13.4: Supplements
- Page ID
- 157773
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These are the most common supplements, according to the FDA:
- Calcium
- Echinacea
- Fish Oil
- Ginseng
- Glucosamine and/or
- Chondroitin Sulphate
- Garlic
- Vitamin D
- St. John’s Wort
- Saw Palmetto
- Ginkgo
- Green Tea
How are they approved?
Supplements are widely available in the United States. In 1994 the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was approved and defined the term “dietary supplement” to mean a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more dietary ingredients, including a vitamin, a mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract or combination of any of the aforementioned ingredients. The FDA regulates and approves supplements that are sold to the general public. FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering “conventional” foods and drug products. Dietary supplements are marketed as tablets, capsules, soft gels, gelcaps, powders, and liquids. The FDA only looks at the vitamin’s safety if it contains a new ingredient, not for the effectiveness, so the manufacturer needs to test its effectiveness.
For more information about vitamins, visit https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-dietary-supplements.
What are the risks?
There can be many risks to taking vitamins, as it does contain active ingredients. Some of the common risks include:
- Combining supplements
- Using supplements with medicines (whether prescription or over-the-counter)
- Substituting supplements for prescription medicines
- Taking too much of some supplements, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, or iron
Some supplements can also have unwanted effects before, during, and after surgery. So, be sure to inform your healthcare provider, including your pharmacist, about any supplements you are taking.
How to protect yourself
If supplements are needed, it is best to speak with a doctor before purchasing the supplement to ensure no consumption concerns. When buying supplements online, it is best to buy off a noncommercial website as some sellers online may have a misleading website or have misleading labels. Be aware of claims that a supplement may work better than a prescription drug or that it has no side effects. Always keep in mind that advertising on supplement labels is not regulated.