And antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and beta carotene were seen as promising silver bullets against heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease. Here's the big caveat: many of those exciting supplement studies were observational—they didn't test a particular supplement against a placebo inactive pill in a controlled setting. The results of more stringent randomized controlled trials haven't yielded the same good news.
And when the rigorous evidence is available from randomized controlled trials, often the results are at odds with the findings of the observational studies," explains Dr. Because observational studies may not fully control for dietary factors, exercise habits, and other variables, they can't prove whether the treatment is responsible for the health benefits. Manson says. Some supplements that were found to have health benefits in observational studies turned out, with more rigorous testing, to be not only ineffective but also risky.
Vitamin E, which was initially thought to protect the heart, was later discovered to increase the risk for bleeding strokes. Folic acid and other B vitamins were once believed to prevent heart disease and strokes—until later studies not only didn't confirm that benefit but actually raised concerns that high doses of these nutrients might increase cancer risk.
We need a variety of nutrients each day to stay healthy, including calcium and vitamin D to protect our bones, folic acid to produce and maintain new cells, and vitamin A to preserve a healthy immune system and vision. Yet the source of these nutrients is important. Fruits, vegetables, fish, and other healthy foods contain nutrients and other substances not found in a pill, which work together to keep us healthy. We can't get the same synergistic effect from a supplement.
Taking certain vitamins or minerals in higher-than-recommended doses may even interfere with nutrient absorption or cause side effects. Before you take any supplements for disease prevention, it's important to know whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
The FDA monitors the marketplace for potential illegal products that may be unsafe or make false or misleading claims. The Federal Trade Commission , which monitors product advertising, also requires information about a supplement product to be truthful and not misleading. The federal government can take legal action against companies and websites that sell dietary supplements when the companies make false or deceptive statements about their products, if they promote them as treatments or cures for diseases, or if their products are unsafe.
NIH supports research and provides educational materials on dietary supplements. FDA issues rules and regulations and oversees dietary supplement labeling, marketing, and safety.
Recall notices are also posted on the FDA webpage or you can subscribe to receive FDA notices of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts. FTC regulates health and safety claims made in advertising for dietary supplements. USDA provides information on a variety of food and nutrition topics. HHS provides wellness information, personal health tools, and health news.
This fact sheet by the Office of Dietary Supplements ODS provides information that should not take the place of medical advice. We encourage you to talk to your healthcare providers doctor, registered dietitian, pharmacist, etc. Any mention in this publication of a specific product or service, or recommendation from an organization or professional society, does not represent an endorsement by ODS of that product, service, or expert advice.
Updated: September 3, Find ODS on:. Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding of Dietary Supplements. Health Information Health Information. Disclaimer This fact sheet by the Office of Dietary Supplements ODS provides information that should not take the place of medical advice. Some supplements may contain ingredients not listed on the label , and these ingredients can be unsafe.
Certain products are marketed as dietary supplements and actually contain prescription drugs within them — drugs that are not allowed in dietary supplements.
Read about the potential dangers of weight-loss supplements. Supplements should never be used in place of real food. Vitamins and minerals are essential to helping your body develop and function as it should. Get information on a variety of health conditions, disease prevention, and our services and programs.
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