" With the advent of molecular biology, scientists found cures for scurvy, rickets and night-blindness, simply by adding certain minerals and vitamins to the diet. "Diet cures more than doctors," folklore tells us. "

" In 1941, the Food and Drug Administration established regulations governing the labeling of vitamin and mineral supplements, with minimum daily requirements as a guideline. But there were no restrictions on the maximum until 1976, with the coming of the U.S. recommended daily allowance. "

" In the 1990s the battle really began over claims made about nutritional supplements. The FDA wanted to treat them as drugs while the American people vociferously objected. The FDA and Congress are still tussling with legislation, but today it is much more difficult for any manufacturer to make claims about the efficacy of their supplements without proper scientific testing to prove it. "

" Chemist Linus Pauling, winner of two unshared Nobel prizes (one in chemistry and one for peace), once said, "If a doctor isn't up on something, he's down on it." Many Americans do not trust doctors, drug companies, or "

" But the supplement companies aren't exactly pure in their dealings, either. The quality and purity of supplements is rarely checked because the FDA does not have the resources to do so, leaving room for unscrupulous companies to fudge about their products. It isn't until people are harmed that the government gets involved. "

" Therefore, it behooves the consumer to be skeptical and do the research. The United States Pharmacopoeia (www.usp.org) is both independent and nonprofit. For 185 years the organization has set "

"standards for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements and other healthcare products manufactured and sold in the U.S. "

" Since it tests supplements, products that have passed muster will have a USP mark
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