Many adults and children in the United States take one or more vitamins or other dietary supplements. In addition to vitamins, dietary supplements can contain minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other ingredients. Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies, and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars. Popular supplements include vitamins D and B12; minerals like calcium and iron; herbs such as echinacea and garlic; and products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils.
Products sold as dietary supplements come with a Supplement Facts label that lists the active ingredients, the amount per serving (dose), as well as other ingredients, such as fillers, binders, and flavorings. The manufacturer suggests the serving size, but your healthcare provider might decide a different amount is more appropriate for you.
Some dietary supplements can help you get adequate amounts of essential nutrients if you dont eat a nutritious variety of foods. However, supplements cant take the place of the variety of foods that are important to a healthy diet. To learn more about what makes a healthy diet, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and ChooseMyPlateare good sources of information.
Some dietary supplements can improve overall health and help manage some health conditions. For example:
Many other supplements need more study to determine if they have value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine whether dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed.
Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Always be alert to the possibility of a bad reaction, especially when taking a new product.
You are most likely to have side effects from dietary supplements if you take them at high doses or instead of prescribed medicines, or if you take many different supplements. Some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or, if taken before surgery, can change your response to anesthesia. Supplements can also interact with some medicines in ways that might cause problems. Here are a few examples:
Manufacturers may add vitamins, minerals, and other supplement ingredients to foods you eat, especially breakfast cereals and beverages. As a result, you may get more of these ingredients than you think, and more might not be better. Taking more than you need costs more and might also raise your risk of side effects. For example, too much vitamin A can cause headaches and liver damage, reduce bone strength, and cause birth defects. Excess iron causes nausea and vomiting and may damage the liver and other organs.
Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider. Many supplements have not been well tested for safety in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children.
If you think that you have had a bad reaction toa dietary supplement, let your healthcare provider know. He or she may report your experience to the FDA. You may also submit a report directly to the FDA by calling 800-FDA-1088 or completing an online form. You should also report your reaction to the manufacturer by using the contact information on the product label.
The FDA has established good manufacturing practices (GMPs) that companies must follow to help ensure the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their dietary supplements. These GMPs can prevent adding the wrong ingredient (or too much or too little of the correct ingredient) and reduce the chance of contamination or improper packaging and labeling of a product. The FDA periodically inspects facilities that manufacture supplements.
Several independent organizations offer quality testing and allow products that pass these tests to display a seal of quality assurance that indicates the product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants. These seals do not guarantee that a product is safe or effective. Organizations that offer quality testing include:*
* Any mention of a specific company, organization, or service does not represent an endorsement by ODS.
Tell your healthcare providers (including doctors, dentists,pharmacists, and dietitians) about any dietary supplements youre taking. They can help you determine which supplements, if any, might be valuable for you.
Keep a complete record of any dietary supplements and medicines you take. The Office of Dietary Supplements website hasa useful form, "My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record," that you can print and fill out at home. For each product, note the name, the dose you take, how often you take it, and the reason for use. You can share this record with your healthcare providers to discuss whats best for your overall health.
Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. The FDA is the federal agency that oversees both supplements and medicines, but the FDA regulations for dietary supplements are different from those for prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Medicines must be approved by the FDA before they can be sold or marketed. Supplements do not require this approval. Supplement companies are responsible for having evidence that their products are safe, and the label claims are truthful and not misleading. However, as long as the product does not contain a new dietary ingredient (one introduced since October 15, 1994), the company does not have to provide this safety evidence to the FDA before the product is marketed.
Dietary supplement labels may include certain types of health-related claims. Manufacturers are permitted to say, for example, that a supplement promotes health or supports a body function (like immunity or heart health). These claims must be followed by the words, This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Manufacturers must follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their products. If the FDA finds a dietary supplement to be unsafe, it may remove the product from the marketplace or ask the manufacturer to voluntarily recall the product.
The FDA monitors the marketplace for potential illegal products that may be unsafe or make false or misleading claims. The Federal Trade Commission, which monitors product advertising, also requires information about a supplement product to be truthful and not misleading.
The federal government can take legal action against companies and websites that sell dietary supplements when the companies make false or deceptive statements about their products, if they promote them as treatments or cures for diseases, or if their products are unsafe.
NIH supports research and provides educational materials on dietary supplements.
FDAissues rules and regulations and oversees dietary supplement labeling, marketing, and safety. Recall notices are also posted on the FDA webpage or you can subscribe to receive FDA notices of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts.
FTCregulates health and safety claims made in advertising for dietary supplements.
USDAprovides information on a variety of food and nutrition topics.
HHS provideswellness information, personal health tools, and health news.
