GNC to pay $2.25 million over sale of illegal dietary supplements

More than 50 years ago I started getting interested in nutrition and GNC (General Nutrition Company/Corporation) was one of the first big stores in the malls in Indianapolis. I browsed the store aisles, studied the bottles, and bought some of the products.

A lot has happened since then. And my maturation regarding what products are reliable and what are not has advanced exponentially. As a clinician, I only want patients (and myself and family) to use products that are safe and effective. Thus, I am selective about what I prescribe and recommend. The manufacturers have to meet strict standards.

The article about GNC just came to my attention. I suggest that you read it because it represents the tip of the iceberg.

When it comes to medications, sometimes a generic will do but other times the original product works better. And there are many deaths per year attributed to taking the wrong medication even when prescribed by your doctor. Mixing the wrong medications is lethal. Mixing the wrong supplements can also have negative consequences.

So, when it comes to natural supplements, you really have to know what you are buying. When I was young there were no personal computers or the internet. You had to read alot to really figure out what might be helpful.

Now, with the internet, everyone thinks that they are an expert. Just because the internet is there doesn’t mean the information is “advice.” There is a lot of hype and false news to convince you to buy.

Not only that, not all supplements are created equal. Not all of the ingredients are good for your body. Toxicants and ineffective doses are rampant.

Quality costs money. Testing costs money. Rejecting ingredients that don’t meet standards costs money. You want to do price comparison shopping to save a little money. But, just because something is cheap doesn’t mean that it is quality, tested, or meeting high standards. More than likely it means the opposite.

Buying your products online from just any online vendor is not really so smart. You can buy cheap gas and it might not kill your car immediately but in the long run it might shorten the life of it. Same thing with your supplements.

Call us to set up an appointment to make sure that what you are putting into your body is good for you. 510-849-1176