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Dietary supplements can definitely benefit your body in many ways. Especially for people who work a lot and don't have time to consume the right about meals.

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Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies, and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars

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There are about 8 billion supplements on the market right now and none of them are created equally. A lot of them are just “magical snake oil remedies” and some of them are just a bunch of fillers with no real supplement value. Since it’s not regulated by the FDA and they do not take any proactive measurement to screen each product, you should always be careful about was supplements you take especially over-the-counter supplements. This whole hands-off approach with dietary supplements makes me just that sketchy of them. As much as when people love to put blind faith in multi-billion companies, I don’t. They are always looking for a way to cut costs, even at the consumers' expense.

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An interesting fact I read from the FDA 101 is the many recalled pills due to harmful effects, one of them being, heavy metal contamination. It really caught my eye because I always knew how many dietary supplements don’t do what they really advertise, although I never really thought they had dangerous ingredients such as pesticide and heavy metal.

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I was surprised by one thing in particular about the article. That is that there are possible interaction between certain dietary supplements and medications prescribed by the doctor.

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I thought that taking folic acid supplements by childbearing women reduces the risk of birth defects. As well as how some can be very toxic and can harm your body which can also be deadly if you are not prescribed by a doctor who can tell you what supplements you really need to be taking.

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I thought that it was impossible to overdose on vitamin supplements, but it turns out, I was wrong. It was interesting to note that supplements are not intended to treat disease, yet can be harmful if used improperly. In addition that supplements can contain pesticides, allergens, and improper amounts of a certain dietary ingredient. It's amazing that some people will strongly stand by the use of "natural" supplements over medication when the FDA regulations for supplements are a lot looser.

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A surprising fact that I read from the article was that some supplements can be harmful. Especially when taken before, during, or after surgery. It makes sense as to why they ask you to stop taking supplements at a certain amount of time before surgery.

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After reading the article, I was surprised that the federal law does not require dietary supplements to be proven to the FDA's. I thought all supplements and medication had to be approved for people before start taking the supplement that they need such as vitamins.

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Dietary supplements, although necessary to live a healthy life, cannot be taken in large amounts. The supplements must be planned, and follow a balanced routine.

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Dietary Supplements: a surprising fact I learned

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Dietary Supplements: a surprising fact I learned

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The most surprising/interesting fact I learned was that kava and valerian root act as sedatives and can increase the effects of anesthetics as well as other medications. I also was wholly unaware bleeding can be a side effect of garlic and ginseng. That was a very interesting article. I very much enjoyed it.

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Something I learned after reading the article is how the FDA does not even bother to look into supplements until something bad is wrong with them. That surprised me because that means many of the dietary supplements that are out on the shelves now in reality may be bad for our health while we think they can help our health for the better. Learning that information has made me more cautious about the type of dietary supplements i get and make me want to look at the ingredients and reviews a little more closer.

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Something I learned about the reading was that the FDA doesn't try to get supplements off of the market until after there have been significant reports of adverse reactions. As someone with a family who is easily influenced by social media, this is quite scary. My aunt tells my dad about a tea powder, then he tells his cousins and friends and everyone will buy the supplement within a month. This is extremely scary. I wish more could be done to prevent this.

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After reading the article I think the thing that surprised me the most was learning that dietary supplements are not required to be proven safe by the FDA. This was a little bit of a shock to me since these supplements contain different ingredients that are consumed by the general public. Learning this information makes me wonder how safe are the dietary supplements that are sold in stores.

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The most surprising facts to me that I read in the article were that the FDA really does not come into play with supplements until they are already on the market and that some supplements can actually be toxic for you if taken for large amounts of time. To me I thought the FDA had to approve a product like a supplement before it went on the market and do some kind of testing on it. But now it makes sense why there are commercials for compensation if you have taken or come into contact with a certain product. Lastly, I just had a baby last Wednesday and I was taking the prenatals that my doctor prescribed to me, but I am still taking them... I should probably check with my doctor to make sure that I am not doing anything harmful to my body.

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Something that really surprised me about the FDA 101 Dietary Supplements article is that the Federal law does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before they are marketed. This was a total shock to me. And now I am not so sure about the supplements I take and how safe they are! :(

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I was surprised that dietary supplements don't require to be proven safe by the FDA for them to be marketed to consumers. I understood that they did not require FDA approval to make certain claims, but did not know that their safety was also not required to be submitted. This put a different perspective on marketing claims and makes me wonder what vitamins and/or supplements are actually okay to inject.

