Americans spent just over $28 billion last year on medical supplements. That’s more than the video game industry (just about $20 billion) and about 28 times the education budget here in our nation’s capital. But what are they really getting? Yesterday’s New York Times (click here) exposes some of the shocking dangers of supplements and also highlights the lack of benefits from other non-FDA regulated drugs.
From dangerous chemicals, illegal drugs, and controlled substances, to plainly ineffective leaves ground together in capsules, consumers are tricked every day into purchasing useless or dangerous supplements. These products are available online at amazon.com, ebay.com and plenty of less reputable sites. But that’s not all – you can pick up any number of questionably effective “supplements” at your local GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. So, with unprecedented convenience, we’ve forked over $28 billion, much of it wasted.
This thirst for a cure, any cure to what ails us is hardly new. Recall the snake oil salesmen who by popular legend followed settlers west with potions claiming to be a cure all. And so the tradition continues. Millions of Americans take supplements every day. Some see no results and assume “I’m just not noticing it” or “I’m sure it works for others.” But what if – and this may be harder to swallow than a candy coated supplement capsule – you were duped? What can you do? Are you in danger?
Some of the more questionable supplements seem to be:
- Pai You Guo
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- JaDera
This post is the first in a coming series that will attempt to answer the following questions:
- What are we buying?
- What are the harms and dangers?
- Who is being hurt?
- What are the warning signs – how can I protect myself?
- The FDA and FTC have proven ineffective – what can I do to help?
In the meantime, please feel free to submit your complaints or suggestions for supplements we should keep an eye on to info@berklawdc.com.
Assisted by Zachary Kady