What is dietary supplements?

Dietary Supplements

Why are dietary supplements used?

People use dietary supplements for many health conditions.

Historically, people have used herbal medicines to prevent illness, cure infection, relieve fever, and heal wounds. Herbal medicines have also been used for constipation, to ease pain, and to act as relaxants or stimulants. Research on some herbs and plant products has shown that they may have some of the same effects that conventional medicines do, while others may have no effect or may be harmful.

Researchers have found that some supplements do not help prevent certain health problems. For example, beta-carotene and vitamin E do not lower risk of heart disease or heart attack.

Are dietary supplements safe?

Not all herbs and supplements are safe. If you aren't sure about the safety of a supplement or herb, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian.

Always tell your doctor if you are using a dietary supplement or if you're thinking about combining a supplement with your standard medical treatment. It may not be safe to stop your medical treatment and rely only on a supplement. This is even more important if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

When using dietary supplements, keep these things in mind:

  • They may cause side effects or trigger allergic reactions. They can also interact with prescription and nonprescription medicines or other supplements you might be taking. A side effect or interaction may make other health conditions worse.
  • The way supplements are made may not be standardized. Because of this, how well they work or any side effects they cause may differ among brands or even within different lots of the same brand. The form of supplement that you buy in a store may not be the same as the form used in research.
  • Other than for vitamins and minerals, the long-term effects of most supplements aren't known.

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