Help me break my energy drink addiction

[Don Corlemahomes]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

Fair enough. We are of like mind. Understanding of a whole lot more isn't known than is, but a standard is necessary to validate.

The biggest issue with supplements is the lack of oversight. Pumping money into marketing instead of research. A perfect example of the variance you can get from the same type of supplement based on the manufacturer is a huge problem. One will work and the other is worthless. A fuller explanation about this is covered on Stuff You Should Know podcast on the Probiotic episode. It addresses the very problem of a compound that would have health benefits but too often the manufacturer doesn't really sell it in the delivery method necessary for the body to be able to process, even though the supplement contains x or y as it says but worthless in its present form.

Dude, this is very, very true. This issue, though, is most supplement companies have ZERO incentive to conduct proper research. Why? Because they done have to prove the ****ing thing they are selling works. Further, they also don't have to prove the ****ing thing doesn't have side effects that outweigh any sort of benefit.

They can sell you a powdered form of sterilized sloth cum, promise crazy results, and enjoy ridiculous profit.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Cunning Linguist

Dude, this is very, very true. This issue, though, is most supplement companies have ZERO incentive to conduct proper research. Why? Because they done have to prove the ****ing thing they are selling works. Further, they also don't have to prove the ****ing thing doesn't have side effects that outweigh any sort of benefit.

They can sell you a powdered form of sterilized sloth cum, promise crazy results, and enjoy ridiculous profit.

You do know pharmaceutical or some corporations have been buying up supplement companies and weakening their formulas right?

Why would they do that?

To my knowledge the studies and research are done on things like vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals and they do show health benefits just not all of them. I've read them. The FDA regulates them but they don't need to do so as strictly. Then there's the issue of co-factors in nature that have not all been isolated which help a supplement work. I don't buy off the shelf generally, unless it's just a one a day type thing. I received mine from health care practitioners and in one case a prescription based supplement.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

You do know pharmaceutical or some corporations have been buying up supplement companies and weakening their formulas right?

Why would they do that?

To my knowledge the studies and research are done on things like vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals and they do show health benefits just not all of them. I've read them. The FDA regulates them but they don't need to do so as strictly. Then there's the issue of co-factors in nature that have not all been isolated which help a supplement work. I don't buy off the shelf generally, unless it's just a one a day type thing. I received mine from health care practitioners and in one case a prescription based supplement.

Typically it's the FTC that goes after supplement companies for false claims in advertising, not the FDA.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

Typically it's the FTC that goes after supplement companies for false claims in advertising, not the FDA.

Food and Drug Administration now regulates supplements. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA):

http://www.fda.gov/Food/Dietarysupplements/default.htm

Supplements are food. Or they contain what is also in food.