Getting our nutrients directly from a pill sounds easy, but supplements do not necessarily deliver on the promise of improved health. Some can even be dangerous, especially if taken in higher than recommended amounts. We have heard a lot of encouraging news about supplements. A number of studies have highlighted vitamin D as a potential defence against a long list of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, depression and even the common cold.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been promoted for preventing strokes and other cardiovascular events. And antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are seen as promising silver bullets against heart disease, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. We need a range of nutrients every day to keep us healthy, such as calcium and vitamin D to protect our bones, folic acid to produce and maintain new cells, and vitamin A to preserve the health of our immune system and vision. Before taking any supplements for disease prevention, it is important to know whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
To reach that conclusion, look at the results of well-designed studies. A recent randomised trial in men suggested that multivitamins have potential cancer prevention benefits. For many of the other popular supplements, such as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, results from randomised controlled trials should be available within the next five years, according to Dr. Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements and can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
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Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you are on a federal government site. Dietary supplements can be beneficial to your health, but taking supplements can also pose health risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to review ethical dietary supplement products for safety and efficacy before they are marketed. You have heard of them, may have used them, and may even have recommended them to friends or family.
While some dietary supplements are well known and established, others need further study. Read on for important information for you and your family about dietary supplements. Before making decisions about whether to take a supplement, talk to your health care provider. They can help you get a balance between the foods and nutrients you personally need.
Dietary supplements include ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and enzymes. Dietary supplements come in the form of tablets, capsules, softgels, gel capsules, powders and liquids. Some supplements can help ensure that you get the vital substances your body needs to function; others can help reduce the risk of disease. But supplements should not replace full meals, which are necessary for a healthy diet, so be sure to eat a variety of foods as well.
Unlike medicines, supplements cannot be marketed for the purpose of treating, diagnosing, preventing or curing disease. This means that supplements must not make disease claims, such as “reduces high cholesterol or “treats heart disease”. These types of claims cannot be legitimate for dietary supplements. Many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects on the body.
This could make them unsafe in some situations and harm or complicate your health. For example, the following actions could have harmful, even deadly, consequences. The FDA is not authorised to review dietary supplement products for safety and efficacy before they are marketed. Dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors are responsible for making sure their products are safe BEFORE they go to market.
If the dietary supplement contains a NEW ingredient, manufacturers must notify the FDA of that ingredient before marketing. However, the notification will only be reviewed by the FDA (not approved) and only for safety, not for efficacy. Manufacturers are required to produce quality dietary supplements and ensure that they are free of contaminants or impurities, and that they are accurately labelled in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and labelling standards. If a serious problem occurs with a dietary supplement, manufacturers must report it to the FDA as an adverse event.
The FDA can withdraw dietary supplements from the market if they are found to be unsafe or if product claims are false and misleading. Dietary supplement labels must include the name and location of the manufacturer or distributor. Notify the FDA if the use of a dietary supplement caused you or a family member to have a serious reaction or illness (even if you are not sure that the product was the cause or you did not visit a doctor or clinic). Multivitamins are not a ticket to optimal health.
In fact, the evidence that they improve health for most people is inconsistent. In some cases, they may even be harmful. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare recommends certain supplements for some groups of people who are at risk of deficiencies. Of the non-vitamin and non-mineral supplements, Hopp says that “fish oil probably has the most scientific evidence to support its use”.
Recommendations for dietary supplements can be found everywhere in advertisements, through social media influencers, and from your neighbours, friends and family. Folic acid 400 micrograms daily, whether through supplements or fortified foods, is important for all women of childbearing age. Some products are marketed as dietary supplements and actually contain prescription drugs inside that are not allowed in dietary supplements. Some supplements may contain ingredients that are not listed on the label, and these ingredients may be unsafe.
Some of the most popular supplements come in a multivitamin (which can help you avoid taking a dozen pills every day), but they can also be purchased as a stand-alone supplement. In addition, some supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children, so extra precautions may be necessary. Two-thirds of older adults take vitamin supplements, but experts say that most of them do not provide much benefit. Folic acid supplements should be taken before becoming pregnant, so start taking them before stopping contraceptive use or if there is a possibility of becoming pregnant.
The MyDS app provides the latest information on supplements and allows you to keep track of the vitamins, minerals, herbs and other products you take.
