Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know
Whether you’re visiting the drug store, grocery or natural food shop you’ll likely find an aisle where there are jars and bottles of things for you to put in your body that are neither foods nor medicines. The majority of adults in the United States take one or more dietary supplements either every day or occasionally. Some of them are backed by solid research, others are folk remedies or proprietary cures. If your diet does not include enough of certain vitamins or minerals, a supplement may be a good idea.
Today’s dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbals and botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other products. Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms: traditional tablets, capsules, and powers, as well as drinks and energy bars. Popular supplements include vitamins D and E; minerals like calcium and iron; herbs such as echinacea and garlic; and specialty products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils.