Yesterday’s New York Times featured a very interesting article on what is actually in and not in supplements from 4 major national retailers: Walmart, Walgreens, Target and GNC. The results were disturbing to say the least.
The NY State Attorney General’s office conducted tests that concluded:
Roughly four out of five of the products contained none of the herbs listed on their labels. In many cases, the authorities said, the supplements contained little more than cheap fillers like rice and house plants, or substances that could be hazardous to people with food allergies.
Imagine, you believe you are taking Echinacea to boost your immune system, yet there is not a trace of Echinacea in the capsule!
The tests conducted were only looking to see what was actually in the supplements. These tests didn’t even examine whether or not the amounts of each ingredient actually matched what was on the label.
I would suggest that you read the entire article:
New York Times: What’s In Those Supplements?
It is so upsetting that people believe they are saving money, purchasing supplements at a large retailer, yet now it being proven that not only are they wasting money by not getting what they believe they are buying, but they also could be putting their health in jeopardy, by risking an allergic reaction to an ingredient that isn’t even listed.
I have personally researched each and every company that I carry in my office. I will only carry professional pharmaceutical grade vitamins and supplements from small companies that practice strict quality control. I know that all vitamins and supplements contain only what the label says they contain and in the amount that the label says.
I do not buy vitamins or supplements in bulk. I do not like things to sit on the shelves in our office. I am always happy to order any vitamin or supplement that I do not currently carry, just let me know what you need.
If you would like to discuss your vitamins and supplements… either what you are currently taking or what you like to begin taking, please just let me know.