Many times when I see things written about supplements, the negative stated is that they are “unregulated” and can be hazardous to your health. Well, is that really true? I see commercials for drugs every single day and the list of possible negative side effects mentioned is longer and scarier than the condition they are supposed to treat. And they are (supposedly) regulated!
This segment from an article on Dr. Mercola’s site clarifies: This is patently false, and you only have to look at the very first sentence on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Website1 to settle that dispute. There, it plainly states:
“FDA regulates both finished dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients. FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering ‘conventional’ foods and drug products. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA):
FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market.” (Emphasis mine)
Data from the European Union indicate that pharmaceutical drugs are 62,000 times as likely to kill you as dietary supplements.
I’ve recommended specific supplements for people over the years and some have been wary to take a natural supplement, but wouldn’t think twice about taking a drug their doctor prescribes – no questions asked! Now understand, just because a supplement is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe in all circumstances or right for everyone. However, drugs have a very questionable track record, so I would suggest at least as much caution – if not more – when considering a pharmaceutical drug.
Let’s use statins as an example. Doctors now want one-third of all adults to be on a statin medication whether they have heart problems or not – even though they carry serious side effects and studies show they don’t prevent heart attacks or strokes for the majority of people. So who do you believe?
I don’t even expect you to believe me – here is a wonderful resource. Visit this site and type in “statins” in the search box on top. It will then ask you to refine your search. I clicked on “Statins for Heart Disease Prevention (Without Prior Heart Disease).” You will see the summary at the top shows that 98% saw no benefit, 0% were able to avoid death, 1.6% had a heart attack prevented and .4% avoided a stroke. Not the huge benefits the drug companies would have you believe. As scripture says we must know the truth and that truth will make us free!
I use and recommend specific supplements to clients as well as friends and family. This excerpt from a press release speaks volumes for me:
“Over a 27-year period, vitamin supplements have been alleged to have caused the deaths of a total of eleven people in the United States. A new analysis of US poison control center annual report data indicates that there have, in fact, been no deaths whatsoever from vitamins… none at all, in the 27 years that such reports have been available.”
Do you feel comfortable taking supplements? Why or why not?
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3-D Vitality 
Ann,
I do take some vitamins and use protein powder — no pharmaceuticals. I’m of the mindset that we should take as few supplements as possible. Problems usually arise when people mix too many meds — supplements or pharmaceuticals.
Have a Victorious Day!
Marianne
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
I agree – I like to keep things as simple as possible. It would be nice if our food was of such good quality that we didn’t need to supplement, but sadly we do. Thankfully we can cover our nutritional bases.
I believe that supplements work, but they are accelerators for a natural nutritious foods that is nutrient deficient and exercise. They do not replace but round out and fill a sensible diet.
The best study to do is how they make you feel and the results in your life. Eat well exercise and then add in supplements and be the judge. I believe that you will recognize the success and revitalization of them in your life.
Thank you for your post.
Regards,
Clifford Mitchem
Advocare Distributor
Nutrition + Fitness = Health
http://www.AdvoCare.com/13087657
I totally agree Clifford – I am a believer in supplements – I am a distributor for Emergent Health supplements – and I always tell people the reason they call them “supplements” is because they are meant to “supplement” a healthy diet!
Just getting people to start a healthy diet is hard enough and then the supplements on top of that is just the cherry.
The really amazing aspect is that people know what to do and they know the benefits but tend to be so addicted to the fat food.
What is your tip for overcoming that inertia?
Regards,
Clifford Mitchem
Advocare Distributor
Nutrition + Fitness = Health
http://www.AdvoCare.com/13087657
Well they have to have a sincere desire to make a change for sure. I find that trying to make too many changes at once or too big a change all at once tends to work against long term change. I suggest what I call “baby steps.” Making changes gradually in small increments and allowing them to become habit before moving on to the next. Also I find that once people start eating cleaner – it helps to retrain taste buds. Taste buds only live for 10-14 days. So by replacing processed junk with real food people are able to retrain their taste buds and this helps eliminate cravings. Real food begins tasting good again and makes it easier to keep making progress.