A NATURAL MISTAKE

A scientist attempts to set confused consumers straight about why “natural” and “organic” don’t necessarily mean “safer” and “healthier.”

Consumers have flocked to products marketed as natural and nontoxic in recent years, but this book avers that such supplements, foods, and cosmetics may not be as safe as they think. MacGregor is a scientist with a doctorate in toxicology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry who’s spent a career in the fields of food and pharmaceutical safety, including positions at the Food and Drug Administration. Here, he effectively makes a case that “natural” products, such as botanical supplements and organic food, aren’t less likely to cause harm than prescription drugs or genetically modified foods. Drawing on his extensive professional knowledge, MacGregor first attacks what he calls the “widespread belief” that “natural” equals “safe,” highlighting numerous examples of natural plants and substances that are toxic to humans. He also outlines significant gaps in the regulatory framework, especially regarding supplements, which allow inadequately tested products to go to market, sometimes with devastating results. The author convincingly argues that pharmaceuticals are far safer than some supplements, which could have dangerous side effects. The perceived superiority of organic foods also comes in for criticism, with MacGregor arguing that organics are no healthier or safer than food produced using conventional methods. (He does not, however, address the environmental arguments for choosing organic foods.) He also asserts that people could do more for their health by simply adopting better eating habits, exercising more, and getting enough sleep. The work can be dense at times, however; MacGregor sometimes obscures his points with technical language, and his tone can make the text feel like a lecture. A gentler, more accessible approach might have been useful to convert more readers to his way of thinking.

A thoroughly researched case for rethinking the idea that “natural” is always better.