-called safe drugs should get negative report also.
The supplements mentioned are noted to be not safe. This is not new news. I should mention that one of the problems with supplements or herbs is there poor bioavailability. This is beginning to change. Most of the science needs to be changed with the improved bioavailability.
contaminated products
posted by Wooless Opticals on 04 Aug 2010 at 5:35 am
I can think of many other types of contaminated products (food and meat, kids toys...) also contaminated prescription medication, what have done much damage. But most already know; Life is "likely unsafe". This type of article is for the uneducated and easy to scare, makes me sad.
Believers will not change their minds
posted by Rh on 04 Aug 2010 at 5:55 am
Between the placebo effect and the testimonials of people who believe supplements have worked miracles, I don't know that news items like this are going to make a huge difference.
However, the more people who stop and think about the conflict between all the medical claims made by supplements that have to be followed by "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA", the better!
Side Effects
posted by Charles on 04 Aug 2010 at 6:18 am
Generally, side effects of prescription drugs are known. Pharmacists (and doctors) are trained to know them, and to watch for them or take actions to prevent them. That's actually partly why they require prescriptions. It is actually quite rare that a previously-unknown becomes apparent for drugs already approved for use.
It's much more dangerous when a common consumer, with little or no medical training, reads about some herb on a website selling the stuff. The website will say the stuff cures everything from bad moods to cancer, just to sell it. The research hasn't been done to determine side effects. Worse still is when a user starts combining these things without the slightest clue as to how they interact.
Vitamins
posted by Linda on 04 Aug 2010 at 6:47 am
Why are we getting supplements from China? That has to stop immediately. And we don't need government control on supplements either.
This does not reveal the worse other half
posted by marvinlzinn on 04 Aug 2010 at 6:54 am
Yes, there can be a danger from anyone taking too much or the wrong supplement, and normal mistakes are often made. However, drugs prescribed by doctors kill far more than any supplement ever did!
I totally eliminated ALL disease, from being sick as a child most of my time. It was mostly from eating the right food (mostly organic), but with lack of a particular ingredient, also add supplements. This enabled me to survive an injury with broken head and seven weeks coma, when no doctor expected me to live five minutes. And had I not stopped some drug prescriptions and refused another, I would be disabled for the rest of my life. I substituted these prescriptions for some supplement, and it worked 100%.
Corrupt govt.
posted by Henry Joy on 04 Aug 2010 at 6:57 am
"..the FDA rules that cover manufacturing of supplements don't cover companies that sell herbs, vitamins and other raw ingredients.."
Figures, just like the shale gas industry is exempt from the clean water and emissions laws. The federal government helps its friends in business FIRST then (maybe) gets around to thinking about the people.
Opinion
posted by Bruce Gillies on 04 Aug 2010 at 7:06 am
What does the F.D.A. do for America? What is the budget for the F.D.A. I personaly don't think we're
getting our money's worth. Has anyone suggested the
(our) goverment become more effient at every thing they
do? It's our taxes that are paying for the waste. To me it is very AMERICAN to make our system work. Who is
trying, lets spotlight those who are trying
I agree and would add...
posted by Rickover on 04 Aug 2010 at 7:15 am
I agree and would add that many people I know who take supplements do it with more knowledge of what they are taking than those who blindly follow a doctor who over-trusts the FDA.
The control this government wants over so many things under the guise of 'protection' is just becoming insane. Basic education and awareness is the missing key in these recent generations of sloths.
Vitamins followup
posted by Deb on 04 Aug 2010 at 7:24 am
@Linda: By asking for the government to stop the import of supplements from China, you ARE saying that the government needs to regulate supplements.
Not the Whole Story
posted by Gosseyn on 04 Aug 2010 at 7:27 am
This story left out the fact that Consumer Reports also listed 12 supplements it thought might be good to take, e.g., fish oil. The questionable products such as Colloidal Silver (that relatively few people take compared to the better-known products) have been known to be risky for years. Individuals should research and know the risks of any product they take. Reputable, large companies in the industry normally have the best access to quality raw materials, and they also have an image and reputation to protect, so in general (but not always) it is wise to stick with known brands.
Natural does not always equal better
posted by Fletcher Scaife on 04 Aug 2010 at 7:55 am
Our family has spent a lot of money through the years on 'natural cures' with mixed results. I now look for a triple blind study on the product before my wallet comes out. I have yet to understand why more herbal companies do not do this type of research on their own products. If they are really interested in promoting the health of their customers, they would make sure that what they are selling is effective.
do you read or understand what you post?
posted by Eric L Broomfield on 04 Aug 2010 at 8:38 am
I think that the post that asks for vitamins from China be banned with the next sentence that the government should keep their hands off vitamins. First of all who do think would enforce the ban, the tooth fairy? Yes some other drugs have dangers and the FDA sends out a list of those dangers. THe FDA does not have the money or authority to properly protect us. This is becasue we vote in representatives that want ot cut the budget and not raise taxes. The mentality of this country needs to rise above that of a 12 year old. Stop believing ads and support proper regulation so we all can safe.
so how?
posted by guycasa on 04 Aug 2010 at 8:42 am
So, no supplements from China, but no gvt oversight. Industry is just supposed to regulate itself then? Ha.
