This document discusses supplements, herbs, and vitamins. It notes that pregnant or nursing women can benefit from supplements like folic acid, iron, and prenatal vitamins. Adults over 50 may benefit from vitamin D to support bone and fall health. Some people with conditions like allergies or food intolerance can benefit from supplements. However, most healthy people get enough vitamins and minerals from food. Supplements can interact with medications and too much of some vitamins can cause harm. It's important to check with a doctor before taking supplements and to follow dosage guidelines on labels.

1. Supplements, herbs
and vitamins
AUDREY ROLLER
HW499
10NOV2018

2. Is more better?

3. Why are they great?
• Women who are pregnant or nursing can receive folic acid,
Iron and a prenatal vitamin – which helps promote fetal
growth and support a healthy pregnancy
• Adults over 50 can take vitamin D to help support healthy
bones and reduce fall risk.
• People who suffer from conditions such as allergies, food
intolerance or diarrhea can benefit from using supplements to
replace what they might now absorb through foods.

4. Should I take one?
People in general good health can receive vitamins and minerals
through nutrient rich diet.
• Always talk to your doctor first- They can cause harmful effects if
taken with some medications
• Check the label – avoid taking too much! Taking more than the
recommended daily values can increase your risk of side effects.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps a list of
supplements that are are recalled, being reviewed or unsafe BUT
the FDA doesn't regulate or have a hand in vitamin and
supplement contents or claims to the same degree as it does
regular medications.

5. What are the risks?
• Serving size is determined by
manufacturer but might now
be appropriate for you.
• Some supplements interact
with medications or other
medicines with adverse
effects
• READ THE LABEL - ingredients
found in supplements are
being added to foods; you
may be getting more of these
ingredients than you know
• Too much vitamin A can cause
headaches and liver damage,
reduce bone strength, and
cause birth defects. Excess
iron causes nausea and
vomiting and may damage the
liver and other organs.

6. Nutrient rich foods..better

7. Important resources on
Supplements
• The NIH Office of Dietary
Supplements – has a fact
sheet for Vitamins and
Mineral Supplements
• Medline Plus – a trusted
health information tool
sponsored by US Library of
Medicine
• Food and Drug Administration
(FDA)- regulates both finished
dietary supplement products
and dietary ingredients.

8. Always check quality
• If you are wanting to take a supplement always know what
you are putting in your body!
• FDA has established good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for
dietary supplements to help ensure their identity, purity,
strength, and contents
• “NATURAL” – does not always mean safe! A supplement’s
safety depends on many things, such as its chemical makeup,
how it works in the body, how it is prepared, and the dose
used. (Dietary, 2018)

9. Before taking a dietary supplement,
ask yourself these questions:
• What are the potential health benefits of this dietary
supplement product?
• What are its potential benefits for me?
• Does this product have any safety risks?
• What is the proper dose to take?
• How, when, and for how long should I take it?

10. References
• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2018, September 09). Dietary
Supplements. Retrieved from
https://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/default.htm
• Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. (2018, November). Retrieved
from https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx
• Mayo Clinic. (2017, October 25). Supplements: Nutrition in a pill? Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-
depth/supplements/art-20044894?pg=1
• National Institute of Health. (2018). Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact
Sheets. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-VitaminsMinerals/
• US National Library of Medicine. (2015, April 28). Drugs, Herbs and Supplements.
Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html