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By Radhia Gleis PhD, C.C.N.
In this article I'm going to reveal to you some of the horror
stories that I have heard from supplement manufacturers. I
will share with you my research about the formulation, quality
control, and effectiveness of various dietary supplements
on the market. I tell you this not to frighten you but to
make you aware; you get what you pay for.
At a continuing education conference last year, I had the
opportunity to have lunch with a number of owners of professional
dietary supplement companies. During our conversation, a few
of the manufacturers told me horror stories from their business
- the formulation and quality control of supplements. In the
United States, the supplement industry is self-regulated.
So although every manufacturer claims that they have the best
quality supplements, the truth is there is a significant difference
in the quality of the raw materials and the manufacturing
standards from one manufacturer to another. The reality is
that not all supplement manufactures are producing “true
quality” products. In order to assure the highest quality
product, manufacturers must be able to guarantee the following:
1. Comprehensive scientific evaluation of ingredients.
2. Comprehensive safety reviews.
3. Human clinical evaluations to assess safety and efficacy.
4. Advanced scientific staff, equipment and facilities.
These standards are very expensive to maintain. So even if
the manufacturer has the best intentions of providing the
highest quality, they don’t always have the resources
to do so. Most manufacturers, especially small manufacturers,
do not have the capital to do their own testing of the bulk
material before it is compounded. Very often the manufacturer
trusts that the raw material that they receive from bulk houses
– is – in fact, what the suppliers claim it is.
Comprehensive scientific evaluation of ingredients is essential
to “True Quality”. For example, chondroitin and
glucosamine are available in many grades of quality and at
various prices. However, many condroitin and glucosamine sulfate
products do not contain what is claimed on the label. At the
table that day, a chief biochemist of a major professional
supplement manufacturer shared the following horror story
about a specific supply of bulk chondroitin for the company’s
glucosamine /chondroitin formula.
One time, this manufacturer’s warehouse received a new
bulk shipment of condroitin which had a slightly different
color than usual. When they called the supplier and inquired
about this, the supplier stated that it was simply the temperature
at that time of year which had changed the color and not to
be concerned about it. The formulary staff was not satisfied
with that answer. Proper testing of these ingredients is not
only complex but expensive. In this case, the test to find
out the exact biochemical identification of this material
cost the company an additional $5,000.00. The results of the
test showed that there was actually no chondroitin in this
batch. In fact, the test revealed that the lot contained 100%
raw hide. The manufacturer refused the shipment and sent it
back to the supplier.
Of course, I had to ask the burning question on my mind: "
what happens to the bad batches that are returned?" All
the manufacturers at the table simultaneously, chimed in with
a chorus of “it gets Walmart-ized”. In other words,
the bad batch doesn’t get thrown away, it is just sold
to an inferior market that will not do the necessary tests
to ensure quality.
Some people are tempted to purchase their supplements from
discount suppliers or commercial supermarkets because the
prices are better. I have always said: “if you want
to save money, buy cheap ballpoint pens”. Don’t
compromise on the quality of your supplements just to save
money! It already takes three major metabolic functions (digestion,
absorption and utilization) to get benefit from them, and
there is usually a very legitimate reason why a supplement
is higher in price than another. Bargain nutritional supplements
are often made with poor-quality, low-cost ingredients (i.e.
calcium carbonate and MCHC). Many private-label companies
do not take the requisite care concerning bioavailability
in their products. If the manufacturer isn't testing their
product, how can anyone know that it will be effective?
Here are some more scary facts that I found in my research:
• The American Pharmacy published a study showing
that the dissolution and absorbability of some calcium supplements
particularly calcium carbonate is highly questionable. The
study went on to say: “Eleven of the 21 tablets tested
did not meet the dissolution limit, and samples of 6 products
did not disintegrate within 1 hour”. (Carr CJ, Shangraw
F. Nutritional and pharmaceutical aspects of calcium supplementation.
Amer Pharm1987;NS27(2):149). Which means that your body won't
get to absorb the calcium at all.
• In the American Journal of Public Health test results
showed that: “natural source calcium supplements are
a potential source of lead because more than half the products
within this category (14 of 25) had lead ingestion rates greater
than the provisional total tolerable daily intake therefore,
some individuals may be unnecessarily ingesting substantial
amounts of lead through some forms of mineral supplements.”
(Bourgoin B, et al. Lead Content in 70 Brands of Dietary Calcium
Supplements. Amer J Pub Hlth. August 1993, Vol. 83, No.8).
• “Some herbs may be adulterated with pharmaceutical
drugs or toxic minerals such as lead or mercury. This is of
particular concern in Asian herbal products such as TCB and
Ayurvedic herbs”. (Bateman, J. Possible toxicity of
herbal remedies.Scottish Med J 1998;4:7-15.)
• In 1998, the LA Times tested 10 private manufacturing
companies on the potency of their St. John’s Wort products.
Analysis found that label’s potency claims ranged from
25% to 75% inaccuracy.
• Many people are sensitive to environmental irritants
like mold and fungi. A study conducted by European Journal
of Epidemiology indicates that if they are not properly handled
and processed, herbal products may contain potentially toxic
substances. The levels of microtoxins and toxigenic molds
were analyzed in 62 samples of medicinal plant materials and
11 herbal tea samples. 9 different known producers of aflitoxin,
microtoxins were found present in 11 or 18% of the 62 plant
samples and 1 or 9% of the herbal tea samples. i.Halt M. Moulds
and mycotoxins in herb tea and medicinal plants. (Eur J Epidemiology
1998;14:269-74 )
• In a study published by “Obstetrics, Gynecology”:
16 different probiotic products were tested; “Most of
the lactobacilli-containing products currently available either
do not contain the Lactobacillus species advertised and/or
contain other bacteria of questionable benefit.” (Hughes
et al. “Microbiologic characteristics of Lactobacillus
products used for colonization of the vagina” Obstet
Gyneocol 1990;75:244).
So does this mean that all supplements are bad - of course
not. It means "buyer beware." As consumers we all
need to think about what we're getting when we buy supplements.
Every year it is my obligation under my certification to attend
continuing education conferences. During that time professional
supplement manufacturers present their supplement lines and
talk with practitioners about the quality and efficacy of
their product.
Most of the practitioners at these conferences are well educated
and trained to know what to look for. I am very careful about
what companies I choose for my clients. I am in the healing
profession; and it is vital to the success of my practice
that the tools I choose uphold the highest standards and are
the most effective for the safety and well being of my clients.
I generally only use professional grade lines that you will
not find in the grocery store. Find out more about what supplements
are right for you by contacting our
office.
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