“Dietary supplement”refers to a broad category of products that can support good health and supplement the diet. In fact, Dietary supplements are not medicines, nor should they be considered as a substitute for food. The ingredients of dietary supplement can be one or a combination of any of the following:
For hundreds of years, some herbal and mineral compounds have been used to treat health conditions, but today, dietary supplement manufacturers are not legally allowed to claim their products can cure, treat or prevent diseases. They can only say their products support health or contribute to well-being.
Congress doesn't regulate Dietary supplements the same way it regulates medicines. Except for new dietary ingredients, dietary supplement manufacturers do not have to prove to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that a product is safe or effective. Medicines are required to meet USP standards to help ensure product consistency across multiple manufacturers, but it is voluntary for Dietary supplements.
Dietary supplements are widely available in health food stores, drug stores, grocery stores, fitness centers and online, and they come in many forms including: capsules, soft gels, tablets, bottles of liquid, powders and gummies.
