Dietary supplements can be an efficient way to meet your daily vitamin and mineral requirements. But it is essential that when buying them, you know exactly what to look out for.
Supplements come in various forms, from pills and capsules to powders and liquids. They may even come in the form of herbs or botanicals, extracts, amino acids or concentrates.
They are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Dietary supplements are not subject to FDA regulation in the same manner as drugs; however, they still fall under various laws and regulations that protect consumer safety. GMPs help manufacturers ensure that their products comply with labeling requirements while fulfilling safety criteria; GMPs also mandate including information such as product name, ingredient list and GMP certification on label.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines drugs as articles intended to modify any structure or function in humans or other animals’ bodies; supplements claiming to cure disease fall under this definition and must be approved by the FDA before being sold as medications.
Due to limited resources, the FDA cannot analyze all dietary supplement contents before they reach consumers; instead, it encourages health care professionals and consumers to report any adverse events or illnesses caused by taking supplements so that it may help identify unsafe products from entering the market and remove them from circulation.
They are over-the-counter
Dietary supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs or other substances designed to support health and wellbeing. While not regulated like drugs and can be purchased over-the-counter, dietary supplements do have risks and side effects; some may interfere with medications as well as lab tests and surgeries; it is wise to always consult your physician prior to taking dietary supplements and be aware of potential bad reactions or illnesses caused by them – it is also imperative that any adverse reactions be reported immediately to FDA.
When purchasing dietary supplements, ensure the label lists ingredients and dosages. Avoid products making exaggerated claims such as curing health conditions or burning fat; opt for professional-grade supplements which have gone through rigorous testing and meet Good Manufacturing Practice regulations instead. This is particularly important if you have serious health issues; the May issue of the AMA Journal of Ethics explores why consumers and physicians should carefully evaluate assumptions made about dietary supplements.
They are not a drug
Dietary supplements are vitamin and mineral products designed to supplement your diet, filling any nutritional gaps. They can come in the form of pills, gel caps, liquids, powders and bars; or as herbal botanicals like ginseng or echinacea. Dietary supplements are vital components in maintaining good health as they contribute to bettering symptoms of many health conditions.
Dietary supplements were first defined by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1994 under DSHEA as “any product intended to be taken orally that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids or any combination of these substances”. Foods which are fortified with nutrients such as vitamins or minerals also fall within this definition of dietary supplements.
Before taking any dietary supplement, it is vitally important to read its label and review its Supplement Facts panel carefully. This panel should include details such as serving size, number of servings in one container and amounts per serving for all ingredients used in its manufacture.
They can have unwanted side effects
Many dietary supplements contain ingredients with strong effects on the body. Consuming too much can have unpleasant side effects and be harmful, while others can interact with medications or interfere with lab tests or surgery procedures. For more information about selecting appropriate supplements for yourself or a loved one, speak to their healthcare professional or look for third-party certification marks such as those from US Pharmacopeia or NSF International.
Dietary supplements are composed of various substances such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids or enzymes and can be taken in pill, capsule, gel cap tablet or powder form. Dietary supplements should not be used to treat diseases or illnesses but instead can serve as preventative measures or to fulfill nutritional gaps in one’s diet.
Notably, it is essential that dietary supplements do not serve as replacements for eating the variety of healthy food required for good health. Unfortunately, certain supplements have been adulterated with drugs like DMAA and Aegeline recently found in OxyELITE Pro products.