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The most surprising fact that was presented in the article was that there's so many unknowns about supplements. It's not required to pass through the FDA before being marketed. It surprising that there aren't more regulations around these products and the producers can make whatever claims they want, even if they aren't true.

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The most interesting fact I read was the supplements can be toxic if we're taking the wrong ones or adding medicine with it. I also assumed most dietary supplements are natural but its good to know that I shouldn't believe the labels at times.

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i used to be a gymnast a while back when i was still in high school, and it did a very good job of giving child me some muscle mass and cutting back fat. i ended up quitting because i broke my arm in an unrelated incident yet i continued to eat as if i was still going strong. as expected i got pretty big and packed on a lot of weight. little ol' me decided to start taking dietary supplements to try to take the easy way out cutting back on food and ended up taking too many too frequently leading to me being glued to a bed for three days straight. point being, if you plan to take any kind of supplement make sure that you first know your medical history, have read all the labels, and if it is going to make any major change consult your doctor about the substances.

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I didn't know that dietary supplements didn't need to be FDA approved. The article has shown me that there are quite a few random workarounds that make these products a little dangerous. I know a lot of people do need them to make up for missing things such as vitamins, minerals, etc. I just hope people are informing themselves on the supplements they take before they take them.

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What I thought was most interesting was the fact that dietary supplement manufacturers do not have to get the FDA's approval before selling or marketing products. The firms must only report serious adverse events to the FDA. Meaning that a product can sell for some time before the adverse effects are even known, especially in terms of those supplements that could have long term effects to our health.

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What I thought was most interesting was the fact that dietary supplement manufacturers do not have to get the FDA's approval before selling or marketing products. The firms must only report serious adverse events to the FDA. Meaning that a product can sell for some time before the adverse effects are even known, especially in terms of those supplements that could have long term effects to our health.

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The most interesting fact that I learned is that one reason for a recall of the dietary supplement is that they release a "supplement" that doesn't even have the ingredient that they are advertising. I knew there were bogus ones out there, but I did not no they'd release a product not even containing the advertised ingredient.

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I found the most interesting fact that federal law doesn't require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before they are marketed. I chose this fact because supplements are put into people's bodies and are ingested in all different forms. It's crazy to me that it is acceptable to put something that may or may not be safe into our bodies.

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The most interesting fact that I learned that is very interesting from the article is that marketers take advantage of people who rely on supplement for profit. Regulation should be impose into a stricter guideline for healthy safety reason!

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The most interesting fact that I learned about supplements was some supplements can be harmful with unwanted side effects. I found this interesting because usually when someone thinks of supplements they wouldn't think of something necessarily harmful. Another fact I did not know was that supplements are needed. After reading this, I would recommend talking to a doctor first before taking supplements that can warrant dangerous side effects. - LAURA TAVAREZ

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Supplements are things we take when our bodies are lacking something. There are tons of different supplements and personally I do not think that they are always needed. You should always talk to a doctor before implementing supplements into your diet, because they could do more harm than good to you.

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The most surprising fact I read from FDA 101: Dietary Supplements was that the law does not require the manufacturer or seller to prove to FDA's satisfaction that the claim is accurate or truthful before it appears on the product. I learned this a few years ago from a friend that was a nursing student, but I didn't realize it was still true. Since hearing it from her, I stopped taking Olly supplements because they essentially just tasted like sugar and I didn't feel any different than I did before taking them. I hope within the coming years this law will change so that there is more regulation to what is on the market.

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Some popular dietary supplements contain amphetamine-like chemical stimulants - even though they're marketed as "natural" botanicals. That's the conclusion of new research published in the journal Drug Testing & Analysis. And this isn't the first study to come to such a conclusion.

What's more, the Food and Drug Administration has known about this mislabeling for two years. But the agency has done nothing to get the products off store shelves or to inform consumers that an amphetamine-like drug that has never been tested in humans is lurking in their "natural" pill bottles.

So how could this keep happening?
The FDA has known that supplements are mislabeled for two years
The truth is that supplements are barely regulated in US. Under current law, supplement manufacturers can make basically any vague health claim about their wares - without needing evidence to back it up. All they're required to do is ensure that what's listed on the label is actually what's in the bottle.

But often they don't even do that, says Pieter Cohen, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and author of the latest study. "What is astounding," he told Vox, "is that manufacturers have not honored the law, nor has the FDA enforced it." An estimated 70 percent of supplement manufacturers don't follow the most basic labeling requirements.

