Pediatrician - Wall
3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126
Wall, NJ 07719
732-280-6455
View the KidsDoc Symptom Checker from HealthyChildren.org
“Natural” Doesn’t Mean Safe and Effective (From the NJ Poison Control)
As spring (and spring break) quickly approaches, many are starting to get back in shape after a long winter. For most, this means a strict regimen of diet and exercise, but with only a few short weeks until beach season, some may look to dietary supplements for a quick fix. Although many supplements are safe when used as directed on the label, there are supplements on the market that may be ineffective and even dangerous. NJ Poison Control experts caution consumers to beware of claims that seem too good to be true, and to consult a medical professional before introducing dietary supplements.
“Supplements on the market, even those sold at reputable health food stores, are not tested and regulated for safety and effectiveness the same way prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs are,” warns Diane Calello, MD, Executive and Medical Director of the NJ Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Department of Emergency Medicine. “A dietary supplement is considered safe until it is proven unsafe, unlike drugs which are considered unsafe until proven safe by research and clinical trial testing.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements as food, not as drugs, therefore the responsibility of evaluating the safety, effectiveness and labeling integrity of a supplements is left to the manufacturer, not the FDA. “Consumers must be aware of the potential health risks of dietary supplements. Products may contain hidden ingredients (not listed on the label), be addictive, contain recalled/illegal ingredients, interact poorly with other medicines, be contaminated with toxic heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants, or cause dangerous unknown side effects,” says Calello.
Consumers should be skeptical when purchasing products online, especially health-related products. Just because a product is sold over-the-counter (OTC) or on the Internet, doesn’t mean the product is safe and/or without side effects; remember all medicines have side effects, even prescription drugs. Be sure to research the products and consult your healthcare provider before buying or using any supplement. Since this is an industry with fewer regulations, it is easier for manufacturers to make false claims about the safety and effectiveness of their products.
If you do decide to incorporate supplements into your daily living, be a safe and informed consumer. Keep these tips in mind;
Overdose is a serious concern with any medicine including herbal, dietary and fitness supplements. If you have questions regarding a supplement or are experiencing unwanted side effects from a supplement, the medical professionals at the NJ Poison Control Center are available to provide expert, medical treatment advice.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns!
Choosing a pediatrician is an important and personal decision and we want you to feel at ease with the care you and your child will receive.
An online resource center providing you with additional helpful information.
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest about our services.
3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126,
Wall, NJ 07719