When it comes to taking dietary supplements, it's essential to do your research and make sure you're taking the right product for your needs. Before you start taking any supplement, it's important to evaluate if you really need it. If you do, make sure you get the nutrient in food form first. If dietary or lifestyle changes aren't possible, consider adding that specific supplement.
It's also important to check if the product contains enough of the nutritional ingredient. Does the amount match the amount that has been shown to be effective in scientific studies? The amount of scientific evidence we have on dietary supplements varies widely: we have a lot of information about some and very little about others. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) supports numerous research projects on dietary supplements and how they can affect the body. They also co-sponsor the Centers for the Advancement of Research on Botanical and Other Natural Products (CARBON) program, which carries out laboratory research on the safety, efficacy and mechanisms of action of botanical dietary supplements that have a high potential to benefit human health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety of many products, such as foods, drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, and cosmetics. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the federal agency charged with protecting the public against unfair and deceptive business practices.
A key area of their work is the regulation of advertising (except for prescription drugs and medical devices).The Dietary Supplement Label Database, a project of the National Institutes of Health, contains all the information found on the labels of many brands of dietary supplements that are marketed in the United States. Users can compare the amount of a nutrient listed on the label with the amounts recommended by the government. Supplement manufacturers don't need to get FDA approval to sell their products. The FDA is watching for products that may not be safe or that make false or misleading claims, but it can only do so after the product is already on the market. As its resources allow, the FDA reviews supplement labels and other information, such as leaflets, claims, and online advertisements. Supplements that contain a single ingredient are more likely to contain the amount of the ingredient advertised on the label and are less likely to have high levels of contamination.
However, even if a product is safe and reliable, it may not be suitable for you; certain ingredients may interact with medications or have unwanted side effects for people with certain health conditions. In some cases, when herbal supplements have been tried, they have been found to contain very little or none of the ingredients listed. This means that supplements aren't subject to the same strict processes as clinical trials to demonstrate their efficacy, purity, or marketing claims before they enter the market. Credible supplements have peer-reviewed scientific literature that supports their use and effectiveness. It's important to review this science before you put anything in your mouth. It's also important to talk to a health professional to help you decide if a supplement is right for you. You can also look for products certified by organizations such as U.
S. Pharmacopea (Convention) or NSF International, external organizations that test supplements to determine if what appears on the label is actually in the bottle and if the product does not contain high levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals. For a list of possible serious reactions to watch out for and to learn how to report an adverse event, see the FDA website. In general, even if a product is labeled as a dietary supplement, a product intended to treat, prevent, cure, or alleviate symptoms of a disease is a drug and is subject to all requirements applicable to medications. It's essential to talk to your health care team before taking large doses of any vitamin, mineral, or other supplement. However, another question that can be asked is if the supplement contains what the label says it contains and in the indicated dosage. This site includes fact sheets and videos on dietary supplements for the public, educators, and health professionals.
