Federal legislation passed in 1994 (look up "DSHEA") made supplements of all kinds (vitamin, mineral, herb or other botanical, amino acid, extract, etc.) basically exempt from safety and effectiveness testing before being put on the market - even though they can have a pharmacological effect on the body. Further, most supplement claims are anecdotal. Except for vitamins and some minerals, there's very little research providing evidence of effectiveness. It's not the manufacturer's responsibility to prove they're safe; rather, it's the FDA's responsibility to prove they're not - usually after several months or years, and after several people have been harmed. (To be fair, it should be mentioned that the same thing has happened in the last few years with several drugs that HAVE been supposedly "thoroughly" researched.)

If the supplement makes you feel better, and if you can afford it, at least try to be sure there are no ingredients that present a health risk. As for "needing" a certain supplement for your health, you might want to determine whether or not you have a deficiency before you invest.

Thanks for your comment. It may be naive of me to say, but I tend to feel fine about supplements that are so available and popular, and I have not heard anything negative. As for their effectiveness, it always amazes me how any drug can have a strong placebo effect. When we are convinced of something, it tends to become our reality.

Would you keep updated on your supplement regime? I'm always curious to know what others are taking and why.