Health and nutrition supplements may be useful to many, but should never replace a balanced diet. Our bodies utilize vitamins in small doses for various metabolic processes; to gain maximum benefits from vitamin supplements it’s best to consume a diverse diet with plenty of varying foods that provide all essential elements.
Dietary supplements are wildly popular
Dietary supplements have become incredibly popular, with people taking them for various purposes. From vitamins to minerals to herbs and other dietary supplements that supplement a healthy diet. Available as pills, capsules, liquids or powders – many may even help treat specific medical conditions or part of an overall treatment plan for an illness.
According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, those who take supplements most frequently cite improving immunity or general health/wellbeing as reasons for taking them. Others cited taking them to decrease disease risks or facilitate active lifestyles and support optimal wellness goals as motivations for taking them.
Even though supplements are unregulated like drugs, companies in this industry can still make claims that are misleading to consumers. Companies may advertise products as helping boost immunity or protect from diseases; these claims, however, are unsupported by evidence and could prove dangerous to health.
They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Dietary supplements are overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency requires manufacturers to implement Good Manufacturing Practices that ensure all ingredients in dietary supplements remain consistent in terms of strength, identity, and composition. Furthermore, inspections are performed at manufacturing facilities; additionally its role in overseeing advertising of these supplements is shared with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The agency regulates claims regarding nutritional or health benefits of supplements, prohibiting those that claim they can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases. Furthermore, they review adverse event reports submitted by consumers and healthcare providers.
The FDA advises consumers to consult their doctors or other health care providers when considering taking new supplements, and to read and consult their label before taking them. Furthermore, this agency does not endorse any specific brand of dietary supplement or brand.
They are not a substitute for a healthy diet
Dietary supplements should never replace eating healthily. While multivitamins and other forms of supplements may provide additional nutrition, they cannot fully replace what comes from food sources. Furthermore, excessive vitamin and mineral supplementation could be harmful; always read labels before increasing dosage without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Dietitians advise eating food first as it offers the widest range of vitamins and minerals as well as essential dietary factors that cannot be found in supplements or pills. Furthermore, they advise staying away from products making unsubstantiated claims or labeled as treatments for disease.
Manufacturers increasingly incorporate vitamins, minerals and other supplemental ingredients into a wide array of food items – from breakfast cereals and beverages to baked goods and even supplements – giving consumers more information on the quality of these supplements by looking at their Supplement Facts label – this shows you what percentage of a nutrient there is as compared to its Daily Value estimate (DV). *DV stands for Daily Value Estimate for adults aged four years or above.
They are not always safe
While supplements can generally be safely taken when taken according to instructions, certain substances can cause harmful side effects when taken improperly or could interfere with prescription medicines or medical treatments. To avoid such issues, consult a dietitian before beginning taking supplements.
Dietary supplements are not subject to FDA regulation as tightly, so the agency cannot assess them for safety or efficacy before being sold on the market. However, the agency monitors for illegal sales or false claims on dietary supplements sold illegally; legal action may be taken against such products if necessary.
Be wary of sources that claim a supplement is a cure for disease or condition, since such claims often lack scientific backing. Many such claims come from sources with financial ties to the product in question and others might make wild statements based on one person’s personal experience or opinion rather than evidence from multiple studies.
