Supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs or other substances taken to address nutritional deficiencies. Bodybuilders frequently utilize supplements in their efforts to increase muscle mass and athletic performance.
Before taking supplements, please consult with a healthcare provider, as some can interact with certain medications and may even pose risks to children and pregnant women. Furthermore, certain supplements may have side effects or be unsafe during pregnancy.
They’re wildly popular
Supplements are an ever-evolving industry. People take them for various health purposes ranging from immunity boosting to weight loss. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have popularized them through her “goop” line; many others use supplements as a more natural approach to reaching their health goals.
But consumers should take precautions. It is vital that they check labels and look for brands with good manufacturing practices – otherwise there could be supplements containing undeclared drug ingredients and potentially dangerous side effects that go undetected.
The FDA regulates dietary supplements by classifying them as food rather than drugs, allowing manufacturers to make structural/function claims such as, “calcium builds strong bones” or “fiber maintains regularity.” But specific diseases cannot be mentioned – according to the agency, doing so would imply treating, curing or preventing disease specifically and could have serious legal ramifications; that’s why it’s crucial to speak with your physician prior to taking supplements.
They’re regulated as foods
The FDA enforces stringent laws regarding how supplements are manufactured, labeled, and marketed. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), it grants FDA authority to create regulations regarding dietary supplements; these cover aspects such as safety, manufacturing practices and claims made for them.
Manufacturers have the responsibility of assuring that what’s listed on their product is actually included within it, and keeping records such as invoices and delivery notes in case any complaints or violations arise. Such records could then serve as evidence.
Dietary supplements tend to be safe, but if you experience any negative side effects it’s important to speak to your physician. Furthermore, the FDA encourages individuals to report adverse reactions via its website as this helps the agency identify dangerous products and pull them from the market, potentially protecting others from experiencing similar situations.
They’re not regulated as drugs
While medicines go through rigorous testing from their inception, supplements do not need to meet any safety standards and therefore may be ineffective or contain contaminants such as microbes or heavy metals that alter how other prescription drugs function. As such, supplements could compromise effectiveness or even decrease effectiveness through interaction.
Though it is illegal, some companies still advertise supplements as treatments for diseases. Such ads can be very misleading; therefore it is wise to review your supplements closely for claims that may be false or exaggerated.
To protect against fraudulent products, look for certification from NSF International, US Pharmacopeial Convention or Underwriters Laboratory that verifies all the ingredients are present and at the correct potency and amounts. In addition, select products made by companies who adhere to good manufacturing practices as this will guarantee you receive high-quality and consistent batches each time you order new supplements from your provider. Finally, always seek medical advice prior to taking new supplements.
They’re not regulated by the FDA
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements as strictly as drugs when they’re released to market; rather, they treat dietary supplements as food subcategories; therefore it’s up to manufacturers to verify that what’s on their label matches what is actually inside.
Supplements come in many different forms, including tablets, capsules, gel caps, liquids and powders. They may contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids or other substances. Although the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 places supplements within the scope of food products, any adverse health reactions or illnesses relating to products should be reported through MedWatch to the FDA immediately.
Durbin and Braun’s bill would require dietary supplement makers to list ingredients and manufacturing processes of their products; however, according to USA TODAY reports from Braun’s office spokesperson it will not expand FDA authority in any way, instead simply expanding existing regulations.
