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Supplements are NOT regulated by the FDA, and many have been found to be contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other poisonous heavy metals. Consumer Reports tests many supplements and posts information on which brands are safe to use. You can simply search for "Consumer Reports" and the name of your supplement.
Answer Summary
Members responded to a reminder about supplement safety by sharing their personal approaches to choosing trustworthy products, with many... Read more
I must say that your blanket statement somewhat disturbs me. Of course the government doesn’t regulate suppliments …. There are too many pharmaceutical lobbyist’s that is lining their pockets with money. By saying that all suppliments are bad is like saying all vegetables are bad or all hamburgers are bad. It depends on where or how you get your suppliments.
If you think about spinach - just one vegetable that used to be very nutritious. When Popeye was popular 1 cup of spinach gave you a lot of nourishment. Now to get the same nutrition you need to eat 20 cups of spinach. How are you going to get the nutrition you need without using some kind of supplement.
The product I use (which by the way has put my lupus into remission) is not a supplement, but a formulation. It was created by a bio-pharmacist that has worked and researched for many of the big pharma’s in the United States. She has received 7 patons and has about 60 more going through the system.
There are answers out there, but if the big pharma companies actually came out with something …. They would go broke.
So technically you are correct to a point …. There are suppliments with. Some improper labeling, but there are good healthy options (formulations) that are effective, and doesn’t carry any harmful bi-products. You just have to ask the right people and do your due-diligence.
Oh by the way …, in 2025 I was able to get off of 5 out of 6 pharma meds. My bloodwork is beautiful and I have lots of energy without the brain fog. That is all due to my formulations that I take.
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Thanks @A MyLupusTeam Member, so true, that's why I don't take supplements found at the grocery store, big box, drug stores and others. Sadly, even big pharma is guilty of making every day dangerous drugs.
Example: I had a very bad infection that I didn't want to take antibiotics because I've taken so many in my life, only the strong ones work for me. I had been given 3 different scripts that didn't alleviate, so they gave me one that had bad side effect warning. I read and concluded the effects might be seen in a more athletic person, but not this couch potato. It was so strong it wiped me out every day, but it did alleviate my infection. Week after script completion, my knees simultaneously started having horrible pain upon standing. Had an xray and Ortho said the tendons were torn and cartilage was gone. Over the following 3months it also took the cartilage from my ankles and feet including my toes. Now, the joints are called floating joints and twist when I walk so much that every step gives me the sensation of falling down. I was prescribed knee, ankle and foot braces that do help, but bought an electric wheelchair. I don't need it inside, yet. I refuse replacement surgery and cortisone shots as they also have horrible side effects.
These horrible side effects are referred to as being "Floxed" from antibiotic Ciprofloxacin.
I take 38+/- different supplements daily. I found a company that gives loads of information on their production and ingredients. They may cost a bit more, but I trust their info.
@MarlaChaffin--To clarify, I'm not saying supplements are bad, and I take some myself. I'm saying that it's best to ensure the purity and safety of the product and that it's best to discuss them with our doctors to rule out drug interactions.
For example, turmeric is an excellent anti-inflammatory, but taken with blood thinners, it increases the risk of bleeding.
While it's true that pharmaceutical companies make money off drugs, it's also true that many are beneficial and help keep us healthier longer. Congrats on getting off most of your meds — that's great!
@A MyLupusTeam Member Thanks so much for this important alert. I recently checked the companies I buy my supplements from, and they are safe.
Yes, I take my own supplements that I make. I don't trust most companies. Thankfully, I am an herbalist and a scientist. I purchased a capsule filler. My supplements are simple combinations such as Ashwagandha and magnesium for sleep.
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