About Nutrition Supplement Stores

Nutrition, or dietary, supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same manner as prescription medications. Prescription medications must undergo rigorous studies and human trials before being approved by the FDA for use by consumers; this is not so for nutritional supplements. While the FDA does monitor the safety of nutritional supplements once they are on the market, it is the dietary supplements' manufacturers who are responsible for the safety of the items.

Basics

Shopping at a nutrition supplement store, whether online or down the street, may feel a bit like shopping at a drugstore. One main difference is that in a drugstore, there is a professional---the pharmacist---who knows about the medications you are taking and can answer questions with knowledge and authority.

At the nutrition supplement store, it is difficult to know if the employees are familiar with the supplements they sell, or whether you can rely on the answers they provide to any questions you may have.

Considerations

Do your homework before shopping for nutritional supplements. Read information from reliable sources, such as government, health, alternative and complementary health and universities. Obtaining information solely from a Website or advertisement geared to make a sale may not be inaccurate or represent only part of the story.

When shopping at a nutrition supplement store, ask the clerk or manager about the supplements you are considering for purchase. If you know more than the employee who is answering your questions, consider shopping at another store.

Precautions

Just because dietary supplements are natural substances does not mean they are necessarily good for your health, or that they don't have the potential for adverse reactions. Some nutrition supplements can interact negatively with prescription or over-the-counter medications, or both. Some supplements may be healthy in certain quantities but harmful in others.

For the sake of your best health, the importance of doing homework and shopping in a nutrition supplement store that has trained and educated employees should not be overlooked.

Expert Insight

While it is advisable to discuss with your health-care provider any dietary supplements you are considering, certain groups of people should do so because of the likelihood of increased risk for health problems: pregnant or nursing women; people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease; and children.

Concerns

If you experience an adverse reaction or illness after taking a nutritional supplement, you are encouraged to notify the FDA. You can do so by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088 or via the organization's Website at www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/ucm053074.htm.

References

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Medline Plus

Resources

• Wellness Guide
• Dietary Supplements