You can't have it both ways
posted by chief0 on 04 Aug 2010 at 9:31 am
re: posted by Linda on 4 Aug 2010 at 6:47 am
Why are we getting supplements from China? That has to stop immediately. And we don't need government control on supplements either.
-------------------------------------------------------
If not our Government, then who is going to stop getting them from China?
Research-based supplementation
posted by Ed Terry on 04 Aug 2010 at 9:55 am
My biggest complaint about supplements is the claims made for them, much like the claims made for prescription drugs. As a pharmacist, I know the pharmaceutical industry is in the position of funding and influencing the funding of medical research to "prove" their products work and having those claims come off as legitimate.
Doctors are often just as misinformed about prescription drugs as they are about supplements. The pharmaceutical industry also has a strong financial incentive to discourage the use of supplements. Thirty years ago pharmaceutical salesmen were actually pharmacists. The drug companies then learned that they could influence doctors more efficiently by using marketing people.
There are websites available (at a small cost) that analyze and test the purity of supplements. One also reviews the health claims for supplements (hint google consumer + labs) and reports on the veracity and evidence of such claims. There are supplement manufacturers that produce products lacking in quality. Surprisingly, it's often the more expensive brands that fail quality control.
Supplements provide an alternative to prescription drugs for treating a wide variety of ailments. Sometimes the benefit is from the placebo effect, just like it is with pharmacueticals.
I also agree that the FDA's customers are the drug companies, not the American people, and sometimes they do get away with murder. It's unfortunate but true.
Beware Rx too
posted by Alex on 04 Aug 2010 at 12:24 pm
Even regulated drugs give pause because the FDA allows a certain percentage of mystery ingredients, sub-ingredients are outsourced, and factories really aren't regulated. And, there are differences between generic brands, patients aren't imagining it
Kava isn't unsafe
posted by Dust on 04 Aug 2010 at 12:49 pm
The "liver damage" report on Kava was from a batch of Kava that was accidentally mixed with another herb that is now not sold due to liver damage. Despite that, the fact that it was published means that people cite it as true years after it's proved untrue. Of course herbs have side effects, people should research these things before they take them. Everyone should stay informed which is the key to safe use of plants. There are far more side effects with prescription meds, since they concentrate one part of the plant and don't have the supporting alkaloids to balance the effect.
Good Manufacturing Practices
posted by John on 04 Aug 2010 at 1:29 pm
"..the FDA rules that cover manufacturing of supplements don't cover companies that sell herbs, vitamins and other raw ingredients.."
This is why you should only buy supplement brands that have stringent quality control testing throughout the entire manufacturing chain and don't just repackage the contaminated raw materials from China where environmental regulations are lax. There are only a handful of brands that care enough to go that far.
Regulate Supplements Now
posted by Reco Stahl on 04 Aug 2010 at 5:15 pm
This problem has been known for far too long. Unfortunately, common sense legislative proposals have been killed by hyperbolic propaganda from the supplement industry.
Secondly, perhaps we do need to address prescription drugs and safety, as well as food safety and other issues. That does not change the fact that the supplement system is broken and needs to be fixed.
Regulate NOW!
Actually, Kava Has Been Linked To Liver Damage Repeatedly
posted by Reco Stahl on 04 Aug 2010 at 5:26 pm
A post above makes a claim that does not stand up to scrutiny. The liver damage concerns in regard to Kava have nothing to do with a single "bad batch." The concerns have been reported over time, and in various parts of the planet. In fact, the matter has even been addressed via actual research.
See:
Kava Linked To Liver Damage, New Evidence Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222111446.htm
Kava Linked to Liver Damage
http://nccam.nih.gov/news/alerts/kava/
Is Kava Safe?
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=199
Kava Herbal Medicine Banned in Britain and Germany, U.S. Relies on Warning Labels
http://news.cancerconnect.com/kava-herbal-medicine-banned-in-britain-and-germany-us-relies-on-warning-labels/
Unfortunately, the same supplement industry that doesn't want common sense regulation, has put out tons of misinformation on kava. There is no way to trust the supplement industry.
kava liver damage?
posted by jon on 04 Aug 2010 at 7:01 pm
Kava has been cleared of the accusation of possibly causing liver damage. There were companies using the wrong part of the plant in its extractions but when the proper part (roots only) are used then the extract is safe for consumption.
The Posts Show The Need For Government Oversight
posted by James Arch on 04 Aug 2010 at 11:06 pm
Two posts make baseless claims that kava "has been cleared of possibly causing liver damage." In between those claims, another post shows that those claims are ludicrous. Why are people making such baseless claims? I have no idea. However, it's clear that there is some very misleading information being spread on supplements, in addition to the concerns brought by the article itself.
Bioavailability
posted by Barb on 05 Sept 2010 at 9:33 am
I take (and sell) Isotonic liquid supplements for that very reason - bioavailability. That's an important consideration with any vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, etc. that a person takes.
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