"The FDA's own team found a new drug in multiple supplements two years ago," Cohen adds. "Our study demonstrates that the stimulant is now found in even more supplements, and the FDA has yet to warn the public, much less move aggressively against the manufacturers to eliminate this dangerous new drug from supplements altogether."

Health supplements are only very lightly regulated

Dietary supplements are regulated like foods - not like drugs - under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Pill-makers can basically put whatever claims they want on their bottles, and consumers swallow them up, spending some $33 billion on the pills each year.

Specifically, supplement manufacturers can make three types of health claims:

The label of a dietary supplement or food product may contain one of three types of claims: a health claim, nutrient content claim, or structure/function claim. Health claims describe a relationship between a food, food component, or dietary supplement ingredient, and reducing risk of a disease or health-related condition. Nutrient content claims describe the relative amount of a nutrient or dietary substance in a product. A structure/function claim is a statement describing how a product may affect the organs or systems of the body and it can not mention any specific disease.

To remove a supplement from the market, the FDA first has to prove that it's not safe. This is basically the opposite of how pharmaceuticals are regulated. Drugmakers need to prove their medicines are safe and effective through high-quality scientific studies before they reach consumers.

Sometimes, the regulatory response to flawed supplements is too slow. Researchers have documented that liver damage and failure has been a problem with some supplements. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the weight-loss supplement OxyElite Pro caused nearly 100 people in 16 states to develop hepatitis, leading to liver replacements, hospitalization, and even death.

All told, according to the New York Times, there were 2,292 serious illnesses and 33 deaths related to supplements between June 2009 and June 2011. According to an analysis by Consumer Reports, one-third of the more than 50,000 supplements in the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database have only "some level of safety and effectiveness that is supported by scientific evidence," and 12 percent have been associated with safety or quality concerns.

Congress refuses to crack down on supplement makers

There's another reason for the lax regulation of this industry: Over the past few decades, fierce lobbying efforts by the industry, coupled with work by a few influential lawmakers, have pushed back bills that would bring supplement regulation closer in line with pharmaceutical regulation.

JournalistLynn Stuart Parramore detailed the incredible extent of the conflicts of interest here in a piece for Al Jazeera:

Corporate giants in the supplement industry have maintained their free hand by courting select politicians. The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (yes, there is such a thing) boasts power brokers from both parties, such as Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

Hatch is a hero in Utah County, Utah - a region known as the Silicon Valley of the nutritional supplement industry - for winning a key battle in 1994, when he and Harkin pushed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act through Congress. The law allowed supplement manufacturers to test their products on a voluntary basis before selling them and blocked the FDA from regulating them unless there was evidence of harm. Thanks to the senators' efforts, the U.S. population became guinea pigs.

Hatch's industry ties encompass former aides and family members, including his son, a supplement lobbyist in Washington. The pharmaceutical and health-products industry ranks as Hatch's second-biggest financial supporter.

Unsurprisingly, as Parramore points out, the supplement industry has also invested money to counter any regulatory challenges. In some cases, they have help from Big Pharma. Drug companies such as Pfizer, Bayer, and Procter & Gamble own supplement makers.

But there's a push to crack down on supplements

That said, things don't look impossible for people who want to see reforms. In February, an investigation by the New York attorney general's office found that many supplements being sold at Walgreen, Walmart, GNC, and Target don't actually contain the ingredients listed on their labels. (So ginseng or St. John's wort supplements didn't necessarily contain those ingredients.)

To push the matter along further, 13 attorneys general joined New York's Eric Schneiderman last week, asking Congress to investigate - and consider clamping down on - the US supplements industry. They want to give the FDA more regulatory power.

"When consumers take an herbal supplement," Schneiderman said in the Wall Street Journal, "they should be able to do so with full knowledge of what is in that product and confidence that every precaution was taken to ensure its authenticity and purity."

That crackdown already appears to be making the industry nervous. Last week, the supplement retailer GNC announced that it would go beyond federal requirements and start expanding safety testing for some of its products.

Still, until there's a more robust regulatory process, it has to be buyer beware. "No consumer product should kill you," said Cohen. "With supplements, we accept that it's okay to take these pills, even if they might lead to a heart attack or stroke. To me it's mind-boggling that we accept this."

