For this assignment, I have decided to take a look at various articles about dietary supplements. I think the topic is interesting and demands more attention from the public and researchers. In this paper I will focus on analyzing three articles on the issue: “Demand for dietary supplements spikes as coronavirus spreads”, “Feature: Revealing the hidden dangers of dietary supplements” “False Advertising in Dietary Supplements”. I plan on addressing each article separately, discussing its contents, and offering my personal perspective on the matters presented there.
Couzin-Frankel, Jennifer. “Feature: Revealing the Hidden Dangers of Dietary Supplements.” Science, 2015, Web.
This article describes the efforts of one man, Pieter Cohen, to protect consumers from harmful additives in some of the dietary supplements available for purchase. Working for the benefit of the public out of his own volition, the man cooperates with independent researchers and small journals to look into the dangerous substances sometimes present in the supplements (Couzin-Frankel). Cohen states that the main motivation for his endeavors is to inspire better government regulations in this field and to increase public awareness of the current issues. Even with his limited capabilities, the man has managed to influence major organizations to consider the possible harm the unregulated supplement industry could bring and was cited in many official publications (Couzin-Frankel). The article also goes into detail describing the history of supplement regulation and legislation, transcribing the events that have led the current situation to develop. They say that in 1994 an act was passed that had mixed results on the industry, expanding its scope while making safety checks much harder to perform (Couzin-Frankel). The act allowed supplement companies to expand their business and offer a large variety of products to the consumer without having to worry about the FDA restricting their capabilities. The unregulated companies soon started trying to exploit the system and add ingredients whose effects were not properly tested, making their consumption potentially harmful.
I think that this article is well written and makes the reader question the safety of the products they consume and the validity of the current regulatory practices. It is informative and eye-catching, perfect for attracting an audience. The piece brings up valid points to the argument and presents a detailed history of supplement regulation. The work and conviction of Pieter Cohen are admirable and bring great benefit to the community as a whole.
“False Advertising in Dietary Supplements.” Nutritional Products International, 2018, Web.
The article brings up the question of false advertising in the supplement industry. The piece expands on some of the topics from the one above and offers more insight into how the labeling and marketing of the products are being checked (False Advertising in Dietary Supplements). The article states that two major organizations are responsible for regulating the health claims by the producers: FTC and FDA. The former looks into the information from ad campaigns shown in any form of media, including TV, magazines, and the internet (False Advertising in Dietary Supplements). The FDA, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with checking the truthfulness of the packaging and labeling of the products themselves, making sure that the information is not misleading (False Advertising in Dietary Supplements). These two organizations regulate the sales of all dietary supplements in the US, and the failure to adhere to policy standards results in large fines for the company responsible.
I chose this article because I found it helpful to consumers and manufacturers alike, informing both sides of the regulations in place to protect the public. It clearly articulates its message, with the intent of warning the companies about the possible repercussions of their malpractice. The only possible criticism I can give is that the article lacks sources, unlike the other two I already covered.
Polito, Rick. Demand for Dietary Supplements Spikes as Coronavirus Spreads. 2020, Web.
This article’s main concern lies with the increase in demand for dietary supplements in the face of the recent pandemic. Many of the companies producing dietary supplements report that the sales have gone up by more than 20% and everything associated with increasing immunity has gone into demand even more (Polito). Especially notable are the sales for vitamins C and D, which “top the list” (Polito). The extraordinary need of the public is explained by the urge to stay healthy and the increasing public awareness of the coronavirus’s danger. People want to protect themselves and counteract the spread of the disease in any way they can manage, so the desire to use more vitamins is starting to increase country-wide. Many categories of products increased, as the people drive the company sales up even further. The only major drawback of this situation is the prominence of hoarding by the public, which has to be actively combated by restricting order sizes and imposing limits.
I chose this piece because its contents seemed topical to the issues our society faces right now. I think that the increase in demand is largely a positive force, for both the consumers and the producers. While the effectiveness of dietary supplements can be questionable, an added precaution in the face of a global health crisis will not be a detriment. I think that this occurrence might make more people re-evaluate their opinions on dietary supplements.
Works Cited
Couzin-Frankel, Jennifer. “Feature: Revealing the Hidden Dangers of Dietary Supplements.” Science, 2015, Web.
“False Advertising in Dietary Supplements.” Nutritional Products International, 2018, Web.
Polito, Rick. Demand for Dietary Supplements Spikes as Coronavirus Spreads. 2020, Web.