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Posts Tagged ‘Health Supplement’

Reading between the lines of many health supplement labels is this caveat:

WARNING: This label may be misleading the public. Supplement facts represented on this label may be inaccurate or other valuable information withheld in order for this product to attract more selling value. Labels in the health supplement industry are often misleading. The FDA has limited oversight on health supplements. High profits in this lucrative industry has attracted all kinds of manufacturers, many using inferior raw materials, negligent production practices, inaccurate labeling and false claims to sell their products. The industry is so large and expanding that all kinds of manufacturers can make a niche for themselves in this highly profitable sector.How can you make a wise choice for a quality health supplement product? First, let’s understand what a health supplement is.

What is a Health Supplement?

Health supplements are dietary supplements defined by Congress in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, 1994 as being, “a product (other than tobacco) taken by mouth that contains a dietary ingredient intended to supplement the diet. The dietary ingredients in these products may include: vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, glandulars, and metabolites.” These supplements can be in various forms such as capsules, tablets, soft-gels, gel-caps, powders, liquids, or even bars. They can be used for many different purposes such as lowering cholesterol, increasing energy, supporting immune health, weight loss, weight/muscle gain, for overall well-being, or other health-benefiting reasons. These products are sold at health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, national discount chains, mail-order and Internet.

The Choice

Choosing from a myriad of health supplements can be a daunting task for a consumer. For any particular health concern, most health supplements all promise the same benefit, all have the same, if not similar ingredients. So how do you choose? Some of them even make tall, incredible health claims and only a few of them carry any precautionary warnings. Here are a few guidelines to go by when choosing a health supplement. The Credibility of the Manufacturer: Choose a manufacturer that has credibility. A GMP-certified company is a good start. GMP certified company would entail that strict manufacturing systems are in place at every stage of production. Ensure Credibility: Search the web for the company’s history and reputation. Does the website contain their contact information? Can you talk to them over the phone or through live assistance on their website for any queries you may have? Quality: In order to be effective, a health supplement must be of the highest possible quality. Quality varies widely because there are no quality standards in the health supplement industry. Factors to quality are: Physician Formulated Products: Look for products that have been physician formulated by a well-known doctor, not just accredited by a doctor. Research and Development. Check whether the company has a research and development team. This means they have conducted various tests and trials on the product to ensure safety and effectiveness of ingredients, including whether the end product is of the highest purity and potency value. Labels: The FDA requires that certain information appear on the dietary supplement label. Look for these: Name of product (including the word “supplement” or a statement that the product is a supplement) Net quantity of contents Name and place of business of manufacturer, packer, or distributor Directions for use In certain cases, a disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” A Supplement Facts panel that lists: Serving size, list of dietary ingredients, amount per serving size (by weight), percent of Daily Value (%DV), if established If the dietary ingredient is a botanical, the scientific name of the plant or the common or usual name standardized in the reference Herbs of Commerce, 2nd Edition (2000 edition) and the name of the plant part used If the dietary ingredient is a proprietary blend (i.e., a blend exclusive to the manufacturer), the total weight of the blend and the components of the blend in order of predominance by weight Try not to make the price of the product a deciding factor. There are many cheaper products available in the market but in the long run your health will benefit from a product from a reliable manufacturer. Tall health claims: If the product makes incredulous claims that seem too good to be true, use your discretion. Avoid such products. Expiration date. Dietary supplements should carry an expiration date as they can lose potency over time. Educate yourself. Study the ingredients on the internet. Visit reliable sites that will give you accurate information on the ingredients in the product. Some of the ingredients may be safe to use, but have precautions for use not mentioned on the label. Precautions: If you are taking medications, be aware that herbal supplements may interact adversely with them. If you are under 18 or over 65 be aware that herbal supplements may not have been tested on your age group. Check with your doctor before taking any health supplements.

Remember, dietary supplements are not a substitute for food, but can complement your diet especially if you are not getting the required nutrition you need through your diet.

Medicine-whether in the form of health supplements or pharmaceuticals-is big business indeed. With profit margins that are nearly four times the average of any other business, the pharmaceutical industry enjoys a top position being amongst the most profitable businesses in the world.

The nutraceutical industry is not far behind offering stiff competition to pharmaceutical counterparts. Research is booming and science-based studies have given successful impetus to the plant-based health supplement industry. Some of the more popular botanicals like as Echinacea, gingko biloba, ginseng, garlic, and St. John’s Wort are seeing sales that put them in the same league with many prescription drugs. In fact, so popular is the health supplement industry that pharmaceutical giants like Bayer, American Home Products, Johnson and Johnson and Boeheringer-Ingelheim have all begun to sell supplements!

What is the Difference?

