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Your Supplements are a Lie

Johnny Harris・26 minutes read

Researchers found that many supplements contain illegal substances like steroids, leading to unintentional doping, while the U.S. government lacks concern, allowing dangerous products to be sold. The $50 billion supplement industry lacks regulation, with companies making health claims without FDA approval, leading to potential risks and wasted money for consumers.

Insights

  • Over 3000 supplements tested contained illegal substances, with a significant portion having steroids, leading to unintentional doping, highlighting the lack of regulation and oversight in the supplement industry.
  • The U.S. government's minimal concern over contaminated supplements, inaccurate CBD levels, and lack of pre-market safety approval, coupled with the industry's reliance on an honor system, showcases a dangerous scenario where potentially harmful products are readily available, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and monitoring to protect consumers.

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Recent questions

  • Are all dietary supplements safe for consumption?

    Not all dietary supplements are safe for consumption, as research has shown that many supplements contain illegal substances, such as steroids, and are contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The lack of regulation in the supplement industry allows for potentially dangerous products to be sold to consumers, highlighting the importance of caution when choosing supplements.

  • How does the U.S. government regulate dietary supplements?

    The U.S. government lacks strict regulation over dietary supplements, as they are classified as food rather than medicine under a 1994 law. This classification allows supplement companies to make health claims without FDA approval and introduce new products without notification. The FDA only intervenes after harm is proven, leading to minimal oversight in the industry.

  • Do dietary supplements provide significant health benefits?

    Research has shown that the benefits of dietary supplements in preventing diseases like cancer or heart disease are minimal, with some supplements even posing risks. Doctors recommend supplements only for individuals with deficiencies, emphasizing the importance of getting blood tests to determine individual needs before taking supplements.

  • How can consumers ensure the quality of dietary supplements?

    To ensure the quality and transparency of dietary supplements, individuals are advised to get blood tests to determine deficiencies and necessity for supplements. Additionally, checking third-party websites for supplements that have met high-quality standards can help consumers make informed choices and avoid potentially harmful products.

  • Why is there a lack of regulation in the dietary supplement industry?

    The lack of regulation in the dietary supplement industry is due to the classification of supplements as food, not medicine, under a 1994 law. This classification allows companies to operate without strict FDA oversight, leading to issues such as contamination, inaccurate labeling, and potential health risks for consumers. The supplement lobby's influence on government policies also prioritizes profit over consumer health, contributing to the lack of regulation in the industry.

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Summary

00:00

Supplement Industry Lacks Regulation, Contains Illegal Substances

  • Researchers have found that over 3000 supplements tested contained illegal substances, with 28% having steroids, leading to unintentional doping.
  • 92% of tested supplements were contaminated with bacteria, 87% with fungi, and 55% of CBD oils had inaccurate CBD levels, some even containing THC.
  • The U.S. government lacks concern over these issues, allowing shady companies to sell potentially dangerous products.
  • The supplement industry, worth $50 billion annually, lacks regulation like medicine, relying on an honor system for compliance.
  • Companies can introduce new supplements without FDA notification, following rules that aren't enforced.
  • The 1994 law classifies supplements as food, not medicine, giving companies freedom to make health claims without FDA approval.
  • The law requires a disclaimer on products, stating they haven't been evaluated by the FDA for diagnosis.
  • The FDA lacks pre-market safety approval for supplements, only intervening after harm is proven.
  • The law shifted the industry from $4 billion to $53 billion, with minimal FDA oversight.
  • Meta-analysis of 84 studies found little benefit in preventing cancer or heart disease with supplements, and some may even increase risks.

13:53

Supplement Use: Deficiencies, Risks, and Regulations

  • Doctors recommend supplements only for those with deficiencies
  • Strict vegans may benefit from multivitamins due to dietary restrictions
  • Government intervention ensures essential substances are available to all
  • Blood tests can determine individual vitamin and mineral needs
  • Many Americans spend billions on unnecessary supplements
  • Excess supplements are excreted, leading to wasted money
  • Some individuals take supplements despite not needing them
  • Lack of regulation leads to dangerous contamination in supplements
  • Kratom, a popular supplement, has been linked to salmonella poisoning and addiction
  • FDA needs more authority and resources to monitor supplement safety and accuracy

26:59

Supplement lobby prioritizes profit over consumer health

  • The supplement lobby spends over $2 million annually on lobbying to maintain the status quo, prioritizing profit over consumer health, leading to potential risks of misleading and deceiving consumers.
  • To ensure supplement quality and transparency, individuals are advised to get their blood tested to determine deficiencies and necessity for dietary supplements, with recommendations to check third-party websites for supplements that have met high-quality standards.
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