The manufacturer of a dietary supplement does not have to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a product before marketing.
Many men take dietary supplements to feel good and health care. With so many dietary supplements available and so many messages about its health benefits, how can a consumer know what is safe and effective? This fact sheet provides an overview of dietary supplements discusses safety considerations and suggests sources for additional information.
If you are considering taking a dietary supplement, first find out about this product on reliable sources of information. Please be aware that dietary supplements can interact with medications or other dietary supplements that may also contain ingredients that are not mentioned on the label.
Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplement. An herb is a plant or part of a plant (such as leaves, flowers or seeds) used for its flavor, aroma and therapeutic properties. The term “botanical product” is often used synonymously with “grass.” An herbal supplement may contain a single herb or a mixture of them.
Research has shown that some uses of dietary supplements are effective to prevent or treat disease. For example, scientists have discovered that folic acid (a vitamin) prevents certain birth defects, while a regimen of vitamins and zinc can slow the progression of macular degeneration associated with age. In addition, supplements of calcium and vitamin D may be useful for preventing and treating bone loss and osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissue).
Research has also been some promising results suggesting that other dietary supplements could be used for various health conditions (for example, omega-3 fatty acids for heart disease), but in most cases, more studies are needed research to reach definitive conclusions.
It is important that consumers seek reliable sources of information about dietary supplements so they can check what the manufacturer claims about a product. The most reliable information about dietary supplements is based on the results of rigorous scientific evidence.
For reliable information about a specific dietary supplement:
* Check with health professionals who care. Although they do not know a dietary supplement in particular, are likely to have access to the latest medical documentation about its uses and risks.
* Look for the determinations of the scientific research of dietary supplement. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM, for its acronym in English) and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS, for its acronym in English) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH, for its acronym in English) and other federal agencies offer free publications, information centers and Web sites.
Keep in mind that while many dietary supplements (and some prescription drugs) come from natural sources, “natural” does not always mean “safe.” For example, the herbs kava and comfrey can cause serious liver damage. Moreover, the fact that a manufacturer uses the term “standardized” (“verified” or “certified”) does not necessarily guarantee the quality and uniformity of the product.
You should know that an herbal supplement may contain dozens of compounds that may be unaware of their active ingredients. Researchers are studying many of these products to identify the active ingredients and understand their effects on the body. It is also possible that the label does not report on the actual content of the bottle. Sometimes the analysis of dietary supplements is differences between the ingredients listed on the label and they really are in the supplement.
For example:
* An herbal supplement may not contain the right species of plants.
* The amount of active ingredient may be higher or lower than stated on the label. That means it will take a greater or lesser amount of supplement you think.
* The dietary supplement may be contaminated with other herbs, pesticides or metals, or even be adulterated with ingredients not listed on the label, as some prescription medication.
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