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| Dietary Supplements |  Herbal s upplements are a type of dietary supplement that includes herbs, a plant or part of a plant applied because of its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. They my contain flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots. They can be used either singly or in mixtures.
A dietary supplement is a product that gets to our body through the mouth and includes a "dietary ingredient" such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, glandulars, and metabolites necessary for the diet. Dietary supplements are available as extracts or concentrates, and they are in the forms of tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids or powders. Other forms, such as a bar, are also possible. Dietary supplements cannot be used as food or meal.
A great number of herbs is applied because of their beneficial effect on the health. However, they can lead to some health problems. If you see a label on an herbal supplement"natural", it does not mean it can be applied safely or it can lead to any harmful effects. It is important to know that the herbs kava and comfrey can lead to serious liver damage. If you apply supplements incorrectly or in large quantities, they can lead to medical problems and negative effects for health. Pregnant or nursing women should take precautious about using herbal supplements, because they have the same effect on the body as drugs. One should be careful while giving children any herbal supplements. One should be careful while using herbal supplements, because some of them interact with medications in ways that lead to health problems.
In the United States, herbal and other dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods, that’s why they do not have to meet the same standards as drugs and over-the-counter medications.
Dietary supplements were defined in a law passed by Congress in 1994. A dietary supplement is product that includes vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients that are used to supplement the diet.
Dietary supplements should meet the following requirements:
- It should be a product (other than tobacco) that it is used to supplement the diet, which contains vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids. They can be single or combined with other ingredients.
- It is available in the form of tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form.
- It cannot be applied as food or as a diet.
Many herbs and herbal supplements contain the active ingredient(s). The scientists of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) identify these ingredients, analyze products and research the influence of herbs on the body.
Sometimes there is a difference between what it is listed on the label and what it is in the bottle. If you see the word "standardized" on a product label, ypu cannot be sure that it is the product of high quality, because in the United States"standardized" (or "certified" or "verified") are the same words. Some herbal supplements may contain metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, microorganisms, or other substances. Nowadays there are many Web sites selling and promoting herbal supplements on the Internet. The Federal Government does not approve their appearance and work, because their statements are often deceptive to consumers.
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