Supplements are an increasingly popular means of maintaining health. Containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids as well as pill forms such as pills or powders or drinks – they don’t go through rigorous testing like medications do!
Food supplements are designed to supplement any nutrients that may be missing from your diet, and although they’re unregulated like medicines, their manufacturers can make bold claims about them.
They are not regulated by the FDA
Although dietary supplement manufacturers are permitted to make structure/function claims (for instance “calcium builds strong bones” or “fiber maintains regularity”), the law does not mandate evidence in support of such claims. Furthermore, none are required when making claims regarding disease prevention and treatment – an oversight issue especially concerning given COVID-19’s pandemic status.
Furthermore, the FDA’s recall authority for supplements remains vague. While drugs must be recalled voluntarily by their manufacturer, supplements can only be recalled by FDA if they contain illegal drug ingredients – leaving an important gap that needs to be filled.
Clinicians can assist patients by encouraging them to purchase supplements from reputable companies that comply with good manufacturing practices and labeling guidelines, discussing potential adverse reactions with existing medical conditions as well as encouraging patients to seek third-party certification from organizations like BSCG, NSF, USP or Informed Sport.
They are not food
Dietary supplements are oral products intended to support health and wellness. They come in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, powder or liquid and may include extracts sourced either from natural foods or synthetic ones. While dietary supplements do not aim to treat specific medical issues directly, they may help with certain issues or ailments.
However, they should not be seen as a replacement for healthy eating habits; eating a variety of food will provide all of the essential vitamins and minerals. Research indicates that vitamins found in food may not work the same when isolated as supplements.
The FDA regulates dietary supplements to ensure they are safe for consumers. They have several ways of upholding its standards, such as recalling products that cause harm. Furthermore, consumers can report adverse events for further review by the agency in order to help identify dangerous products and protect public health.
They are not medicines
Supplements can provide extra nutrition in an effective and safe manner; however, before beginning any new routine with supplements it’s important to consult a healthcare provider first. They understand your medical profile and can advise how supplements might interact with medications or impact certain health conditions; additionally they can help you avoid common mistakes like overdosing or an allergic reaction.
The primary difference between medicines and supplements lies in their evaluation process; medicines undergo stringent scrutiny prior to being sold to consumers while supplements sold as dietary supplements do not. As a result, supplements could contain banned substances which could have serious repercussions for human health.
Dietary supplements consist of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other ingredients taken orally through pills, tablets, powders, capsules, liquids, bars or gummies. Dietary supplements should only be used as supplements that complement an otherwise balanced healthy diet; they shouldn’t replace it.
They are not dietary supplements
Supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances marketed in pill, capsule, tablet and liquid forms in measured doses. Unlike medicines, they don’t have any pharmacological or immunological effect on the body; however they may still cause adverse reactions in some individuals when taken in large amounts or when combined with medications prescribed to treat medical conditions or illnesses.
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) mandates FDA regulation of dietary supplements, overseeing their labeling, safety, quality, market surveillance and possible legal actions against companies or individuals making false claims about their products.
The Supplement Facts label must include a list of dietary ingredients and their amounts per serving, as determined by a qualified nutritionist. In addition, this label lists percentages of the Daily Value for adults for every nutrient listed – this guideline may change if advised otherwise by healthcare professionals.
