OncoLink en espanõl
Share
Treatment Options > Complementary Medicine > Overview
Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: January 16, 2008
Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
There is quite a bit of confusion among consumers as to how dietary supplements are “regulated” by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Let’s review the facts about this regulation.
What is a Dietary Supplement (DS)?
The U.S. FDA categorizes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbals, and other botanicals as dietary supplements. Other supplements that fall under the FDA regulations include hormones, such as melatonin, glucosamine, chondroitin, and SAMe. You can tell that an item falls under these regulations because the label will say “Supplement Facts”.
Do many people use DSs?
If sales are any proof, yes. In 2006, Americans spent over 23 billion dollars on dietary supplements. A 2002 survey found that about 40% of participants had used a vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement in the previous month. About 44% of participants who are 40 years of age or older reported using more than one supplement.