Dietary Supplements: What you should know Kaplan University Shawnte Breschi

What are Dietary Supplements ? According to the FDA, “A dietary supplement is a product intended for ingestion that contains a "dietary ingredient" intended to add further nutritional value to (supplement) the diet. A "dietary ingredient" may be one, or any combination, of the following substances: a vitamin a mineral an herb or other botanical an amino acid a dietary substance for use by people to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, or extract Dietary supplements may be found in many forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids, or powders. Some dietary supplements can help ensure that you get an adequate dietary intake of essential nutrients; others may help you reduce your risk of disease.” Food and Drug Administration (June 8, 2015). What is a Dietary Supplement? Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm195635.htm

Current Regulations on Supplements According to the FDA, “Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA): Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded.  That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations. FDA is responsible for taking action against any adulterated or misbranded dietary supplement product after it reaches the market.” Food and Drug Administration (June 8, 2015). What is a Dietary Supplement? Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm195635.htm

Can interact adversely with other medications and health conditions Are They Safe? Pros Can supply the body with necessary nutrients when produced and taken properly Can help prevent ailments caused by a lack of certain vitamins / minerals Cons Can interact adversely with other medications and health conditions Can contain ingredients that are not proven as effective, unsafe and have not been properly tested or manufactured

What to Look for…… USP Stamp of Approval The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention provides a through check of manufacturing processes, reference standards, and verification services for dietary supplements. You can find this USP stamp of approval on all USP approved dietary supplement bottles. Image Retrieved from Google Images

What to Avoid…… http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietary Supplements/default.htm Avoid dietary supplements that have recalls listed, do not have evidence backed proof of effectiveness, and are on the FDA consumer reports for causing potential health issues. This FDA website is a great resource for researching dietary supplements.

Why we Need Them They can help supply nutrients when we become deficient They may help provide added energy They may help reduce certain diseases They may help improve immune health when needed

How to Choose a Reliable Source Who is the information coming from? Do they have an interest in the product and it’s sales? Do they have scientific research to support the claims? Do they have data to support the claims? Do they supply all of the information about the product?

Things to Remember…….. Always consult your physician prior to taking any dietary supplement Always research the product for ingredients Verify it has a USP stamp of approval Always check the FDA website for recalls, alerts, proof of effectiveness, and consumer reports for potential health issues

References Food and Drug Administration (June 8, 2015). What is a Dietary Supplement? Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/uc m195635.htm U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (2016). Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from http://www.usp.org/dietary-supplements/overview