Evaluation of heavy metals content in dietary supplements in Lebanon

Some samples had levels of metals above their maximum allowable levels (Fe: 24%, Zn: 33%, Mn: 27%, Se: 15%, Mo: 12% of samples), but did not pose any health risk because they were below permitted daily exposure limit and recommended daily allowance except for Fe in 6% of the samples. On the other hand, 34% of the samples had Cu levels above allowable limit where 18% of them were above their permitted daily exposure and recommended daily allowance. In contrast, all samples had concentration of Cr, Hg, and Pb below allowable limits and daily exposure. Whereas, 30% of analyzed samples had levels of Cd above allowable levels, and were statistically correlated with Ca, and Zn essential minerals. Similarly 62% of the samples had levels of As above allowable limits and As levels were associated with Fe and Mn essential minerals.Dietary supplements consumed as essential nutrients for their Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn content should be monitored for toxic metal levels due to their natural geochemical association with these essential metals to provide citizens the safe allowable amounts.Over the years the pharmaceutical industry has been one of the most stable industries in the world, manufacturing a wide range of therapeutic agents and dietary supplements. While the use of therapeutic agents and prescribed medications are considered essential to resist against many diseases [1]; dietary supplements are consumed to extend our diet with needed vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids for optimal body function [2,3].Nowadays, the utilization of multivitamins or multiminerals preparations is widely spread to increase the daily intake of essential micronutrient. In the Unites States, it has been estimated that approximately 40% of the population consumes vitamins and/or mineral preparations [4]. Calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper are among these elements and are of great importance to our daily body functions due to their physiological and biological roles. The essentiality of Cu a