Supplements are sold without review or approval of the FDA. They are not allowed to make specific health claims, but general ones, such as “improves well-being” and “boosts energy” are legal. That leaves the door open for unscrupulous, or careless, manufacturers. The FDA also does not regulate the manufacturers recommended dosage or even if the supplement contains the products on the label.
Be well
Nootropics, Piracetam
A new study looking at one of the popular “nootropic” drugs, piracetam, found dangerous variances between recommended dosages on competing product labels. From the report, “Following the manufacturers’ recommendations on the labels, consumers could be exposed to quantities ranging from 831 mg to 11 283 mg of piracetam per day, depending on the brand consumed.”
Presence of Piracetam in Cognitive Enhancement Dietary Supplements – JAMA, Internal Medicine Nov 25, 2019
Fertility Supplements
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) investigated the fertility claims made by 39 supplements, ones with names such as Fertile CM, Pregnitude, FertilHerb for Women, OvaBoost, and Pink Stork. They concluded there is no research to support the claims and the CSPI is calling on the FDA to go so far as to seize the products.
Calling for federal action, watchdog says there’s no evidence dietary supplements for infertility help women get pregnant – Stat News, Nov 18, 2019
Diabetes, D3, Omega-3 fatty acids
People with type 2 diabetes often develop chronic kidney disease. With few other treatments available, the effect of vitamin D3 or omega-3 fatty acid supplements was tested on about 1,000 people with type 2 diabetes. The study did not find a benefit for using the supplements.
Effect of Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Kidney Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes – JAMA November 8, 2019
