Many docs tell heart patients to take fish-oil. It is utterly amazing to hear the wide variety of comments and reactions. I once heard a guy proudly announce that "my doctor has me on fish oil; he said MaxEPA." Some who heard the guy said "my doctor has me on a beta-blocker; I never heard of MaxEPA; Tessie, pass me the creamcheese."

There it hangs -- genuine ignorance, bad advice, misunderstanding, inadequate dosage, different medical advice, PLUS a desire by people to be ignorant and leave it ALL up to a doctor.

Nowadays, there are more people seeking information for themselves. On fish-oil, many docs advise it but not at the minimum dosage of 1200 mg.

Then some docs advise anti-oxidants. Citrus-bio-flavonoids are prescribed for dizziness, by MDs.

And there's Calcium. And/or Magnesium. Or glucosamine-chondroitin. Or n-acetyl-cysteine. Or red-yeast-rice extract.

Unfortunately, the article mentioned St-John's-Wort, which has been debunked but still has many users.

Basically, MDs have tried to keep all this stuff mixed-up so the public has to trust only them. And "research" on these things is scatter-shot or uncoordinated except by a few sources without marketing to MDs.

Another grave defect in our healthcare system. At least the govt has some smallscale research into "alternative" medicines.

So; it's solid information you require. Better not ask the FDA. I extracted this Q&A from one of their clarifying documents intended for Calcium/Vitamin D producers:

What specific requirements must be met to make a claim on the label or labeling of food associating calcium or calcium and vitamin D with a reduced risk of osteoporosis?

• The claim must make clear that adequate calcium or calcium and vitamin D intake throughout life in a healthful diet are essential to reducing osteoporosis risk.
• The claim must not imply that adequate calcium or adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is the only recognized risk factor for the development of osteoporosis.
• The claim must not attribute any reduction in risk of osteoporosis to maintaining an adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D intake throughout life.

Compare the first and third answers to the question. If you want to know about snake-oil, ask a snake!

Yes we do lack that information but here's a simple answer. If you eat a sensible balanced diet none of this will be a problem. I know, its probably too much trouble in these busy times. Everyone has an excuse for doing the wrong thing.