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How dietary supplements evade regulation - with dangerous results

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Some popular dietary supplements contain amphetamine-like chemical stimulants - even though they're marketed as "natural" botanicals. That's the conclusion of new research published in the journal Drug Testing & Analysis. And this isn't the first study to come to such a conclusion. What's more, the Food and Drug Administration has known about this mislabeling for two years.

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When reading the article, the fact that stuck out to me the most was that supplements do not need to be FDA approved to be put on shelves. I have never really considered the fact that vitamins and other dietary supplements would be under the FDA's approval, but reading that they're not kind of shocked me. The fact that the FDA only really has any control after they are marketed and placed on shelves for consumers seemed strange to me. How do we really know what is really safe to take and beneficial to our health? I myself take a multivitamin and fish oil supplement, but I will definitely be looking more at the ingredients and nutrition labels in future vitamin shopping.

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Supplements seem like they are meant for greatness however they actually aren't the best for you. One would think a vitamin that seems to be good for you would be a good substitute if you are not intaking certain foods. However you still need to be consuming those foods. I for example don't consume as much fiber as I should be so I could take a supplement to help but it wouldn't be as good as eating more foods with fiber. I also didn't realize how many side affects or bad things that could happen by taking or mixing your medications. I will be talking to my doctor to determine what supplements may benefit me if any.

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When reading this article, the most interesting fact to me that I found out was that the supplements that are put out into the market, do not have to be FDA approved before they are sold! I personally feel as though this is something that I should be paying more attention to, as I do take certain vitamins myself. Another thought that crosses my mind when reading that these vitamins are being put out onto the market without FDA approval is, what is actually in them? I will certainly be paying more attention when I am vitamin shopping, or simply just trying to incorporate more vitamin rich foods!

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The most surprising fact I read from the assigned article is that some supplements can have adverse effects before, during or after surgery. I had no idea that a supplement could cause bleeding or increase the effects of anesthetics. I will make sure to tell all my doctors now if I am taking any kind of supplement.

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The most surprising thing I learned from the FDA 101 article was that taking supplements can be very dangerous. I did not know that taking it in certain situations, like after surgery, can be very harmful or even life threatening. I also did not realize that many supplements are not FDA approved, therefore many can contain toxins that are not good for our bodies. I learned that it is almost mandatory to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any type of dietary supplement.

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The most interesting fact that I found out about dietary supplements is that they do not have to be proven safe to the FDA's satisfaction before they are marketed. It seems that this is something that companies could easily take advantage of in order to increase profits at the expense of the consumer. I'm quite surprised that supplements are not regulated as much as regular food considering most harmful intakes of vitamins come from supplements

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I know this might sound crazy, but I really did not know how dangerous it could be to take to many supplements at a time or let alone mix with medicine! It is so easy to just buy over the counter that I thought they were actually good for your body. It is sad to know that things that could help us can also have ingredients that can be harmful to our bodies. Although they are and can be good to increase levels of vitamins we do not consume as much, I agree with asking a doctor beforehand just to be on the safer side. Very great article!

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One of the most interesting facts in the FDA 101: Dietary Supplements was the potential harm that can come from combining supplements with medications. I have met many people who take a plethora of vitamins along with their daily medications and I wonder if they've consulted with medical professionals about taking them together.

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What I learned in the article was, manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. It means that firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of the FFD and regulations of the FDA.

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Dietary Supplement regulation is always shocking. The FDA not requiring supplements to be deemed safe prior to marketing really makes you think the next time you see the next new supplement on social media. How do you know it's safe when the FDA has not record of it being tested. Dietary supplement advertisements don't have to include real information. The only thing real is the supplement can't be advertised to solve any disease or illness. Dietary Supplement revenue calculated to be $383B in 2019. It important to understand what is in the supplements that we take and their potential risks.

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The most surprising thing I read in the article is that manufacturers are able to sell products that may not do what they are intended to do. How is it that these products can be made? It makes it difficult for someone who may not know certain ingredients to choose things that are marketed to target these audiences. I hope that in a future world we could actually have the FDA regulate products that hit the shelves!

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The most surprising and interesting facts I learned when reading this article is how the FDA's role with any supplement product does not begin until after the product enters the marketplace along with how federal laws do not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before they are marketed. This is very surprising and disappointing to me because people really are led to believe that these supplements are healthy and good for you, but there are very few checks and balances in place in order to ensure that this is true. Many athletic and health professionals encourage the use of various supplements, but I wonder if they themselves are aware of this fact. It worries me slightly as well because it can allow companies to be very misleading.

