Herbal, Dietary, and Over-The-Counter (OTC) Supplements
Supplements are in large part a completely unregulated industry. Any company, domestic or foreign, can sell you most any unregulated substance AND make false or misleading claims about what the supplement can do. Scam. Buyer beware.
Unfortunately, some supplements have also resulted in adverse events (side effects) that can be harmful or deadly, and in some cases supplements result in positive drug tests (like CBD).
Bottom line is if you are in any situation where you could be drug tested (work, court military), or in any job or function where you have to awake or alert (like child care), or have any underlying health condition, AVOID ALL SUPPLEMENTS. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that if you eat well-balanced meals, you'll never need to take vitamins. Better safe than sorry.
Dr. Bennett was working with an elderly woman who was experiencing joint & muscle pain, difficulties with memory & concentration, and headaches. She, and her family, just accepted it as 'getting older'. However, when Dr. Bennett reviewed her medications, he also reviewed her supplements.
She was taking a supplement she bought from Kroger that contained LEAD! (Read the label in the picture in the WARNING: box)
How can you know which supplements to avoid? One simple way (in my opinion) is that if the product contains the following statement, don't waste you time, money, or health:
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
The U.S. Dept. of Defense has built a comprehensive website at OPSS.ORG to help educate the safety and dangers of supplements.