Today we will briefly discuss the two House of Representatives bills aimed at regulation of the nutritional supplement industry. Like Senator Hatch's bill (S 784), these bills also help define the FDA's role in regulating supplements.
Last month we reviewed some Poison Control Center statistics about vitamins, which showed one death from vitamin overdose between the years 1983 and 1990. This month I would like to present a few statistics about prescription medication for the geriatric population.
We will now briefly review the House of Representatives bill HR 1709 from Bill Richardson (D-NM). It is similar to Senator Hatch's S 784 except: (1) it mandates an RDA update, but does not require that the new values be based on optimal levels, as opposed to adequate levels; (2) does not require a history of safe use of a substance when the FDA decides if a substance is dangerous or not; (3) requires the manufacturer notify the FDA 30 days before a supplement label or an insert makes a new health claim.5 In contrast, S 784 allows manufacturers to make claims if there is support in the scientific literature without notifying the FDA in advance.
HR 2923 is from Cardis Collins (D-Ill). This is the bill that supports the FDA rule and that the FDA is supporting. If this bill passes, amino acids and herbs would likely be pulled from the market. In the literature Representative Collins sent me, she states: "Most importantly, this bill addresses my continuing concerns about the health of older Americans."6
Summary
We need legislation passed to protect the consumers, and that legislation is S 784. If this is not passed, HR 1709 is an alternative that we would be able to live with, with some added difficulties. In contrast, HR 2923 would decimate the nutrition supplement industry and, in this author's opinion, have a marked effect on the health of our nation. I think we are all concerned with the health of older Americans. Clearly, the FDA has plenty to do regulating substances that cause thousands of deaths per year. We need an FDA that will start working for the people (banning toxic drugs) instead of against the people (harassing honest companies or banning beneficial substances).
To preserve our right to utilize nutritional supplements, I strongly urge you contact your senators and representatives with your opinion on these bills.
References
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
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Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