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The most interesting this to me is the warning to speak with your health care provider before using supplements. They are marketed in way that makes us feels safe and that these are somehow natural and something we are already missing from our diet. It makes us all subject to marketing and fads and not necessarily good sound science. In fact, overuse of some supplements can be problematic.

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One thing that I was not aware of is that dietary supplements are not FDA approved until the supplement enters the market place. Also, that the dietary supplement firm must report to FDA if anything is reported by a consumer regarding the supplement. I think supplements are a good to help with some things you may lack in your diet but I do not feel that you should rely solely on supplements to help with your diet.

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Dietary supplements are not quick fixes for eating right and getting exercise. Most people are looking for a short cut to good health but these supplements are only designed to aid your body in production of whatever you are lacking. 4 out of every 5 adults in America use some form of supplement so it is definitely a money maker

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It was surprising to me that these dietary supplements actually hit the market before the FDA ever gets involved! So there's an even greater risk involved with taking a dietary supplement that is new to market because it hasn't had a chance to be seen by the FDA.

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Dietary supplements are not a good option for 95% of people. The can be bought over the counter which is not recommended for many reasons. All pills should be consumed under the care of a physician. Limiting the larger amounts of food and consistent moving running, walking, working out in the gym , or swimming. is the best way to lose and maintain weight loss. Doing research and doing what is best for you is ultimately going to be the most beneficial.

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I think the biggest thing for me was actually understanding the word supplement. When I worked at a healthier smoothie bar, I started learning more about supplements and then learned we aren't supposed to rely on them for our needs. I was taking way too many just because of what I was reading from different sources.

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I was never aware of the “opportunity” for bleeding being a potential side effect risk of garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and Vitamin E. These are considered by most people to be standard supplement that you would see in many diets and/or pills taken on a daily basis if not eaten.

This sentence made me re-evaluate when the doctor asks me, “Are you taken any supplements at this time?” My usual answer is maybe just a multivitamin. I will make sure to keep a much more detailed list just in case their could be any complications that arise in the future!

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While reading the FDA 101 Dietary supplements I found it very interesting that using supplements improperly can be harmful. its interesting to note this because most of the time we think supplements it seems they do so minimal to the body, however if we really start to think about it if someone takes supplements everyday we can see how it can affect their body if we are not taking proper supplements. I also like to say I find it interesting that organic supplements does not mean that they are natural or healthy. a lot of marketing we see if about things being organic and natural, however some things are not FDA approved meaning they can say they are natural and organic but not being tested does not show the actual affects in can have on a body and on someones wellbeing. I think doing more research on supplements will be helpful for someone but understanding what they can do to your body can change how it helps you.

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My biggest surprise in the article was the fact that dietary supplements can be put on the market without FDA approval. Manufacturers can even produce bogus supplements and sell them. It's scary to think that the FDA only gets involved in the dietary supplements after they are put on the market. The FDA only has safety monitoring duties, so consumers are essentially responsible for reporting adverse effects and getting the product taken off of the market. That's very scary to think that you could essentially be a test subject for a dietary supplement if you don't do adequate research on the product yourself.

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When I thought of supplements before this class I was overwhelmed, by all the different kinds, and different vitamins. All I knew is that my doctor told be to take B12 and that's it. I kind of always knew there were not the same regulations as with medicins when it came to supplements and I think that is what always scared me away, it is really concerning. I am just gonna try to continue to eat a wide variety of foods, in hopes I can meet my needs without these supplements and only take them if my doctor suggests that I do.

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Dietary Supplements, are not always the answer 

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When I read the reading, I thought about how I did not begin taking a regular vitamin until my first pregnancy. I did not realize though what a process this is, like the article says with all the different varieties out there you should speak to a healthcare provider about finding the right one and one that is approved by the FDA. It is an important topic to speak about when you have an annual visit, but I think like many when we are younger, we do not even think about bringing it up we just assume we get all of our nutrients through what we eat.

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When I think of dietary supplements, vitamins always come to mind in connection to hearing the words. In reading the article, I learned it is recommended to talk with your healthcare provider before taking vitamins. I thought that was an interesting fact because I always believed all supplements were harmless. Even though they are easy to buy over the counter, some can be harmless to someone who has preexisting health issues. The other alarming fact is that the Federal law doesn't require the supplements to be approved by FDA.

