Are Dietary Supplements Safe for Specific Conditions or Illnesses?

Dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods. Learn more about potential drug interactions & safety issues related to dietary supplements.

Are Dietary Supplements Safe for Specific Conditions or Illnesses?

Dietary supplements are regulated by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods, not drugs. The label may indicate certain health benefits, but unlike medications, supplements cannot claim to cure, treat, or prevent a disease.

The main reason to discuss the use of your supplement with your provider is safety. Dietary supplements, which include vitamins and minerals, can interfere with prescription medications, and taking a higher daily dose than recommended can cause side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. The same goes for botanical or herbal supplements, says Dr. Since dietary supplements fall under the category of foods, the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) is primarily responsible for the agency's oversight of these products.

Before spending a lot of money on supplements, you should know that a balanced diet will normally provide enough necessary vitamins and nutrients, says Dr. Finally, dietary supplement labels must include a national address or telephone number to report serious adverse events to the manufacturer, packer, or distributor whose name and place of business appear on the label. For more information on what constitutes a healthy eating routine, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate are good sources of information. In addition to the manufacturer's responsibility to comply with the safety regulations and labeling requirements of dietary supplements and to comply with current good manufacturing standards, there are no laws or regulations that limit the serving size of a dietary supplement or the amount of a dietary ingredient that a serving of a dietary supplement can contain. Some companies do not correctly follow the FDA's rules on filing claims and correctly labeling supplements.

As its resources allow, the FDA reviews supplement labels and other information, such as leaflets, statements, and online advertisements. The FDA evaluates these reports and any other information on adverse events reported by healthcare providers or consumers to identify early signs that a product may pose safety risks to consumers. Doctors who specialize in integrative medicine don't usually recommend a lot of vitamins and supplements without a specific purpose, she explains to SELF. Yes, ingredients that are not listed in the supplement information panel should be included in the list of other ingredients below. However, manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements should record, research, and send to the FDA any reports they receive about serious adverse events related to the use of their products. Whether you want to achieve the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals or want to remedy the complications of diabetes, there are a plethora of supplements you should consider, in addition to potential drug interactions, conflicting information, and safety issues.

Along with information on the new dietary ingredient and the dietary supplement on which it will be placed on the market, the notification must include the safety information on which the notifier has based its conclusion that the new dietary ingredient can reasonably be expected to be safe when used under the conditions recommended or suggested on the dietary supplement's labeling. If your morning routine involves taking a handful of dietary supplements in the vague hope of boosting your energy or avoiding illnesses this week or illnesses in the future, you might want to slow down and rethink your approach, especially if you have the mentality that you don't need to discuss your supplement regimen with your doctor. See consumer information on the use of dietary supplements for additional educational materials.