The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is responsible for regulating a variety of substances, including food, drugs, cosmetics, tobacco and vaccines. Dietary supplements are also under the jurisdiction of the FDA, but the approval processes for dietary supplements to go on the market are not as rigorous as for food or drugs. Get your doctor's approval before taking any dietary supplement.
Definition
The definition of a dietary supplement is important because dietary supplements fall under their own set of rules for labeling, safety tests and health claims. The FDA states that dietary supplements are substances that contain dietary ingredients that supplement your diet, such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes and herbs. Dietary supplements can be in any form that you take by mouth, such as powders, bars, beverages, pills or gels.
DSHEA
The Dietary Supplement Health Education Act of 1994, or DSHEA, places dietary supplements in a separate category from drugs, so supplements do not undergo the same rigorous tests for safety and effectiveness. Under DSHEA, manufacturers, not the FDA, are responsible for ensuring that their supplements are pure and the labels are accurate, and manufacturers must report serious consumer health complaints to the FDA. The label should have a "Supplement Facts" panel with a complete list of ingredients, a safe serving size and contact information for the manufacturer.
Concerns
As a consumer, you should be aware that regulation of dietary supplements under DSHEA means that the FDA only tests a small fraction of the products that are available on the market. The FDA does not approve supplements before they go on sale, and when manufacturers develop a new dietary ingredient, the FDA only reviews safety information that the manufacturer provides. The FDA does not conduct its own safety tests or examine whether the ingredient has the health benefits that the manufacturer claims.
Protect Yourself
The FDA keeps a list of supplements that are currently under review because they may be impure or unsafe, so check this information before you choose a supplement. MayoClinic.com also recommends choosing supplements that have been verified by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, or USP, so that you know your supplement is pure. You should never take dietary supplements without your doctor's approval, since they can cause drug interactions or harmful side effects, and inform your doctor if you have specific health conditions.
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