You’re at home cuddled up with your pint of Haagen Dazs, watching your favorite reality show and then it happens: a super fit, super sexy model with perfect hair and glowing skin comes across the screen and tells you that she has the answer to all your weight loss troubles. She tells you about the quick and easy way that you can drop that last 8 lbs. without dieting or even exercising. Before you pick up your phone and your credit card, STOP and think about the risks associated with using dietary supplements.
Dietary supplements should only be used when your diet causes you to miss out on key nutrients that you may need. For instance a vegan or vegetarian may take supplements to make up for their lack of protein intake. It may not be the ideal route, but simple exercise and a healthy diet might be the best way to lose weight or maintain your current weight. It is the more involved, more time consuming answer but it may be the right answer.
Do not be fooled! Just because there is an advertisement for it does not mean it is actually endorsed by a valid company. Check the labeling. If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve a drug the following statement will be written on the bottle “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.” This does not always mean that the drug is bad for you but it does mean that it is worth a second opinion. When in doubt, call your health care provider or a nutritionist and ask for an expert opinion. If that is not convincing enough, then take to your smart phone and Google it. You may be surprised to find how easy it is to get the information you need.
Dietary supplements are not thought of the same way that food and drugs are, therefore it is not required that the FDA approve them. If a dietary supplement is on the market the FDA then must prove it is dangerous to the health of humans in order to get it taken off the market. This is different from food and drugs because in order for them to be put on the market they must first gain FDA approval. One requirement of these supplements however, is to be truthful. If the labeling proves to be deceptive the FDA has the right to remove the product and stop distribution.
Dietary supplements can be helpful resources for people with special dietary needs. However, there are many risks associated with them so before you pick up the phone and order your year-long supply of Hydroxycut, remember to read the labels, approve it with your doctor, and always try to put your health before your image.