Supplements, Lies, and a Lengthy Transcript

[HuckleB]

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/supplements-lies-and-a-lengthy-transcript/

"...

First, let’s set the stage on which this drama plays out, according to two excellent books on dietary supplements, Natural Causes and Vitamania. In 1991, Congress passed the Nutrition Education and Labeling Act (NELA). Most famously, NELA, for the first time, required that all foods bear the now-familiar nutrition label. It also required that any health claims made for foods be backed by “significant scientific agreement.” Rep. Henry Waxman and others wanted the same standard applied to dietary supplement health claims. After all, if food companies had to meet a certain standard to make health claims for, say, calcium in their products, why shouldn’t claims for the health benefits of calcium in dietary supplement form be held to the same standard? But the supplement industry knew it couldn’t survive under such stringent rules and Sen. Hatch made sure it didn’t happen. All parties agreed to let the FDA decide what standard should be required of supplement health claims and left it at that.

Lo and behold, the FDA turned right around proposed a regulation that dietary supplement health claims would be held to the same “significant scientific agreement” standard. This could be met in one of two ways. The supplement company could submit the evidence to the FDA for review or show that the claim was backed by a statement from a recognized scientific authority, like the National Academy of Sciences. (Actually, this is still the standard for health claims, but DSHEA did away with the necessity of making health claims. The nebulous “structure/function” claim and the “substantiation” standard for evidence obviated the need go to all the trouble.)

Sen. Hatch and the industry were not amused. The industry started an absolutely false rumor that the FDA was out to “ban” or “take away” consumers’ supplements. Thus riled up, hundreds of thousands of people wrote and called Congress demanding that something be done. With that, let’s turn to the hearing itself.

...

Conclusion: DSHEA is still a terrible law that harms consumers

The real experts, those who hew to the standards of evidence-based medicine, are vocal in their condemnation of DSHEA and the profligate use of dietary supplements. (For example, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.) But as long as Orrin Hatch remains in the Senate and the dietary supplement industry continues to rake in billions, regulatory reform is unlikely."

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In cased anyone missed it, the alt-med/supplement industry is supported mightily by Rethug scumbags like Orrin Hatch. They have worked to harm consumers, and enable scam artists to have free reign.

It's time that this stop.

[HuckleB]

1. .

[Baobab]

2. This frame isnt accurate either.

Just saying.

The fact is, there are a lot of dietary supplements which are extremely useful. the most important issue in my opinion is truth in labeling.

Generally I am extremely glad that they are available.

[HuckleB]

3. The piece in the OP is accurate, unlike your response.

Please don't promote con artists. If they could show that many supplements were truly beneficial, why would they do everything they can to ensure that they don't have to do that? This frame is exactly the reality. It's time for you to admit that. You would save yourself a lot of money, and, perhaps, time, if you did.

http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/herbal-supplements-unproven-unregulated-unsafe/

[Baobab]

4. I buy supplements in bulk when I buy them.

There are lots of reputable brands, lots of unknown quality too. I just buy them in bulk, have for decades. Its cheaper.

[HuckleB]

5. You've been fully conned by the supplement scam.

Thanks for the confession.


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/opinion/sunday/skip-the-supplements.html?_r=0

[Baobab]

6. take care...

If you are a doctor, your job is to heal people.

[HuckleB]

7. Part of the job of being human is to help others avoid scam artists out to harm them for money.

If people avoid actual health care in order to waste time and money on unproven, unregulated nonsense, that's the opposite of healing them, and that's what you're promoting. And that's just the start of the problem. Do the right thing for yourself, and for the people you know. Challenge your beliefs with the actual evidence bases. You will be surprised, and, possibly quite angry at the supplement industry. You should be very angry at the supplement industry.

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/where-science-meets-supplements/

[Baobab]

8. scam artist implies money, right?

A several month supply of 50% trans-resveratrol extract powder costs around $12

Its not the way you think.

[HuckleB]

9. The plural of anecdote is not data, and $12 for a worthless product is a scam.

Next.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/resveratrol-the-hype-continues-201202034189