Are natural health products really harmless?
In 2005, 71% of the population claimed to have taken natural health products. But what qualifies as a natural health product? According to Health Canada, these are vitamins and minerals, medicinal plants, homeopathic remedies or similar products sold over the counter. You should know that just because a product is natural does not mean it is necessarily harmless. Some natural health products cause major drug interactions. If you choose to purchase a natural health product, be vigilant. Make sure it has a drug identification number (DIN) or a natural product number (NPN). These numbers are very visible on the product packaging. Why are they important? They are your guarantee that Health Canada has analyzed these products in terms of quality and safety and that they have proven to be effective in labs or on animals. Since most of these products have not been tested or have not shown meaningful results in humans, their effects remain questionable Keep a critical mind and always consult a
Related Questions
- Why will homeopathic medicines bear the designation DIN-HM, while other natural health products will bear the designation NPN?
- What types of natural health products are affected by the Natural Health Products Regulations?
- Can Natural Health Products be regulated under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act?
