Most Synthetic Vitamins Are Now Made in China

• Mercola, June 4, 2007
  Straight to the Source
  
  

You may be surprised to know that China is actually one of the largest exporters of many drugs and vitamins. About 90 percent of all Vitamin C sold in the United States is from China, for example. They also produce 50 percent of the world's aspirin and 35 percent of all Tylenol. Ditto for the majority of Vitamins A, B12 and E.

Hot on the heels of the poisoned pet food scandal, and reported instances of toxic food and toothpaste, all eyes are now turning toward the Chinese vitamin market. How safe are they?

The industry in China appears to be split between top-notch operations and bottom-of-the-barrel producers. Since the United States does not require country-of-origin labels for any of our drugs, foods or supplements, there is no telling where that vitamin you are taking came from.

China also suffers from the same conflict of interest that we are seeing here in the United States, where the regulators have financial interest in the industries they are supposed to regulate and inspect.

Supplements can sometimes be helpful; however, your best bet will always be to try to get the majority of your vitamins and minerals from the food you eat. You can't "make up" for a poor diet by simply adding vitamin supplements. Processed foods are sorely lacking in nutrients, but eating plenty of raw organic foods, farmed locally (or as nearby as possible), can supply you with most of the vital nutrients that you need.

The Seattle Times June 3, 2007

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Almost all vitamin C sold in the United States is from China. They also produce 50 percent of the world's aspirin and 35 percent of all Tylenol. Since the United States does not require country-of-origin labels for any of our drugs, foods or supplements, there is no telling where that vitamin you are taking came from.

The industry in China appears to be split between top-notch operations and bottom-of-the-barrel producers, with no way for a consumer to easily tell which produced a given product. China also suffers from the same regulatory conflict of interest that we are seeing here in the United States.

Remember that while supplements can sometimes be helpful, your best bet will always be to try to get the majority of your vitamins and minerals from the food you eat. You can't "make up" for a poor diet by simply adding vitamin supplements.

Remember it is your total lifestyle, not a "magic" supplement, that will help you achieve optimal health. Relying exclusively on supplements is a typical allopathic approach. If you don't understand that then please watch the video I created, The Town of Allopath.

Processed foods are sorely lacking in nutrients, but eating plenty of raw organic foods, farmed locally (or as nearby as possible), can supply you with most of the vital nutrients that you need.