Dietary supplements are composed of various vitamins, minerals and other ingredients found in pills, liquids, powders or bars. Though not subject to regulation like drugs are, dietary supplements should always be combined with healthy eating habits for best results.
Nutritional needs vary for everyone depending on lifestyle choices, pregnancy status, diet and medication use. Consult a health care professional regarding which supplements would best meet your individual requirements.
What are they?
Dietary supplements are oral substances taken to support or improve overall health or wellness, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or other substances made from whole plants or manufactured in laboratories. Dietary supplements should not be used to treat or cure diseases or conditions.
The 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in the US defines “dietary supplements” as products which include “vitamins, minerals, herbal or botanical products, amino acids or any concentration, metabolite constituent extract or combination of these ingredients.” Additionally, all dietary supplements must be sold in packaging which provides adequate protection from contamination.
Your reaction or illness after taking dietary supplements should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration. They use reports like yours to evaluate their safety on the market. They also work with companies to bring unsafe products into compliance or remove them altogether from sale; often these are products which fail to meet quality standards set by U.S. Pharmacopeia or contain harmful materials.
How do they work?
Supplements contain ingredients that interact with receptors on cells or tissues to produce physiological changes such as increased heartbeat, raised blood pressure, nausea or digestive symptoms. This may lead to physiological modifications like faster heartbeats, higher blood pressures, nausea or digestive discomfort.
Before taking supplements, the National Institutes of Health advises speaking to your health care provider, especially if you have serious medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or taking other medications. They can ensure your diet and supplement intake remain on track.
Most health experts agree that supplements can fill in any gaps left by an insufficiently nutritious diet, but they cannot replace the diversity of food that composes a balanced meal plan.
The FDA views dietary supplements as food products rather than drugs, so the agency doesn’t perform rigorous reviews before sale and may not monitor them as closely. Therefore, it is essential that any adverse events (or side effects) you experience from taking dietary supplements are reported so the agency can take appropriate action against any possible harmful reactions.
What are their side effects?
People take dietary supplements for many different reasons. Some take multivitamin tablets to ensure that they get all of their daily vitamins, while others might use melatonin to assist with sleep. No matter why or how people use supplements, it’s important to know that there may be side effects from any given supplement.
These reactions may include rashes, heart palpitations, severe joint or muscle pain, blood in the urine and more. Each year people wind up at emergency rooms due to adverse reactions caused by their diet supplement use.
While the FDA regulates dietary supplements, their regulations are less stringent than for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. As such, some supplements might contain contaminants, impurities or undeclared ingredients which should not be present. It’s advisable to keep track of your supplements intake and consult a healthcare provider prior to beginning new ones; remembering that supplements should never replace healthy eating practices or medications!
What are their benefits?
Dietary supplements are sources of vitamins, minerals, botanicals or other substances used to improve overall health and well-being. Most dietary supplements come in pill, capsule, tablet, powder or drink form for easier ingestion; these dietary aids should not be considered drugs and cannot be marketed to prevent, diagnose or cure disease despite making health claims on their label.
From 2007 to 2010, adults most commonly reported taking dietary supplements for improving or maintaining overall health, but other reasons included supporting bone health, increasing energy levels, managing menopausal symptoms more effectively and maintaining bowel regularity.
Before beginning taking dietary supplements, it’s essential that you consult with a doctor, nurse, or registered dietitian. This ensures they are safe for you and meeting your nutrient requirements while providing opportunities to discuss potential side effects or interactions between medications you are currently taking and the supplement in question. Also be sure to always verify the manufacturer before purchasing their product – this way you can be certain they comply with FDA quality and safety standards.
