Find questions and answers about dietary supplements, including information related to use and safety, purchasing, and regulation.
Review Date: January 30, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Health fraud scams can do more than waste your money. They can cause serious injury or even death. Follow these simple tips to protect yourself against fraudulent health products.
Review Date: March 04, 2013
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found nearly 300 fraudulent products—promoted mainly for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding—that contain hidden or deceptively labeled ingredients. These fraudulent products can cause serious injury or even death.
Review Date: December 18, 2012
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
A botanical is a plant valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent. Learn about herbal products, including dietary supplements, used to maintain or improve health.
Review Date: January 30, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. The body needs calcium to maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Learn how to get the right amount of calcium in your daily diet.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. Learn how CoQ10 has been used, recommended, or studied for numerous conditions.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
This site provides information on Carnitine, a dietary supplement, which is derived from an amino acid, found in nearly all cells of the body. Carnitine plays a critical role in energy production.
Review Date: January 30, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Learn about dietary sources of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food and helps produce and maintain cells. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and added to fortified foods.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
What foods provide iron? What affects iron absorption? Does pregnancy increase the need for iron? Read on to find the answers to these, and other, questions you have about iron.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
People over 50 need more of some vitamins and minerals than younger adults do. Your doctor or a dietitian can tell you whether you need to change your diet or take vitamins or minerals.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH National Institute on Aging Information Center
If you are drinking something that advertises itself as an Energy Drink, you are probably helping yourself to a hefty dose of stimulants. Learn the difference between a sports/electrolyte drink and an "Energy" drink.
Review Date: January 30, 2013
United States Anti-Doping Agency
Learn how to select and use dietary supplements safely. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold, and can only take action against products that are not safe, or products that make false claims, after they are on the market.
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Review Date: January 30, 2013
FDA Office of Women’s Health
This fact sheet discusses the safety of herbal products marketed as "natural" products, the possible side effects of herbal
products and interactions with prescription medicines.
Review Date: January 30, 2013
American Academy of Family Physicians
Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones, which control the body's metabolism. Getting enough iodine is especially important for pregnant women and infants.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplements contain a combination of vitamins and minerals, and sometimes other ingredients as well. Find out the risks, benefits and side effects of taking multivitamin/mineral supplements.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Find research on dietary supplements, including vitamin, mineral, phytochemical, ergogenic, botanical, and herbal supplements in human nutrition and animal models. Learn about clinical trials, health and adverse effects, chinese medicine, and more.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement and a prescription medication. Find out what foods contain B12, and why this vitamin is vital to maintaining good health.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods, including poultry, fish and potatoes. Vitamin B6 is also involved in brain development during pregnancy and infancy as well as immune function. Learn more about vitamin B6 and how it affects your health.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in citrus fruits, and in many other fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C also improves the absorption of iron from plant-based foods and helps the immune system work properly to protect the body from disease.
Review Date: January 30, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
How much Vitamin E do I need? What foods provide Vitamin E? What are some of the effects of Vitamin E on my health? Read on to find the answers to these, and other related questions.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
How much zinc do I need? What foods provide zinc? Is it harmful to the body to have too much zinc? Find out the answers to these, and other questions about zinc.
Review Date: January 29, 2013
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - ODS
