Health Claims vs. Research: Why Dietary Supplements Sound So Weak.

You reach for your multivitamins and fish oil each morning, a habit ingrained in your routine. You’ve heard the benefits, you’ve read about them, and you believe they’re helping you avoid disease, slowing the impact of aging, and helping you maintain better mental health. But when you squint at the labels, hoping to read about the health benefits that’ll motivate you to keep taking them, you find that the language is indirect. Even weak. Are they tiptoeing around something? Yes, they are. And that something is a substantial piece of legislation called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). This act determines the dance between the world of scientific research and the health claims that supplement companies can make. You might not be interested in laws and legislation, but if you’re interested in using products that support optimal health, you should understand what high-quality, professional supplements can and cannot say on labels and marketing materials. That way, you won’t think a great product is subpar, just because it doesn’t claim to impact your health the same way its supporting research says it will. Stay with me as we demystify the gap between what you hear in the bustling grapevine of supplement research and what you read on the label of your trusty bottle of pills. Article Shortcuts The History and Purpose of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) DSHEA Impact on Supplements Health Claims for Supplements: The FDA’s Oversight The Difference Between Supplement and Drug Claims The Crucial Role of Research in Supplement Claims Practical Summary The History and Purpose of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) Back in 1994, consumers were just starting to realize the potential benefits of nutritional supplements and fought hard to protect their right to access them.Hilmas, C. J., Gillette, S. M., & Mullins, M. E. (2008). Herbal remedies: the design of a new course in pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 72(6), Article 136. doi:10.5688/aj7206136 This was when the DSHEA was born. Born out of a need to define and regulate the rapidly growing supplement industry, the DSHEA was more than just a new rule in the rule book. It was a landmark law that drew a clear line between foods (and supplements) and drugs.Sc