Supplement tablets, or dietary supplements, aid in boosting vitamins, minerals, protein, and other nutrients that may be lacking in one’s diet. Most foods do not contain the necessary daily amount of vitamins and minerals a human body requires to stay healthy, thus supplement tablets may be taken to fulfill these dietary needs. Supplement tablets also refer to other substances such as fibers, herbs, and other botanicals that may supplement one’s diet. The type of supplement tablets needed varies from person to person.
There are literally thousands of supplement tablets available. May of these, however, have not been approved by the FDA, and there is much debate about the advantage of consuming some of these homeopathic, or naturally occurring, remedies. Mixing these drugs with prescribed or over-the-counter medicines may have unforeseen, adverse reactions. These natural supplements may also fail to treat or prevent the diseases they claim to cure, as they tend to affect each individual differently.
Not all supplement tablets are naturally derived. Although they were once classified as drugs, synthetically manufactured substances like melatonin are now classified as supplements because they aid in melanin deficiency by increasing the naturally-occurring amount found in the body. Many of these synthetic supplements have generally not been proven to fight and cure disease.
Even though a daily multivitamin provides adequate nutritional supplements, an individual might not require all of the vitamins and minerals included in the tablet. When deciding which supplement tablets are best, it is a good idea to consult a physician to determine which vitamins or minerals are lacking in a regular diet. Some supplement tablets may adversely affect persons suffering from chronic illness or those currently taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Females who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take any supplements without first consulting a doctor, as they could directly affect the baby. People under the age of 18 or over age 65 and older should also consult a physician prior to taking any sort of supplement.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was passed in 1994, giving the government little control over what is available in the supplement market. The act defines supplements as a category that falls between food additives and drugs. Supplements are therefore not subjected to the rigorous requirements and testing of other drugs. As a result, many supplements that assure health benefits have probably not been tested like other drugs for safety, potency, and efficacy.
