Many diet supplements tainted with potentially dangerous drugs

Potentially harmful drugs are commonly found in dietary supplements people take for sexual enhancement, weight loss, or muscle building, according to a new analysis. When California health department researchers took a closer look at more than 700 supplements subject to warnings from the FDA over a 10-year span, they often found drugs like sildenafil (Viagra), the heart drug sibutramine, and synthetic steroids, all of which could be harmful. Harvard’s Dr. Pieter Cohen — who penned a commentary that accompanies the study — says the FDA’s “dereliction of duty” is to blame for tainted supplements still on the market.