That bottle in your medicine cabinet may deserve a closer look.
Nearly three-quarters of American adults take dietary supplements, with more than half reaching for them regularly. But behind the glossy labels and bold promises, some products aren’t what they seem.
Experts say three supplement categories are particularly prone to problems flagged by third-party testing and FDA enforcement, raising questions about their safety, quality and effectiveness for consumers.
Together, they form the supplement world’s “unholy trinity” — but the good news is, you don’t need divine intervention to steer clear of trouble.
The trio? Supplements marketed to boost sexual performance, help people lose weight or improve athletic performance.
“These categories often promise rapid or dramatic results, which can create stronger incentives for some manufacturers to make claims or formulate products in ways that don’t comply with dietary supplement regulations,” John Travis, senior scientific strategist and advisor for NSF, told The Post at an event hosted by Nutrafol.
There’s an important reason consumers may not know what they’re getting.
Unlike prescription and over-the-counter drugs, the FDA doesn’t review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they hit store shelves. Instead, manufacturers are responsible for making sure their products comply with federal rules.
Third-party organizations like NSF can provide another layer of oversight, independently testing and certifying supplements to check that they contain what they claim, are made in safe facilities and are free of harmful or banned substances.
But one of the biggest problems its experts encounter is a simple one: What’s on the label isn’t always what’s in the bottle.
“Historically, FDA enforcement has shown that products marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and certain sports performance claims are more likely than other supplement product categories to contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients,” Travis said.
“Because those ingredients aren’t listed on the label, consumers have no practical way to know they’re present.”
Back in May, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use X10 Natural Enhancement Supplement, which was marketed for sexual enhancement, after testing found it contained sildenafil and tadalafil — prescription drug ingredients that were nowhere to be found on the label.
Likewise, in 2023, a study of 57 sports performance supplements found that 89% had inaccurate labels. Some were missing ingredients they claimed to have, while others contained illegal drugs.
And earlier this month, the FDA added three botanical weight-loss products to its list of products found to contain toxic yellow oleander, a deadly plant that can damage the heart.
But hidden ingredients aren’t the only concern. The promises plastered across supplement bottles can also go too far.
Take sexual-enhancement products. Certain supplements are marketed to treat erectile dysfunction — but under US law, products intended to treat a medical condition are regulated as drugs and must be approved by the FDA.
Weight-loss supplements face similar limits. They can’t legally promise to reverse diabetes, cure metabolic syndrome or eliminate fatty liver, yet those claims still turn up on products sold to consumers.
“Dietary supplements are intended to supplement the diet, not produce drug-like effects,” Travis said.
Still, the FDA isn’t powerless. The agency can step in after a supplement reaches the market if problems come to light. It can ask companies to recall unsafe products, pull dangerous products from the market and take action against false or misleading claims in labels and advertising.
“FDA plays an important role in overseeing the dietary supplement marketplace,” said David Trosin, senior director of nutrition and wellness at NSF. But “manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products comply with applicable regulations before they reach consumers.”
There are also steps shoppers can take in the supplement aisle to lower their risk.
After all, products marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss and sports performance may be more prone to problems — but that doesn’t mean every product in these categories is a bad bet.
“One of the best things consumers can do to tell whether a multi-ingredient supplement is safe, effective and high quality is look for products that have been independently certified by a trusted and accredited third party,” Travis said.
In the real world, that means checking the packaging of a supplement for the NSF logo or a seal from another widely recognized independent testing organization, such as Informed Sport.
“Independent, third-party verification is especially valuable in these categories, helping consumers distinguish products that have been evaluated against rigorous quality and safety standards from those making unsupported claims,” Travis said.
