It is important to be aware of what you are buying when purchasing nutritional supplements.
A recent investigative article published by the New York Times tested herbal supplements purchased from major retailers and pharmacies. The results of the study were astonishing. The majority of the herbs tested did not contain the ingredients or potency labeled on the package. In some cases the products tested contained herbs not listed on the label which had known unpleasant effects on the body.
This article exposes a reality that we have been observing for some time. Many of the supplements you see in your local store or online often come from companies that source and bottle their products from third party manufacturers. They often rely on the quality documentation provided by their overseas supplier instead of testing the products in their own labs to confirm their quality. When you talk to conscientious supplement companies they will tell you how many tons of raw materials they reject every year due to contamination or inaccurate labeling by the supplier. Where do these rejected products end up? The suppliers of the raw materials dump these products on companies who do not verify their quality and purity. In my 15 years of practice I have seen some of the conscientious manufacturers go as far as temporarily discontinue the manufacture of their products because the raw materials available on the world market have issues with quality or contamination.
Every company seems to tout some sort of certified or standardized product. All too often these officially sounding certificates are fabricated by unscrupulous suppliers and brands. The practitioners at Active Health only recommend nutritional supplements that follow the highest quality standards in the industry. Our doctors have over 15 years of experience navigating and understanding the products offered in a poorly regulated and often unethical industry. Call to schedule your appointment with one of our doctors at Active Health for recommendations on which nutritional supplements, herbs and homeopathic supplements may be right for you.