Health supplements are dietary products sold as capsules, tablets, powders or beverages that do not fall under FDA regulation; however they must still adhere to good manufacturing practices.
People may need supplements to supplement their diet, such as pregnant women taking vitamin folic acid. Unfortunately, most supplements do not possess the same medicinal effects as drugs do.
They’re wildly popular
Half of American adults currently take supplements, and the industry is flourishing. Supplements come in many forms from tablets and capsules to drinks and energy bars; vitamins, minerals, herbs or whole food concentrates might even be found among them! Many essential supplements like calcium and vitamin D for bone health or folic acid for pregnant women take these pills, while other wellness trends such as stress resilience, gut balance or immune support make up this vast selection of available options.
While most supplements are generally safe, some can cause toxicity or interact with medications. When selecting supplements it’s essential to purchase from reliable companies who adhere to good manufacturing practices and provide third-party testing results for purity, potency and label accuracy. You should also tell your physician about any supplements you are taking so he or she can monitor their effects on your health regimen; also remember to tell them about any products which align with your goals for overall wellness and preventive medicine.
They’re regulated by the FDA
Supplements are composed of herbs, vitamins, minerals and natural substances such as plant or animal extracts; they’re often sold to treat specific health conditions or promote overall wellness. A survey conducted by Consumer Reports showed that most American adults believe dietary supplements undergo safety and efficacy testing prior to being released onto the market – however this may not always be the case as some supplements could contain microbes or heavy metals; incorrect labelling; or interact harmfully with prescription medication in unexpected ways.
The Food and Drug Administration regulates dietary supplements as subcategories of food. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, they cannot make claims that they treat or cure diseases and must include a disclaimer on their label. Furthermore, the FDA monitors the marketplace for potentially unsafe supplements while mandating companies only sell safe dietary supplement products in their product lineups.
Clinicians should discuss dietary supplements with patients and recommend only using trusted brands. In addition, they should inform them of possible risks associated with supplement use and how to report adverse events (AEs) when they occur.
They’re not regulated by the FDA
Although the FDA regulates many ingredients found in our food supply and additives we may be intaking while reading this article (which are also subject to its regulations), they don’t oversee America’s $60 billion-a-year supplement industry, which comprises vitamins, herbs and supplements classified as food rather than drugs; thus omitting having to meet rigorous efficacy testing requirements that come with having such requirements in place for drugs.
Under a 1994 law, manufacturers of dietary supplements can make structure/function claims (claiming their product affects specific body functions but does not treat or prevent diseases) and nutrient content claims (how much a certain nutrient exists in their product without first having to prove them), provided their product follows good manufacturing practices standards for production.
Manufacturers of dietary supplements must report any serious adverse events associated with their products to the Food and Drug Administration, so it can assess if there’s any cause for public concern about them.
They’re based on personal experience
Many people rely on testimonials and personal experience when making decisions about supplements, but these sources can often be misleading. Success stories may be embellished; sincere testimonials provided without financial inducements do not suffice in establishing the safety and efficacy of a product; too many testimonials offered without financial inducements can mask real risks such as excess vitamin A which can cause brittle bones or too much folic acid that promotes certain cancers. A scientific trial is the best way to accurately evaluate safety and efficacy – volunteers randomly assigned either their product or an identical placebo and monitored throughout its course of testing.
At this time, until there is more oversight of the supplements industry, it is wise to use them with care and with assistance from healthcare providers. To gain her expert perspective on some popular supplements, UCHealth Today spoke with dietitian Erin “Wren” Cahoon of UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital’s Anschutz Medical Campus to get her opinion.
