Supplements even more suspect

The emergence of illegal drugs that end up in stores under the guise of dietary supplements—a practice with which Food and Drug Administration struggles because it lacks resources—should make you wary of supplements.

The New York Times last August reported that supplements that promise weight loss, bodybuilding improvement and sexual enhancement contain amphetamines, illegal synthetic steroids and laxatives, which can cause heart attack or stroke. Although these problematic supplements abound online, some have made their way into national chain stores.

As Consumers Digest reported in July/August 2009 (“Mass Confusion: The Truth About Dietary Supplements”), no scientific evidence exists that supplements, which are unregulated, provide any benefit. Perhaps the best advice is to avoid them altogether, but short of that, you would be better served if you avoid making such purchases online or at mom-and-pop nutrition stores.