Shopping Medical Guide

Consumer Reports Medical Guide Informs Consumers Shopping for ...
U.S. Newswire (press release) - Washington,DC,USA
... herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements, and other ingredients that are widely available to consumers without a prescription in stores and online. ...

To provide consumers with the critical information they need when considering natural supplements in a marketplace with little consumer protection, Consumer Reports Medical Guide (http://www.consumerreportsmedicalguide.org) has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about nutritional supplements. With over 50,000 supplements currently on the market and close to 1,000 new supplements introduced each year (1), it can be difficult for consumers to differentiate which products are safe and effective from those that either don't work at all –- or can cause serious harm. These are available free to non-subscribers at consumer reports

Health editors and researchers at Consumer Reports broke down the need-to-know facts on the regulation, ingredients and possible side effects of natural supplements, as well as proven safe and unsafe supplements. Plus consumers will find tips for finding trustworthy brands and easy-to-understand objective answers, helping them face the health-food aisle informed and with confidence. Some take-away tips to keep in mind:

-- Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, most supplements get less scrutiny from the FDA than a pack of cough drops;

-- Some supplements are anything but 'all natural', with contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and bacteria; a few have even been found to contain prescription drugs;

-- No supplement has consistently demonstrated through clinical studies that it can help people lose weight;

-- Many supplements can interfere with prescription or over- the-counter medications or cause dangerous side effects –- be sure to let your doctor know what supplements you're taking -– even if you think they're harmless;

-- Certain supplements may prolong the effects of anesthesia, cause excessive bleeding or raise blood pressure; patients undergoing surgery should discontinue use at least two weeks before a procedure;

-- With the exception of prenatal vitamins, there's simply not enough evidence to predict how dietary supplements could affect a pregnancy. The same kind of logic follows for children. Unless there's a good reason for a pregnant woman or child to take a supplement –- then don't;

-- Consumers may benefit from choosing supplements from a well-known manufacturer or a product with a quality control seal from an organization such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia.

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