Dietary Supplements

PDF Version
Spanish Version

What are dietary supplements?

  • Dietary supplements are products that people add to their diets. They include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids.
  • They can be pills, liquids, or powders.
  • By law, companies that make these products cannot claim they prevent, treat, or cure disease. For example, a product cannot claim that it can “cure cancer” or “help you lose weight.”

Can dietary supplements be taken instead of eating certain foods? No

  • Don’t take supplements instead of eating healthy foods.
  • Some dietary supplements may help some people get enough essential nutrients to improve their diets and be in their best health.
  • If you are having surgery, taking other supplements or medicines, or have health problems dietary supplements may be harmful.

Should I check with my doctor before using a supplement? Yes

  • Dietary supplements should not be used instead of prescription medicine.
  • If you have health problems and take these products, you may put yourself at risk.
  • Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you:
     - are pregnant or nursing a baby
     - take other supplements or medicines
     - are having surgery
     - have diabetes
     - have high blood pressure
     - have any other health problems

Is it safe to take dietary supplements with other medicines?

  • Always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you take any dietary supplement.
  • These products may have risks. They could be harmful or life threatening if:
     - You are also taking other dietary supplements
     - You are also taking other prescription or over-the-counter medicines
     - You use them instead of medicine that your doctor prescribes

How are dietary supplements regulated?

Dietary Supplement regulations are similar to food regulations. This means:

  • The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold.
  • FDA can only take action against products that are not safe or products that make false claims after they are for sale.

Where can I get information about a certain product?

  • Call or write to the company that makes the product.
  • Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

How do I report a problem or illness caused by one of these products?

Tips on searching the web for information on supplements.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Who runs the web site?
  • What is the web site trying to do? Is it telling you about the product or just trying to sell it?
  • Where does the web site get its information? Are there studies that back it up?
  • Is the information up to date? Check the date to see when it was posted or updated.

To Learn More:

Center For Food Safety and Applied Nutrition:
www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html

Office of Dietary Supplements:
dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
nccam.nih.gov

FDA Office Of Women's Health
www.fda.gov/womens

2007