There is not much of a difference between nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals except for the way in which they are regulated in the United States although both are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration. Major differences include:

* Pharmaceuticals that are derived from plant proteins for vaccines and medical treatments are not the same as nutraceuticals. The major difference is that pharmaceuticals are designed specifically for medical use under a physician’s supervision, and are subject to Food And Drugs Administration approval.
Health supplements do not need medical supervision, nor Food And Drugs Administration approval.
* Pharmaceuticals need prescription from a certified doctor for purchase. The choice of a health supplements is up to the individual. Health supplements are sold without restrictions at health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, national discount chains, mail-order and Internet.
* There are no strict regulating laws governing health supplements. Just about anyone can put together a health supplement, notify the Food And Drugs Administration , and put it in the market. In stark contrast, it takes anywhere between 8-12 years for a new drug to be approved by the Food And Drugs Administration . Pharmaceuticals undergo intense regulatory reviews by the Food And Drugs Administration .
* Because of stricter regulations, pharmaceuticals have greater evidence of efficacy and safety. Whereas health supplements are based on tradition with insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. However, this is changing as new research builds up to support the health benefits of some of the accepted nutrients. Eg omega 3 fatty acids.
* Pharmaceuticals are patented. Herbs and health supplements are not patented and therefore the profits are limited with stiff competition from all kinds of health supplement manufacturers.
* Pharmaceuticals spend millions of dollars for research and paperwork for a new therapeutic claim of an established drug all to satisfy Food And Drugs Administration requirements. Food And Drugs Administration requirements for health supplements are not at all stringent apart from barring them from making any false health claims about their product and adding a disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
* Pharmaceuticals come with various side effects. Known side effects are required to be disclosed on the label. While health supplements do not require a listing of side effects, there tends to be fewer cases of side effects associated with the use of health supplements.

Complaining about the high cost of traditional medicine and side effects, many people are turning to alternative medicine in the form of health supplements. A report by the Hartman Group, a leading market research firm called, “The Wellness Trends in 2002″ found that Americans are beginning to place the family and good health above the daily routines of life. Among those interviewed many expressed frustration with U.S. healthcare system and wanted more control over their own health. The report said, “Dietary supplements … (allow) them a way of self-managing their own health … giving them a sense of empowerment,” the report states. This is an advantage over pharmaceuticals.According to the Nutrition Business Journal fast growth in the nutraceutical market is seen in weight-loss products.

The demand for such products is growing as you consider the more than 120 million overweight Americans and 17 million diabetics who are looking for supplements that increase metabolism, suppress or satiate appetite, and control blood sugar. Such sectors in the health supplement industry have gained footage over pharmaceuticals.In America, 60% of the consumers take some kind of food supplement and 30 to 40% take herbal supplements. Health supplements are gaining such credibility that many physicians are recommending them to their patients before prescribing riskier pharmaceuticals. Of the health supplement users 95% are satisfied with supplements.In the meanwhile, research is still booming in both industries! Health supplement manufacturers continue to unveil groundbreaking products as new evidence supporting the health benefits of nutraceuticals emerges.

If administered with right recommendation and right approach, food supplements can do wonders to your health. Staying healthy and fit is one of the most important aspects of living a happy life. The food we eat on daily basis is often not sufficient to provide you all the essential nutritional elements to keep you healthy. It has been proven in various experimental studies that health supplement is extremely beneficial for the general heath.

However, people cannot completely rely upon health items only to gain overall health. Health equipments include several things such as protein pills, milkshakes, Gloominess and others. Protein health products are efficient supplement for muscle growth. People suffering from joint and muscle pains and aches are highly benefited by intake of gloominess.

There is misconception among the common people that health items are for only sports people and gym goers. Health products can benefit all people of any age. At the time of pregnancy, women are given health products to keep them at the peak of health. This not only keeps them healthy but also protects them from any kind of problems. Pregnant women are advised to take four hundred micrograms of folic acid every day while normally we need only 200 micrograms of folic acid. These health equipments can be taken to top up the body needs. These are very efficient and cost effective.

These health equipments are very much recommended for young children and old people. Young children need health equipments to help them grow up strong as they keep several vitamins. They also make their immune system strong. These days, young children prefer to eat junk food often which deprives them from having right amount of nutrients in their body. Moreover, kids burn off their energy and vitamins as they are extremely active and run around. These vitamin supplements surely help them grow in a healthy way. However, before you start giving health equipments to your child, it is advisable to consult with your GP.

Older people are definitely benefited by health equipments as they do not get sufficient sunshine or their body cannot absorb nutrients from the food eaten. If they do not get sufficient sunshine, they can take the health equipments containing vitamin D. In addition, they can take calcium health care products to protect their bones from any problem occurring due to lack of calcium.

Before you buy health equipment, it is better to take proper advice from your doctor about the type of supplement and its dosage. It is useless to take a supplement which your body does not need.