When it comes to maintaining good health, many people turn to supplements as a way to boost their nutritional intake. But did you know that these supplements are not regulated by the FDA? It may come as a surprise, but it's true. In this blog post, we'll dive deeper into what this means for consumers and why it's essential to be aware of this fact.

In case you were wondering – our V-Luxe probiotics and supplements are also not regulated by the FDA, but we take our production process seriously. We produce our products in the USA, under the strict FDA cGMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) conditions. You can read more about our production process in this blog post.

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First, let's talk about what the FDA does regulate. The FDA is responsible for ensuring that all food, drugs, and medical devices sold in the United States are safe and effective. They also have the power to recall any products that are found to be harmful to consumers. However, when it comes to supplements, the FDA takes a hands-off approach. According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, supplements are considered a type of food, not a drug. This means that they do not need to undergo the same rigorous testing and approval process as drugs before they can be sold to consumers. Instead, supplement manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of their products. By putting the responsibility in the hands of the manufacturers, there’s of course a risk that companies will try to take advantage by overselling their supplements and overcharging consumers for a higher profit margin.

While some supplement manufacturers (like V-Luxe!) follow strict quality control standards, others may cut corners to save money or increase profits. This can lead to supplements that are contaminated, mislabeled, or even dangerous. In fact, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that between 2007 and 2016, there were over 700 reported cases of supplement-related adverse events, including 34 deaths. Most of the time though, it’s more likely that a supplement is not as high potency as advertised and doesn’t give the consumer all of the potential benefits. 

So, what can you do as a consumer to protect yourself when purchasing supplements? First and foremost, do your research and ask hard questions! For example, when you shop for probiotics, you can email the company and ask questions like – where do you produce the probiotics, whether are they under the strict FDA cGMP conditions, are the probiotic strains quarantined and thoroughly tested during the manufacturing process, how long will the good bacteria strains stay alive for, etc. A manufacturer that is not producing a high-quality item, will most likely avoid answering all of your questions.

Another easy test that we all use every day is to read the reviews on the website! Look up reviews that explain how long it took for the product to work, what exactly it helped with, and how the company’s customer service operates. Supplements can be an incredible way to boost your nutritional intake and help you be more healthy. It's simply important to be aware that they are not regulated by the FDA. As a consumer, it's up to you to do your due diligence and make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing supplements. By following the tips outlined in this post, you can help ensure that the supplements you're taking are safe, effective, and worth your investment. 

Here at V-Luxe we always ensure that our supplements are effective, safe to use, and most importantly that they’ll provide our customers with all the benefits they can offer. Click here to take a look at our supplements for women’s vaginal health and for your overall immune system.