- Supplements
Nicholas Rush, RDN, CDN
October 5, 2022Do your supplements contain what they say they do?
Supplements are not well regulated in the US, which is scary, and in fact the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t verify that supplements contain what they say they do. Some supplements have even been found to be contaminated with heavy metals, bacteria, or pesticides. With that said, you can still protect yourself by choosing supplements wisely, looking for third-party testing stamps!
Here are the four major third party testing groups to look for;
- ConsumerLab.com
- NSF International
- UL
- U.S. Pharmacopeia
It’s important to note that just because a supplement has been tested by one of the above third-party groups does not mean that it’s safe or effective. Supplements can interact or interfere with food, medicine, and even other supplements. Before starting a supplement talk with your doctor or dietitian!
Helpful Websites:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/Research/Dietary_Supplement_Label_Database.aspx
https://www.usp.org/dietary-supplements-herbal-medicines
https://www.nal.usda.gov/legacy/fnic/dietary-supplements
