Should the Food and Drug Administration Start Regulating Supplements?

In a word "yes." Regulation could and should lead to actual standards in terms of the ingredients in the supplements and also the claims of the purveyors of the items. To me, that's a good thing. Regulation by the fed DOES NOT automatically mean that the end-users will also be regulated (as in requiring a prescription). Although it COULD result in that, I think that most discussion and consideration of supplement regulation goes to the manufacturers of these "drugs," to help insure the quality.

As a trainer I do NOT recommend supplements to my clients or anyone for that matter. I leave that topic up to nutritionists, physicians, and RDs. In my opinion this is a subject outside a personal trainer's scope of practice.

I hope this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

My concern regarding this is great. As a natural competitor in the sport of bodybuilding, I rely heavily on supplements like Vitamin D, Fish Oil, Glucosamine, Whey, CLA, etc. I also take Melatonin to aid in sleep, Psyllium Husk for fiber, etc... It makes me uncomfortable to think of a government entity determining for me whether or not I should have certain supplements. I feel the same regarding alternative medicine (chiropractic care, accupuncture,etc).

As a trainer who is admittedly not a nutritionist or dietician, I routinely refer clients to a local nutrition professional or even to my own nutrition coach who holds a doctorate in Nutritional Science.

NO - look at the job they are doing with the food industry.

Gretchen Eisenberg - Agreeeeeeee!!!

Fuel the Movement,
JM

It seems a bit insulting to the consumer for the government to assume the responsibility of regulating our nutritional intake. I encourage my clients to do their homework, consult experts in nutrition, abd then make responsible choices. The government has no business getting into nutritional supplement business. Regulations often lead to new and difficult hurdles as well as increasing the costs of said regulated products.

I agree thier should be some regulation,although I do not think it should be yet another government program to tell us what to do ,it is important that the proper information set some standards that are endorsed by like as ex;:IDEA,ACE,fitday, etc, as long as independent research has been done,without favortism to companies.I do in fact endorse some supplements ,but not without researching the product first,and if I am unsure of the product I will recommend then to a expert in that field..just do your homework keep government out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tough question. How much government regulation is appropriate and necessary?
I believe that educated individuals should be able to make their own choice. However, knowing what is actually in the supplement that you are taking is most important. That is why I recommend that any supplement that you take is qualified by the USP (United States Pharmacopia) as actually containing the quantity of substance(s) indicated on the label.

Take care.

Yes.

It would not be hard and could shed more light on a very hazy subject that comes up alot, especially for personal trainers.