Ask the Acupuncturist- Brookline, MA: What's Really in Your Supplements & Vitamins?

What’s Really in the Supplements & Vitamins you are Taking?

The NY Times reported this week that a large number of herbal products on the market did not contain the ingredients they claimed to contain. In fact, some of them even included ingredients that could cause harmful side-effects and allergies.

Quoted from the NY Times, “Canadian researchers tested 44 bottles of popular supplements sold by 12 companies. They found that many were not what they claimed to be, and that pills labeled as popular herbs were often diluted – or replaced entirely – by cheap fillers like soybean, wheat and rice.”

Unfortunately, this is the price we pay for companies cutting corners to make a profit. Consumers need to be educated and put their money and demand toward products that are honest and effective.

It’s so important to use products that ensure the highest quality, purity and provide the potency that they mark on their bottles.

There are only a handful of brands that I personally use and that I recommend for patients because of their stringent testing and consistency.

I went to Wisconsin last month to visit the manufacturing facility and toured the organic farm of a supplement and vitamin brand that I use in my office. They do extensive clinical research and analysis of their product in order to maintain quality, purity and potency. It was enlightening, and really confirmed why they are a superior product line.

Another aspect to consider when choosing supplements are whole food based supplements, versus synthetic products. Most brands out there on the market are synthetic. These can be toxic, not as readily absorbed and easily overdosed. Products that are extracted directly from foods, however, provide better absorption, easily assimilated by our bodies, and extremely safe.

If you have questions about the supplements you are taking and/or want to switch to a healthier, more effective brand, contact me: Nicole@SageBostonAcupuncture.com