Dietary supplements are a rapidly expanding industry with revenue of almost $39 billion in 2022. However, the lack of regulation and oversight in this industry is a cause for concern.
Marketing efforts in this industry have been highly successful, with 77% of Americans trusting the supplement industry. People are drawn to the idea of taking control of their own health, and supplements are popular among athletes, parents, and those trying to recover from a cold or flu.
A 2024 study revealed that approximately 1 in 10 adolescents have used nonprescribed weight loss and weight control products, including dietary supplements. The study also found that nonprescribed diet pill use was significantly higher than the use of nonprescribed laxatives and diuretics for weight management. These types of unhealthy weight control behaviors are associated with both worsened mental health and physical health outcomes.
As a licensed clinical social worker specializing in treating anxiety disorders and eating disorders and a biomedical research director, we have seen firsthand the harm that these supplements can do based on unfounded beliefs. The unregulated market of dietary supplements is setting consumers up to be misled and potentially seriously harmed by these products.
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The Food and Drug Administration specifies that supplements must contain a “dietary ingredient” such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, live microbials, concentrates and extracts, among others. However, manufacturers can claim that a product is a supplement even when it doesn’t meet those criteria, leading to the sale of products containing highly addictive drugs and mislabeled substances.
Under a 1994 law, dietary supplements are classified as food, not as drugs. This means dietary supplements are not required to prove efficacy, unlike drugs. Regulators also don’t take action on a product until it is shown to cause harm.
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While the FDA has cracked down on some weight loss products due to the presence of undeclared drugs, warning label placement, ingredients, and false advertising remain problematic. Some weight loss supplements may have FDA warnings on them, but these disclaimers are rarely displayed on the front of the product label, making them less visible to consumers.
The use of dietary supplements, including weight loss supplements, has been linked to unhealthy weight control behaviors and eating disorders. Mental health concerns and eating disorders are on the rise, making it more important than ever to regulate this industry and protect consumers from harm.