robot_parade, I tend to only take supplements that have had numerous (relevant) studies done on them and are manufactured by reputable companies. Not to mention supplements that are standardized for potency (for example, in the case of ginkgo biloba and fish oil).
Although most supplements aren't regulated like drugs are, there are international third-party organizations that provide testing, certifications for best practices, guidelines for standards, and quality control.
There are risks associated with many things. Some risks are bigger than others. But for many "mainstream" supplements, if you follow the directions on the package, they are generally safe. It's always good to do your research when it comes to concerns regarding interactions with one another and if you're taking drugs at the same time.
Many of these supplements are being recommended by Western doctors now. So you could always consult a GP about them, as one should.
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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön
Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot
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