Vitamins & Mineral Food Supplements

If you need an extra dose of vitamins and minerals, dietary supplements can be your ticket to good health. With thousands to choose from, it's difficult not to think that they are little miracle pills. However, you should remember that these nutrient concentrates are meant to be added to your diet and not to replace it. In addition, supplements are not a viable substitute for prescription drugs.

Government and Supplements

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, or DSHEA, defines vitamin, mineral, herb or amino acid supplements as products that come in powder, soft gel, gelcap or capsule forms. The DSHEA states that supplements are not to be labeled as means to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Drugs are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which doesn't require supplement makers to register with or receive approval from the administration to sell their merchandise.

Supplements with Drugs

Mixing some supplements with prescription drugs constitutes a major risk. A 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that of the 3,000 individuals interviewed, one in 25 was likely to have a negative drug-drug interaction. For example, St. John's wort is considered to be disruptive to antidepressants and birth control pills.

Other potentially harmful risks pertain to overdosing on a supplement. Even some vitamins are known to be harmful when taken in excessive amounts. Too much vitamin A, for example, can cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy.

Who Needs 'Em

Overall, those who could stand to benefit the most from supplements are children who don't have healthy diets; women who are able to bear children; pregnant or lactating women; seniors; and individuals who have eating disorders, allergies, or preferences and avoid certain foods with key nutrients.

Where to Get Supplements

Shopping online for your supplements lets you research supplements, read reviews on them, and compare prices among sellers. However, clerks at health-supply stores may have the most up-to-date knowledge of which brands and types of supplements are best; stores may know which supplements are unsafe or less potent, and therefore not carry them.

Ask Questions

Because the FDA doesn't monitor all marketed supplements, the contents, potency and purity can be in question. The DSHEA doesn't require product testing for supplement effects. Protect yourself: Ask your doctor about your supplements and how they work, do research and take only what you need.