Dietary Supplement - Importance and Types
Dietary Supplement FAQ
What are dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements (also called food supplements or nutritional supplements) are products designed to give you nutrients that might be missing from your diet. They are usually taken as tablets, capsules or powders, or as a liquid drink.
Do you need dietary supplements?
Nutritional supplements are meant to complement a healthy diet, not replace it. If you're in good health and you eat a wide variety of foods, you likely don't need supplements. But sometimes, fortified foods and dietary supplements may help provide one or more nutrients.
Are dietary supplements effective?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine whether dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed. Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have strong effects on the body. Always be alert to the possibility of a bad reaction, especially when taking a new product.
What are the different types of nutritional supplements?
Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies, and powders as well as drinks and energy bars. Popular supplements include vitamins D and B12; minerals like calcium and iron; herbs such as echinacea and garlic; and products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils.
Where can I find information about dietary supplements?
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) ODS provides accurate and up-to-date scientific information about dietary supplements. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) NCCIH also has scientific information about dietary supplement ingredients. National Library of Medicine Medline Plus provides trusted health information.
Are dietary supplements a medicine?
They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. FDA is the federal agency that oversees both supplements and medicines, but FDA regulations for dietary supplements are different from those for prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Dietary Supplement References
If you want to know more about Dietary Supplement, consider exploring links below:
What Is Dietary Supplement
- https://www.healthline.com/health/nutrition/dietary-supplements
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dietary-supplements
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_supplement
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/basics/nutritional-supplements/hlv-20049477
- https://www.britannica.com/science/dietary-supplement
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-dietary-supplements
- https://medlineplus.gov/dietarysupplements.html