Even when it comes to common vitamins, scientists still have a lot to learn. A recent study found unexpected evidence about vitamin E. Earlier studies have suggested that men who take vitamin E supplements may have a lower risk of prostate cancer. "But to our surprise, a large NIH-funded clinical trial of more than 29,000 men found that taking vitamin E supplements actually raised - rather than reduced - their risk of developing the disease," said Dr. Paul M.Coates, director of the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health. . That's why it's important to conduct clinical studies on health supplements to confirm their effects.

Because supplements are regulated as foods rather than drugs, the FDA does not evaluate the quality of supplements or assess their effects on the body. If a product is found to be unsafe after it is marketed, the FDA can restrict or ban its use.

Manufacturers are also responsible for the purity of their products, and they must accurately list the ingredients and their content. But no regulatory body can ensure that the label matches the contents of the bottle. You may get less, and sometimes even more, of the listed ingredients. It may not even list all the ingredients.

Some independent organizations perform quality tests on supplements and provide a seal of approval. This does not guarantee that the product is effective or safe; It simply ensures that the product is made properly and contains the listed ingredients.

"The products sold in stores across the country and online should be fine," Coates said. . "According to the FDA, the supplement products most likely to be contaminated with pharmaceutical ingredients are herbs used for weight loss, sexual enhancement, or athletic performance."

Make it easier to find reliable information, the national institutes of health in ods. Od. NIH. Gov/factsheets/list - all on/about dietary supplements profiles is introduced. The National Institutes of Health also recently launched an online database of dietary supplement labels. This free database lets you look up the ingredients of thousands of dietary supplements. It includes information on the label about dosage, health claims and precautions.

For more personalized, instant information on dietary supplements, check out the National Institutes of Health's free update app for your smartphone or tablet: My Dietary Supplements (MyDS).

The MyDS app provides up-to-date supplement information and lets you keep track of the vitamins, minerals, herbs and other products you take. You can even track the supplements your parents, spouse, or children take.

"Deciding whether or not to take dietary supplements and which ones to take is a serious matter," Coates said. "First understand their potential benefits and any risks that may come with them. Talk to your healthcare provider about products of interest and decide together what is best for your overall health."