Are Oral Supplements Safe to
Consume?
Dietary supplements are a category of health products that contain concentrated
sources of vitamins, minerals or other substances with a nutritional or physiological
effect. They are marketed as additions to the normal diet and may be sold in pill,
tablet, capsule or liquid form coopservicesinc. The dietary supplement industry is very large and
highly profitable. Many people buy supplements without talking to their doctor,
nurse or pharmacist, and often use the Internet to learn about which products to
take. Be a smart supplement shopper by taking the time to research each product
and manufacturer. Look for noncommercial websites that offer factual information,
not sales pitches.
The FDA does not determine whether a supplement is effective before it is
marketed, and it can only act to remove unsafe supplements from the market once
problems are identified. However, the agency does require manufacturers to list the
contents on the label and accurately report the amounts of each ingredient.
Some supplements have been shown to be effective in clinical trials: calcium and
vitamin D reduce bone loss; folic acid decreases the risk of certain birth defects; and
omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil might help with heart disease. Other supplements
are still under study. For example, a combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc
might slow down further vision loss in some people with age-related macular
degeneration (AMD).
Are oral supplements safe to consume?
While it is not a good idea to take too many oral supplements, for many people,
especially the elderly or those with specific health conditions, it can be difficult to
get all the nutrients they need in their diet. In this case, oral supplements can be
used in moderation and with the advice of a healthcare professional.
Oral nutritional supplements are recommended by a healthcare professional to
ensure that the resident is getting enough nutrition in their diet. However, a
thorough review of the residents’ diet and nutritional needs must be carried out
before they are prescribed any supplements. The review takes into account the
resident’s weight history, oral intake, clinical condition and tolerance of dietary
supplements. The review also considers the type and quantity of supplements that
have been prescribed to date.
Inappropriate use of oral supplements can lead to adverse reactions. For example,
high doses of beta-carotene (which comes in the form of vitamin A) can increase the
risk of some cancers, and it can reach toxic levels in the body. Iron toxicity from
overuse of oral supplements can cause nausea, vomiting and black bowel
movements, and it can decrease blood clotting.
If a resident has a bad reaction to a dietary supplement, they should let their
healthcare provider know. They can then report the problem to the FDA, which may
help other consumers avoid a similar situation.