Dietary supplements are classified as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A dietary supplement refers to a product you take orally in addition to nutrition obtained through the daily diet. The FDA classifies dietary supplements as products containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, metabolites and amino acids. They are available in the form of a capsule, tablet, extract, gelcap, liquid and powder. Dietary supplements can be taken to increase the amount of an essential nutrient in your diet or reduce the risk of disease. Dietary supplements do not require FDA approval; the manufacturer is responsible for distributing a product that is safe and does not make unsubstantiated claims about its efficacy.
Step 1
Consult your physician about taking dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for eating healthy foods, and if you eat a complete diet, you may not need to take dietary supplements. Your physician can perform blood tests to determine if you need to take any dietary supplements.
Step 2
Choose a supplement from a reputable manufacturer, vitamin or health food store. Once your physician recommends a dietary supplement, choose one made by a known manufacturer. Helpguide.org states this is the safest way to purchase dietary supplements. It ensures the product is pure, contains no contaminants and adheres to the Good Manufacturing Practices, or GMP, mandated by the FDA.
Step 3
Read the product label. The product label will tell you exactly what ingredients are contained in the dietary supplement. It will also tell you the amount of each nutrient and the serving size needed to obtain the recommended dosage. The label should also confirm that the product conforms to USP, or U.S. Pharmacopeia, standards for purity, potency and dissolution.
Step 4
Check the expiration date of the supplement. Each bottle of dietary supplements should contain a clearly printed expiration date. Vitamins and other supplements can lose potency over time. Many dietary supplements are sensitive to temperature and humidity, so make sure they have been stored correctly. Do not buy or use dietary supplements that have expired.
Step 5
Consider purchasing a supplement in a health food or specialty store. A health food or specialty store will have trained salespeople who can help you make an informed purchase. Additional information can also be obtained on the company and manufacturer websites.
Step 6
Avoid purchasing dietary supplements that contain megadoses of nutrients. MayoClinic.com recommends choosing a supplement that provides no more than 100 percent of the Daily Value of any of the ingredients. Taking a megadose of a nutrient can increase the chances for experiencing side effects.
Step 7
Research the side effects of the dietary supplement before purchasing it. The ingredients in a dietary supplement may have documented side effects and drug interactions. Discuss all the other medications, and supplements, you are taking with your physician and inquire about possible side effects and interactions.
Things You'll Need
- Appointment with physician
- Lab test results
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