Be Careful Which Supplements You Take

Getty Images

I recently wrote a quiz that asked, “How useful are supplements?” According to the Food and Drug Administration, the answer seems to be: not very.

Here are some takeaways from their latest initiative →

Be Careful Which Supplements You Take

In late May, the F.D.A. published “Supplement Your Knowledge,” an “education initiative,” which lays out the pros and cons of supplements and how they are monitored.

They point out that dietary supplements fall under the category of food, not medication — and stress that any substance claiming to treat, diagnose, prevent, mitigate or cure disease is a drug, not a supplement.

Read the full “Supplement Your Knowledge” campaign here.

Be Careful Which Supplements You Take

Getty Images

The F.D.A. does not keep lists of dietary supplement products and often is unaware when new ones come on the market.

Companies are expected to police their own products and report any problems to the F.D.A.

Be Careful Which Supplements You Take

Some supplements can also interact with medications, the F.D.A. notes. For instance:

Ginkgo biloba and vitamin E can thin the blood and cause internal bleeding or stroke.
St. John’s wort can affect medications for heart disease, cancer, HIV, depression, seizures and birth control.
Some antioxidants can reduce the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy.

Be Careful Which Supplements You Take

Getty Images

If you have an adverse reaction to a supplement — itching, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, blood in the urine, shortness of breath or cognitive changes — report it to the F.D.A. immediately.

Reports can be filed here.

Be Careful Which Supplements You Take

Getty Images

In most cases, a healthy diet (plenty of fruits and veggies, meats and other proteins), regular cancer screenings and exercise far outperform supplements.

If you are curious about taking a supplement, talk to your doctor first.

Read more about dietary supplements and health claims: