It is true that supplements like fish oil are regulated and tested. But the regulation/testing is very different than what a medication would have to undergo. Before a medication is approved the FDA has to be shown studies that it treats x condition in x population x percent of the time. And all and any side effects have to be clearly listed, even when the odds of them occurring are low.

For something like fish oil, the company doesn't have to demonstrate that it helps/cures any disease. Because of that, they can't claim it does either. Regulation is pretty much limited to "ok yes this is fish oil and you're not secretly poisoning people." Side effects/interactions don't have to be listed. For example there are certain herbs/supplements that can dangerously interact with certain medications, and also some that are dangerous during pregnancy. But the manufacturer doesn't have to put this on the bottle.

I'm not saying that supplements aren't useful--they certainly can be. But you do have to be careful because there is less regulation.

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