The healthiest cookies you’ll choose today

Our website uses cookies to collect useful information that lets us and our partners support basic functionality, analyze visitor traffic, deliver a better user experience, and provide ads tailored to your interests. Agreeing to the use of cookies is your choice. Learn more

Decline cookies Accept cookies
Skip to content
Fullscript leaf logo Sign in
Fullscript logo
Fullscript leaf logo
  • Our platform
    • Practitioner software
    • Pricing
    • Integrations
    • Patients on Fullscript
    • Book a demo
  • Learn
    • Spotlight
    • Protocols
    • Wellness blog
    • Practice resources
    • Webinars
    • Ingredient library
    • Practicing virtually
  • Support
    • Practitioner support
    • Patient help
    • Contact us
    • Or chat with us
Sign in Create account
Integrative Medicine
—

Finding Safe Supplements: What You Need to Know About Dietary Supplement Safety

March 6, 2023
Fact checked
Written by Laura Dan, BSc, NDTR
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Natacha Montpellier, ND, B.Sc.
  1. Wellness blog
  2. Finding Safe Supplements: What You Need to Know...

Are your patients taking safe supplements? According to a 2015 study, over 20,000 annual emergency room visits can be attributed to dietary supplements. Many of these visits involve young patients experiencing adverse side effects of weight loss or energy supplements and older adults experiencing a medical emergency due to swallowing problems from taking large supplements. (11) 

Adulterated and tainted supplements are also a significant safety concern. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nearly 2,000 products marketed as dietary supplements have been reported for containing undeclared ingredients, featuring exaggerated health claims, and many other concerns. (15) Although there are government agencies responsible for protecting consumers, these entities can’t test every product for its safety, quality, and purity. (5) That’s why it’s essential for practitioners and consumers to scrutinize supplement brands. 

But how can you tell if a supplement is safe or if you’re purchasing from a trusted brand? Read on to learn the basics of purchasing and recommending safe supplements and discover tips for keeping yourself and your patients safe. 

5 tips for safe supplements 

Outlined below are some tips you and your patients can use to ensure supplement safety. 

1. Choose high-quality dietary supplements 

The supplement brands you recommend to your patients matter. The FDA and Health Canada oversee the regulation of dietary supplements and natural health products in the United States and Canada, respectively. However, supplements are not as rigorously regulated as over-the-counter and prescription medications. (4)(12) As a result, many supplement manufacturers don’t have strict quality and safety standards in place, potentially putting consumers at risk. 

There are four key components to consider when looking for high-quality, safe supplements:

  1. Testing: Does the manufacturer conduct routine testing of their products, and are those results available to consumers?
  2. Third-party certifications: Is the product evaluated by a third-party organization? Are there any third-party certification seals on the product’s label? If so, what are they?
  3. Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs): Does the manufacturer produce supplements that are in accordance with cGMPs, a registration program and set of standards enforced by the FDA and Health Canada?
  4. Audits: Does the manufacturer have an internal and external audit program to confirm that manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and storing practices are properly maintained?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” you may want to consider choosing or recommending a different brand. 

Quality supplement plans in less than a minute

Try Fullscript

2. Recommend purchasing from reputable sources

Where you source your favorite supplement brands matters too. It’s best to purchase safe supplements directly from trusted retailers that specialize in supplements. Advise your patients to avoid purchasing supplements from large retailers like Amazon, Ebay, and brick-and-mortar stores such as Target and Walmart, as many of these companies don’t have adequate quality assurance programs. In fact, recent reports demonstrate that it’s not uncommon for these large retailers to unknowingly sell counterfeit, expired, or incorrectly stored supplements. (1)(10)(13)

Learn more about Fullscript’s commitment to supplement quality on the blog. 

safe supplements
Be sure to communicate with your patients about the health risks involved with taking herbal and nutritional supplements purchased from less-than-trustworthy brands or retailers.

3. Ask your patients about the dietary and herbal supplements they’re taking

Many supplements and herbs are known to interact with certain prescription drugs, potentially reducing or increasing their effects. (3) Regularly ask your patients about any medications and supplements they’re taking to ensure that the products can be taken safely together. Request that they inform you if they plan on taking a new supplement or medication. It’s also wise to chat with your patient about where they’re sourcing their supplements. Use this as an opportunity to stress the importance of purchasing supplements from trusted sources. 

Learn more about nutrient-drug interactions and herb-drug interactions. 

Did you know? Nearly 25% of U.S. adults take at least one supplement and prescription medication. (3) Vitamin D, fish oil, magnesium, probiotics, and CoQ10 are some of the most popular supplements taken by consumers. (9) 

person holding two supplements
Many dietary and herbal supplements can interact with prescription drugs. Review dietary supplements and medications that your patients may be taking.

4. Keep your patients’ needs in mind

If your patients have trouble swallowing, opt for different supplement forms like liquids or powders. For children or patients who may be resistant to taking dietary supplements in capsule or pill form, consider chewable forms or suggest mixing powders into soft foods like yogurt. 

Be aware of your patients’ medical history and any other factors that can influence their ability to take supplements safely. For example, pregnant and breastfeeding patients should avoid many herbal supplements and need to use caution with other types of dietary supplements. (2)(6) Furthermore, it’s essential to be aware of your patients’ allergies and sensitivities to ingredients, as some supplements contain allergens (e.g., eggs, gluten, nuts, and soy). (8)

Did you know? Third-party certifications and the supplement facts panel can help with identifying allergens. Health conditions common supplements 

5. Report safety concerns

Many herbal and dietary supplements aren’t tested for safety before they hit shelves, meaning that consumers may be vulnerable to experiencing adverse effects. Reporting adverse reactions to supplements can help government agencies investigate safety concerns and identify potentially harmful products. (7)

If you or your patient experience a severe reaction or illness as a result of taking a dietary supplement, report your safety concerns through the U.S. Food & Drug Administration or Health Canada. You can also report safety or quality concerns directly to the supplement distributor. 

