I Think Supps Are Here to Stay…
At least if the latest report from the CDC is accurate. According to the authors, roughly half of American adults use dietary supplements – with multivitamins leading the pack.
I regularly read a range of med blogs – fascinating stuff. But while I admire and support the work these professionals do, I part company with them on one point: DSHEA. The vast majority of these folks go into conniptions over the act, and would like nothing better than to see it completely repealed. I get their reasons: as it’s currently applied, a lot of snake oil (and sometimes dangerous snake oil) ends up on the market.
But that particular horse left the barn a long time ago. As the above report demonstrates, supps are pretty darned popular, and – good, bad or ugly – it’s going to stay that way. Thus, even if I thought repealing it was a good idea (and I don’t!), I think our time is best spent evaluating claims and doing a better job of holding manufacturers/vendors accountable for making false or misleading ones.
Supps are here to stay, so it’s better to adapt to that reality, IMHO, vs. railing against it.
April 14, 2011
I have always thought that the taking, or not taking,of a supplement is a personal choice. Some people believe in them, some don’t. There are some good ones, and bad ones.
I think if people did a little more research before choosing a supplement, then the “problems” would be fewer. I agree completely with you. Evaluating claims and holding manufactures/venders accountable is a great start.