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In 1994, federal legislation removed “dietary supplements” from FDA control. Since that time, manufacturers can suggest almost anything on their packaging and advertising without any proof of safety or efficacy. With a robust economy and a fervent desire by the population for the latest panacea, it’s been a sellers market. Little will be done in the way of objective testing, for there is no need due to escalating sales. Though many supplements on the market are highly beneficial and come in standard doses, for the majority on the shelf the old adage applies; “a fool and his money will soon part”. The following is a list of currently available supplements that have been deemed non-beneficial by the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, 8-98.

Hand holding a supplement capsule

CREATINE                           

  • Claim: Improve athletic performance
  • DATA: Short-term boost for muscle strength in high-level, young athletes. Of no benefit for the casual exerciser.

ECHINACEA

  • Claim: Cures colds
  • DATA: Inconsistent evidence, products on the market are unstandardized, little known in regard to toxicity.

DHEA

  • Claim: Slows aging
  • DATA: A human hormone that may either have positive or negative effects, the jury is still out.

EPHREDRA

  • Claim: Weight control
  • DATA: The active ingredient is ephedrine, which is used in decongestants and asthma drugs. Raises heart rate and blood pressure. The FDA has proposed restrictions on phen-fen.

GARLIC

  • Claim: Lower blood pressure
  • DATA: No clear evidence.

GINKGO BILOBA

  • Claim: Cures memory loss
  • DATA: Shows promise against claudication, limited benefit for Alzheimer’s patients.

MELATONIN

  • Claim: Aphrodisiac
  • DATA: Shows promise as a sleeping pill, no other documented use.

EVENING PRIMROSE

  • Claim: Cure-all
  • DATA: No objective data to support

PYCNOGENOL

  • Claim: Cure-all
  • DATA: Pine bark extract, no data to support.