VITAMINS, MINERALS & SUPPLEMENTS

General Information

Although they may contribute to good health, vitamins and other supplements arent regulated as drugs but as food products meaning quality can vary widely, and you can buy them without prescriptions.

In recent years, the industry has attempted to police itself with voluntary certifications. These "quality seals" vouch for the products manufacturing process, ingredients, dosage strength, purity, potency, consistency and "bio-availability" (how well the formula can be used by the body). But the seals dont certify that the product is safe or effective for you and your particular condition.

 

Warnings and Guidelines

• Beware of cure-alls, products with "secret" ingredients, and sellers who wont send you their research reports.

• Look for Internet sites that follow the same practices as reputable online pharmacies.

• Compare shipping costs as well as product prices.

Supplements Resources

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has clinical studies of ingredient effectiveness. Go to nccam.nih.gov or call (888) 644-6226.
  
  
  
  

  SPOTLIGHT Quality seals include: USP, from the nonprofit firm U.S. Pharmacopeia. Be sure the product bears the actual symbol, not just the letters "USP," which indicates that the manufacturer follows USP guidelines, not that USP has certified the product. GMP, from the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA). Certification is available only to NNFA members. NSF International uses the same criteria as GMP, but is available to non-NNFA members. ConsumerLab.com, a for-profit program, does independent product testing and provides results to subscribers. The use of its seal isnt widespread as yet.