Can you direct me to information on dietary supplements (including herbal supplements) and alternative medicine?

Many web sites on the Internet related to dietary supplements are maintained by manufacturers and retailers who wish to sell you supplements. Such information may be biased or misleading. While we can direct you to some reliable information on Internet, keep in mind that it is for information purposes only and does not take the place of personalized advice from a qualified health professional who is familiar with your health situation. We advise that you discuss the issue of dietary supplements and alternative medicine with your healthcare provider.

General dietary supplement information:
• Fact Sheets on Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and Botanicals
• Overview of Dietary Supplements provides an overview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its role in dietary supplement labeling.
• Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information
• How to Report Adverse Reactions & Medical Product Problems to the FDA links to the Adverse Reactions Monitoring System which FDA maintains to keep track of adverse reactions from dietary supplements.
  
  Herbal Information:
• MEDLINEplus for Herbal Medicine links to a variety of up-to-date news and background information about herbal supplements.
  
  Technical Information:
• International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements database
  
  Alternative Medicine Information:
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
  Provides information on complementary and alternative medicine to practitioners and the public.
• NCCAM Clearinghouse
  An information service to enhance understanding about complementary and alternative medicine research.
  Toll-free phone number: 1-888-644-6226 or E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
  

Should I check with my physician or healthcare provider before taking a dietary supplement?

• If you are pregnant, nursing a baby, or have a chronic medical condition, such as, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, you should always check with your physician, healthcare provider or pharmacist before purchasing or taking any supplement. Keep in mind that the ingredients in dietary supplements are not tested or approved by the FDA. For more information on this or the FDA's role in Dietary Supplement Regulation please visit the Question and Answer section of the FDA's Web site.

Is it true that I can get all the vitamins/minerals I need from the food that I eat?

• It is true that healthy individuals can get all of the vitamins and minerals they need from a well balanced diet.

What is the difference in water soluble and fat soluble vitamins?

• There are two groups of vitamins, water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins (the 8 B vitamins and Vitamin C) can dissolve in water and be excreted by the kidneys. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored by the body (except for vitamin B12, which is stored in the liver). Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) dissolve in fat and are transported by fat in the body. Excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fat tissue, and are not excreted by the kidney. Because of this storage, they can build up to toxic levels if too much is taken, especially vitamins A and D.