How influencers and politicians built an unregulated supplement empire

We're trapped in an increasingly dangerous — and mind-bogglingly dull — supplement hell online, all thanks to politicians.

The dietary supplement industry has exploded in recent years , fueled partly by social media influencers and branded content.

The 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) classified supplements as food rather than drugs, thus limiting FDA 's oversight and regulation.

Influencers have become the new health authorities, with many people trusting them over medical professionals.

A study from the National Library of Medicine found that about a third of respondents purchased health products like supplements based on influencer recommendations.

The U.S. has created the perfect conditions for advertisers to profit: a largely unregulated industry, a broken healthcare system.

The unchecked expansion of the supplement industry, coupled with an unregulated influencer economy, is dangerous.

Activists and organizations are pushing for stronger consumer protections.

The question is: Will policymakers act before more people get hurt? Caulfield said he is "very pessimistic about regulation stepping up in this space".