What is a Dietary Supplement?

Everyone’s heard of natural supplements or have taken a dietary supplement.

Whether you were browsing for a quick fix, something to help you sleep better, or a pill that can help you lose weight, you’ve probably seen hundreds of articles talking about natural supplements and their benefits for a specific function.

Your medical practitioner might have prescribed you, and you might have even recommended them to your friends and family. But what is a dietary supplement? And, should you be taking a dietary supplement?

What are Dietary Supplements, Anyway?

Dietary supplements are natural supplements you can take to improve your overall well-being [1].

Although the most common form is a capsule or pill, you can also get natural supplements in other forms like drinks, gelcaps, softgels, and powders. The primary ingredients in these supplements include herbs, amino acids, minerals, enzymes, and vitamins.

Most natural supplements are formulated to include phytochemicals like curcumin, resveratrol, or a botanical complex.

Many people consume dietary supplements to meet the unfulfilled nutritional needs in their diet. In contrast, others buy them to prevent diseases or achieve specific wellness goals.

In fact, there have been many studies suggesting the benefits of taking natural supplements like epicatechins.

Despite the number of studies across the last two decades validating natural supplements, we have to mention that supplements do not help cure diseases or underlying conditions unless specifically claimed and approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Also, FDA doesn’t review dietary supplement products for effectiveness and safety before they are marketed. [2]

So, What is the Legal Definition of Dietary Supplements?

In the US, dietary supplements are products, except tobacco, that intend to supplement the diet with at least one of the following ingredients: mineral, vitamin, herbs, metabolite, amino acid, or any related combination.

Legally, in the US, dietary supplements must be labeled as such and should be recommended for oral administration only. It is also required that they do not contain any chemical compounds perceived as drugs or licensed as biologics. [3]

Are Probiotics Dietary Supplements?

Yes. In the US, probiotics were the third most commonly used dietary supplement after vitamins and minerals, according to the National Health Interview Survey [4].

Probiotics are living microorganisms that help our body with health benefits. These are often found in yogurt and other fermented foods. They improve gut health.

Probiotic dietary supplements impact the immune response of your body. They help your body’s community of microorganisms achieve a healthy balance after getting disturbed.

General Benefits of Dietary Supplements

You can find a range of dietary supplements on the market – from vitamin A to Zinc – and everything else in between. Broadly, we can categorize nutritional supplements into three categories:

General Wellness Support

These are multimineral and multivitamin formulas. Think of probiotics that are good for digestive health. These are often recommended by your gym instructors to complement your fitness plan. They don’t target any health issues, but enhance day-to-day mental and physical well-being.

Various anti-aging supplements help in this endeavor. SirtPRO acts ac as a longevity enhancer. It promotes healthy aging and maintains cellular health.

Illness and Injury Prevention

Dietary supplements are also used as a preventive measure to prevent any health issue. For instance, pregnant women are recommended folate or folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of specific fetal development issues. Botanical Wonder Pill, for example, prevents acne.

Specific Health Objective

Dietary supplements can also be consumed to achieve a specific health objective. For instance, vitamin D and calcium are recommended for bone health.

Similarly, copper, zinc, and zeaxanthin are advised to slow vision loss. C3G Pro, for instance, is good for the heart. MaculoPRO contains vitamins and minerals to support eye health.

Are Dietary Supplements Different From Medicines?

The short answer is yes. We do not recommend taking supplements as substitutes to actual, prescription medicine.

In terms of regulations, dietary supplements don’t need the same safety and effectiveness requirements as medicines. In the US, all medicines, including the over-the-counter ones, must be proven safe and effective. But this is not the case with dietary supplements.

All prescription and non-prescription medicines are regulated by the FDA, but dietary supplements are treated as special foods.

However, it is required by the FDA that supplements do not contain any ingredients that pose a risk of injury or illness when used as suggested on the label or when used normally if there are no directions on the label.

NOTE: Natural supplements are only good if the person is generally healthy or as a preventative nutrient. If you have a condition that demands medical attention, kindly see a medical professional.

Is It Safe To Consume A Dietary Supplement Without Consulting A Doctor?

Although dietary supplements are readily available for sale over the counter at online stores and local pharmacies, it is recommended to check with your doctor to be on the safer side.

This is because some supplements can cause side effects by interacting with other over-the-counter supplements or medicines you might be taking.

Thus, if you are pregnant or nursing, have a health condition, are on medication, and even otherwise, it is highly recommended to consume health supplements only after consulting a health care practitioner.

What Should I Look For Before Buying/Consuming A Dietary Supplement?

The best dietary supplements consist of appropriate labels, including the name and location of the distributor or manufacturer. You might also contact the distributor or manufacturer about:

Additional information to support the product claims.
Additional information establishing the safety and effectiveness of the ingredients used in the product.

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About a Dietary Supplement?

To be on the safer side, it is recommended to ask the right questions to your doctor before consuming a dietary supplement. These include:

Is it safe to consume dietary supplements?
Do I need a dietary supplement?
Are natural dietary supplements safer when compared to their counterparts?
What is the correct dosage for consuming a dietary supplement?
Are multi-vitamins dietary supplements?
Is it safe to consume nutritional supplements if I am nursing or pregnant?
Are dietary supplements safe for children?
Can the dietary supplements I consume interfere with my lab results?
Are there any side effects of dietary supplements?

Wrap Up

Dietary supplements help your body by providing concentrated sources of bioactives that are low or lacking in your daily dietary intakes.

However, it is recommended to be mindful of the kind of supplements you are intaking, any underlying medical conditions, and the safety of the ingredients used.

When taken under the prescription of a doctor or a health professional, dietary supplements can meet your body’s nutritional needs successfully.

References:

[1]: Dwyer JT, Coates PM, Smith MJ. Dietary Supplements: Regulatory Challenges and Research Resources. Nutrients. 2018;10(1):41. Published 2018 Jan 4. doi:10.3390/nu10010041

[2]: What You Need to Know about Dietary Supplements. (2022). Retrieved 18 March 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-dietary-supplements

[3]: Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. (2022). Retrieved 18 March 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements

[4]: Statistics From the National Health Interview Survey (2022). Retrieved 18 March 2022, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/statistics-from-the-national-health-interview-survey