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Dietary Supplements can be beneficial to your health — but taking supplements tin can as well involve health risks. The U.South. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness earlier they are marketed.

You've heard about them, may have used them, and may have fifty-fifty recommended them to friends or family unit. While some dietary supplements are well understood and established, others need farther study. Read on for important information for you and your family about dietary supplements.

Dietary Supplements

Before making decisions well-nigh whether to have a supplement, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you lot accomplish a balance between the foods and nutrients you lot personally demand.

What are dietary supplements?

Dietary supplements include such ingredients as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes. Dietary supplements are marketed in forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, powders, and liquids.

What are the benefits of dietary supplements?

Some supplements can help clinch that you become plenty of the vital substances the torso needs to function; others may aid reduce the risk of disease. Simply supplements should non replace consummate meals which are necessary for a healthful diet – so, be sure you lot eat a variety of foods as well.

Dissimilar drugs, supplements are non permitted to be marketed for the purpose of treating, diagnosing, preventing, or curing diseases . That means supplements should not make illness claims, such as "lowers high cholesterol" or "treats centre disease." Claims like these cannot be legitimately fabricated for dietary supplements.

Are there any risks in taking supplements?

Yes. Many supplements contain agile ingredients that have strong biological furnishings in the body. This could brand them unsafe in some situations and injure or complicate your wellness. For example, the post-obit actions could lead to harmful – even life-threatening – consequences.

  • Combining supplements
  • Using supplements with medicines (whether prescription or over-the-counter)
  • Substituting supplements for prescription medicines
  • Taking besides much of some supplements, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, or iron
    Some supplements tin can likewise take unwanted effects earlier, during, and afterwards surgery. And then, exist sure to inform your healthcare provider, including your chemist about whatever supplements you are taking.

Some Common Dietary Supplements

  • Calcium
  • Echinacea
  • Fish Oil
  • Ginseng
  • Glucosamine and/or
  • Chondroitin Sulphate
  • Garlic
  • Vitamin D
  • St. John's Wort
  • Saw Palmetto
  • Ginkgo
  • Green Tea

Annotation: These examples do non stand for either an endorsement or approval by FDA.

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Who is responsible for the safety of dietary supplements?

FDA is not authorized to review dietary supplement products for condom and effectiveness earlier they are marketed.

The manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements are responsible for making certain their products are condom BEFORE they go to market.

If the dietary supplement contains a NEW ingredient, manufacturers must notify FDA about that ingredient prior to marketing. Withal, the notification will only be reviewed by FDA (not canonical) and only for safety, not effectiveness.

Manufacturers are required to produce dietary supplements in a quality style and ensure that they exercise not contain contaminants or impurities, and are accurately labeled according to current Skilful Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and labeling regulations.

If a serious problem associated with a dietary supplement occurs, manufacturers must study information technology to FDA every bit an agin consequence. 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.

How tin I discover out more than nigh the dietary supplement I'thou taking?

Dietary supplement labels must include name and location information for the manufacturer or distributor.

If yous desire to know more well-nigh the production that you are taking, cheque with the manufacturer or distributor about:

  • Data to back up the claims of the product
  • Information on the safety and effectiveness of the ingredients in the production.

How can I exist a smart supplement shopper?

Be a savvy supplement user. Here's how:

  • When searching for supplements on the internet, use noncommercial sites (e.k. NIH, FDA, USDA) rather than depending on data from sellers.
  • If claims sound too good to exist true, they probably are. Be mindful of product claims such every bit "works better than [a prescription drug]," "totally safe," or has "no side effects."
  • Exist aware that the term natural doesn't ever means safe.
  • Ask your healthcare provider if the supplement you lot're considering would exist safe and beneficial for y'all.
  • E'er think – safety first!

Report Problems to FDA

Notify FDA if the use of a dietary supplement caused you or a family unit member to have a serious reaction or affliction (even if you are not certain that the product was the cause or you did not visit a physician or clinic).

Follow these steps:

  1. Stop using the production.
  2. Contact your healthcare provider to find out how to accept care of the trouble.
  3. Report bug to FDA in either of these ways:
    • Contact the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area.
    • File a safety report online through the Rubber Reporting Portal.

Learn more nearly dietary supplements.

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