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Throw a picture of one of these guys on your packaging and it will sell like crazy!

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As a trainer, supplements are often discussed and it is incredible how many people are looking for "a magic fix". You also learn how the supplements are marketed especially to young kids. It is insane how much people will sell "garbage" for! The FDA not regulating supplements is nothing new to me but it will always be upsetting to someone who sees how destructive the supplement industry can be. With that being said there are some supplements that are obviously excellent. The unfortunate thing is the good stuff is usually more expensive because of the ingredient list. Young people usually will buy cheap over quality and that is the worst part. During COVID the supplement industry blew up with people trying to make money anyway they could and unfortunately the supplement industry was flooded with a lot of "garbage". Having an understanding of some key ingredients to look for can help you know which supplements to look for and which supplements to stay far away from!

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I use a variety of supplements, and never knew the affects of some like vitamin e with other medical conditions!

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The most interesting fact that I learned from reading the article is that it is not required by law for the FDA to approve of a supplement being safe before it goes out into the market. That's pretty shocking because up until now, I believed the complete opposite and never would've imagined that would be allowed.

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The most surprising fact that I read about on the FDA 101: Dietary Supplements article was the fact that "the law does not require the manufacturer or seller to prove to FDA's satisfaction that the claim is accurate or truthful before it appears on the product". How crazy is that! Basically they can say anything about their product to hype it up besides that it's a cure, or treatment for your ailments. That leaves a lot of room in between for the manufacturers and sellers to make up lies. I'm all about supplements but this article will make me look closer into them from now on.

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An interesting fact that I learned, was that some supplements are recalled by the FDA because they are either contaminated with metal or when the nutritional facts are incorrect and labeled with missing ingredients. Personally, I try to take a few supplements a month. I like the multi-vitamin for the hair skin nails one. After studying about vitamins, I was able to understand that I shouldn't be consuming too much of fat-soluble vitamins.

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What surprised me from this article and something new I learned was that "federal law does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDAs satisfaction before they are marketed" I found this scary. This is something I personally don't agree with and it just makes me question what's really in these products. This is more or so regarding the "weight loss" supplements at drug sores, or grocery stores which I do not take because I don't trust them.

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"Federal law does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before they are marketed."

While I already knew this about dietary supplements I feel like it is not well-known, but should be. With the addition of people getting a lot of their information from social-media and "fads", there are so many false claims out there. I think it is also important that people refer to their health care provider before starting any supplement. I also think that unless actually supplementing for something one lacks in their diet, we should try to get all of our vitamins and nutrients from whole foods. I have a magnet on my fridge that says "Eat a rainbow" to help me remember to eat colorful!

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When I think about dietary supplements, I believe people should take them lightly. You only need supplements only if you're lacking a certain vitamin constantly.

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Do not assume that the term "natural" in relation to a product ensures that the product is wholesome or safe.

is a necessary point I deem interesting as some persons may think that having a product saying it is natural, does not mean there cannot be added chemicals to the product. Indeed they are all organic products with no chemicals added available, but to find this careful reading and understanding of food must be used as to get the best item needed by you

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The most interesting part of the article to me was reading about how you should still consult a doctor and be careful of supplements that you wouldn't think could have adverse side effects. The part where they mentioned that some supplements can interact with anesthesia during surgery was interesting since you don't normally think to mention dietary supplements to your doctor when asked about any medications you are taking yet they can have interactions just the same.

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When I think of dietary supplements, the first thing that comes to mind are supplements marketed as fast ways to lose weight. The amount of supplements marketed to help loose weight fast are concerning especially when they are sold in places like GNC, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS like the one in the ad I used is. I know that there are dietary supplements that are not as questionable as weight-loss supplements, but this class has made me realize that we can use nutrition as a way to increase the vitamins and minerals we need. For example, TikTok has been showing a lot of videos of people recommending probiotic supplements and a lot of them are costly. This class has taught me that there are a lot of foods that can act as probiotics and so I am working on making my diet as nutritional and full of good things like probiotics that exist naturally.

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I think that supplements can be useful in certain scenarios, I think they can be overused at times, causing people to take them as replacements instead of what they should be, supplements. It does seem slightly concerning how loosely these are regulated.

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In the article, the FDA mentions, "unscrupulous manufacturers have tried to sell bogus products that should not be on the market at all." Recently, especially targeted at women, I have seen more and more multi-level-marketing schemes promoting phony vitamins and minerals. After watching the videos this week, and especially now after reading this article, it makes me wonder how many of those manufacturers are lying about their product and capitalizing on our ignorance about our health.

