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Quality
of Herbal Sexual
Fixes Found Lacking
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) -
Men and women hoping to rev up their sexual performance by taking
herbal supplements that claim to boost the libido better think
again, a new investigation suggests.
A study of 22 sexual enhancement products purchased over the Internet,
at pharmacies or at health-food stores found that about half of
the products didn't measure up to stated label claims.
Quality issues aside,
there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the sexual enhancement
claims made for many of these products, according to the new report.
The investigation was
conducted by
ConsumerLab.com, a commercial testing company in White Plains,
New York. For a fee, the company licenses its flask-shaped "Seal
of Approved Quality" to companies whose products pass testing.
According to the company,
11 of the products evaluated "failed to meet Food and Drug Administration
labeling requirements." For example, ConsumerLab.com reports that
one product contained as little as 1% of its stated active ingredient,
while another contained slightly less than half of its key ingredient
than was claimed on the label.
In other findings, some
of the products incorrectly identified plant species used for
ingredients or did not properly identify, if at all, the part
of the plant used to make the herbal concoction. Overall, nine
products were properly labeled and contained the ingredients listed
on the label.
The success of the erectile
dysfunction drug Viagra "has spawned a plethora of alternative
therapies marketed for sexual dysfunction," company President
Tod Cooperman said in a prepared statement. "People interested
in using these products, however, need to view them critically--as
the effectiveness of most ingredients has not been well proven
and many products are poorly made," he added.
Experts estimate that
consumers will spend $15.7 billion this year on herbal and
dietary supplements, which include vitamins. Under the Dietary
Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, supplement manufacturers
are required to have on file substantiation of any claims they
make about how a product affects the structure or function of
the body. They must also notify the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) of claims that they are making within 30 days of marketing
a given dietary supplement.
However, the FDA does
not regulate ingredients in supplements or dosage levels.
Reference
Source 89
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