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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 by the United States Congress 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, metabolites,
constituents, extracts and concentrates. Dietary supplements can come in many forms, including tablets, capsules,
softgels, gelcaps, liquids, powders and bars.
How are dietary supplements regulated?
In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA
regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering conventional foods and
drug products (prescription and over-the-counter). Generally, dietary supplement companies do not need to get
FDA approval before producing or selling their products. Under DSHEA, dietary supplement companies have sole
responsibility for the safety and efficacy of the supplements they put on the market. They are also responsible
for ensuring that product information, such as labeling, claims, package inserts and accompanying literature,
is truthful and not misleading. The FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement
products after they reach the market. The agency can also take action when a supplement's product information
is found to be untruthful or misleading. Dietary supplement advertising is regulated by the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC).
In June 2007, the FDA issued regulations that established current good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for
dietary supplements. These GMPs are intended to try and 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 they will be in full effect by June 2010. But it will still
be left up to the dietary supplement companies to follow these GMPs.
Because the responsibility to produce safe and effective products is left up to the dietary supplement
companies, you need to be a cautious consumer when purchasing supplements. Be wary of all the marketing hype
that surrounds the dietary supplement industry. Make sure that any dietary supplement products 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.
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. With the exception of vitamin D,
the body can't produce vitamins, so they must be obtained from food or dietary supplements.
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 in the liver and fatty tissues and are excreted from the
body much more slowly. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body's cells against the
effects of free radicals. Free radicals can cause cell damage that leads to aging and may lead to the development
of certain diseases.
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. The body is not able to produce minerals, so they must be obtained from food or dietary
supplements.
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.
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, such as 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.
These basic facts about dietary supplements have given you an overview of dietary supplements. For more articles
on dietary supplements, visit the health and fitness articles page.
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