By Dr, Joseph Mercola
June 4, 2007


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.