When it comes to dietary supplements, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks and benefits associated with them. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to review the safety and effectiveness of these products before they are marketed, so it is important to consult with a health professional before using any dietary supplement. Many dietary supplements contain ingredients that have strong biological effects that may conflict with a medication you are taking or with a medical condition you may have. Products that contain hidden drugs are also sometimes falsely marketed as dietary supplements, putting consumers at even greater risk.
The FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those that cover conventional foods and medications. Supplements are often marketed now without being proven to work as claimed, causing the FDA or FTC to update them once they have been distributed. Before 1994, dietary supplements were subject to the same regulatory requirements as FDA foods. While supplements aren't allowed to be sold as if they prevent or treat diseases, with a change in language, these companies can easily make claims such as “boosting the immune system” or “maintaining a healthy immune system”.
For more detailed information on the subject, see a recent report from the AMA Council on Science and Public Health that updated and modernized the AMA's dietary supplement policy. Companies must submit a pre-marketing safety notification to the FDA at least 75 days before marketing dietary supplements containing certain “new dietary ingredients” (which were not marketed in the U. S.). It is important to note that while vitamins and nutritional or dietary supplements can be beneficial to health, they can also pose health risks.
That's why “I strongly recommend that people talk to their doctors about supplements, since “inappropriate use of supplements can cause several problems”. Information from Dr. for consumers on the use of dietary supplements includes updates for consumers, information from other agencies and other educational materials for users of dietary supplements. Statements about the structure and function of dietary supplements include a disclaimer stating that the FDA has not evaluated the claim and that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
By law, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements or their labeling, although certain types of claims that are sometimes used on dietary supplement labels require pre-marketing review and authorization (for example, the FDA regulates dietary supplements as foods, not as drugs). In conclusion, it is essential to be aware of the risks associated with taking dietary supplements and to consult with a health professional before using any supplement. It is also important to be aware of deceptive marketing practices and hidden drugs in some products falsely marketed as dietary supplements.
