Wednesday, September 17, 2008

FDA 101: Dietary Supplements - Things you should know


Read this to learn more about dietary supplements. This is another perfect example of how drugs, prescriptions, and dietary supplements intersect the FDA GMPs (good manufacturing practices). According to the FDA, in "FDA 101: Dietary Supplements," ... "The law defines dietary supplements in part as products taken by mouth that contain a "dietary ingredient." Dietary ingredients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs or botanicals, as well as other substances that can be used to supplement the diet." You might want to be concerned if you have certain health conditions, because in some instances, if you take these products, you may be putting yourself at risk. The article recommends consulting a health professional if this is your situation. The major topics covered are: talk with a healthcare professional; how are supplements regulated; are supplements safe; be a safe and informed consumer.

The FDA is involved because it stipulates some regulations. For example, "in general, FDA's role with a dietary supplement product begins after the product enters the marketplace. That is usually the agency's first opportunity to take action against a product that presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, or that is otherwise adulterated or misbranded."

Additional resources on dietary supplements:
  1. Final Rule Promotes Safe Use of Dietary Supplements - another free consumer-oriented FDA article
  2. The final rule on CGMPs for dietary supplements - available free on the FDA website, these regulations will interest manufacturers
  3. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition (book)
  4. 100 Super Supplements for a Longer Life (Kindle)
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