Before trying any supplements, it is important to discuss the product with your doctor and/or a pharmacist to help determine its safety and effectiveness in your treatment plan. Dietary supplements are not regulated under the same rules as food products and medications, and some dietary supplement manufacturers take advantage of the situation by promoting false product claims.

What is a Dietary Supplement?
A dietary supplement is a product taken by mouth that contains a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet. Ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, other botanicals, amino acids, and substances like enzymes, organ tissues, glandulars, and metabolites. Supplements may be found in different forms, like extracts, concentrates, tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids, bars, or powders. Information on their label must not represent the product as a conventional food or a sole item of a meal or diet.

How are they Regulated?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering "conventional" foods and drug products (prescription and over-the-counter).

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), dietary supplement manufacturers are responsible for making sure that the dietary supplements are safe before they are marketed. The FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market.

Oftentimes, manufacturers do not need to register with the FDA or get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements; manufacturers must make sure that product label information is truthful and not misleading. The FDA intends to issue regulations on good manufacturing practices to ensure purity, quality, and strength of dietary supplements.

More Supplement Information
FDA Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition - Dietary Supplements

Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information

Claims That Can be Made for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements