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 |  May 2006 |
(Also available in PDF, 445 KB, and en Español)
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You've heard about them, have probably used them, and have even recommended them to friends or family. But how much do you really know about dietary supplements? Yes, some can be beneficial to your health — but taking supplements can also involve health risks. Read on for important information for you and your family about dietary supplements. Before making decisions about whether to take a supplement, see your health-care provider and/or a registered dietitian. They can help you achieve a balance between the foods and nutrients you personally need. |
Some Common Dietary Supplements:
 Note: These examples do not represent either an endorsement or approval by FDA. Q What are dietary supplements? A Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, and other less familiar substances — such as herbals, botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and animal extracts (see box at right). Dietary supplements are also marketed in forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, and gelcaps. While some dietary supplements are well understood and established, others need further study. A Some supplements can help assure that you get an adequate dietary intake of essential nutrients; others may help you reduce the risk of disease. However, supplements should not replace the variety of foods that are important to a healthful diet — so, be sure you eat a variety of foods as well. Unlike drugs, supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases. That means supplements should not make claims, such as "reduces arthritic pain" or "treats heart disease." Claims like these can only legitimately be made for drugs, not dietary supplements. A Yes. Many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects in the body. This could make them unsafe in some situations, and hurt or complicate your health. For example, the following actions could lead to harmful — even life-threatening — consequences.
Some supplements can also have unwanted effects before, during, and after surgery. So, be sure to inform your health-care provider, including your pharmacist, about any supplements you are taking — especially before surgery. A Dietary supplements are not approved by the government for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. If the dietary supplement contains a NEW ingredient, that ingredient will be reviewed by FDA (not approved) prior to marketing — but only for safety, not effectiveness. The manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements are responsible for making sure their products are safe BEFORE they go to market. FDA can take dietary supplements off the market if they are found to be unsafe or if the claims on the products are false and misleading. What should I do if I have a reaction to a dietary supplement?You, your health-care provider, or anyone else should report a serious problem from the use of any dietary supplement directly to FDA's MedWatch Program at:
FDA would like to know whenever the use of a dietary supplement causes you to have a serious reaction or illness, even if you're not certain that the product was the cause, and/or you did not visit a doctor or clinic. A If you want to know more about the product you are taking, check with the manufacturer or distributor about:
A Although the benefits of some dietary supplements have been documented, the claims of others may be unproven. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Be a savvy supplement user. Here's how:
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