After more than 50 years of researching nutritional supplements, friends and family would often rely on me to help them find the right supplement for their health maintenance. I found it more and more difficult to recommend specific supplements because with the millions of supplements sold each year, few actually do anything. .
I can't say that I have a lot of faith in the FDA or the Department of Agriculture. But, you need to know that neither of these agencies review supplements before they are put on the market. That's right! A lot of the junk passed off as nutritional supplements is nothing more than Chinese created fillers designed to give you a placebo effect.
What is Nutritional Supplement Fraud?
Nutritional supplement fraud occurs when companies make false claims about the effectiveness of their products, mislabel ingredients, or sell products that are contaminated or unsafe for consumption. These fraudulent practices not only waste your hard-earned money but can also pose serious risks to your health.
We contracted with a manufacturer who claims to provide over 70% of all nutritional supplements on Amazon. As we do with every supplement we provide, the final product was sent our for 3rd Party Testing.
Guess what! The claims they made were bogus by about 50%. In other words, if they said you got 1000 mg of a vitamin, you really only got 500 mg. Remember, they claim to provide more than 70% of all supplements on Amazon.
As a result, we pulled the product, at great expense, and made sure that no one would be deceived. It was a great lesson for a new company. We will not ship any product now until the independent tests come back complete.
Can You Trust the Tests?
There is a practice in the industry of having just some products tested so that you can lay claim to the 3rd Party Testing badge. But, what about the vitamins you purchased? Have they been tested? Few, if any, supplement providers actually third party test every batch of every supplement they provide. The tests are fairly expensive and time consuming.
You need to insist that your supplement supplier can prove that the batch you will be consuming has actually been tested and verified by a reputable lab. Don't accept the claim that the product was tested at the manufacture's lab. The product we had to pull off the shelves was tested at the manufacturer's lab and passed.
Insist that your supplement supplier provide the Independent Test Report on their website. It takes minutes to post, yet they will insist that you write them. By the time you get a response you will be finished with the product.
One final note. Do not trust any report from a non-U.S. lab. You need to know that in most countries, any result can be purchased, and the price is not that great. I am not suggesting that all U.S. labs are reputable, but I am stating that your best chance for trustworthy results will be found in a high quality U.S. lab that is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited.
Quality Supplements Should Make a Difference
Quality nutritional supplements should make a difference in your health and wellbeing. If you can't tell a difference after a month or so, you probably don't need the supplement, or the supplement is not what it is said to be.
I don't get sick as often as most people around me and I believe that the Vitamin C, D3/K2 and Magnesium make a big difference. If I am feeling run down, I add zinc. I also believe that a high quality fish oil is important. While Utmost Nutrients does not yet supply those last two options, I hope what I have said above will help you to find high quality supplements no matter what brand you select.
Conclusion
Don't let nutritional supplement fraud deter you from seeking out products that can genuinely benefit your health. By staying informed and being cautious you can experience the benefits that high quality supplements can have on your health. Protect the body you have been given so that you can live your life to the utmost.