Dietary Supplement – why so important?

Dietary supplement is a term that is familiar to almost everyone now. The examples of dietary supplement products that are sold in the US market nowadays are supplements like bottled herbs, or vitamins and minerals in various doses. Many of these dietary supplements guarantee results like relieving pain, or energizing your body. You can purchase supplements that contain separate vitamins or minerals, or some kind of mix of vitamins and minerals.

Dietary Supplement – what is it?

Dietary supplement term usually indicates products made of one or more of the fundamental nutrients, for example vitamins, minerals, and proteins. According to DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act), dietary supplement is, with some exceptions, any product intended for ingestion as a supplement to the diet. Examples are vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, metabolites, etc.

Dietary Supplement – the usage.

Many people nowadays use some type of dietary supplement. According to many health organizations, surveys show that more than half of the US adult population uses these products. In 1996 alone, consumers spent more than $6.5 billion on dietary supplements, according to Packaged Facts Inc., a market research firm in New York City.

Dietary supplement or supplements can be found in many forms. The examples are tablets, soft gels, gel caps, capsules, powders, liquids, etc. A lot of dietary supplements do not require any prescription. You can purchase them in health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, or through mail or Internet.

Dietary Supplement – be careful.

You always have to be careful when purchasing some type of dietary supplement. Read the label carefully, look at the ingredients. You should also consult with your doctor to check if some dietary supplement is right for you. Try a well designed diet before you turn to dietary supplements.