News
Briefly
Calendar of Events
Commentary
Opinions
Sports
Diversions
World News
Login
Letter Submission
Search
Archive
Publishing Policy
Classifieds
Mail Subscriptions
St. Cloud State University
College Publisher
Home
>
News
Supplement value discussed
By Amanda Degen
Published:
Monday, April 28, 2003
Herbal supplements account for a multi-billion dollar industry. With over 60 million Americans using supplements, spending is estimated $3 to $4 billion.
For this reason, concerns and issues were addressed by Dr. Carol Martin at a forum in Atwood.
Martin spoke about the dangers of dieting, diet supplements and vitamins Friday in Atwood Little Theatre. The speech,'Dietary Supplements: Healthy or Risky?' focused on the realities of herbal drug use and the negative effects that can occur from their use or misuse.
Martin addressed faulty advertising by discussing the myths of a 'wonder drug.'
According to some advertisements, a person can take one supplement a day, and maintain good wellness without exercise or healthy diet. The truth is, companies often make absurd claims about their dietary products, she said.
"Regardless of who shows you what miracle pill, capsule or food supplement, the answer is simplistic," she said. "Balance your diet and get exercise."
Health risks may occur as a result of supplemental intake. They are not required to be approved by the FDA, unlike actual dietary drugs that show medical benefits, Martin said. As long as it is considered a supplement and not a drug, the FDA does not have to take the time to evaluate it.
Martin explained that some drugs have proven to be harmful.
"Look at Ephedra. It's illegal in Canada, yet it's still not illegal here, even though we are aware of some of the horrendous side effects of it.," she said. "Last year, I had a student stand up and state that she had a stroke, the cause of it from her diet pills."
Martin talked about the key words of a dietary supplement that would let the consumer know it was fraudulent.
Use of words like magical, secret sure, breakthrough or new discovery can tip off a consumer. Also, if it is designed to detoxify, purify or energize the consumer, along with lack of scientific research references an unsafe supplement is possible.
"Avoid companies that claim that the supplements have only benefits and no side effects," Martin said. "There are always side effects to anything you put in your mouth or ingest," she said. "And are the drug companies suppressing information about a particular treatment? Trust me, if they had the information, somebody would be selling the product and making millions."
If used wrong, supplements can cause injury. Products containing ephedrine, combined with caffeine, can lead to stroke, heart attack and death. When herbal laxatives and diuretics are abused, they can lead to heart irregularities. Side effects range from random bleeding, allergic reactions, dizziness and dry mouth to insomnia, gastrointestinal irregularities, kidney stones, rash and liver disease and failure.
"Anything taken will have side effects; and just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe. It just means it is unregulated," Martin said.
A question and answer session followed for those curious on subjects such as multivitamin and fad diets, like the Atkins diet.
Martin emphasized safety, especially if use is only for the matter of a few pounds that need to be lost.
"If you opt to use these (supplements) for any reason, you should definitely clear it with your physician," Martin said.
Forum:
No comments have been posted for this story.
Post a comment
Privacy Policy
Network Advertising
Article Syndication
