FTC FACTS for Consumers

FOR THE CONSUMER 1-877-FTC-HELP

www.ftc.gov FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

A supplement labeled “natural” means that it also is:

HEALTH

Test Your 

Supplement 

Savvy

a. mild

b. without any risk of side effects

c. safe to use with other medications

d. none of the above

dvertised throughout the media, displayed in grocery stores and pharmacies, 

and promoted widely on the Internet, dietary supplements look like just another 

consumer product on the shelf. But are they? Take this quiz to find out how much you know 

about using dietary supplements safely.

A
Facts for Consumers

Since dietary supplements are so easily 

available — and don’t require a 

doctor’s prescription — they are 

much safer than drug products and 

can be used to self-treat illnesses 

without a health professional’s 

advice or supervision. 

Testimonials in dietary supplement 

promotions give a good idea of the 

supplement’s benefits and safety 

because they’re based on firsthand 

accounts.

Many supplements have proven health 

benefits.

Before you start taking a dietary 

supplement, talk it over with a 

knowledgeable person like: 

Answers

D.

The term “natural” may suggest to 

consumers that the supplement is 

safe, especially when compared with prescription 

drugs that are known to have side effects. But 

natural is not necessarily safe. Although many 

supplements can be used safely by most people, 

other supplements, including some herbal 

products, can be dangerous. Aristolochic acid, 

which has been found in some traditional Chinese 

herbal remedies, has been linked to severe kidney 

disease. And the herb comfrey contains certain 

alkaloids that, when ingested, have been linked to 

serious, even fatal, liver damage. Animal studies 

suggest that the herb may cause cancer, too. Even 

certain vitamins can be toxic at high doses. And 

certain supplements have been found to interact 

with other medications in ways that could cause 

injury.

False.

Studies have shown that some herbal 

products interact with drugs and can 

have a wide range of effects. For example, St. 

John’s Wort can lower the effects of indinavir, 

a protease inhibitor for treating HIV. St. John’s 

Wort also may interfere with drugs used by 

organ transplant patients and drugs used to treat 

depression, seizures and certain cancers. In 

addition, there are concerns that it may reduce 

the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Garlic, 

ginkgo, danshen and dong quai can cause blood 

to thin, which could cause serious problems for 

people on drugs like warfarin or aspirin. Dietary 

supplements are not required to go through the 

same pre-market government review for quality, 

safety and efficacy as drug products. But that 

doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly — or 

without consulting your health care professional, 

especially if you have a medical condition or are 

taking other drugs.

True or False

a. your doctor or health 

professional

b. your pharmacist

c. a supplement salesperson

d. a friend who takes them

True or False

True or False
Facts for Consumers

False.

It’s unwise to judge a product’s 

efficacy or safety based only on 

testimonials. First, it is very difficult to verify 

the accuracy of the account: Some marketers may 

embellish or even make up testimonials to sell 

their product. Second, you can’t generalize one 

person’s experience to others. Anecdotes are not a 

substitute for valid science.

True.

Studies suggest that several 

popular supplements, including 

herbal products, may provide health benefits. 

For example, calcium can reduce the risk of 

osteoporosis, folic acid during pregnancy can 

prevent birth defects, and there is some evidence 

suggesting that St. John’s Wort may be helpful 

for some people with mild depression. Check out 

any health claims with a reliable source, such 

as the National Institutes of Health’s Office of 

Dietary Supplements, a public health or scientific 

organization like the American Cancer Society 

or the Arthritis Foundation, and your health 

provider. 

A or B. 

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist 

or other health provider about 

any medicines you take, as well as any dietary 

supplements you’re using or thinking about using. 

Though some doctors have limited knowledge of 

herbal products and other supplements, they have 

access to the most current research and can help 

monitor your condition to ensure that no problems 

develop or serious interactions occur. Retailers 

or marketers can be good sources of information 

about their products and their ingredients, but 

bear in mind that they have a financial interest in 

their products. If your doctor or pharmacist has 

a financial interest in the product, get a second, 

independent opinion.

For more information about the safe use of dietary 

supplements, visit the FTC’s Virtual Health 

Treatments page at www.ftc.gov/healthclaims. 

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent 

fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business 

practices in the marketplace and to provide 

information to help consumers spot, stop, and 

avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free 

information on consumer issues, visit

www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP 

(1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The 

FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, 

and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer 

Sentinel, a secure, online database available to 

hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement 

agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Facts for Consumers

Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Offi ce of Consumer and Business Education

1-877-FTC-HELP FOR THE CONSUMER

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION www.ftc.gov

June 2001