Are dietary supplements safe? - Herb Extract Inc.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The dietary supplement industry is a $60 billion industry in the United States alone, and it’s growing. For many it’s a source to improve their lifestyle.

From easing nerve pain to reducing memory loss, there is likely a supplement that claims big results, but are they safe? Before you self-prescribe, know that there are risks that could land you in medical trouble if you’re not aware.

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Elizabeth Jones of Knoxville started researching which supplements could help improve her health a few years ago.

“So, I got on a path to really learn about nutrition more during COVID, when we couldn’t do much, I got on the computer and got certified in health and wellness,” she said.

Jones said she’s been pleased with what she has found, “Collagen is good for skin, bones, all those kinds of things, also for hair regrowth. I was losing my hair a few years ago. Started taking this within a month, I saw some good results from that.”

But buyers should beware – the supplement industry isn’t held to the same standards as medications.

“When you buy a supplement at a drugstore or at a supplement store, there is not the same type of regulation that you have when you buy an over-the-counter medicine. It is absolutely night and day,” Lee Murphy, University of Tennessee Distinguished lecturer and registered dietitian, said.

Murphy says supplements can be helpful for those who have nutritional gaps.

“So, you know, the market is so saturated with a million brands. You know, if you go to Walmart, you go to any of these stores, there are so many brands,” she said. “Everybody says it’s all natural. How do you make sure that you’re taking something that is going to be okay for your body? Because the regulations aren’t the same as medicines under that prescription.”

Murphy walked us through ways to ensure what you’re buying stacks up to its promise.

“If you are walking down the aisle, you heard this was a good supplement on social media or your friend or whomever, and you thought, I don’t know where to start,” she said. “Having this seal is helpful. And so there’s one called USP that stands for US Pharmacopeia, in particular, is basically their third party groups that go in and make sure that what is stated on the label is what’s in the product that you’re consuming. It basically gives the consumer a little added protection.”

It’s a concern Jones says she’s mindful of, “I’m no expert in it. I just read and find what it says. I also have to sort out what companies, you know, what’s their end game? If they’re smaller, Mom and Pop kind of people, and they have good reviews.”

Manager of Integrated Pharmacy at Summit Medical Group Jesse Reed says social media posts on supplements are driving curious buyers to pharmacies.

“With the birth of TikTok and, you know, it used to just be dr oz right out there promoting some of these products, but now we’re getting different information streams,” Reed said.

Before you stock up, Reed says it’s important your doctor is aware of any supplements you’re taking. He’s seen what happens when you don’t.

“So they [a patient] decided to supplement with something that was over the counter called ashwagandha, very common. Lots of patients are currently taking it with success, but because they were on a medication already for depression when they took it, there was an interaction that ended up having some muscular skeletal issues, or musculoskeletal interactions,” said Reed.

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And there are multiple examples of potentially harmful supplement and medication combinations.

“The real answer is to find out exactly what you need. You would actually need to have blood work done with your provider, and so I highly recommend if you’re suspecting that you’re extremely low on vitamin D, because it’s the winter and you haven’t had sunlight. Before, you choose to take 5000, 10,000, 2000 IU, 400 right? All these strengths are available, but we won’t know what’s right for you without looking at your blood work or having that conversation with your provider,” Reed said.

It’s a conversation that will keep you on the path to good health. Here are some resources with information on supplement evaluations:

eatright.org

ods.od.nih.gov

fda.gov

consumerlab.com

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