Dietary Supplements1

Dietary Supplements: 

Dietary Supplements By: Brittany Higdon

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Dietary supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your diet. Be cautious about using any supplement that claims to treat, prevent or cure a serious disease

Regulation of Dietary Supplements: 

Regulation of Dietary Supplements do not have to go through testing cannot contain any ingredients that may have "a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury“ they do not have to be approved by the FDA Considered safe until proven otherwise

FDA’s role in dietary supplement regulation: 

FDA’s role in dietary supplement regulation Have permission to stop a company from making a dietary supplement ONLY when they prove it has significant risk to the health of Americans Cannot be proven until someone is ALREADY harmed

Manufacturing: 

Manufacturing Until June 2008 there were NO set guidelines or regulations Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) put into effect by the FDA Dietary Supplements must 1. be produced in a quality manner  2. not contain any contaminants or impurities  3. be labeled with the actual ingredients in the product

How to read the label: 

How to read the label Nutritional claims: statements about the general effects dietary supplements have on diseases known to be caused by nutrient deficiency. Claims of well being: statements such as “makes you feel good” Health claims: statements about known health benefits of certain compounds. Example: "folate may reduce the chance of pregnant women delivering an infant with neural tube defects" Structure or function claims: about the effect of the dietary supplement on the structure or function of the body. Example: “works as an antioxidant” or “calcium builds strong bones”

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Structure or function claims are not reviewed by the FDA. Labels that carry them must also include the disclaimer "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." Do NOT assume that because a product claims to support or promote healthy body function that it prevents or reduces the risk of any disease

Before beginning a supplement program…: 

Before beginning a supplement program… Look for evidence from third party sources to avoid marketing scams Gather as much information as you can find regarding the product ALWAYS talk to you doctor before taking any supplements

Questions to ask yourself before taking supplements:: 

Questions to ask yourself before taking supplements: 1. Do I need this supplement? 2. Do I know that this supplement is safe? 3. Does this supplement interact with any drug or food I am consuming? 4. Do I know that this supplement works? 5. Can I afford this supplement? 6. Do I know enough about this supplement?

Remember…: 

Remember… Supplements are mostly "self-prescribed“ If it sounds “too good to be true”… it usually is Testimonies are based on anecdotal evidence rather than actual scientific facts

Remember..: 

Remember.. “all natural” isn’t always better or safer Some supplements may not be safe to use with prescription drugs And ALWAYS talk to your doctor before taking any dietary supplements

References: 

References (2008). Dietary Supplements. Retrieved October 19, 2008, from MedlinePlus Website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietarysupplements.html (2007). Dietary Supplements: How to know what is safe. Retrieved October 19, 2008, from the American Cancer Society Website:http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3x_How_to_Know_What_Is_Safe_Choosing_and_Using_Dietary_Supplements.asp?