Consumers may find the supplement industry bewildering. Many supplements interact with both prescription and nonprescription medicines and may cause harmful side effects.
Supplements are big business with millions of people taking multivitamins, muscle-builders and anti-ageing herbs every day. But how can you choose which ones?
Dietary supplements
Dietary supplements are nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or other substances taken alongside an overall healthy diet. These products can often be found for sale over-the-counter at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Supplements do not face the same rigorous regulatory oversight as prescription drugs, meaning their manufacturers don’t need to test them for safety or effectiveness before selling them on the market. Nevertheless, the FDA monitors this space closely and looks for products which may be unsafe or make false claims as well as making sure dietary supplements adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices standards.
Health care professionals can help you determine whether dietary supplements are right for you and can guide your decision making in selecting safe products with manageable side effects. If there is an adverse reaction from taking one of the supplements prescribed to you by a healthcare professional or any adverse events from using one directly, be sure to report it immediately – you may even wish to contact FDA directly!
Herbal supplements
Many people turn to herbal medicines derived from plant sources to maintain or enhance their health, typically sold as tea, tablets, capsules or fresh/dried plants. Unfortunately, unlike prescription drugs, herbal products do not require to be evaluated for safety and quality testing, leaving some potential products potentially illegal, fake or even dangerously contaminated.
Healthcare professionals must be informed about the potential risks associated with herbal remedies and how they might interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicine, to ensure patients don’t cause themselves harm or reduce its effectiveness. For instance, saw palmetto can interact with some antidepressants, potentially interfering with absorption of certain folic acid vitamins – this could have serious repercussions for pregnant women and infants.
Whole food supplements
Whole food vitamins differ from synthetic supplements in that they come from various sources and may contain beneficial compounds known as phytonutrients that provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune support benefits – providing extra cancer prevention and immune support benefits.
These foods are also less likely to expose people to chemicals during processing, and provide a more bioavailable form of vitamin C than supplements using isolated nutrients. Furthermore, the body recognizes these nutrients more quickly as being found naturally – leading to an increased absorption rate.
However, it can be challenging to locate a quality product that provides the evidence-based dose of vitamin C. In most cases, 6-12 capsules from an authentic powder manufacturer will suffice.
Structure/function claims
Although dietary supplements can offer numerous health advantages, some manufacturers make structures/function claims that may mislead consumers. Such claims could imitate FDA-prohibited disease claims without the required scientific backing; similarly they can be difficult to distinguish from nutrient content claims which must be honest and credible.
Structure/function claims describe how a nutrient or supplement supports normal body functions without making reference to any disease, meeting nine criteria including substantiation. They must also contain a disclaimer stating the product does not treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Language choice in structure/function claims is critical to avoiding false disease claims, so working with a nutritionist is key in choosing appropriate words that will remain compliant with FDA rules while building trust with customers.
Safety
As with any product, there may be risks associated with taking supplements. It is important to realize that many dietary supplements have yet to undergo comprehensive safety testing; should any questions or concerns arise regarding them, speak to your healthcare provider immediately.
The FDA can take legal action against companies and individuals who make false or misleading claims regarding supplements they sell, while the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) monitors this form of advertising.
Consumers looking to ensure they’re taking supplements as listed should consult the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory (/dsid). This database allows them to search dozens of ingredients and learn more about them; recalls can also be seen here, should any occur; should any reactions arise, inform your physician immediately as well as report to FDA immediately.
