Dietary Supplements

Some dietary supplements are important for good health. Calcium can help to prevent osteoporosis, and pregnant women should take folic acid to prevent certain birth defects. However, other dietary supplement ingredients have been associated with adverse events. Ephedra, for example, which is sold as an energy booster or as a diet aid, is a cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that has been associated with adverse events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Latest News

Waxman, Dingell, and Stupak Ask GAO to Study FDA Oversight of Dietary Supplements

In a letter to GAO, Reps. Waxman, Dingell, and Stupak ask GAO to revisit its earlier examination of oversight of dietary supplements.

Ephedra Substitutes May Pose Dangers

Stimulants sold as ephedra substitutes, not addressed by the pending FDA ban, may have adverse effects comparable to those of ephedra.

Protecting Against Unsafe Dietary Supplements

Reps. Waxman, S. Davis, and Dingell introduce H.R. 3377, the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act, to increase FDA's authority to protect consumers from those dietary supplements that pose health risks and preserve access to safe dietary supplements.

Questions on Safety of "Ephedra-Free" Supplements

Rep. Waxman asks FDA about concerns over the safety of stimulant ingredients in "ephedra-free" dietary supplements.

HHS Again Asked to Protect Americans from Ephedra

Rep. Waxman and Sen. Durbin ask when HHS will follow the lead of three of the most populous states in the nation and several of the nation's largest retailers in banning the sale of ephedra-containing dietary supplements.

Professional Sports Asked to Protect Players Against Ephedra

In the wake of the tragic death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, Rep. Waxman writes the commissioners of Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League, as well as the Major League Baseball Players Association to ask why they have not acted to protect their players by prohibiting the use of ephedra-containing dietary supplements. Medical experts have linked these products to heatstroke, heart attacks, stroke, and seizures. The NFL, NCAA and International Olympic Committee already prohibit their use by athletes.

Metabolife Records Show Company Knew of Adverse Health Effects

A report released by Sen. Durbin, Rep. Waxman, and Rep. Davis examines 13,000 adverse event reports received by Metabolife, the largest manufacturer of ephedra-containing dietary supplements. The records include nearly 2,000 reports of significant adverse reactions including deaths, heart attacks, and strokes

Concerns About Ephedra-Containing Supplements

Rep. Waxman and other members have written Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to share their concerns about ephedara-containing dietary supplements.

Supplement Use and Protecting Consumers

Rep. Waxman and other members have also sent letters to other government officials and other groups asking for information about supplement use and the steps that have been taken to try to protect consumers.

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