Question: Unlike Prescription Drugs, The Food And Drug Administration Does Not Evaluate A Supplement’s Contents Or Effectiveness Before It Is Sold. There Is Little To Guarantee That Any Vitamin, Mineral, Probiotic, Sports Supplement, Herbal Treatment, Or Other Dietary Supplement Is Safe, Effective, Or Even Contains What’s On Its Label. A 2016 Investigation By …

Unlike prescription drugs, the Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate a supplement’s contents or effectiveness before it is sold. There is little to guarantee that any vitamin, mineral, probiotic, sports supplement, herbal treatment, or other dietary supplement is safe, effective, or even contains what’s on its label. A 2016 investigation by the New York Attorney General found that several popular store-brand supplements sold at major retailers — GNC, Target, Walgreens and Walmart — contained contaminants not listed among the labeled ingredients. And only 21 percent of them actually had the DNA of the plant species they purported to be selling.” (PBS) 1.Do you now, or have you ever, taken vitamin or mineral supplements? If so, what type of supplements and why did you think you needed them? (Was it because you read something on the internet, a friend recommended the supplements, your doctor told you to take them, etc ?). 2. Having read the above quote and this week’s slides and lecture notes, do you think supplements are a safe and effective way of improving your health? Explain your answer