40 | The Sketchy Side of the Supplement Industry

In this episode of the How To Fitness podcast, Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman take a deep dive into the largely under-regulated supplement industry. We draw attention to the history, legislation, and current state of dietary supplements in the U.S. and explore the critical role of influencer marketing, and the various risks and health implications associated with mislabeled and contaminated supplements.

This episode shares some surprising background about the controversial history of some well-known supplements and helps you navigate a market saturated with potentially unsafe products.

01:59 The passing of the DSHEA in 1994 allowed manufacturers of supplements to make general health claims about their products without going through the FDA to prove safety or efficacy. This “free market” approach has led to a boom in supplements both manufactured and consumed. 05:11 Have you heard of Chris Ashenden? Probably not. But have you heard of AG1/Athletic Greens? Probably! We do a mini deep dive into his shady past as a grifter.

9:50 Dietary supplements are considered food, not drugs or medicine. This opens up supplements to more possibilities and fewer regulations than medications. Supplement companies cannot make medical claims, and that’s where broad disclaimers come in. Resource Michael referenced: Aragon AA. I was just approached (again) by an Herbalife distributor – is it safe?  from AARR May 2016 

12:22 An example of the underregulated nature of the supplement industry and power of disclaimers shared with a Shilajit supplement, something trending heavily on Tik Tok right now.

16:26 Supplements are linked with rising accounts of kidney and liver issues, especially due to herbal supplementation. We discuss a recent contamination of an herbal supplement and how it’s been handled by the FDA.

20:48 Proprietary blends are used to protect trade secrets, but can lead to some confusing and misleading information about the dosage and efficacy of ingredients in a supplement.

26:20 To get the safest supplements possible, seeking out supplements that are third party tested helps ensure that the ingredients listed are actually what the supplement contains. Resource on contamination in supplements: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1060028019900504#:~:text=Microbial Contamination,-Many dietary supplements&text=According to the US Pharmacopeia,Staphylococcus aureus%2C or Clostridium species

32:50 As consumers, we carry the risk from consuming supplements without the information and research we need. Often, studies of supplements are funded by the company producing the product.

33:42 Influencer marketing plays a huge role in the supplement industry and makes it hard for the FTC to regulate this type of marketing. We talk through affiliate payouts and how easy it is to gain monetary kickback from sharing supplements. Dr. Gunter’s fake supplement: https://vajenda.substack.com/p/the-money-in-m

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🟡 Michael Ulloa
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🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
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