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Basic Facts About Dietary Supplements
The following basic facts about dietary supplements will help you better understand what dietary supplements
are, how they are regulated, and what types of supplements might be a good addition to your diet.
What is a dietary supplement?
The term "dietary supplement" was defined in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.
DSHEA defines a dietary supplement as a product that is ingested, is intended to supplement the diet, and contains
one or more "dietary ingredients." Dietary ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals,
amino acids, and substances such as enzymes. Dietary ingredients can also be metabolites, constituents, extracts,
concentrates, or combinations of these ingredients. Dietary supplements can come in many forms, including tablets,
capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids, powders, and bars. A dietary supplement must be labeled as such and it must
not be represented as a conventional food or a sole item of a meal or diet.
DSHEA places dietary supplements in a special category under the general umbrella of foods, not drugs.
How are dietary supplements regulated?
Dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but the agency does not test or
approve dietary supplements before they are sold to consumers. Under DSHEA, the companies that produce dietary
supplements are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe and that product information, such as product
labeling, package inserts, and product literature, is truthful and not misleading. The FDA's main role is to take
action against any unsafe dietary supplement products that are in the marketplace. The agency can also take action
against products with false or misleading product information.
In June 2007, the FDA issued regulations that established current good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for
dietary supplements. These GMPs are intended to ensure that dietary supplements are produced in a quality manner,
do not contain contaminants or impurities, and are accurately labeled and packaged. These GMPs are being phased
in over a three year period, so all dietary supplement companies should be following these GMPs by June 2010.
Dietary supplement advertising, including print and broadcast ads, infomercials, and marketing on the Internet,
falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
What are the primary types of dietary supplements?
Vitamin Supplements - Vitamins are organic substances that the body needs in order to function properly.
Vitamins help the body grow, develop, and stay healthy. They boost the immune system, regulate metabolism, help
convert fat and carbohydrates into energy, and assist in forming bone and tissue.
There are 13 known vitamins and
they are divided into two groups: water-soluble vitamins (the eight B vitamins
and vitamin C) and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K). Water-soluble vitamins are excreted from the
body on a daily basis. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored primarily in the liver and are eliminated from the body
much more slowly. Vitamins A, C, and E are antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent damage from free radicals, which
are chemicals that destroy cells and play a role in many diseases.
With the exception of vitamin D, the body is not able to produce vitamins, so they must be obtained from food
or dietary supplements.
Mineral Supplements - Minerals are inorganic substances that the body needs in order to function properly.
Minerals are essential for a wide range of vital processes, from basic bone formation to the normal functioning of
the heart and digestive system. A number of minerals have been linked to the prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, and
other chronic illnesses.
Major minerals (also known as macrominerals) are those minerals for which the body's requirement is at least 100
milligrams per day. Trace minerals (also known as microminerals) are those minerals that are needed by the body in
smaller amounts.
The body is not able to produce minerals, so they must be obtained from food or dietary supplements.
Herbal Supplements - Herbal supplements contain herbs, either singly or in mixtures. An herb is a plant
or plant part used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Many herbal supplements have a long
history of use and health benefits, but herbal supplements can act in the same way as drugs and can cause health
problems in some users.
Other Supplements - There are many dietary supplements that are not considered vitamin, mineral, or herbal
supplements. Some examples of these other supplements are amino acids, essential fatty acids, proteins, enzymes, and
probiotics. These other supplements are used for a variety of reasons, such as to aid digestion, to strengthen the
immune system, to build muscle, and to protect against certain diseases.
What are some things to be aware of when purchasing dietary supplements?
You need to be a cautious consumer when purchasing dietary supplements. Many dietary supplements are made from
low quality ingredients and contain artificial coloring and flavoring and additives such as sugar, starch, and salt.
Some supplements even contain potentially harmful chemicals. Make sure that any dietary supplements you purchase come
from a reputable company with a track record of producing high quality products. Safety and effectiveness should always
be more important than price. Be wary of marketing hype. Many of the dietary supplement companies with the largest
advertising budgets don't produce the highest quality products.
These basic facts about dietary supplements have given you a good overview of dietary supplements. For additional
information on dietary supplements, visit the Health And Fitness Articles page.
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