Buy with caution from botanicas
IStockPhoto
When scientists analyzed the reporter's haul, they didn't find any relevant evidence on the plants' efficacy or safety, leaving Consumer Reports concerned. Experts also questioned the supply chain used by some of the stores to obtain the herbal ingredients, which may not meet industry standards.
How to protect yourself:
Check with your doctor before taking traditional herbs and make sure you know where they came from. If cultural health practices are important to you, visit an integrative physician who combines conventional medical treatments with holistic methods.
I agree with the folks who call this article propaganda. While I agree that most of one's vitamins should come from whole unprocessed foods, I think there is a great deal more to worry about with pharmaceuticals and the inert crap being pawned off as food these days.
Try doing some research and reading instead of relying on anything and everything you hear on Faux Noise. OH! I forgot! The US government would never lie or deceive the citizens of this country!
Pathetic...truly pathetic!
The Natural Products Association (NPA) is the nation's largest association representing natural products and the leading representative of the dietary supplement industry. NPA Executive Director and CEO John Shaw and Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Dr. Cara Welch respond to a Consumer Reports story about vitamins and other supplements:
John Shaw: "Consumer Reports distorts the facts with just another smear campaign against dietary supplements. Data from the government shows that supplements have an excellent safety record, especially considering the millions of supplements sold annually. Nothing in Consumer Reports should convince anyone to stop taking their supplements."
"Supplements are foods, not drugs. If a product makes disease claims or includes a drug, then it's not a supplement. The legitimate supplement industry who we represent wants the criminals selling these illegal drugs out of business."
"Misleading stories like this one are especially unfortunate because they can hurt the mom and pop stores that sell natural products and supplements in communities across America. Tens of thousands of Americans depend on this industry for jobs. They are dedicated to supporting the healthy lifestyles of millions of people."
"Finally, the article offers advice on how to avoid choking. While this is no laughing matter, someone could choke anytime swallowing anything, not just supplements. This is another example of fear-mongering by Consumer Reports and using this issue as an argument against taking supplements is insulting to consumers."
Cara Welch: "Consumer Reports makes the obvious points that nothing is risk-free and too much of anything is not necessarily a good thing. Furthermore, it relies on disputed and inaccurate studies to draw the wrong conclusions. Consumers deserve better."
"For example, the American Heart Association has recommended a diet high in omega-3s and supplementation for those who cannot get enough from their diet. In addition, the federal government itself has approved health claims for supplements, such as associating vitamin D and calcium intake with a reduced risk of osteoporosis."
"Research shows that supplements can address nutritional deficiencies and improve overall health. Getting an adequate amount of nutrition from the diet is ideal, but unfortunately, many Americans are not getting the nutrients they need from the foods they eat. The Natural Products Association encourages a healthy lifestyle for all Americans with supplementation as needed. As always, talk to your doctor before taking any supplements."
NPA offers a variety of information and resources about supplements at www.NPAinfo.org/consumers.
Just as an example of what total BS this is, let's take one quote from the article:
If you get some midday sun during the warmer months and eat vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish, eggs and dairy products fortified with the vitamin, you probably don't need to take a supplement, according to Consumer Reports.
There are numerous studies (that CU conveniently decided to disregard) showing that in order to get enough Vitamin D from the sun, you would have to stand naked for 20 minutes outside each and every day at noon time. And that does not even factor in the fact that as we age, our ability to manufacture Vitamin from the sun decreases yearly and this would mandate longer daily exposures to the sun. We won't even talk about the increased risk of skin cancer because in order to get full benefit from the sunshine, you cannot use any type of sun block!
Also, their comment about "eating fatty fish" does not sound particularly healthy!
Apparently the FDA is doing a negative campaign against vitamins and supplements in hopes of putting them under prescription control as a "benefit to the safety of the public at large", when in fact, it is nothing more than big PHARMA feeling the hurt because some folks get smart enough not to get hooked on the Doctors 'magic' drugs.
If you are over fifty, and go to a doctor, you will leave with at least THREE prescriptions......whether you need them or not. WHY?