Mixed
Deregulation of dietary supplement health claims, driven by political lobbying rather than scientific evidence, has led to a proliferation of unproven therapeutic claims and increased industry revenue without corresponding public health benefits.
Be skeptical of health claims on supplement labels that do not explicitly state 'This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.' If a product claims to 'support' a bodily function (e.g., immune, joint, cardiovascular) without citing specific, significant scientific agreement, it likely lacks robust clinical evidence. Prioritize products with transparent sourcing and third-party testing, and consult a healthcare provider before using supplements to treat or prevent diseases, as the regulatory environment allows for marketing claims that may not reflect scientific reality.
In recent years, the supplement industry has been increasingly successful in convincing the public, Congress, and the courts to weaken FDA restrictions on such claims and to make its policies consistent with the weaker FTC approaches. These actions have produced new sales opportunities for dietary supplements and conventional foods, but whether they also will benefit the public remains to be determined.
Why this rating
Based on historical legislative analysis and legal case reviews cited by the author.
Source
Dietary Supplement Advertising: Policies Based on Politics, Not Science
Marion Nestle · Journal of Nutrition Education · 1999
DOI 10.1016/s0022-3182(99)70465-6
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