Dietary Supplement Safety and the FDA

Do you take any dietary supplements? It seems everywhere you look these days, dietary supplements are being sold. You can find them at your local pharmacy, the neighborhood drugstore, and all over the Internet. There are hundreds of varieties of supplements that do everything from fill nutritional gaps to increase energy and enhance mental and physical capacity. But how do you that the supplements you’re interested in are safe? Let’s take a closer look at the FDA’s role in ensuring supplement safety.

In America, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decides what may and may not be legally called a dietary supplement, and requires that anything being marketed as a dietary supplement be labeled in a particular way, with the word “dietary” or “supplement” clearly included on the packaging. This designation is given to a variety of substances that are ingested orally with the purpose of supplementing the diet. This can include amino acids, botanicals, herbs, vitamins, and minerals that come in the form of capsules, energy bars, drinks, gums, pills, powders, and tablets.

However, just because you see a dietary supplement being sold doesn’t mean that it has earned the approval of the FDA, nor does it mean that it’s safe for you to take. As everyone’s medical history, body chemistry, and dietary needs can vary, so can an individual’s reaction to a particular supplement. For example, a known side effect of taking vitamin E, ginseng, and other supplements can be bleeding. While not everyone who takes these supplements will experience this side effect, people with blood disorders or who may be about to undergo surgery should be especially careful.
 
For these and other reasons, the FDA advises that anyone interested in taking a supplement discuss it with a doctor beforehand.

Also, be sure to buy your dietary supplements from an established and trusted seller. Never buy a supplement that is past its expiration date, or that is contained in packaging that is damaged or looks as though it has been tampered with. And bear in mind that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re skeptical of a claim on a dietary supplement, check with the FDA website or consult with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if a supplement will really do what you hope to achieve.

Dietary supplements can be one tool to help you attain good health. The most important thing to remember is to be safe and wise in your choices when deciding which supplements to take.