Dietary Supplements

What Are Dietary Supplements?

Dietary supplements were defined in a law passed by Congress in 1994. A dietary supplement must meet all of the following conditions:

Dietary supplements are products (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that contain one or more of the following: vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, or any combination of these ingredients.
They are intended to be taken in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form.
They are not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal.
They are labeled as being a "dietary supplement."

Other important information about these products includes:

Dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs -- there could be quality issues in the manufacturing process.
They can interact with prescribed or over-the-counter medicines and other supplements.
"Natural" does not necessarily mean "effective" or "safe."
Check with your healthcare provider before starting a dietary supplement, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, or before giving a dietary supplement to a child.