With the dietary supplement industry growing quickly, many questions remain about the use of dietary supplements in general, and about the use of particular products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a guide, "Tips for the Savvy Supplement User," to help answer these questions.

FDA points out that using dietary supplements can be a wise choice that provides health benefits. However, there are also circumstances in which these products may be unnecessary or even harmful.

People with chronic health conditions or who are taking medication regularly should check with their doctor before using a supplement. This is because some supplements may interact with prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines. Also, some supplements may cause unwanted effects during surgery.

The FDA also cautions against questionable assumptions, such as:

• "Even if a product doesn't help me, it won't hurt me."
  In high quantities, for a long time, or in combination with other substances, all chemicals can be toxic.

• "The term ‘natural’ means the product is healthful and safe."
  The term "natural" is not well-defined and is sometimes used to imply unsubstantiated benefits or safety. As above, any chemical - whether natural or not - can carry unintended risks.

• "A product is safe if there is no cautionary information on the label."
  Because these products are not strictly regulated like drugs are, manufacturers are not required to list potential adverse effects on the labels.

• "A recall of a harmful product guarantees that all such products will be immediately and completely removed from the marketplace."
  Since product recalls of dietary supplements are voluntary, a recall does not guarantee that all harmful products have been removed from stores.

Savvy consumers will contact manufacturers for more information about specific products, including any scientific studies that back up the claims being made and safety data.

Related information Nutrition channel - Vitamin and mineral supplements

Source:  Food & Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. Tips for the savvy supplement user: making informed decisions and evaluating information. January 2002.