a dietary supplement
April 30, 2021The use of a dietary supplement has become more popular over the last few years. These products can be taken once a day in place of food, in addition to using a healthy diet and exercise routine. There are many different types of these supplements available today. Some of them are in pill form, while others are in a chewable type. These products do not have to be a cure all but can be used to compliment a healthy lifestyle.
The first question one might ask regarding the use of a dietary supplement would be, “What exactly is a dietary supplement?” A dietary supplement is a commercially manufactured product meant to supplement one’s daily diet by taking a capsule, pill, tablet, liquid or powder form. A dietary supplement can contain a variety of different nutrients both natural and man made to increase the amount of the daily intake. Many manufacturers distribute their products through the mail or via the internet. Some manufacturers distributors are not accessible via the internet, which makes ordering these products online a little more difficult.
There are a few different styles of dietary supplements on the market. One style is a multivitamin/mineral supplement. Other styles are liquid multivitamins, concentrated multivitamins, herbal supplements, vegetarian multivitamins and a host of other different vitamin and mineral formulas.
As with all pharmaceuticals and medications, dietary supplements can pose some risk for those who take them. A person should consult with their medical healthcare providers before taking any nutritional supplement. It is always important to consult with one’s healthcare providers before taking any medication, whether it is dietary supplements or medications. Certain types of medication can interact with other medicines and medications can interact with dietary supplements. Consulting with one’s medical healthcare providers about the potential interactions between a dietary supplement and a pharmaceutical or other medication can be extremely helpful.
The manufacturing standards for dietary supplements are constantly being developed and improved. Dietary supplements are manufactured in bulk amounts to minimize waste and to reduce manufacturing costs. Often dietary supplements are marketed as “low-cost” or “cheap.” These claims are misleading because although they may be priced lower than pharmaceutical medicines, the amount of the ingredients does not necessarily compare. Most dietary supplements are marketed towards individuals with poor nutritional histories, for individuals who are unable to purchase health insurance, or for individuals who are unable to seek medical attention for one reason or another.
When a dietary supplement company releases a new dietary ingredient, they must submit the same to the FDA for review. The requirements for new ingredients include; the strength of the nutrient, if there is a possibility of the nutrient having a negative effect on a health condition or disease already present, and a complete list of all of the nutrients that will be included in the supplement. The FDA performs random inspections of dietary supplement products to ensure that the product is consistently manufactured according to the label and packaging. A dietary supplement may also be subjected to a third party independent audit to ensure that the product’s composition and purity are conformed to and consistent with the label. If a product is found to contain a new dietary ingredient that is found to be dangerous or potentially harmful the product can be immediately removed from the market and all distributors and manufacturers are required to stop selling the product.