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As of 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) instated the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) as a means to define what dietary supplements are and how they are to be sold. It states that supplements are regulated according to food guidelines, as opposed to drug guidelines.
Since then, requirements have been put in place to ensure a certain degree of safety in the manufacturing and marketing of supplement products. Currently, supplement manufactures are required to report any incidence of adverse effects caused by their products. -
The FDA's classification of supplements as "food" allows manufacturers more leeway than what is afforded the drug manufacturers. The quality of a supplement capsule isn't regulated, which means the dosage listed on a bottle does not have to match what's actually in the capsule.
Currently, there are no standardization guidelines applied in the manufacturing of supplements. However, the FDA is set to pass new rules governing the manufacturing and packaging of supplement products in 2010. The new rules will require accurate package labeling, meaning the dosage on the bottle will have to be in the capsule too. -
Natural supplements pose the least risk in terms of side effects and drug interactions, partly because they don't remain in the body for long periods of time. A doctor's prescription is not required, which makes them cheaper than prescription drugs.
Many natural supplements are used as preventive measures to ward off sickness. Researching the different types of herbs on the market will give you an idea of which ones to work into a preventive dietary plan. -
There are seemingly as many different types of supplements as there are physical ailments. In most cases, a certain amount of research is needed to determine which supplement is best for you. Some of the more common supplement types include:
*Multivitamin formulas for men, women, seniors, and prenatal women
*Bone and joint formulas
*Circulatory enhancing formulas
*Mood enhancement formulas
*PMS and menopausal formulas
*Digestive system formulas
*Cholesterol reducing formulas
FDA regulations prohibit manufacturers from making claims that a supplement can cure or treat a condition. Any label descriptions you find can only state how the product benefits a particular body function. -
When buying supplements, the best way to ensure that the dosages on the bottle match what's in the capsules is to look for a USP Seal of Approval on the bottle. This seal indicates that the product has been tested and meets FDA requirements for packaging.
If you have any type of food allergies, make sure to check the bottle's label for added ingredients. Manufacturers often include additional ingredients in an herbal mix to enhance the dietary effect. Always check the label to be on the safe side.
