Knowing About Side Effects With Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements come in many forms and varieties and include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, some steroids, the pineal hormone melatonin as well as herbal supplements. They are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which means the supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed.
The FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe nutritional supplement product after it reaches the market. Dietary supplements are classified as foods, not drugs as regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so they are treated differently than prescription drugs.
nutritional products
A nutritional supplement is a product that is intended to supplement the diet and contain any of the following dietary ingredients:
A vitamin
A mineral
An herb or other botanical (excluding tobacco)
An amino acid
A dietary substance for use by people to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or
A concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any of the above
Furthermore, it must also conform to the following criteria:
It is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid form.
It is not to be represented for use as a conventional food or as the sole item of a meal or diet.
It is labeled as a dietary supplement.
While hormones are not included in the above list, some hormones are labeled as “dietary supplements”.
nutritional value
Dietary supplements are permitted to make structure and/or functional nutritional value claims. These are broad claims that the product can support the structure or function of the body, as in “glucosamine helps support healthy joints”, “the hormone melatonin helps establish normal sleep patterns”. The FDA must be notified of these claims within 30 days of their first use, and there is a requirement that these claims be substantiated.
Keep in mind the possibility of interactions between prescription drugs and nutritional supplement. Just because a product is derived from “natural” or “herbal” sources does not assure its safety.
Many herbal products produce pharmacological side effects. Just because herbal products are available without a prescription, medical advice is necessary because of the adverse effects of these products and the potential for drug interactions.
The bottom line is, in order to protect yourself; it is highly recommended you investigate nutritional supplements and antioxidant nutrition before you start taking them. Make sure plenty of studies have been conducted that show its nutritional value, safety and effectiveness.
antioxidant nutrition
A good rule of thumb is to evaluate whether you are already getting enough of the vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement through your dietary intake, without additional supplementation. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is preferable, if that is a feasible option.
If you recognize you are falling short of recommended daily allowances, ask your physician or nutritionist what supplements and dosages he recommends.
