The Benefits of Dietary Supplements and How to Use Them Safely

Dietary supplements can play a vital role in a healthy lifestyle if you're a well-informed consumer. Learn more about how to use them safely.

The Benefits of Dietary Supplements and How to Use Them Safely

Dietary supplements are substances that can be used to add essential nutrients to the diet or to reduce the risk of health problems, such as osteoporosis or arthritis. They come in the form of pills, capsules, powders, gel capsules and tablets, extracts or liquids. Dietary supplements are not medicines, nor are they intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. However, they can play a vital role in a healthy lifestyle if you're a well-informed consumer.

The FDA is the federal agency that oversees both supplements and drugs, but the regulations for dietary supplements are different from those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. In general, if a product is intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent diseases, it is considered a drug. Supplements are ingested and come in many forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, powders, sticks, gummies and liquids. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) was amended in 1994 by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which defined the “dietary supplement” and established the authority of the FDA with respect to such products. The federal government can take legal action against companies and websites that sell dietary supplements when companies make false or misleading statements about their products; if they promote them as treatments or cures for diseases; or if their products are not safe. Although the FDA does not approve dietary supplements, the agency has a role in regulating them.

If there is a serious problem associated with a supplement such as a side effect manufacturers must inform the FDA that this is an adverse event. To ensure that you and your family use supplements safely it's important to talk to your healthcare providers (including doctors, dentists, pharmacists and dieticians) about any dietary supplements you are taking. If you experience an adverse effect while taking a dietary supplement, stop using it immediately and seek medical attention or advice. To file a general non-serious complaint or concern about dietary supplements contact the local FDA consumer complaint coordinator.