Information On Herbs, Minerals & Vitamins

Interest in vitamins, minerals and herbs is burgeoning. According to the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine," about four in 10 American adults use some form of complementary or alternative medicine, including supplements. Herbs, minerals, and vitamins are best regarded as useful accompaniments to qualified medical care, not as replacements. Talk to a qualified medical practitioner about which ones are right for you.

Herbs

The word "herb" refers to any plant or plant component used in the preparation of medicinal remedies, spices or fragrances. According to the book "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide," herbs play an important role in alternative and conventional medicine alike. About 25 percent of all prescription medicines are made from plants. The chemicals in herbs and conventional medicines alike exert certain effects in the human body. Herbs can be used for many ailments, but their action is typically gentler and slower than that of conventional medicines. Popular medicinal herbs include valerian, used to induce sleep; ginkgo biloba, used to sharpen thinking; and peppermint, a popular remedy for digestive troubles. More research is needed before these and other herbs can be widely recommended for human health.

Minerals

The term "mineral," when used to describe a nutrient in the diet, refers to elements found in the earth that are needed for healthy bodily functioning. You consume minerals indirectly by eating plants and animals, and more directly by drinking water that contains minerals from the earth. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is so crucial to human health that the body will leach calcium from the bones if dietary sources are unavailable. There are 13 other essential dietary minerals, including phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc. Ask a qualified health care provider if mineral supplements are appropriate for you.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds essential to the human body in minute quantities. With few exceptions, they cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained through dietary means. According to the American Dietetic Association, eating a varied diet of vegetables, fruits, and healthy grains, proteins and fats can provide all the vitamins most people need. However, for those who can't or won't eat a nutrient-rich diet, vitamin supplements can be useful. Take vitamins only in accordance with package directions.

Safety of Herbs, Minerals & Vitamins

Dietary supplements -- herbs, minerals and vitamins -- are not subject to the same stringent regulations as pharmaceutical medications. Unlike pharmaceutical companies, supplement manufacturers are not required to register their products with the Food and Drug Administration, nor do they have to seek FDA approval before putting them on the market. The FDA has post-marketing responsibilities for supplements, meaning it gets involved in regulating a supplement only after complaints have been received. That puts the burden on consumers to research herbs, minerals and vitamins carefully before buying them. Don't just rely on advertising claims.