Haar Shares Insight for HuffPost Article on Supplement Risks

Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, clinical associate professor and department chair of interdisciplinary health sciences, is quoted in a HuffPost article about supplement interactions and risks. The article discusses how certain lifestyle habits, medications, foods, and drinks can have a negative impact on vitamin intake, with Haar explaining common misconceptions about supplement safety. 

“Many consumers are under the impression that any dietary supplement available over the counter is always safe but that is not necessarily the case. While substances considered drugs undergo a battery of testing before being released to the public, substances in the category of ‘dietary supplements’ are actually innocent until proven guilty. They may be offered for sale until there are substantial reports that they are dangerous,” Haar said.

For this reason, she said, it’s important for consumers to speak with their doctor before taking a new supplement, especially if they are taking a prescription medication that might have a negative interaction with certain supplements.