Health advocate Gary Null has provided an unintentional educational lesson for those of us using dietary supplements. Taking one of his own products, he developed vitamin D toxicity. As there have been only a few cases of vitamin D toxicity ever reported, there is an inevitably interesting story behind this announcement.
Also, a recent independent analysis of St John’s Wort products found that fully one half of those tested were either contaminated with heavy metals (lead, cadmium) or deficient in the active marker compounds essential to the herb’s effects. 12 years ago a similar study found that the majority of products sold as St John’s Wort at health food stores was not actually St John’s Wort.
Please use these as a reminder to make sure that you purchase good supplements that have been analyzed for purity and content. As you can see on my MVM bottles, look for USP certification on vitamins. Purchase the best quality herbs, processed by manufacturers who comply with Good Manufacturing Practices, tested for marker compounds as noted on the label and ideally confirmed by independent testing.