FAQ's

What is a dietary supplement?

Dietary supplements are substances you can use to add nutrients to your diet or reduce the risk of health problems such as osteoporosis or arthritis. They may contain vitamins, minerals, fibre, amino acids, herbs or other plants or enzymes. Usually, you do not need a doctor's prescription to buy nutritional supplements. Maximum supplements are available over the counter.

Should I take a dietary supplement?

Eating various healthy foods is the best way to get your nutrition. However, some people do not get enough vitamins and minerals from their daily diet. In that case, their physician or dietitian recommends a dietary supplement to provide the missing nutrients when it occurs.

I am thinking of starting a dietary supplement; what care should I take to choosing a supplement?

Consult your doctor before taking nutritional/dietary supplements to treat any health condition. Learn how medicines can interact with dietary supplements. Buy wisely; Test the science. Ensure that any claims about nutritional supplements should be supported by scientific evidence.

Should I take a supplement as an older person?

People over age 50 may need more vitamins and minerals than younger adults. Your doctor or a dietitian can tell you whether you need to change your diet or dietary supplement to get enough of your nutrition.

Are dietary supplements safe?

U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF International, ConsumerLab.com, and the Natural Products Association, have their own "seals of approval" for dietary supplements. To earn such a seal, the products must be manufactured following good manufacturing practices. Which are listed on the label, and there are no levels of harmful ingredients like lead, arsenic etc., that are not included there.

What should be the basic information on the dietary supplement label?

Products sold as dietary supplements come with a Supplement Facts label that lists the active ingredients, the amount per serving (dose), and other components, such as fillers, binders, and flavourings. The manufacturer suggests the serving size, but your healthcare provider might decide a different amount is more appropriate for you.

How effective are dietary supplements?

Dietary supplements can help you get adequate essential nutrients if you don't eat a nutritious variety of foods. However, supplements can't take the place of the type of foods that are important to a healthy diet.

What are the safety and risks of a dietary supplement?

Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have substantial effects on the body. Always be alert to 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 instead of prescribed medicines or take many different accessories.

How do I determine the quality of a dietary supplement?

The FDA has established good manufacturing practices (GMPs) that companies must follow to help ensure the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their dietary supplements. These GMPs can prevent adding the wrong ingredient (or too much or too little of the correct ingredient) and reduce the chance of contamination or improper packaging and labelling of a product. The FDA periodically inspects facilities that manufacture supplements.

How long will it take for your supplement to work?

It depends on how severe your deficiency is in your body. The greater your vitamin or nutritional deficiency, the faster you notice a difference when taking supplements. However, it takes about four to six weeks to see significant changes in most cases.

Finally, it is still essential to follow a healthy lifestyle whether you take dietary supplements. Try to follow a nutritious diet, stay physically active, keep your mind busy, don't smoke, and regularly check your health with your family doctor.