But they may not know about the side effects, and even deaths, associated with them. An Associated Press analysis of Food and Drug Administration records shows the agency has logged more than 2,500 reports of side effects and 79 deaths associated with dietary supplements. About 900 of the illnesses and 44 deaths involved people taking herbal products that contain ephedrine-like stimulants. Calcium wards off osteoporosis.
Ginger calms nausea, and valerian is a mild sleep aid.
Risky supplements But scores of other products have little, if any, data to support their claims. And, while most products do not raise safety concerns, the FDA has listed 16 supplements as risky. The boom in dietary products dates to 1994, when Congress shielded them from most government oversight. The panel also urged the industry to provide studies backing a product's claims if consumers request proof. Some in the industry are acting.