Dietary Supplements - How Safe Are They?

For a long time, the term "dietary supplement" wassupplement from the U.S. market after it was linked
used to describe any product that contains one orto the death of a well-known baseball player.
more essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, andThe Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
proteins) used to supplement a diet. Today, the termhas led to exponential increase in the number of
is used much more broadly. Thanks to the Dietarydietary supplements on the market. Some of these
Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) whichproducts like multivitamins contain vitamins and
became law in 1994. In the law, Congress expandedminerals, and are generally considered safe. There are
the definition of the term to include herbs or otheralso many products on the market that contain
botanicals (except tobacco) and other substancessubstances potent enough to cause harm alone or
that may be used to supplement a diet.when combined with prescription or over-the-counter
As a result, there are many supplements on themedicines. The FDA cannot guarantee the safety or
market today that are made with herbs or othereffectiveness of these products; therefore, caution is
botanicals, amino acids, extracts from animal glands,warranted.
fibers such as psyllium and guar gum, enzymes, andIf you have doubts about the safety of a
hormone-like compounds. The law has also meantsupplement, consult with your doctor or pharmacist
that many substances, previously classified as drugsbefore taking it. There is hardly any down side to
or unapproved food additives by FDA, are nowseeking the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. It is
readily available as dietary supplements with very littlenecessary to talk to your doctor before taking any
regulation.supplement if you are pregnant or nursing a baby,
Yes, the government regulates both drugs andhave diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other
dietary products through the Food and Drughealth problems. The same is true if you take
Administration (FDA). However, FDA regulates thesemedications. Some ingredients found in supplements
two products differently. The Agency is required bycan certain medical conditions worse. For example,
law to check the safety and effectiveness ofsodium may increase high blood pressure in some
prescription drugs before they are put on theindividuals. Similarly, kidney problems may be
market. The same is true for "over-the-counterworsened by calcium and magnesium.
drugs" like cold and pain medicines. By contrast, theSo, here are the main points you should know. The
regulation of dietary supplements is much less strict.Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
For example, the FDA is not required by law to(DSHEA) of 1994 expanded the definition of dietary
check the safety or claims of dietary supplementssupplements to include products with substances that
before they are made available to consumers.may be harmful to your health. Therefore, you should
Instead, it must wait until it receives reports ofnever assume that your supplement is safe,
harmful effects from consumers or consumerespecially because the regulation of dietary
advocacy groups. If there is a report of harmfulsupplements is less strict compared to drugs. In all
effects linked to a particular supplement, the FDA willcases, but especially if you have a medical condition
then investigate the alleged harm and if confirmed, itor take medications, work with your doctor to
will order the product pulled from U.S. market. This isdetermine which supplement, if any, you should take
what happened with the herb ephedra (a.k.a. herbaland how much.
fen-phen) in 2003 when the FDA pulled the