Supplement

Supplements are products intended to supplement the diet when taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid. Supplements can provide nutrients either extracted from food sources or synthetic, individually or in combination, in order to increase the quantity of their consumption. The class of nutrient compounds includes vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids and amino acids.

Types of Supplements

Supplements come in various forms including:

• Vitamin supplements
• Mineral supplements
• Herbal supplements
• Amino acid supplements
• Dietary supplements

Regulation

In many countries, including the United States, dietary supplements are not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe before they are marketed.

Health Effects

The health effects of supplements can vary widely. They can provide health benefits for people who are not getting enough nutrients from their diet. However, high doses of some vitamins and minerals can cause harm.

See Also

• Vitamin
• Mineral
• Herbalism
• Amino acid
• Dietary supplement

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