Most adults and kids in America. Many adults and children in the United States take one or more vitamins or other dietary supplements. Apart from vitamins, diet supplements can also include minerals, herbs, or compounds, such as amino acids, enzymes, as well as other ingredients.
Dietary supplements can be found in a variety of formats, including capsules, tablets, or gummies, as well as powders as well as Energy bars, drinks, and other drinks. Some of the most sought-after supplements are vitamins D and B12, minerals like iron and calcium and herbs like garlic and echinacea, and products like glucosamine, probiotics as well as fish oils.
Effectiveness
Certain supplements in your diet may help you to get the right quantities of the essential nutrients you require if you don’t eat a nutritious variety of food. However, they aren’t able to replace the diverse foods that are important to eat a healthy and balanced diet. For more information on what makes a healthy food you can refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal link disclaimer and MyPlateexternal link disclaimer can be good resources for information.
Certain supplements in the diet can enhance overall health and can help control some health conditions.
For instance:
- Vitamin D and calcium help maintain strong bones and help reduce bone loss.
- Folic acid decreases the risk of some birth defects.
- Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils could help people suffering from heart disease.
- A mixture comprising vitamins C and E zinc, copper, and lutein as well as Zeaxanthin might help to slow down further vision loss in people with macular degeneration that is aging (AMD).
- A variety of other supplements require further investigation to determine whether they are worth the effort. It is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not examine whether supplements for dietary use are efficient before they are advertised.
Safety and Risk
Many supplements have active ingredients which can cause powerful effects on the body. Always be alert to the possibility of an adverse reaction, especially when using the first time with a new product.
You’re more likely to have side effects from dietary supplements if they are taken in high doses, or instead of prescription medications, or if you take numerous supplements. Some supplements can increase the chance of bleeding, or, if taken before surgery, alter your reaction to anesthesia. Supplements can also interact with some medicines in ways that could lead to problems. Here are a few instances:
Vitamin K can decrease the ability of blood thinner warfarin, which prevents blood from clotting.
St. John’s wort can help in the breakdown of a variety of medications and decrease their effectiveness (including some antidepressants, birth control pills, heart medications, anti-HIV medications, and transplant drugs).
Antioxidant supplementation, including vitamins C and E, may reduce the effectiveness of certain forms of cancer chemotherapy.
Manufacturers could add vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients for supplements to foods you eat such as breakfast cereals or drinks. In the end, there could be more of these ingredients than you believe, and more might not be better. Consuming more than what you require costs more and might also increase your chance of experiencing side negative effects. For instance, excessive vitamin A can cause headaches and damage to the liver, reduce bone strength, and lead to birth defects. Iron excess can cause nausea and vomiting and may damage the liver and other organs.
Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if breastfeeding or pregnant. Also, be careful about the use of supplements for children, unless recommended by your healthcare provider. Many supplements aren’t thoroughly tested for safety in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children.
If you think you’ve had a negative reaction to any dietary supplement, inform your physician know. The doctor can then inform the FDA. You may also send an inquiry directly to the FDA by calling 800-FDA-1088 and filling out an online form with an external link disclaimer. You must also send your report to manufacturers using your contact information on the product label.
Quality
The FDA has established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) that businesses must adhere to in order to ensure the authenticity, purity, strength, and quality of their nutritional supplements. These GMPs are able to prevent the inclusion of the incorrect ingredient (or over or too little of the proper ingredient) and reduce the chance of contamination, or incorrect packing and marking of a product. The FDA regularly inspects the factories that manufacture supplements.
Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Tell your healthcare providers (including dentists, doctors pharmacists, dietitians, and doctors) about any dietary supplements you’re taking. They can help you determine which supplements if any, could be beneficial for you.
Keep a complete document of any dietary supplements or medicines you consume. The Office of Dietary Supplements website includes a handy form “My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record,” that you can print and fill out at home. Note for each product what its name is, the dose you take, how often you consume it, and the reason behind its use. This information can be shared with your healthcare providers to discuss the best option on your behalf for overall wellness.