This past November we blogged about herbal/dietary supplements and asked, “and is it a problem?” The answer to this question is clearly a resounding “yes.” According to this recent article in The New York Times, dietary supplements now account for nearly 20 percent of drug-related liver injuries that turn up in hospitals, up from just 7 percent a decade ago.

Americans spend an estimated $32 billion on dietary supplements every year, attracted by unproven claims that various pills and powders will help them lose weight, build muscle and fight off everything from colds to chronic illnesses. About half of Americans use dietary supplements, and most of them take more than one product at a time. Read more…