From Carol & Richard Eustice,
Your Guide to Arthritis.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Follow these tips before buying a dietary supplement:

Be savvy!

Remember: Safety First. Some supplement ingredients, including nutrients and plant components, can be toxic based on their activity in your body. Do not substitute a dietary supplement for a prescription medicine or therapy.

Think twice about chasing the latest headline. Sound health advice is generally based on research over time, not a single study touted by the media. Be wary of results claiming a "quick fix" that depart from scientific research and established dietary guidance.

More may not be better. Some products can be harmful when consumed in high amounts, for a long time, or in combination with certain other substances.

The term "natural" doesn't always mean safe. Do not assume that this term ensures wholesomeness or safety. For some supplements, "natural" ingredients may interact with medicines, be dangerous for people with certain health conditions, or be harmful in high doses. For example, tea made from peppermint leaves is generally considered safe to drink, but peppermint oil (extracted from the leaves) is much more concentrated and can be toxic if used incorrectly.

Is the product worth the money? Resist the pressure to buy a product or treatment "on the spot." Some supplement products may be expensive or may not provide the benefit you expect. For example, excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C and B vitamins, are not used by the body and are eliminated in the urine.

Learn to Spot False Claims. Remember: "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

Some examples of false claims on product labels:

• Quick and effective "cure-all."
• Can treat or cure disease.
• "Totally safe," "all natural," and has "definitely no side effects."
• Limited availability, "no-risk, money-back guarantees," or requires advance payment.

Nutrition Assessment

Think about the following statements adapted from the Nutrition Screening Initiative to talk to your health care provider about your nutritional status and whether taking a dietary supplement(s) is right for you.

• What is this product for?
• What are its intended benefits?
• How, when, and for how long should I take it?
• I currently take a dietary supplement(s).
• I eat fewer than 2 meals a day.
• My diet is restricted (e.g., don't eat dairy, meat, and/or fewer than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables).
• I eat alone most of the time.
• Without wanting to, I have lost or gained more than 10 pounds in the last 6 months.
• I take 3 or more prescription or OTC medicines a day.
• I have 3 or more drinks of alcohol a day.
• Is taking a dietary supplement important to my total diet?
• Are there any precautions or warnings I should know about (e.g., is there an amount or "upper limit" that I should not go above)? Are there any known side effects (e.g., loss of appetite, nausea, headaches, etc.)?
• Are there any dietary supplements I should avoid while taking certain medicines (prescription or OTC) or other supplements?
• If I'm scheduled for elective surgery, should I discontinue use of dietary supplements? If so, when?

Medication and Dietary Supplement Diary

Please provide information to your health care provider about all of the prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications that you frequently take or are currently taking (e.g., aspirin, pain reliever, cold medicine, stool softener, etc.).

To have an accurate record for your health care provider, also list all the supplements you take (e.g., multiple, single, or combination vitamins, minerals, or any botanical supplements) and how often. If you are unsure if a product is a dietary supplement, check to see if there is a Supplement Facts Label on the package.

It is very important that you consider your combined intake from all supplements (including multivitamins, single supplements, and combination products) plus fortified foods, like some cereals and drinks. Excess intakes of some supplements may cause health problems.

Provide this information to your health care provider so he or she can update your records and better respond to your questions.

The Bottom Line

Do not self diagnose any health condition.

Work with your health care providers to determine how best to achieve optimal health.

Check with your health care providers before taking a supplement, especially when combining or substituting them with other foods or medicine.

Some supplements can help you meet your daily requirements for certain nutrients, but others may cause health problems.

Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure disease, or to replace the variety of foods important to a healthful diet.

Related Resources

Dietary Supplements

The Facts Of Dietary Supplements

The Facts Of Botanical Dietary Supplements

_{Source: What Dietary Supplements Are You Taking?, Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH}

Go Back To Part 1 --- About Taking Dietary Supplements --->