Dietary supplements are products intended to add to or supplement the diet and are different from conventional food
. They come in various forms, such as tablets, capsules, soft gels, gel caps, powders, bars, gummies, and liquids
. Some common dietary supplements include:
- Vitamins (e.g., multivitamins or individual vitamins like vitamin D and biotin)
- Minerals (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and iron)
- Botanicals or herbs (e.g., echinacea and ginger)
- Botanical compounds (e.g., caffeine and curcumin)
- Amino acids (e.g., tryptophan and glutamine)
- Live microbials (commonly referred to as "probiotics")
Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases
. They do not have the same strict safety and effectiveness requirements as medicines, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) treats them more like special foods
. Dietary supplements can play an important role in health, but it is essential to use them safely and appropriately
