The FDA evaluates supplements for safety but not efficacy nor accuracy of the claimed benefits. Supplements have a place, but it is good to work with your doctors to determine which will be of the most benefit when incorporated with your diet and any medications you take to yield the results you seek.
I agree doctors should be consulted but the simple fact is that doctors are trained in medicine. Not nutrition and preventive care. Most in my experience won’t engage. Those that do are worth going back to.
There are doctors arguing for an overhaul of the medical system to address these lacks but for now at least this is a “fringe” issue that most dismiss. Be wise, do your homework, and take advantage of supplements when and how they make sense.
@great_pillow08 yep creatine is not just for bodybuilders. Your brain actually uses it for energy. Here’s a short that seems pretty accurate
@thefuncartel
I get what you are saying about blanket statements, unless you have been apart of the industry the websites can saay anything, in reality it may be different. I guess no different than me making a statement due your diligence.
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):
Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by DSHEA and FDA regulations. FDA has the authority to take action against any adulterated or misbranded dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. —
Typically the regulation comes after reports or issues, then they will swoop in. You tomorrow can sell bag of your lawn clippings, soaked in natural spring water, and state that anecdotally that (3-10) 30% of people lost weight. Great for cleansing the colon etc. I jest, but similar!
As for the USP:
Well, Ok you got me there… take a peek though: and let me know what you see? (Yep a few different products, but who is the most often seen name? As for Kirkland, I am not for sure who the co-packer/manfucturer is but wouldn’t be surprised if the Kirkland Brand is coming out of a Nature Made Manufacturing Facility to get the USP Labeling.
https://www.quality-supplements.org/usp_verified_products
unless you have been apart of the industry the websites can saay anything
@LuvRubs Again I was a part of the industry for several years as I have said multiple times on this thread. I was in it when the fight of over regulation was really raging before you even started so I am more than familiar with the abuses. But what the websites say is subject to FDA oversight as stated on their website. Believe it or not but it is less of a Wild West show than it was 30+ years ago.
Solaray and Country Life as well as several other companies are NSF certified which does the same thing as USP. Both are not-for-profit organizations. They are all FDA GMP certified as well and have been around about as long as Nature Made.
Been in the industry as well, I actually sell into all the manufactures and have for over 20+ years. NSF is more acutely looking for Label accuracy. Did you mean Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP)?
Anywho, just in the forum to help share info, when it becomes a tit-for-tat messaging between the two of us… not of my interest nor the groups.
@lovingspoonfull I can't speak to your experience, but I see doctors frequently asking their patients to start taking supplements. Iron supplements, fish oil, specific vitamins, or in the case of FunCartel Beet Root. I've never seen a doctor shy away from recommending supplements when it makes sense to do so.
Many Off Brand or Vanity Brand pay to have their name on the SAME product as Name Brands. All those Brands from super centers, do this. Yes, do your due dilegence and look for third party testing, verify that testing center as well. I prefer you EAT your nutrients with a better diet. You probably will spend same amount of money or even less but it will taste better. You generally only absorb 50-60% of supplement.