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I am a firm believer that amino acids are building blocks of protein and help with metabolism. Especially while working out, your body needs to replace the energy that is being used. Most of the time water just doesn't cut it. It helps more with hydration, feeding nutrients to you muscles/ body, and of course taste then just plain water. It's also a main ingredient for you muscles to grow.

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What I found most interesting about the article was "For example, bleeding is a potential side effect risk of garlic". This was new information to me and something I never would've known.

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One thing that surprised me after reading the article was that the supplements on the market do not have to be proven safe by the FDA in order to actually be on the market. I was very shocked by this, as some of these supplements are sold in major grocery stores, where people have free reign to purchase them if they need, not realizing it may not even be safe. Personally, when I go to the grocery store, I automatically assume that everything there is FDA approved, and safe for consumption, so now I wonder how many supplements I have consumed without knowing they may not even be safe. I feel that all of these supplements should have to be proven safe by the FDA in order to be on the shelves, as some people are more
impressionable than others, and may buy it based off of what the supplement says it will provide, without even knowing if it is actually safe for consumption or not.

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One thing that I found very shocking when reading this article as well as reading this weeks chapters, was the benefits of folate. It amazes me that a vitamin that seems so small can have such a large impact on someones life. While not all cases may be as harmful as causing spina bifida, simply adding a cup of kale or a banana can help reduce these side effects drastically. I also find it great that there are options for people who might not be able to get enough folate into their diet such as eating something that has folic acid like a vitamin. This dietary supplement as well as many others out there can be so helpful in saving a life it is great that they are available to us. Personally, I think it is best to get the dietary vitamins needed though a healthy diet as opposed to only supplements, but these being available is great for those on a strict diet.

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What surprised me is "crystalline form of vitamin B12, which is beneficial in people over age 50 who often have a reduced ability to absorb naturally occurring vitamin B12."

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What I found surprising is that you should still ask consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements. I think that this is surprising to me because they are sold over the counter. Another thing that I found surprising was that the companies can label a product to be all " natural" when that's not the case. I've myself takin Vitim B12 shots and have felt the difference of energy. I believe this supplement to be affective.

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After reading the article, one thing that surprised me was that the manufacturers of the dietary supplements don't have to get approval before they start producing or selling their products to the public. This was something that I did not know, because I thought all supplements would need to prove that they are safe to take before they are sold. Which just goes to show how it's extremely important to do your research before taking any supplements.

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There are so many dietary supplements on the market in today's society and most of them are snake oil unfortunately. While some supplements are worth buying especially if you have an unbalanced diet or are naturally deficient in one thing or another, there is almost no reason to buy things like fish oil or multi vitamins. The FDA also has little to no regulation on any of these supplements and this only adds to the smoke and mirrors that most of these supplement companies are able to achieve.

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What surprised me first while reading this article is learning that the federal law doesn't require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before they are marketed... Which is kind of mind blowing to me. Makes me want to stop taking my supplements. I'm definitely going to have to do more research and find a FDA approved supplements.

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I was surprised to read that the Federal law does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe before marketed, or that claims be accurate before labeled on the product, and overall that "FDA's role begins after the product enters the marketplace."  It makes me wonder how many people are unaware of this important information. With this awareness I will be sure to check the creditability of the brands I purchase.

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The most surprising fact I found when reading the article is that Federal law does not require supplements be safely approved by the FDA before marketing. When it comes to labeling dietary supplements, the labels do not need to be proven truthful to the FDA either. This is kind of scary considering that dietary supplements can be harmful and can contain ingredients that have powerful biological effects.

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The most interesting part of that article to me was when it stated, "For most claims made in the labeling of dietary supplements, the law does not require the manufacturer or seller to prove to FDA's satisfaction that the claim is accurate or truthful before it appears on the product". I feel like a lot of times young adults/children who are struggling with weight issues turn to the "quick and easy" solution and that can be diet pills. Because these are available to anyone and you don't need a prescription, I was very surprised that the FDA does not regulate the supplements further.

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Reading this article was really interesting. I know some things about supplements and how they always advertise to be the next best thing. What really surprised me was how they do not need approval prior to putting it on the market (FDA, 2015). I never thought the stores could sell a vitamin or supplement that was not approved first. Makes me think twice about taking supplements, even vitamins. I am sure if we were to go shopping in a natural health store they won't tell us these important facts and just tell us all the health benefits they give us. It is great to know before hand!

