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Yes

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Yes, the FDA should regulate supplements and herbal remedies. I understand that its up to the consumer to be proactive about what they are taking, that you should research anything that you put into your body. I have taken supplements for years. In my line of work (the military) there are regulations on what we can and can't take and I research every ingredient on every supplement I take so that I'm fully aware of what side effects can occur; I take everything per instructions and never take more than I should. That didn't keep me out of the emergency room.

The problem with unregulated medications ( yes, even though the ingredients in most of these substances are natural they're combined in a way that enhances their effects and makes them medications ) is that they can vary in amount from capsule to capsule. So one day you may inadvertently take double the amount that you intended to even though you appear to be taking the same amount. Also, since these manufacturing plants are unsupervised you have no way of knowing if what is printed on the label under ingredients is actually what you're ingesting.

Case in point, I know that this is true because it's exactly what happened to me. I won't lie to you and tell you that I have stopped taking my usual cocktail of supplements, but I have slowed down. Instead of automatically lining up every supplement known to man and pouring myself a huge glass of filtered water every morning, I try not to take anything unless I can't find a way to control my symptoms with exercise,a proper diet, and holistic methods.

Learn more about this author, Marcia Middleton.
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