If a woman needs more of a specific nutrient than what her diet provides, supplements may provide that supplementation. But she must be wary of potential risks and costs associated with excess supplement consumption; too much vitamin A intake could reduce bone strength and lead to birth defects while excess iron could cause nausea and vomiting.
They are popular
Most American adults and nearly one third of children take dietary supplements, but a recent study reveals that most don’t deliver on their claimed health benefits. Researchers reviewed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – which tracks supplement use across adults, kids, and teens – and reached this conclusion.
The survey provided evidence of demographic consistency: women used more supplements than men, and those with higher education or money were more likely to consume them. Furthermore, supplements designed to prevent or treat COVID-19 showed marked increases in popularity.
The survey also discovered that gummies and powdered forms of supplements are extremely popular among supplement consumers, making them easy to swallow while mixing well with liquids – ideal for children and those who dislike pills! MyBacs has capitalized on this trend by selling “family bundles” of microbiome supplements – searches have increased 99X in five years!
They are regulated
Health supplements are governed by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994; unlike medications, however, they do not need proof of effectiveness or safety before being sold. HSA will investigate reports of serious adverse events related to health supplements sold for sale as well as take legal action against dealers making false or misleading claims about them.
Though most manufacturers abide by FDA regulations, some go beyond them and use ingredients banned by other nations. Furthermore, many do not list prohibited substances on their labels, leading consumers to buy supplements which contain microbes or heavy metals banned elsewhere, or interact with prescription medications to cause unwanted side effects. While Medications undergo extensive premarket evaluation to ensure safety and efficacy; FDA only regulates a fraction of supplements available on the market so protecting consumers can be difficult; so before taking dietary supplements it is advisable to speak to your physician about taking precautionary steps or starting regimens that might help ensure safe consumption. It is therefore recommended to consult your physician prior to starting taking any dietary supplements to discuss potential dangers which might exist before taking dietary supplements on your own or as prescribed by your healthcare professional before starting taking dietary supplements yourself or from taking.
They are not regulated
Health supplements are substances that fall between pharmaceutical drugs and food, yet claim to prevent, treat and cure diseases. While prescription and over-the-counter drugs must meet specific scientific requirements to support their claims, dietary supplements can often be aggressively promoted with multilevel marketing strategies and attractive incentives by companies.
Some companies boast of having an excellent track record, while others are less trustworthy. Some take advantage of loopholes in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act to market products without sufficient evidence that they work. They make misleading claims regarding the benefits of their products to mislead consumers.
Consumers should opt for brands that have been tested by third parties and carry seals or certifications such as those of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Such certification ensures that production adheres to standardized good manufacturing practices while verifying ingredients for accuracy and safety.
They are not safe
While health supplements may seem like quasi-drugs, they bypass the rigorous approval and testing requirements associated with traditional drugs. Furthermore, health supplements can interact with medications and cause side effects – it is therefore wise to consult your physician prior to taking any supplement.
Supplements may also contain hidden ingredients and heavy metal contaminants, including lead, arsenic and mercury that can be toxic for your health. You can search online for manufacturer recall lists or visit FDA’s recall list to check for these potential dangers.
Report any adverse reactions or illnesses related to dietary supplements directly to the FDA. This data helps us evaluate and protect consumers from unsafe products while also helping us identify patterns in complaints that could indicate a connection with specific brands or products.
