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A famous American, I think it was
Benjamin Franklin, once said " there is nothing one man can make that
another cannot copy, make at poorer quality, and sell for less: and a
buyer who thinks only of price, is this man's natural victim." I
mention this as part of a larger concern, which is the quality of the
supplements we buy for our health. I often have people say they have
tried this or that, and it didn't work, who, when pressed, tell me they
bought the cheapest possible form of the nutrient. Certainly when two
things are identical, it makes sense to buy the cheaper of the two, but
with supplements, it's not that easy.
First of all, companies do exist
who for motives of profit simply do not put what they say is in their
formulas, in there: it may be a different less expensive variety of
the substance, or a lower grade of it, or it may bear no relation to
it at all.
Secondly, there is wording which can make it appear as though the
potency is higher than it is.
Thirdly, there is the leeway in the law, which makes it acceptable
to put in as low as 90% of label claim - on an expensive vitamin or
herb, that can be a quick way to make a profit.
Fourthly, there are companies who skimp on safe manufacturing
procedures, a sure way to save themselves a lot of money.
Fifthly, when it's a question of herbal remedies, there are the
variations in growing, processing and harvesting which can mean that
although the herb is in there, the amount of the active therapeutic
ingredient can vary widely. Variables such as rainfall, sunlight,
storage conditions, soil quality, & temperature can all affect the
quality of the final product. In addition, the active components of a
herb vary from species to species, and between root, fruit, leaf,
rhizome and stem. You certainly cannot rely on benefits from a herb's
quality, potency, activity and consistency if the plant species
is not listed (in Latin) and the part of the plant used is not
specified on the label. One example is Goldenseal: the part that has
the most potent medicinal activity is the root, but I have seen
companies marketing the aerial part of the herb in a flagrant attempt
to mislead. Other still do not specify which part they are using.
The root is extremely expensive. The leaves are not!
Sixthly we all want "natural" products, but did you know that
anyone can label their products "natural" if they contain no more than
4% natural ingredients?
I have noticed a trend lately that
disturbs me a bit: it is related to the undisputed fact that the people
with the money get their message out. It appears to be cloaked in the
claim "Independent Lab", and takes the form of publishing positive test
results on amount of active ingredients present in a number of
companies' formulas, and stating that the Lab will not publish the
negative reports, but if the supplement you are thinking of buying is
NOT on the positive list - you should assume it has not passed the
test. Since we are all intelligent people in this forum, I will just
state the facts, not my deductions!
Additionally, the names that appear on
the "positive" list are all the new drug company babies: it is therefore
interesting to read a report that an organization called the All
American Pharmaceutical & Natural Foods Corp., in Billings MT contends
that some manufacturers and suppliers are "spiking" their supplements
with synthetic active ingredients, undetectable by the kind of
testing used to determine the amount of standardized ingredients
present. I will simply remark that some companies have easier access to
the synthetics than others!
But it is all very alarming, and is
indicative of the entry into the supplement market place of companies
whose motivation is not the health of the consumer. but their own bottom
line.
Is there any way to know what one is
getting? Yes, there certainly is. Make sure that the company whose
product you are buying follows GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), that
they submit their products for independent analysis, that they belong to
the NNFA, the Natural Foods Trade group, which monitors quality - or
make sure that the retailer you are buying from is your guardian at the
gate, only selling products whose pedigree they have checked.
Then you can be sure you're
getting your money's worth, and doing the best for your health! |
