Dietary supplements represent a vast and ever-evolving sector of the wellness industry. Their scope ranges from single vitamins to complex combinations of herbs, minerals, amino acids and other substances.
Supplements are regulated differently from medications and have led to emergency room visits due to heart or liver damage. Effective marketing techniques and gaps in FDA regulations permit supplements to make unsubstantiated health claims that have no scientific basis.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances essential for human and other higher lifeform growth and functioning, but are synthesized only in trace amounts by our bodies; we must obtain them through diet. There are 13 known vitamins: fat-soluble A, D, E & K vitamins plus water-soluble B & C vitamins.
Dietary supplements may contain ingredients such as minerals, herbs, botanical extracts, amino acids and metabolites. They are sold in tablet, capsule, gel cap, liquid or powder form; even food such as energy bars may include these products.
Though some dietary supplements have demonstrated health benefits, evidence for others remains limited. Furthermore, certain dietary supplements could interact with medications or pose risks when taken by certain individuals; it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider if considering any dietary supplement use; especially if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Minerals
Minerals are substances found naturally on Earth that form in solid form with crystalline structures. Minerals may consist of single elements or multiple elements combined together – salt is an example of such an elemental combination (Na). A mineral can be distinguished from other substances by its crystal face and cleavage surface.
Mineral supplements typically include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron and selenium as essential dietary elements. Some supplements also include antioxidants which may protect cells against damage.
Studies have demonstrated that people who consume supplements tend to get higher intakes of certain minerals such as calcium, magnesium and selenium than non-supplement consumers; however, an excessively high dosage can be toxic; thus the risk is reduced when combined with vitamins or herbs in dietary supplements.
Herbs
Herbs are plant parts used to flavor food, perfume products and natural medicines. Herbs may be sold either singly or combined into combinations for sale as dietary supplements – not subject to rigorous safety testing like drugs but some plants can be toxic in high doses and cause side effects.
When purchasing herbs, always carefully read and review their labels to make sure it contains both their name and quantity. Also ensure it includes precautions, manufacturer details, batch or lot number information, manufactured date, expiration date and dosage information. Whenever possible, opt for brands which adhere to USP’s internationally acclaimed science-based quality standards; avoid taking herbal products during pregnancy, nursing or while on medications due to possible herb-drug interactions which could prove hazardous; for more information contact your healthcare provider, dietician or herbal specialist as potential interactions should be explored before purchasing or taking. For research studies consult with NIH PubMed database which hosts numerous research studies regarding herbs and other dietary supplements available out there
Other Ingredients
Dietary supplements, as defined by Congress in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), refers to any product containing “dietary ingredients intended to supplement one’s diet.” Such ingredients include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, concentrates, metabolites constituents extracts or combinations thereof.
Manufacturers that utilize chemicals in their products must ensure they are safe for human consumption, as well as follow good manufacturing practices to reduce contamination risks and add the appropriate amounts of ingredients.
As the DSLD is drawn from labels, researchers must be mindful of its limitations. For instance, the database does not include all standardized common names of botanicals that comply with FDA regulations, while formats for listing forms and amounts may vary between labels. To help combat this problem, ten coded groups based on LanguaL thesaurus system have been created for product form (e.g. capsules vs tablets) as well as claims about composition (e.g. structure/function).