Go here to see the original:
Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know
- Dietary Supplements - Food and Drug Administration - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- Easy Cooked Dog Food Recipe - Homemade Dog Food - December 30th, 2016 [December 30th, 2016]
- Supplements - iHerb.com - January 19th, 2017 [January 19th, 2017]
- Herbal supplements' illegal ingredients pose health risk, experts warn - The Guardian - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- More People Are Getting Suspicious About Their Supplementsand for Good Reason - NewBeauty Magazine (blog) - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Taiwan fungus provides anti-skin cancer supplement potential, researchers report - NutraIngredients.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Vitamin What? This Food-Based Supplement Line Might Be the Nutritional Antidote You're Looking For - MarieClaire.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Despite AAP warning, health food stores endorsed sports supplements for teens - Healio - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Jellyfish Memory Supplement Prevagen Is a Hoax, FTC Says - NBCNews.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Experts reveal hidden dangers behind supplements - Science Daily - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Top dentist claims sugary foods and supplements bad for nursing home patients' teeth - Irish Mirror - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- A Supplement Company Sued Over Research It Didn't Like And Lost - Consumerist - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Borderline products: Marketing food supplements in the UK following the glucosamine case - JD Supra (press release) - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Consumers at risk from drug ingredients in herbal food supplements - The Pharmaceutical Journal - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Lawmakers propose cutting state food benefit program - New Mexico Political Report - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Dietary supplement could improve heart health - Medical Xpress - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Lafayette business accused of selling misbranded dietary ... - The Daily Advertiser - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Inside The Ultimate Fighter: Talent, check. Alcohol, check. Food ...? - Bloody Elbow - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- ISU student-founded company offers unique nutritional supplements - Iowa State Daily - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Artefact - bespoke food supplements created by doctors and ... - PR Web (press release) - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Vitamins have unique job within the body - The Oshkosh Northwestern - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Safely Navigating the Supplement World - USA Hockey - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Ora Organic on 'Shark Tank': A Look Inside the Plant-Based Supplements - Heavy.com - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Masquelier's Grape Seed Extract as a Supplement for Vascular Health - Medical News Bulletin - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Gut bacteria determines the beneficial impacts of soy food on heart health - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Cranberry Supplements: Not Bitter, Better - WholeFoods Magazine - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Stop Taking These 10 Vitamins and Supplements and Eat These Foods Instead - The Daily Meal - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- What your family needs to know about IV vitamins - Deseret News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Supplement Pitfalls Revealed by Experts - Anti Aging News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- CRN and ACI Partner for Dietary Supplements Conference - WholeFoods Magazine - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Food supplements - Food Safety - European Commission - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Stop Taking These 10 Vitamins and Supplements and Eat These Foods Instead - Huffington Post - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- 'Amphetamine-like substance' in supplements among 2016 food alerts - Irish Times - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Amazon's private label Elements expands for first time in years with invite-only vitamins and supplements - TechCrunch - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Dog show win for Rumor is a win for food supplement company - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Dog show win is a win for food supplement company - WSAW - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Supplemental living - Star2.com - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Real or Synthetic: The Truth Behind Whole-Food Supplements - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Amazon Launches Amazon Elements Supplements | Whole Foods ... - WholeFoods Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Supplements and prescriptions: a risky combination - KOLO - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- A&H recalls several dietary supplements - KLTV.com - Tyler ... - KLTV - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Insurer denying Pasco teen with life-threatening food allergy - WTSP.com - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Sports, doping and supplements: Where do authorities, clubs and leagues stand? - NutraIngredients.com - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Kale is coming for everything you eat and then you - MarketWatch - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Know your supplements unregistered brands flood markets - DAWN.com - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- How a Sports Dietitian Recommends Dietary Supplements - Nutritional Outlook - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- WWE News: Jinder Mahal talks about fast food, supplements and accusations of PED use - Sportskeeda - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Nutrigenetics, Weight Management, and Dietary Supplements - Nutritional Outlook - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- FDA Budget Cuts and Increased User Fees Are Bad for America - Morning Consult - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- All of those antioxidant supplements are a huge con - INSIDER - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Everything You Need to Know About Eating Activated Charcoal - Eater - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Botanical Supplements Market to Reach US$ 69 Bn by 2025 - Persistence Market Research - PR Newswire (press release) - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Placenta Pills: Growing trend among new moms - WTSP 10 News - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Nutrients in Food Supplements: the European Court of Justice Rules on Boundaries of National Legislation Imposing ... - Lexology (registration) - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Probiotics Conferences | Europe | Asia | USA | Middle East ... - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- 'I quit protein supplements for six weeks and put on muscle' - BBC News - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- GUEST COLUMN: Should you take dietary supplements? - Wicked Local Easton - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- UNPA launches PCQI training for dietary supplement companies - NutraIngredients-usa.com - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Vitamin Labels Are Wrong and Will Be for Years! - HuffPost - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Clarifying FDA and FTC Roles Could Strengthen Oversight and Enhance Consumer Awareness - Government Accountability Office - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Nutraceuticals could be about to become more expensive in India under GST drive - FoodNavigator-Asia.com - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Backpack meal supplements - Arkansas News - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Ghana news: Centre of Awareness clears air about food supplement ... - Graphic Online - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Backpack meal supplements - Newport Independent - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- 'Normal' bowel movements vary from person to person - Reno Gazette Journal - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- FDA urges caution about bodybuilding supplements - CT Post - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- North America Dietary Supplements Market is expected to reach USD 68.22 billion by 2025 - PR Newswire (press release) - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Your vitamin D tests and supplements are probably a waste of money - Vox - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Alibaba Says Chinese Consumers Are Obsessed With Sneakers and Supplements - TheStreet.com - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- North America Dietary Supplements Market 2014-2017 & 2025 - Market is Expected to Reach USD 68.22 Billion ... - PR Newswire (press release) - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Banned drugs in food supplement major challenge: FSSAI - The Statesman - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Scammers selling fake cures for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are getting away with it - The Verge - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- A Chinese vitamin MLM cult is replacing healthcare for poor Ugandans - Boing Boing - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Testosterone Wars - The Atlantic - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- FSSAI committed to robust and unambiguous standards for food supplements - Catch News - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Clinical pharmacist Carrie Beth Smith discusses dietary supplements and their role in wellness - Southeast Missourian - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Protein supplements are considered food - Burlington Times News - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Supplements & Nutrition Packaging: Food & Pharma Demand for Advanced Packaging on the Rise - Edition Truth - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Market Is Expected To Reach Over US$ 10 Bn By 2023, Expanding At A CAGR Of 7 ... - Technorati - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]