Nutritional Supplements Have an Excellent Safety Record

by Carolyn Pierini, CLS (ASCP), CNC

Nutritional supplementation has been shown to have an absolutely remarkable safety record. The U.S. National Poison Data System’s 2009 Annual Report, which was published in Clinical Toxicology (Dec 2010) reported zero deaths from vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal products, amino acids, homeopathic supplements and other nutritional products. This is in sharp contrast to the more than 106,000 patients who die annually due to adverse drug reactions from medications that are “appropriately” prescribed.

Adverse drug reactions are now considered the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Enough evidence now exists in well-respected medical journals to support the use of nutritional supplements for optimal health and longevity. As just one example, consider the impressive French seven year, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study in which cardiovascular health was enhanced by 37 percent, and cancer was reduced by 31 percent in over 5,000 men age 45-60 taking just a few trace minerals and low-dose antioxidants. Imagine if a patentable drug could produce those numbers!

Currently over 50 percent of the U.S. population takes daily nutritional supplements. Considering their effectiveness and proven safety, demonstrated in countless randomized clinical trials, it would be prudent for everyone to take nutritional supplements.