Supplements and Safety (full documentary) | Hidden Dangers of Vitamins & Supplements | FRONTLINE

Summary by Krater

This Frontline report investigates the multi-billion dollar dietary supplement industry, examining safety concerns, lack of FDA pre-market testing, and cases of severe health damage caused by contaminated or unverified products.

From the video

Answers: Are dietary supplements safe and regulated by the FDA?

• dietary supplements safety and regulation
• FDA oversight of supplements
• Purity First contamination scandal
• OxyElite Pro liver injury cases
• herbal supplement authentication via DNA barcoding

What it concludes

• The FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety or efficacy before they are sold to consumers.
• Dietary supplement manufacturers are not required to register with the FDA or provide proof of product effectiveness or safety.
• Testing of herbal supplements revealed that many products contained contaminants, substituted plants, or ingredients not listed on the label.
• Large clinical studies have shown that high-dose vitamin and antioxidant supplements may offer no health benefits and can be harmful.
• Scientific studies on fish oil supplements show high levels of oxidation and conflicting evidence regarding cardiovascular benefits.