A dietary supplement (other denominations: nutritional supplement; food supplement) is a preparation intended to supply nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids or amino acids, that are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person’s diet.
Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not required to undergo rigorous scientific studies to determine their effectiveness, safety, or appropriate dosages. While some supplements may have health benefits when used properly, others can actually be harmful. Some pose serious risks to safety, alertness, or ability to tolerate stress!
Dietary supplements can be divided into the following groups:
1. Vitamins and Minerals
These are the most common supplements. Estimated requirements and recommended safe daily intake levels are provided by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Instititute of Medicine.
When selecting a vitamin or mineral supplement:
- Check the label and choose a multivitamin-mineral combination that does not exceed 100% of the Percent Daily Value (DV).
- Look for the “USP” notation on the label. This indicates that the product meets specific standards of quality, purity and potency established by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.
2. Herbal Preparations
These preparations are made of plant parts or oils. There are no standards for quality, potency, safety or effectiveness of herbal products. Identical products may differ markedly between manufacturers or batches. Many drugs are derived from the same plants used in herbal preparations. Therefore, some herbal preparations have the same potential side effects as manufactured drugs.
3. Steroids and Glandulars
The term “steroids” refers to a large group of important substances (to include hormones) manufactured by the body. They also may be artificial; or extracted from the glands of animals. Potency of the steroids may vary widely. Steroid supplements are unnecessary for a healthy person, and pose significant risks of serious illness or even death.
4. Amino Acids
Amino acids are parts of protein and are ordinarily supplied by food or made by the body. From a nutritional standpoint, most people do not require more amino acids than they eat in a healthy diet. Certain individuals on special diets such as vegan may benefit from supplements. Synthetic preparations are generally considered safe, although excessive use is considered unwise.
Before starting to use a supplement it is strongly recommended to consult your physician. If you decide to take any supplement start with the lowest dose and increase it gradually but not more than the recommended quantity.
Beware of sensational claims and buy supplements only from reliable sellers.