| Disclaimer: This article is not intended to substitute | | | | Supplement Health and Education Act, defining |
| for the advice of a health-care professional. The | | | | dietary or nutritional supplements as products |
| dietary supplements you choose may not have | | | | taken by mouth, containing ingredients intended to |
| been evaluated by the US Food and Drug | | | | supplement the natural diet. These ingredients |
| Administration (FDA) and their use is not intended | | | | may include vitamins, minerals, 'botanicals' (plant |
| to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or | | | | extracts), amino acids or other substances to |
| health condition. | | | | increase the nutrition in the diet. Sellers must not |
| Can they really do what they claim to do? | | | | suggest their products are conventional foods nor |
| There are two types of evidence gathered in this | | | | that their products should be a whole meal or diet. |
| type of research -- experimental and anecdotal. | | | | "Amino acids" -- Building blocks of protein, the |
| - 'Anecdotal' are stories from people who use a | | | | substance that makes up a large portion of the |
| product and get some benefit from that use. | | | | human body. |
| There is a wealth of anecdotal evidence | | | | "Antioxidants" -- Substances that block or inhibit |
| supporting nutritional supplement use. | | | | free radicals -- molecules that speed up the aging |
| - 'Experimental' evidence comes from controlled | | | | process and contribute to illness. |
| studies done by professional researchers. The | | | | "Minerals" -- Natural, inorganic elements like calcium, |
| medical community has begun serious | | | | iron, selenium and zinc. |
| experimental research, but conclusive declarations | | | | "Vitamins" -- Natural, organic compounds given |
| are still some time away. | | | | letter designations (A, B1 to B12, C, D, E, K). |
| Both types of evidence are important to the | | | | Both, in the proper quantities, are essential to |
| consumer considering nutritional supplements. Even | | | | good health. |
| natural substances, when taken in improper | | | | Where can I get unbiased information? |
| quantities, can be harmful and may cause illness, | | | | Nutritional supplements information is available |
| injury or death. The more you know, the better | | | | from the Office of Dietary Supplements. |
| your chances of getting what you need, so | | | | According to their website, ODS was created |
| research all information you can find about the | | | | within the National Institutes of Health 'to |
| supplements you are considering before starting a | | | | strengthen knowledge and understanding of |
| supplement regimen, and be sure to discuss what | | | | dietary supplements by evaluating scientific |
| you're taking with your doctor. | | | | information, stimulating and supporting research, |
| Of course, in every industry, some companies | | | | disseminating results and educating the public.' |
| cheat -- they sell low-quality or fraudulent product. | | | | How do I know if I need a nutritional supplement? |
| Nutritional supplement manufacturers are not | | | | The ODS website includes a checklist to help you |
| required to list their ingredients the way food | | | | get ready to discuss nutrition needs with your |
| makers must, nor do they undergo the strict | | | | health care provider. Because a wide variety of |
| oversight that drug makers receive from the | | | | products are marketed as nutritional dietary |
| government. As with any product or service, you | | | | supplements, it's important to remember that |
| usually get what you pay for and cheap nutritional | | | | these supplements might include vitamins, herbals, |
| supplements may not be as effective, so | | | | minerals, plant extracts or other substances. |
| purchase health supplements only from reputable | | | | Are dietary supplements as safe and effective as |
| manufacturers and dealers. | | | | any other drug? |
| What are nutrients and nutritional supplements? | | | | Dietary supplements are not drugs. |
| Nutrients are the substances the body needs to | | | | Drugs must be proven to be effective against a |
| function--about 45 different elements and | | | | specific disease or medical condition before they |
| compounds according to some professionals. | | | | can be marketed. If a supplement addresses a |
| Originally, people got their nutrients from the | | | | nutrient deficiency, supports health or reduces the |
| foods they ate or they went without. Today, | | | | risk of a health problem, the manufacturer may |
| science has a pretty good understanding of what | | | | say so, but they must include a disclaimer: 'These |
| these chemicals are, how they work and how to | | | | statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. |
| synthesize them or extract them from plants, | | | | This product is not designed to diagnose, treat or |
| making them more widely available in support of | | | | cure disease.' |
| good general health. | | | | Are there risks in taking dietary supplements? |
| Ideally, humans should get all their nutritional needs | | | | There are risks in everything, but we still walk |
| met on the hoof, so to speak. The health and | | | | across the street and undergo surgery when |
| wellness industry was created because few | | | | needed. Nutritional supplements may have |
| people always eat a well-balanced diet. | | | | unwanted or unforeseen side effects, especially if |
| Supplements are now available as pills, gelcaps, | | | | taken before surgery, with other supplements or |
| softgels, liquids and powders to supplement the | | | | medicines or if you have certain health conditions. |
| nutrients we get from food. Some are designed | | | | Discuss your individual situation, needs and all |
| to be taken alone, others to be mixed with food | | | | potential risks with your health care provider. |
| or drink. There is no scientific evidence that any | | | | Most doctors agree on three essentials for good |
| one form is more effective than another. | | | | health: proper nutrition, regular exercise and a |
| Exactly what do those weird terms mean? | | | | good attitude. Dietary supplements can be a |
| "DSHEA" -- In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary | | | | positive part of your nutrition program. |