Nutritional supplements are a combination of vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes that come in various forms such as tablets, capsules, soft capsules, gel capsules, powders, and liquids. It is important to note that any ingredients not listed on the supplement information panel should be included in the list of other ingredients. Manufacturers must also provide safety information to the FDA if they intend to market a dietary supplement containing a new dietary ingredient. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) requires that labels include the name of the product and a statement indicating it is a dietary supplement. The label should also list all dietary ingredients and their sources, as well as the amount of each ingredient per serving.
In addition to this, there are no laws or regulations that limit the serving size of a dietary supplement or the amount of a dietary ingredient that a serving of a dietary supplement can contain. In some cases, supplements may be necessary to meet nutritional needs. However, it is important to be aware of potential risks associated with taking supplements such as allergic reactions, increased blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats. Furthermore, some supplements may contain artificial colors, flavors, and additives which can be of low quality. The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) is primarily responsible for regulating dietary supplements. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements provides fact sheets and other resources to help people understand more about dietary supplements and their ingredients.
