Dietary supplements come in all different forms. Dietary supplements can be what we eat or drink. They can be in pill, capsule, liquid or tablet form. They are not a replacement of foods, but rather an addition to what we already eat. Today, we can find all kinds of supplements at our local grocery store or pharmacy. You can even buy them over the internet if you wish. Dietary supplements consist of an array of vitamins, minerals and herbs. The most commonly used vitamins are vitamin C, B complex, as well as herbs that are to promote better health.
The benefits of taking dietary supplements range from immune system support; Vitamin C is usually a good supplement for those that are fighting a cold. It aids in boosting the immune system. People have also used supplements like calcium and vitamin D to help in bone strengthening. Sometimes calcium is stripped from the bones due to illness or a bad diet. When the body does not regularly receive the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly it robs the body of those that it needs to function properly.
There are risks also involved with taking supplements. Not all are safe, and should be consulted through a doctor before taking them. Some supplements can affect a person if they are taking other prescription medications and can cause adverse side effects. They can trigger unknown allergies as well as make the conditions worse than before. Supplements are unregulated and have to be labeled as such that they do not cure, diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Rather they are said to be useful in health maintenance and well being.
As mentioned earlier, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these supplements or herbs like they can with other medications. All supplements can be sold without extensive research in its effectiveness and how well it works. (WebMD, 2009) It is because of this that how one type of supplement’s results can vary from one manufacturing company to the
References: Mayo Clinic. (March 2012). Nutrition and healthy eating. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d-toxicity/AN02008 WebMD. (2009, June). Dietary Supplements (Herbal Medicines and Natural Products) - Topic Overview. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/dietary-supplements-topic-overview WebMD. (2013). FDA Panel: Long-Used Osteoporosis Drug Too Risky. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/news/20130307/fda-panel-osteoporosis-drug-too-risky