According to the New York Times, a 2015 DNA-testing study conducted by the New York Attorney General’s office found that, out of the hundreds of products tested, four out of five bottles of store-brand herbal supplements contained no trace of the herbs listed on the label.
Instead, the article claims, they contained cheap fillers, which ranged from wheat and rice to beans and houseplants. The test included products from four major store chains - including Walmart, Target, GNC and Walgreens.
These pills may pose serious health risks for consumers. Unlike prescription medications, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not manage or oversee an approval process for herbal supplements. Companies are required to verify that their products are safe and labeled accurately.
Unfortunately, these studies suggest that cheap fillers aren’t making it to the label, and people who have certain allergies, or who are taking certain medications, may risk allergic reactions or drug interactions from these off label fillers.
Despite the recent rash of negative press surrounding herbal supplements, those pills which do contain the active ingredient(s) that they tout are actually powerful tools for boosting a number of aspects of health -- from supercharging the immune system and increasing energy to aiding in memory function and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The bottom line: do your homework. Consult with your physician and make sure the supplement you choose is on the up and up.
Here are four lesser-known herbal supplements that you may want to consider adding to your vitamin regimen:
Selenium
What Are The Benefits?
Necessary for proper immune system function, selenium helps rid the body of free radicals (with the aid of vitamin E) and may even reduce your risk of developing certain cancers, including prostate, colon and lung cancers, as well as reducing your risk for rheumatoid arthritis and guarding against cardiovascular disease. This essential trace mineral is responsible for the body’s production of at least 25 different amino acids called selenoproteins. They may also help ease the symptoms of certain digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, according to Natural Health Magazine. Selenium helps the body defend itself against bacterial and viral infections, and selenium has been shown to help with easing headaches, depression symptoms, nausea and vertigo. It may even help slow the progression of HIV.
Where Is It Found?
Selenium is found in meat and eggs, oats and wheat germ, as well as whole-wheat products, and nuts. The best way to get this important trace mineral is through eating whole, unprocessed, unrefined foods. But because commercial farming tends to deplete the selenium levels in the soil, many people are not getting enough selenium from their everyday diets, and multivitamins and multivitamins may not provide you with correct amounts for your daily needs.
What’s the Dosage?
Experts recommend taking a supplement with 200 micrograms daily, and encourage users to also take vitamin E for best results. You should avoid taking a vitamin C supplement at the same time as a selenium supplement, because vitamin C interferes with the body’s ability to absorb selenium. If you’re taking both supplements, take them at different times of day. Warning: high doses of selenium taken over time may lead to a number of health problems, including nausea/vomiting, depression, and anxiety.
Vitamin B3/Niacin (Inositol Hexaniacinate Form)
What Are The Benefits?
Niacin is an essential nutrient that helps the body maintain a healthy cholesterol profile, but there are a number of side effects associated with this supplement that make it difficult for many people to take with any regularity, including hot flashes, generalized itching, and skin flushing. Inositol Hexaniacinate, which is a compound made from niacin and inositol, is also called flush-free niacin or no-flush niacin, and is the best-tolerated type of niacin supplement. According to Natural Health Magazine, studies have found that this supplement can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by up to 25 percent, triglycerides by up to 50 percent, and it can help the body increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels by up to 35 percent.
Where Is It Found?
In 1938, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized the enrichment of wheat flour with niacin, because over the four decades prior, 100,000 Americans died from a disease called “pellagra” - which is a diseased marked by a vitamin B3 deficiency. Because of this authorization, you can find healthy doses of niacin in many enriched wheat products, although a healthy diet that includes animal products and legumes should provide you with a sufficient niacin intake to meet your nutritional needs.
What’s the Dosage?
Because of the risk for unpleasant side effects, users should begin with a dosage of no more than 500 mg a day, gradually increasing dosage to 1,000 mg twice daily. If you are currently taking cholesterol medication, or if you have liver disease, gout, or other chronic health conditions, you should talk to your doctor about potential complications or side effects of beginning a niacin supplement regimen.
Rhodiola
What Are The Benefits?
Rhodiola, also called Arctic root or golden root, is a natural supplement that helps boost energy and bust through fatigue. Because it boosts adrenal function and helps the body adapt to stress, it has been shown to help with concentration and ease the physical symptoms of stress during difficult life periods. This high-altitude root has also been shown to help users maintain alertness after periods of physical or mental activity. It is popular with athletes because it has been shown to increase physical capacity and shorten recovery periods between high-intensity exercise. This herb has a lengthy history with an established reputation for stimulating the nervous system, easing the symptoms of depression, and treating a wide range of illnesses and ailments.
Where Is It Found?
Rhodiola is a root plant that has a history dating back to Ancient Greece, when the benefits of this herb were first noted in 77 AD by the physician Dioscorides. It has been used throughout history and around the world by various cultures, from Vikings to Mongolians. This herb was used by the Soviet Union to compete with military development, the arms and space race, and in Olympic sports.
What’s the Dosage?
Experts recommend taking a supplement that contains 100 mg in the morning, to avoid causing sleep interruption from taking it later in the day.
Keep in mind that you should always consult your physician before starting any new supplement regimen.