You reach for your multivitamins and fish oil each morning, a habit ingrained in your routine. You've heard the benefits, you've read about them, and you believe they're helping you avoid disease, slowing the impact of aging, and helping you maintain better mental health. But when you squint at the labels, hoping to read about the health benefits that'll motivate you to keep taking them, you find that the language is indirect. Even weak. Are they tiptoeing around something?



Yes, they are. And that something is a substantial piece of legislation called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). This act determines the dance between the world of scientific research and the health claims that supplement companies can make.



You might not be interested in laws and legislation, but if you're interested in using products that support optimal health, you should understand what high-quality, professional supplements can and cannot say on labels and marketing materials. That way, you won't think a great product is subpar, just because it doesn't claim to impact your health the same way its supporting research says it will.



Stay with me as we demystify the gap between what you hear in the bustling grapevine of supplement research and what you read on the label of your trusty bottle of pills.





The History and Purpose of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)



Back in 1994, consumers were just starting to realize the potential benefits of nutritional supplements and fought hard to protect their right to access them.Hilmas, C. J., Gillette, S. M., & Mullins, M. E. (2008). Herbal remedies: the design of a new course in pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 72(6), Article 136. doi:10.5688/aj7206136



This was when the DSHEA was born. Born out of a need to define and regulate the rapidly growing supplement industry, the DSHEA was more than just a new rule in the rule book. It was a landmark law that drew a clear line between foods (and supplements) and drugs.Scott, J., & Rountree, R. (1998). The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 4(3), 230-235. doi:10.1089/act.1998.4.230



The birth of DSHEA wasn't a simple process, and it wasn't born in a vacuum. Its creation was a collaboration between lawmakers, supplement companies, consumers, and medical professionals.Dickinson, A., & MacKay, D. (2004). Health habits and other characteristics of dietary supplement users: a review. Nutrition Journal, 13(14), 2. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-14 Each had their interest and their voice in crafting this critical piece of legislation.



Some noteworthy figures who played instrumental roles include:




Senator Orrin Hatch: A Republican Senator from Utah, Hatch represented a state where many prominent dietary supplement companies are based. He was a stalwart supporter of the industry, and his influence was pivotal in crafting and pushing the DSHEA through Congress.Brownie S. (2005). The politics of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. American Journal of Public Health, 95(3), 437–446.



Senator Tom Harkin: A Democrat from Iowa, he was influenced by his personal experiences with dietary supplements, which he believed had helped him with his allergies.Gostin LO. (1994). Dietary Supplements and Health Promotion or Disease Prevention. JAMA, 272(16), 1283–1284.



Congressman Bill Richardson: A Congressman from New Mexico who introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives, which eventually became the DSHEA.



Gerald Kessler: Founder of Nature's Plus supplements. Kessler was a critical industry voice who championed the rights of supplement companies, working closely with Senators Hatch and Harkin in the formulation of DSHEA.




These figures, along with many others, created a law that could strike a balance between the consumer's right to access dietary supplements and the need for appropriate regulation and safety.