Mineral & Vitamin Supplements

It would be difficult not to notice the explosion of vitamin and mineral supplements onto the U.S. market, as most stores and pharmacies now devote several aisles to these and other "natural" health products. However, it is important to understand that these supplements are not necessary or even safe for many people. In addition, poor regulatory oversight can mean that you don't know what is in your supplements. Understanding more about vitamin and mineral supplements can help you make the right choice, with the help of a qualified medical professional.

Nutrition

Adequate nutrition is important to your health, and in some cases, taking vitamin and mineral supplements can ensure you receive the essential nutrients you need, notes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the best way to get proper nutrition is through a well-balanced diet. For example, taking supplements can help replace the vitamins and minerals your receive from eating fruits and vegetables, but not the important fiber that you receive from the healthy addition of plenty of plant-based foods to your diet.

Appropriate Uses

Vitamin and mineral supplements are not appropriate for everyone, and in some cases can be extremely dangerous. Your physician may recommend supplements if you are pregnant, if you are following a strict or nutritionally poor diet, or if you have a physical condition that causes a serious vitamin or mineral deficiency. However, supplements can be very dangerous if you have diabetes, are taking prescription medications, are preparing for a surgical procedure or have certain other conditions, warns the FDA. Vitamin and mineral supplements can also be poisonous in very high doses. You should always consult a physician before taking any type of dietary supplement, warns the FDA.

Regulation

One problem with vitamin and mineral supplements in that they are so poorly regulated. After a massive lobbying campaign by the health-food industry, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. The DSHEA greatly weakened the FDA's power to monitor and regulate dietary supplements for safety and efficacy before they went on the market, notes QuackWatch. Because of this regulatory problem, vitamin and mineral supplements may have unsafe, unlisted ingredients, and may also be sold at dosages too high for safety.

Health Claims

Despite the weakened FDA oversight of dietary supplements, it is still illegal for supplement manufacturers to claim they improve health conditions, prevent or cure diseases or increase memory. However, according to a May 2010 New York Times article on a congressional investigation of herbal dietary supplements, titled "Study Finds Supplements Contain Contaminants," supplements were found that claimed they cured cancer, treated Alzheimer's, prevented diabetes and could replace blood-pressure medication. The DSHEA's post-market evaluation by the FDA makes it too difficult for them to take appropriate action against companies making these bogus claims, the article points out.

Dangers

Mineral and vitamin supplements can be dangerous not only because of the vitamins and minerals themselves, but because of unlisted additives you may have no idea you're taking. Investigations of supposedly all-natural dietary supplements have found supplements contaminated with lead, cadmium and pesticides, as well as unlisted ingredients such as steroids, Viagra and illegal drugs, says the New York Times. Unlisted ingredients like these could cause serious health problems or even fatal drug interactions.