On May 18, 2017 dietary supplement maker, Nutrition Distribution LLC, filed a suit against rival company, Metabolic Edge Nutritional Supplements LLC, claiming that its’ supplements actually contain carcinogens and can cause liver damage. Metabolic Edge, more commonly known as Iron Muscle Supplements, markets its products specifically to body-builders claiming their supplements have the same benefits as anabolic steroids without the serious side effects. Why are products that could cause cancer on the market? The answer is one of the lesser known secrets of the Food and Drug Administration. Most people don’t know that the Food and Drug Administration does not actually regulate dietary supplements with the same standards they do pharmaceutical drugs. So you may be wondering, why don’t they and how can I protect my family?
Why doesn’t the Food and Drug Administration regulate supplements?
In the United States all prescription and non-prescription drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements, like those sold by Iron Muscle Supplements, are considered to be closer to special foods than drugs. The standard for dietary supplements is that they cannot contain anything that may have “a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury” when used as directed on the label. The standard for pharmaceutical drugs is that they are considered unsafe until proven safe, while dietary supplements are considered safe until proven unsafe. This means that there are no required clinical human trials which would help find potential risks or interactions with drugs or other substances before the supplement is on the market. So supplements are only found to be unsafe after they have already caused harm. Also, because these supplements are often self-prescribed there is no controlled method for people to report any bad reactions or side effects, so adverse reactions go unresolved and unreported.
How can you protect your family from unsafe supplements?
Many dietary supplement manufacturers are very careful with claims, labeling, and the ingredients they use. But that isn’t true for all supplements. Here are some general guidelines to help keep your family safe from dangerous supplements.
- Don’t take products that claim to work like prescription drugs or treat an illness or condition
- Don’t take products that are advertised through mass e-mails
- Don’t take products marketed mainly in a foreign language
- Don’t take products that promise weight loss, body-building, or enhanced sexual performance
- Don’t take products that claim to be legal alternatives to anabolic steroids
Here at Franklin D. Azar & Associates we have helped thousands of Americans who have been harmed by defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Call us today for a free consultation if you believe you have been injured by a defective drug, medical device, or dietary supplement.
