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Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your diet. They can come as pills, capsules, powders and liquids. Supplements do not have to go through the testing that drugs do.

Some supplements can play an important role in health. For example, pregnant women can take the vitamin folic acid to prevent certain birth defects in their babies. Taking supplements can also be a type of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM).

To take a supplement as safely as possible

• Tell your doctor about any dietary supplements you use
• Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends
• Stop taking it if you have side effects
• Read trustworthy information about the supplement

What are dietary supplements?

• Dietary supplements are products that people add to their diets. They include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids.
• They can be pills, liquids, or powders.
• By law, companies that make these products cannot claim they prevent, treat, or cure disease. For example, a product cannot claim that it can “cure cancer” or “help you lose weight.”

Can dietary supplements be taken instead of eating certain foods? No.

• Don’t take supplements instead of eating healthy foods.
• Some dietary supplements may help some people get enough essential nutrients to improve their diets and be in their best health.
• If you are having surgery, taking other supplements or medicines, or have health problems dietary supplements may be harmful.

Should I check with my doctor before using a supplement? Yes.

Dietary supplements should not be used instead of prescription medicine. If you have health problems and take these products, you may put yourself at risk. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you:

• are pregnant or nursing a baby
• take other supplements or medicines
• are having surgery
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have any other health problems

Is it safe to take dietary supplements with other medicines?

Always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you take any dietary supplement. These products may have risks. They could be harmful or life threatening if:

• You are also taking other dietary supplements
• You are also taking other prescription or over-the-counter medicines
• You use them instead of medicine that your doctor prescribes

How are dietary supplements regulated?

Dietary Supplement regulations are similar to food regulations. This means:

1. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold.
2. FDA can only take action against products that are not safe or products that make false claims after they are for sale.

Where can I learn more about a certain dietary supplement product?

• Call or write to the company that makes the product.
• Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

How do I report a problem or illness caused by one of these dietary supplement products?

1. Call 1-800-FDA-1088
2. Go to the Medwatch website at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/consumer/consumer.htm

Tips on searching the web for information on supplements.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Who runs the web site?
2. What is the web site trying to do? Is it telling you about the product or just trying to sell it?
3. Where does the web site get its information? Are there studies that back it up?
4. Is the information up to date? Check the date to see when it was posted or updated.

For your information here is an example a supplement website press release. Click here
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