Dietary Supplements: What You don't Know Can Hurt You
Location
CSU
Student's Major
Chemistry and Geology, Honors Program
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Mary Susan Jonston
Mentor's Department
English
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
The dietary supplements that Americans are increasingly using include any product taken by mouth that contain some type of "dietary ingredient." According to the Food and Ding Administration (FDA), the ingredients in these dietary supplements may include any combination of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, as well as enzymes, organ tissues, metabolites, extracts, or other concentrates. Each year, various dietary supplements claim unwary victims all around the country. In fact, the manufacturing and distribution of these products is a huge industry that is growing at astounding rates. I have made a review of specific case histories linking supplement use to serious illness or death. I have also compared clinical studies to product manufacturer claims that do not require approval from the FDA. With this information, I have concluded that these supplements are too risky and experimental to justify their use. Too few federal manufacturing standards are in place to monitor their production and offer very little protection for the American population. Testing the dietary supplements is inadequate and many of the side effects and other potential problems are rarely identified. In addition, there are many alternative options to increase health and performance without the risk and uncertainty of artificial supplements.
Dietary Supplements: What You don't Know Can Hurt You
CSU
The dietary supplements that Americans are increasingly using include any product taken by mouth that contain some type of "dietary ingredient." According to the Food and Ding Administration (FDA), the ingredients in these dietary supplements may include any combination of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, as well as enzymes, organ tissues, metabolites, extracts, or other concentrates. Each year, various dietary supplements claim unwary victims all around the country. In fact, the manufacturing and distribution of these products is a huge industry that is growing at astounding rates. I have made a review of specific case histories linking supplement use to serious illness or death. I have also compared clinical studies to product manufacturer claims that do not require approval from the FDA. With this information, I have concluded that these supplements are too risky and experimental to justify their use. Too few federal manufacturing standards are in place to monitor their production and offer very little protection for the American population. Testing the dietary supplements is inadequate and many of the side effects and other potential problems are rarely identified. In addition, there are many alternative options to increase health and performance without the risk and uncertainty of artificial supplements.
