What You Need to Know About Herbs/Supplements

What are dietary supplements?

Dietary supplements are products that people add to their diets. They include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids, but they can also be pills, liquids, or powders.

By law, companies that make these products cannot claim they prevent, treat, or cure disease. For example, a product cannot claim that it can "cure cancer" or "help you lose weight."

Can dietary supplements be taken instead of eating certain foods?

The short answer is no. You shouldn't take supplements instead of eating healthy foods. However, some dietary supplements may help some people get enough essential nutrients to improve their diets and be in their best health.

If you are having surgery, taking other supplements or medicines, or have health problems dietary supplements may be harmful.

Should I check with my doctor before using a supplement?

Yes, dietary supplements should not be used instead of prescription medicine. If you have health problems and take these products, you may put yourself at risk.

Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you:

• are pregnant or nursing a baby
• take other supplements or medicines
• are having surgery
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have any other health problems

Is it safe to take dietary supplements with other medicines?

Always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you take any dietary supplement. These products may have risks. They could be harmful or life-threatening if:

• You are also taking other dietary supplements
• You are also taking other prescription or over-the-counter medicines
• You use them instead of medicine that your doctor prescribes

How are dietary supplements regulated?

Dietary Supplement regulations are similar to food regulations. This means that the FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold. Also, the FDA can only take action against products that are not safe or products that make false claims after they are for sale.

Where can I learn more about a certain product?

You can reach out to the company that makes the product, and it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

A 5-HTP Acai Alfalfa Aloe Aloe Vera Aristolochic Acids Asian Ginseng Astragalus B Bacillus Coagulans Belladonna Beta-carotene Bifidobacteria Bilberry Bilberry Biotin Bitter Orange Black Cohosh Black psyllium Black tea Bladderwrack Blessed thistle Blond psyllium Blue-green algae Blueberry Boron Bromelain Butterbur C Calcium Calcium Calendula Cancell/Cantron/Protocel Cassia cinnamon Cat's Claw Chamomile Chasteberry Chondroitin sulfate Chromium Cinnamon Clove Coenzyme Q-10 Colloidal Silver Cranberry Creatine D Dandelion Devil's claw DHEA Dong quai E Echinacea Ephedra Essiac/Flor Essence Eucalyptus European Elder European Mistletoe Evening Primrose Oil F Fenugreek Feverfew Fish oil Flaxseed Flaxseed oil Folate Folic acid G Garlic Ginger Ginkgo Ginseng, American Ginseng, Panax Ginseng, Siberian Glucosamine hydrochloride Glucosamine sulfate Goldenseal Grape Seed Extract Green Tea

H  Hawthorn Hoodia Horse Chestnut Horsetail Hydrazine Sulfate IJK Iodine Iron Kava L L-arginine Lactobacillus Laetrile/Amygdalin  Lavender Licorice Licorice Root Lycium Lycopene MNO Magnesium Manganese Melatonin Milk Thistle Mistletoe Extracts  Niacin and niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Noni Oral Probiotics P Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) Passionflower PC-SPES  Pennyroyal Peppermint Oil Phosphate salts Pomegranate Propolis Pycnogenol Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) R Red Clover Red Yeast Red Yeast Rice Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Roman Chamomile S S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) Saccharomyces Boulardii Sage SAMe Saw Palmetto Selected Vegetables/Sun's Soup Selenium Senna Shark cartilage Soy St. John's Wort T Tea Tree Oil Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Thunder God Vine Turmeric V Valerian Vitamin A Vitamin A Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 Vitamin B6 Vitamin C Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Vitamin D Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin E Vitamin K WXYZ Wild yam Yohimbe Zinc

 

SOURCE: Medline Plus