Protecting Yourself from “Dangerous Supplements”

Aug. 30, 2010 - PRLog -- Protecting Yourself from “Dangerous Supplements”
What Every Health Conscious Consumer Needs to Know

With recent headlines, such as one in Consumer Reports regarding  “Dangerous Supplements,” which raise concerns about the quality and efficacy of certain supplements, Cancer Nutrition Centers of America (CNCA) encourages consumers to do their homework before choosing a supplement. To know if the supplements they purchase are safe and effective, consumers should be aware of the following three things:  

Authenticity:  The ingredients listed on the label match the ingredients contained in the product.

Potency:  The amounts of each ingredient listed on the label are the actual amounts contained in each capsule, tablet, or teaspoonful, at its expiration date.

Purity:  There are no unlisted ingredients added to the product. The ingredients do not contain dangerous levels of biological or chemical contaminants, fillers or additives.

Defining “quality” is easy; ensuring quality in the final product is left up to a maze of federal regulations and voluntary “quality certification programs” developed by the supplement industry. Both rely on varying degrees of testing of raw ingredients and finished products to meet a particular standard of quality – from minimum to high. Because testing adds to the cost of the product, this is where many manufacturers cut corners. They can conduct fewer tests and still meet minimum standards – but open the door for potentially dangerous quality problems.  

The highest quality supplements undergo the most extensive testing. For example, CNCA supplements undergo up to 340% more quality testing  than other companies.  

“Ultra-pure CNCA supplements were originally developed by doctors at Cancer Treatment Centers of America for use in patients with compromised immune systems,” said Michael D. Levin, chairman, CNCA Quality Unit. “Worried about quality problems in the supplement industry, doctors wanted a brand they could really trust when it comes to authenticity, purity and potency.”  

Consumers looking for the highest quality supplements with maximum health benefits should do their homework. Levin recommends posing the following questions to the supplement manufacturer or distributor:

*What information does a manufacturer use to substantiate claims made for the product? Frequently, manufacturers provide so-called "proof" of their claims by citing undocumented reports from satisfied consumers, or "internal" graphs and charts that could be mistaken for evidence-based research.

*Does the manufacturer share information publicly about tests it has conducted on the safety or efficacy of the ingredients in their products?

*Does the manufacturer have a quality control system in place to determine if the product actually contains what is stated on the label and does not contain dangerous chemical and biological contaminants?

For more tips on choosing high-quality supplements, including what to look for on the supplement label, visit CNCA’s Health blog at http://blog.cncahealth.com/post/2010/08/30/Before-Buying-....

Before taking any supplement, it’s recommended to consult your doctor, especially if you are taking prescription medication; some vitamins, minerals and herbs may cause interactions with certain drugs.

About Cancer Nutrition Centers of America
Founded in 2002, Cancer Nutrition Centers of America (CNCA) provides premium dietary supplements made from the finest raw materials, manufactured to the most exacting standards, and formulated based on scientific evidence and the advice of health care professionals. CNCA purity standards are among the highest in the industry. Doctor-developed CNCA products are used at leading cancer treatment hospitals, including Cancer Treatment Centers of America. A portion of CNCA product sales is donated to cancer research. For more information, visit CNCA online at http://www.CNCAhealth.com  or call 800-295-8333. Follow CNCA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cncahealth.

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Subjected to up to 340% more testing than other brands, CNCA offers over 75 premium quality supplements made from the finest raw materials, manufactured to the most exacting standards, and formulated based on the advice of health care professionals.