FDA: No dietary supplement can treat concussion symptoms

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is monitoring the marketplace and taking action against products that claim to be able to treat, cure or manage concussions or other traumatic brain injuries in athletes, according to a press release from the FDA.

A common claim of the suppliers of these supplements is that they promote faster healing of concussions in athletes, according to Gary Coody, the FDA’s national health fraud coordinator.

“We’re very concerned that false assurances of faster recovery will convince athletes of all ages, coaches and even parents that someone suffering from a concussion is ready to resume activities before they are really ready,” Coody said in a press release. “Also, watch for claims that these products can prevent or lessen the severity of concussions or [traumatic brain injuries].”

There is no evidence that any dietary supplement can prevent a concussion or reduce post-concussion symptoms, Charlotte Christin, acting director of FDA’s division of dietary supplement programs, said in the press release.

The U.S. Department of Defense was the first to alert the FDA of claims that a dietary supplement could be used to treat traumatic brain injuries, according to the release.

In 2013, the FDA sent out a warning letter to a company that was marketing a product and its claims to treat traumatic brain injuries, according to the press release. However, with more than 85,000 dietary supplements on the market, FDA representatives said products making false claims can slip through, at least for a time.

Reference: www.fda.gov