Dietary supplements are manufactured products containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other ingredients that are meant to supplement your diet. They can be in the form of pills, capsules, tablets, powder, or liquids and can provide your body with nutrients obtained from foods or synthetic sources. These products can help you live a healthier lifestyle and may help you avoid developing certain health conditions. Read on to learn more about supplements and how they can benefit you.
Dietary supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other products
Many people in the U.S. take dietary supplements for a variety of reasons. These products include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other ingredients. They come in many forms and are marketed as easy ways to boost your health. Vitamins are essential nutrients that aid in regulating vital metabolic functions. Vitamins are classified into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body, while water-soluble vitamins are not. Inorganic minerals, on the other hand, are essential to certain bodily functions.
Dietary supplements are products that add essential nutrients to your diet. These products may be herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other substances. Dietary supplements may come in powders, energy bars, or drinks. They aren’t drugs and don’t have to go through the same drug testing as prescription medicines. However, some of them may have important roles in maintaining health. For example, vitamin D and calcium are essential for strong bones. Similarly, folic acid can prevent certain birth defects.
They must be labeled as such
To comply with the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations on supplement labeling, manufacturers must provide clear and concise information about the ingredients and dosage of their products. The Supplement Facts panel must also contain the serving size of the supplement and the amount of the product per container. This panel should be set off from other print by bold and larger type. The Supplement Facts panel must be legible and easily readable. The text on the label must be in black lettering and use both upper and lower case.
In addition to health claims, supplements may also make structure/form claims. These claims describe how a substance helps maintain the structure and function of the body. While these claims do not need FDA approval, it may be worth checking if the supplement you’re purchasing is compliant. Other claims are allowed, however, including general well-being claims that refer to the supplement’s ability to help you with specific conditions.
They must not contain chemical compounds
European Union regulations require food business operators to comply with strict guidelines governing the use of chemicals in food supplements. The Food Safety Directive 2002/46/EC harmonizes the use of specific vitamins and minerals in food supplements. These products may only contain vitamins and minerals listed in Annex I. To include new chemical compounds in food supplements, operators must apply for approval from the European Commission. For more information, see the European Commission website.
They carry unsubstantiated health claims
A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals struck down the FDA’s dietary supplement regulatory scheme. The ruling rejected the agency’s position that some health claims cannot be substantiated. While it recognized that some health claims could mislead consumers, it ruled that the regulations were unconstitutionally restrictive, and thereby did not allow manufacturers to make unsubstantiated health claims without clarifying them.
The FDA has warned supplement companies about their use of unsubstantiated health claims. For example, some supplements advertise COVID-19-fighting properties. While this does not necessarily mean that they can treat or prevent the disease, it’s significant that the FDA is concerned about misleading consumers. Many supplements on the market may not be safe for the public. In addition to containing unsubstantiated health claims, the agency has also banned companies from making claims related to preventing COVID-19.
