The Federal Trade Commission investigates reports of ads that might misrepresent what dietary supplements do. A few private groups, such as the U. Try sticking to a healthy diet, being physically active, keeping your mind active, not smoking, and seeing your doctor regularly.
Read about this topic in Spanish. MedlinePlus National Library of Medicine www. Dietary Guidelines for Americans DietaryGuidelines usda. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Shopping for Food That's Good for You. Dietary Supplements for Older Adults. On this page: What is a dietary supplement? When they first became available in the s, people flocked to local drug stores to stock up on these supposedly magical pills to improve their overall health and well-being — and they never stopped. Dietary supplement recommendations can be found everywhere — on commercials, through social media influencers, and from your neighbors, friends, and family.
Amidst the noise, it can be hard to know which supplement — if any — is right for you. They contain at least one dietary ingredient, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids or enzymes. Some of the most popular supplements come in a multivitamin which can help you avoid taking a dozen pills each day , but they can also be purchased as a standalone supplement.
The simplest common denominator? Before you take any supplements for disease prevention, it's important to know whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks. To make that conclusion, you need to look at the results of well-designed studies. A recent randomized trial in men suggested multivitamins have possible benefits for cancer prevention.
For many of the other popular supplements, including vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, results from randomized controlled trials should be available within the next five years, according to Dr. Until then, be judicious about your use of supplements. If you're lacking in a particular nutrient, ask your doctor whether you need to look beyond your diet to make up for what you're missing—but don't take more than the recommended daily intake for that nutrient unless your health care provider advises it.
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Recent Blog Articles. Have a question? Many adults and children in the United States take one or more vitamins or other dietary supplements. In addition to vitamins, dietary supplements can contain minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids , enzymes, and many other ingredients.
Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies, and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars. Popular supplements include vitamins D and B12; minerals like calcium and iron; herbs such as echinacea and garlic; and products like glucosamine , probiotics, and fish oils. Products sold as dietary supplements come with a Supplement Facts label that lists the active ingredients, the amount per serving dose , as well as other ingredients, such as fillers, binders, and flavorings.
The manufacturer suggests the serving size, but your healthcare provider might decide a different amount is more appropriate for you. To learn more about what makes a healthy diet, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate are good sources of information. Some dietary supplements can improve overall health and help manage some health conditions. For example:. Many other supplements need more study to determine if they have value.
The U. Food and Drug Administration FDA does not determine whether dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed. Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Always be alert to the possibility of a bad reaction, especially when taking a new product.
You are most likely to have side effects from dietary supplements if you take them at high doses or instead of prescribed medicines, or if you take many different supplements. Some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or, if taken before surgery, can change your response to anesthesia.
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