Way Too Many Kids Are Being Poisoned By Dietary Supplements

While most calls to poison control for dietary supplements in children result in serious medical conditions, they have been increasing by nearly 50% between 2005 and 2012. According to a recent journal article in the Journal of Medical Toxicology, between 2000 and 2012 there was a call every 24 minutes to poison control centers related to dietary supplements. Of those calls, 70% involved children under the age of six. A significant number of these calls were related to supplements that were energy products. While many customers believe that dietary supplements are held to the same regulatory standards as over the counter drugs, they are actually not according to the author of the study, Gary Smith, MD, DrPH. They do not need FDA approval or clinical testing to be sold on store shelves. This can sometimes lead to a lack of quality control in the products and miscellaneous substances that may be added without consumers knowledge. While most supplements on their own will not interfere with your body, some of the extra substances contained in non FDA approved supplements may cause problems for consumers. It is always best to keep your doctor in the loop about what supplements you may be taking.