Some people rely on health products to meet their recommended intake of vitamins and minerals, while others use them as a form of alternative medicine. There are numerous products available, each with their own unique claims and benefits. Although the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors the safety of health products, there have been cases of harmful adulteration. Speak to a health care provider before using new health products.
Definition
Dietary supplements, also called health food supplements, are processed forms of dietary ingredients that you can take in the form of a liquid, powder, capsule, gel cap or tablet. They are taken orally and may contain food ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, enzymes and animal material. Many dietary supplement ingredients have a history of use in traditional medicine and are components of complementary or alternative medicine.
Regulation
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all dietary supplements that are for sale in The United States. Under FDA regulations, dietary supplement manufacturers are in charge of making sure that their products are safe before they are sold to the public. Once a product is on the market, the FDA is in charge of monitoring its safety and prosecuting manufacturers that are not following regulations. The FDA requires manufacturers to follow specific labeling and advertising regulations so that consumers are not mislead about product information.
Benefits
Although whole foods provide a greater variety of nutrients, minerals and fiber, there are times when dietary supplements can benefit you. If you live in a remote area, you may not always have access to fresh produce and may need to rely on dietary supplements to get your recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. Some supplements, such as oregano oil, contain concentrated extracts of therapeutic chemicals from food. These supplements provide you with specific health benefits that you could only get by eating excessive quantities of the food.
Risks
Just because you can buy dietary supplements without a prescription does not guarantee that they are safe. You should always use them with caution and speak to a health care provider about dose and potential side effects before taking something new. Some dietary supplements are strong and produce noticeable physical effects. There have also been cases where dietary supplements were found to contain potent pharmaceuticals that were not identified on the label. Be skeptical and do not trust products with label claims that are too good to be true.
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