| Herbal supplements have now become popular | | | | consumer safety by requiring supplement |
| alternatives for the health needs of many people, as | | | | manufacturers to follow certain manufacturing |
| new safety regulations have been implemented. | | | | practices and ensure that supplements contain what |
| However, some still ask, are they good for you? | | | | their labels claim, and are free of contaminants. |
| Well, that would depend on the herb, your current | | | | The FDA is responsible for monitoring the safety of |
| health and your medical history. Herbal medications | | | | herbal treatments after they're on the market and |
| sometimes have active ingredients that can affect | | | | enforce punitive action against violators that sell |
| how your body functions, just as over-the-counter | | | | unsafe supplements. These new regulations will be |
| and prescription drugs do. | | | | phased in over a three-year period so that by June, |
| These medications could be particularly risky for | | | | 2010, all supplement manufacturers should meet |
| certain individuals, and many herbal product labels are | | | | these requirements. |
| often vague, confusing and of little help when it | | | | "No approved Therapeutic Claims": What It Truly |
| comes to making a wise selection. It is advisable to | | | | Means |
| remember that if you're considering herbal | | | | The proliferation of food and herbal supplements, |
| supplements or other dietary products, educate | | | | which are being advertised and passed on as |
| yourself about any medications you intend to use | | | | effective cure-all products, despite the fact that |
| before purchasing them, and talk to your doctor | | | | these have no established therapeutic effects, is a |
| about any herbal products you're considering taking. | | | | major problem for regulatory health agencies. To the |
| Are Most Herbal Treatments Safe? | | | | common consumer, the phrase "No Approved |
| Until recently, government regulation and consumer | | | | Therapeutic Claims", would generally mean that a |
| protection were quite limited for dietary supplements. | | | | supplement has not yet been determined by the |
| However, new rules noted by the Federal Food, | | | | FDA to be as safe and effective as advertised. |
| Drug, and Cosmetic Act give the Food and Drug | | | | It could also mean that no studies and long-term |
| Administration (FDA), the federal agency responsible | | | | research have yet been done to determine the |
| for regulating the safety of food and drug products, | | | | efficacy of the pill, or herb in actually treating |
| the authority to oversee the production of local and | | | | anything. This phrase usually serves as a disclaimer of |
| imported dietary supplements, including herbal | | | | sorts. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education |
| treatments. Dietary supplements don't need to go | | | | Act of 1994 (DSHEA) was passed by US Congress |
| through the rigorous review process that new drugs | | | | to ensure consumers' rights to access safe and |
| must undergo before being "approved" by the FDA. | | | | effective dietary supplements. |
| However, the new regulations aim to enhance | | | | |