Safety of Vitamins

Just because a vitamin supplement is available for purchase doesn't mean the product is safe for you to use. Be cautious when purchasing vitamin supplements that say "natural" or "quality made." Sometimes these are subjective marketing claims made by the manufacturer -- not an objective review by an independent third party. You can review the information regarding the safety of your vitamins before shopping for products. In addition, you can look for the approved quality seals on vitamin products provided by organizations that care about what you put in your body.

History

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 makes it possible for manufacturers to market dietary supplements without regard to safety or efficacy The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, must prove a vitamin supplement is dangerous to have it removed from store shelves. Manufacturers can market the product as a dietary supplement that can improve symptoms, but they cannot make claims that a vitamin supplement can cure a specific disease.

Identification

Look at the label on your vitamin product for details on its nutrient content. Often, daily multivitamins contain both vitamins and minerals, while individual vitamin supplements provide one or more of certain vitamins. As an example, B-complex vitamins might contain vitamins B-3, B-6, B-9 and B-12, but not all B-complex vitamins provide all the essential B-vitamins. It is important to know what nutrients the product contains so you can review the safety of each nutrient before purchasing the product. The Office of Dietary Supplements, part of the National Institutes of Health, provides a wealth of information on individual vitamin and mineral supplements, such as the dietary reference intake and any risks or safety concerns associated with taking the nutrient.

Drug Interactions

Some vitamin supplements might cause drug interactions when taken with certain medications, including over-the-counter and prescribed medications. According to "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide with Web Resources," by Amy Karch, calcium can interact with heart medicines, diuretics and antacids. Vitamin K can interact with Coumadin, which is a prescribed blood thinner. This does not include a full list of possible drug interactions, so always talk to your doctor before taking a vitamin supplement, especially if you are taking medications for a medical condition.

Purchasing Vitamins

Research the safety of certain vitamin supplements, which might contain other nutrients, before purchasing a product. Healthguide.org recommends looking for vitamin supplements that provide quality seals or references to the following groups: "Good Housekeeping," "ConsumerLab.com," "NSF International" or U.S. Pharmacopeia's "USP Dietary Supplement Verified." Each organization has its own set of guidelines for approving the seal for vitamin products, but you can be sure that you are getting a quality product that meets manufacturing standards such as cleanliness, free of contaminants and uniformity.