The Truth about over-the-counter nutritional medicine

Is It Really In The Bottle?

Everywhere you look there is exciting new research on the efficacy of nutritional supplements.

Unfortunately, the average consumer does not realize that evidence seems to come out monthly indicating that nutritional products do not always meet label claims. In fact, several recent studies reveal that many of the products tested did not meet label claims. Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.

Study: Only 2 of 32 Met Label Claims

A study completed at the Pharmacy School at the University of Maryland on 32 bottles of chondroitin sulfate purchased at pharmacies and health food stores indicated that only 2 of the products met label claims. In fact, 14 of the 32 bottles contained 10% or less of the amount claimed on the label. What were the buyer's chances of getting a good product when only 2 of 32 products met label claims? (1)

Study: Less Than 30% Of Label Claims Met

Another study evaluated 51 antioxidant products purchased through mail order catalogues and health food stores. Less than 30% of all antioxidant claims were met. What is even more shocking is that 7 of the 51 products tested revealed no antioxidant activity at all. (2)

Study: 10% Of Products Tested Had No Measurable Amounts Of Echinacea

This study tested 59 echinacea-only products that were purchased in the Denver, Colorado area. The testing found that 10% of the products tested contained no measurable amount of echinacea. The echinacea species found in each product was consistent with the label claim in only 52% of the samples. Of the 21 products that were labeled as being standardized, only 43% met the quality standard designated on the label. (3)

What if you gave your patient one of the 10% of the products that contained no measurable amount of echinacea? How can you dose with products where only 52% met label claims and only 43% of the products that were "standardized" met label claims?

If you think all of these are exceptions to the norm, think again. Recently one of the Chiropractic schools sent a bromelain product to Biotics Research to be tested for activity. The product had absolutely no milk clotting activity (a standard assay for bromelain activity).

Bacteria, Mold, Heavy Metal Contamination

At a recent International College of Integrative Medicine seminar, James Short, M.D., presented slides of off-shore raw material manufacturing plants that caused the crowd of health care professionals to cringe at the thought of all the bacteria and mold that the raw materials were processed and packaged in. Certainly the manufacturer provides the product in respectable containers that are clean and safely sealed. But, the conditions that are present before it reaches the manufacturer's hands are unknown even to the supplier who sells the raw materials.

Dr. Short compared the heavy metal content in parts per million (ppm) of 11 glucosamine products. The cumulative toxic metal profile ranged from 10 ppm to 2100 ppm. These are huge differences and may not make a difference to a healthy person in the short term, but over a long period of time can add to an already toxic load. Imagine giving the 2100 ppm product to someone already burdened with heavy metals. It could be the proverbial "straw that breaks the camel's back".

Find A Good Manufacturer

There is only one sure way of buying nutritional or herbal supplements. Do the research and find a manufacturer that tests every raw material that comes into its doors. It is surprising, but most nutritional\herbal manufacturing companies do not test raw materials they receive from outside suppliers. They receive assays from the supplier that they take on faith. The studies indicated above prove this to be ineffective when you are concerned with quality, potency, cleanliness, freshness, etc. Most manufacturers don't have the personnel, technical knowledge or physical capacity to test the raw materials they receive. They simply encapsulate or tablet the materials and put them into bottles. Again, let the buyer beware.

Clearly, the company the health care professional chooses to provide the supplemental needs of their patient's should not be taken lightly.

This article was researched and written by:

Biotics Research Corporation

D.S.D. International, 11001 North 24th Ave., Suite 603,

Phoenix, AZ 85029

RESEARCH RESOURCES

(1) Adebowale, Cox, Liang and Eddingion - Analysis of Glucosamines and Chondroitin Sulfates Content in Marketed Products and the Caco-2 Permeability of Chrondroitin Sulfate Raw Materials, JANA Spring 2000, Volume 3, No 1,37-44.

(2) Bucci, Klenda, Stiles and Sparks - Truth in Labeling for Antioxidant Products, Survey of Label Claims and Product Potencies, Board of Nutrition, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1989, Davenport, Iowa.

(3) Gilroy, Steiner, Byers, Shipiro and Georgian - Echinacea and Truth in Labeling, Arch Internal Medicine, 2003, 163(6), 699-704.