Dietary supplements—vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, plus substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites—comprise a significant portion of the CAM industry. Information on these products abounds on CAM web sites. And yet, the effectiveness of many of these supplements remains unproven. Here are some things you need to know when searching CAM websites.
There’s no shortage of data regarding dietary supplements on the Internet. Many sites dedicated to oral health supplements are retail sites selling products or linked directly to a vendor. Many of these sites claim to treat, prevent, diagnose, or even cure specific diseases. But how credible are these claims?
Others are personal sites without links to vendors; government, industry or academic sites describing particular supplements; and sites containing referenced articles about the supplements.
False Claims
Web-based health claims about supplements are not always true. Researchers have found that many websites contain incorrect or misleading statements, some of which can directly result in serious harm to consumers.
Lack of FDA Regulation
The 1994 passage of the Dietary Supplement and Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which states that manufacturers don’t have to prove the safety or efficacy of a dietary supplement before it is placed on the market, limited the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) control over dietary supplements. The act also made it easier for less-than-reputable information regarding dietary supplements to be posted on the Internet.
Although the DSHEA stripped some of the FDA control over dietary supplements and placed the burden of determining the safety and efficacy of these supplements more heavily on the consumer, it did not leave consumers completely without guidance.
Government Supports Research on Dietary Supplements
When the DSHEA passed, Congress established the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to promote a greater understanding of dietary supplements. To this end, the ODS evaluates scientific information on supplements, stimulates and supports research, and disseminates results to the public. The ODS Web site contains a database of federally funded research projects on dietary supplements. If you have questions about the ingredients found in dietary supplements, as well as related health outcomes and biological effects, you can access the ODS database to learn more.
Tips for Navigating CAM Websites
Paying close attention to the language CAM websites use to describe supplements can also alert you to false or misleading information. Beware of the following red flags:
- Vague claims—such as “breakthrough,” “miracle cure”, and “magical”—that present no legitimate research to support them
- Use of pseudomedical jargon, such as detoxify or purify, to describe a product’s effects
- Claims that a product is backed by scientific studies, without references to those studies
- Failure to list side effects
- Accusations that the government, the medical profession, or drug companies are suppressing information about a given supplement
The next time you’re searching the Internet for information on a new supplement, remember to read the claims made on CAM websites with caution. Be aware that there may be significant omissions in the information you’re being given. Your best bet for accurate information is a government or not-for profit web site. Finally, remember to always consult a physician before using a dietary supplement or other non-FDA-regulated substance.
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