Did you know? You may be more likely to experience an adverse effect of a supplement if you take high doses of a supplement, combine multiple supplement ingredients, or take supplements that may interfere with certain medications. (14)

The bottom line

Supplements are a central part of any integrative medicine protocol, but not all supplements are created equal. By recommending high-quality, safe supplements from trusted sources to your patients, understanding their unique needs, and informing them about the safety and efficacy of supplements, you can help ensure that they safely adhere to their treatment plan. 

Quality supplement plans in less than a minute

Try Fullscript
References
  1. A.G. Schneiderman Asks Major Retailers To Halt Sales Of Certain Herbal Supplements As DNA Tests Fail To Detect Plant Materials Listed On Majority Of Products Tested | New York State Attorney General. (n.d.). https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2015/ag-schneiderman-asks-major-retailers-halt-sales-certain-herbal-supplements-dna
  2. American Pregnancy Association. (2022, June 9). Herbs and Pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbs-and-pregnancy/ 
  3. Asher, G., Corbett, A. H., & Hawke, R. L. (2017). Common Herbal Dietary Supplement-Drug Interactions. American Family Physician, 96(2), 101–107.
  4. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2018, September 20). Small Entity Compliance Guide: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/small-entity-compliance-guide-current-good-manufacturing-practice-manufacturing-packaging-labeling
  5. Bernstein, I. B. G. (2022, May 1). Is My Patient Taking an Unsafe Dietary Supplement? Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/my-patient-taking-unsafe-dietary-supplement/2022-05
  6. Budzynska, K., Gardner, Z. E., Dog, T. L., & Gardiner, P. (2013). Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine: Advice for Clinicians on Herbs and Breastfeeding. Pediatrics in Review, 34(8), 343–353. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.34-8-343
  7. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2022a, October 26). Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements
  8. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2022b, November 29). FDA Issues Guidances on Food Allergen Labeling Requirements. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-issues-guidances-food-allergen-labeling-requirements
  9. ConsumerLab.com. (n.d.). Most Popular Supplements According to ConsumerLab Survey. https://www.consumerlab.com/news/most-popular-supplements-from-survey/02-29-2020/ 
  10. Felton, B. R. (2020, December 17). FDA Finds Hidden Drugs in Nearly 50 Dietary Supplements Sold on Amazon, eBay. Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/dietary-supplements/fda-finds-hidden-drugs-in-weight-loss-sexual-enhancement-dietary-supplements-sold-on-amazon-ebay-a6199440119/
  11. Geller, A. I., Shehab, N., Weidle, N. J., Lovegrove, M. C., Wolpert, B. J., Timbo, B. B., Mozersky, R. P., & Budnitz, D. S. (2015). Emergency Department Visits for Adverse Events Related to Dietary Supplements. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(16), 1531–1540. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmsa1504267
  12. Health Canada. (n.d.). Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate – Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/branches-agencies/health-products-food-branch/natural-non-prescription-health-products-directorate.html
  13. Matsakis, L. (2019, July 19). Amazon Warns Customers: Those Supplements Might Be Fake. WIRED. https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-fake-supplements/
  14. Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. (n.d.). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/ 
  15. Office of Regulatory Affairs. (2022, December 21). Health Fraud Product Database. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/health-fraud-product-database
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Disclaimer

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Next
Back to main wellness blog page

Get more resources for your practice

Protocols
Practice resources
Ingredient library
Webinars

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Fullscript content philosophy

At Fullscript, we are committed to curating accurate, and reliable educational content for practitioners and patients alike. Our educational offerings cover a broad range of topics related to integrative medicine, such as supplement ingredients, diet, lifestyle, and health conditions.

Medically reviewed by expert practitioners and our internal Integrative Medical Advisory team, all Fullscript content adheres to the following guidelines:

  1. In order to provide unbiased and transparent education, information is based on a research review and obtained from trustworthy sources, such as peer-reviewed articles and government websites. All medical statements are linked to the original reference and all sources of information are disclosed within the article.
  2. Information about supplements is always based on ingredients. No specific products are mentioned or promoted within educational content.
  3. A strict policy against plagiarism is maintained; all our content is unique, curated by our team of writers and editors at Fullscript. Attribution to individual writers and editors is clearly stated in each article.
  4. Resources for patients are intended to be educational and do not replace the relationship between health practitioners and patients. In all content, we clearly recommend that readers refer back to their healthcare practitioners for all health-related questions.
  5. All content is updated on a regular basis to account for new research and industry trends, and the last update date is listed at the top of every article.
  6. Potential conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed.
Read more
Fullscript logo

We're certified carbon-neutral. It's part of our commitment to helping people get better.

American flag - toggles to show american specific contentUnited States
Canadian flag - toggles to show canada specific contentCanada
Product
  • Practitioner software
  • Integrations
  • Pricing
  • Patients
  • Supplement quality
  • Treatment adherence
  • Catalog
  • Wholesale
Company
  • Spotlight
  • About Fullscript
  • Collective
  • Leadership
  • Culture guide
  • Careers
  • Engineering
  • News
Support
  • Practitioner support
  • Patient help
  • Testimonials
  • General FAQ
  • Patient shipping
  • Wholesale shipping

© Fullscript 2023. All rights reserved.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Customer Support Policy
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
Send this to a friend