Simmons College Nutrition Website
Dietary Supplements
What are they?
- Product taken by mouth
- Contain a "dietary ingredient" that is intended to supplement the diet.
- Examples of dietary ingredients include:
- Vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, grandulars, and metabolites.
- Come in different forms:
- Capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids, tablets, and powders.
- Not to be used in place of food
Why are supplements taken?
- For good health
- Disease prevention
- Immunity booster
- Energy
- Physician-recommended
- Memory improvement
Are supplements safe?
- Every supplement is required to be labeled as a dietary supplement.
- By law (dietary supplement health and education act, or DSHEA), the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that products are safe before marketing them; however there are no provisions in the law for the FDA (food and drug administration) to approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach consumers.
- Once a product is marketed it is the FDA's responsibility to determine whether the supplement is unsafe. Without this step it can not restrict the product's removal from the market.
- Before taking a supplement, talk to a health care provider.
Tips for Supplement Use
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