Here are some sample headlines:

·Most Valerian Sleep Supplements Fail Testing: Low potency and/or Contamination Found in 10 Products
·Cancer Prevention Supplements Tested: Four Fail for Lack of Ingredient or Lead Contamination
·Supplements for Bone Health Tested: Lead Contamination in One
·Results for Ginkgo and Memory Enhancement Supplements: Many Pass but others fail for lead contamination
·Weight Loss Supplements Tested: Worrisome Ingredients Found

The fact is, there are many effective and safe supplements out there. And there are many bad ones as well.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lacks the regulatory manpower to block all of the thousands of questionable supplements on the market today.

Type 2 diabetics need to be careful when choosing a supplement that will help lower weight and blood sugar.

There are three ways to make sure you're buying safe, effective and appropriate dosage products that will truly help promote healthy weight loss and blood sugar levels - two areas of great interest to prevent or manage diabetes:

1.)Look for supplements with clinical documentation from recognized health institutions, of a supplement's claims.

Many manufacturers claim benefits and results. Few are able to back these claims up. A common practice of unscrupulous manufacturers is to state 'clinical evidence' where none exists. If the manufacturer cannot produce clinical results, stating source and documentation, avoid this product! These clinical claims should have been substantiated at reputable, known medical institutions.

2.)Beware of Products That Don't Provide Purity or Dosage Levels used in Clinical Tests

Products that can provide the stated benefits, having been documented in clinical tests, are usually quite expensive.

While a product may say it contains 'clinically tested' ingredients, the fact is, many quack manufacturers will 'water down' the dosage or substitute pharmaceutical grade ingredients with lower quality, less effective grades.

The result is you are using a clinically proven ingredient. But unfortunately, you will not receive the stated benefits, because it has been adulterated with less expensive ingredients.

One way to ensure proper ingredient and purity levels is to look for independent certification symbols on packaging labels. USP, NF and CL are the three most respected certification institutions.

3.)Beware of Supplements That Make Outrageous Claims

A third and final way to identify and avoid questionable supplements is to note the language used in advertising claims.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified a number of words that can highlight a clearly questionable product.

Any supplement manufacturer that claims their product can eliminate or reduce the effect of diabetes overnight, without the added benefit of diet and exercise or can totally eliminate the effects of degenerative diseases with a single pill are suspect.

For a complete listing of suspect advertising claims and terminology, go the U.S. Food and Drug Administration site.

For more information on supplements and diabetes, look at the resources below and type the word "supplements" into the search box found in the web site.