Reference:
FDA. (2015, July 15). FDA 101: Dietary supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-dietary-supplements

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I found it very shocking that the FDA does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to the FDA's satisfaction before being put on the market. This means people could buy this product assuming it is healthy, safe, etc and that could be false. This is really worrisome and people should check with medical professionals before consuming dietary supplements.

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I was most shocked to learn about the lack of FDA oversight on a product before it is sold.  There is nothing that guarantees what you are taking is legitimate and safe until you may have already taken it.

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I think the fact that supplements don't even have to be approved by the FDA who regulates various things of that nature is a little crazy! Especially since supplement's are growing in popularity we should strive to keep it as safe as possible!

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When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. If you go through life taking supplements only because you saw it on a tv commercial or because your are following someone in social media and they are taking it, you are making a big mistake. Your needs are not the same as mine, what is good for you can be bad for me, we should always consult with our health care provider.

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Should we satisfy our daily need with food or a few products?

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I have always been an avid believer in food as fuel. I pay careful attention to my daily food choices. I always ensure fresh fruits, and veggies are in my fridge, and alternate my protein choices. The only time I have ever taken supplements was if I were advised to by my health provider. I have been anemic, and required an iron supplement. Otherwise, I choose to get my needed vitamins from foods rather than a bottle on the shelf. The surprising fact I found in this read was that the FDA does not take any proactive measures in screening products prior to the supplement making it's way to the shelf for consumers to test, and try. It is quite absurd that we can literally cause ourselves harm by taking the very supplements we buy for health. After reading this I am very glad that I do not take supplements.

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I was really surprised how little regulation there is when it comes to the FDA and supplements. The fact that federal law doesn't require that dietary supplements are proven safe by the FDA before they are on the Market is wild. I didn't know that the FDA's role in supplements didn't even start until once they were released. This seems super sketchy and shows how important it is to find trustworthy companies and brands. I know that this can lead to a multitude of problems from incorrect dosing, to unlabeled additives, to getting something entirely different than the supplement says it is which can be super harmful. I think there definitely should be more regulation in this space, however, that isn't to say that all of them are taking advantage of this system and there are still many reputable and reliable supplements on the market.

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I was surprised to read that the FDA is primarily involved with dietary supplements only after they are on the market. I see the FDA as an organization that ensures products are safe before they are sold. I try to obtain my nutrients from food first, then vitamins. It is a wonderful option in a world where meeting your needs can be very expensive. Supplements allow easier access to better health.

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Supplements are starting to become large business. With new things like greens powders, performance enhancing supplements, and vitamins engineered to your specific lifestyle, there are supplements for everybody. After reading the article, the FDA does not require the supplement supplier to prove that the supplement is true or accurate, so it can be a bit of a shady business.

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I take a couple of dietary supplements on a daily basis. I take protein powder in my morning smoothies after workout and I continue to take prenatal vitamins three years postpartum. I found it interesting that the FDA does not require dietary supplements to be safe before pushed out and marketed to the pubic. I find this irresponsible, but it just also shows how we have to be very mindful and do our own research before we consume certain things into our body.

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I am a believer that dietary supplements are a bit tricky if one is not well informed or have a physician to get medical advise from. While supplements can help improve health conditions such as a mother who is childbearing, there is also the possibility of it causing health concerns if the supplements are not being taken properly.

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The most interesting find from the

FDA 101: Dietary Supplements link was,

"For most claims made in the labeling of dietary supplements, the law does not require the manufacturer or seller to prove to FDA's satisfaction that the claim is accurate or truthful before it appears on the product."
I found this interesting because I don't think a lot of people know this, or even pay attention enough for this to be relevant.

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I think the most interesting and surprising fact that I learned whole reading was

For most claims made in the labeling of dietary supplements, the law does not require the manufacturer or seller to prove to FDA's satisfaction that the claim is accurate or truthful before it appears on the product.

I found that statement wild. I take vitamin supplements, (under the care of my doctor) and I just cannot believe that the FDA doesn't have more say in his. I assumed that prior to reading this that the FDA made all the vitamin and supplement company prove their product to a certain degree. Although they are not completely out of the game, they do help monitor once they are out. Although supplements can be great, it is best to always ask your healthcare provider before starting anything!

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The FDA's first chance to come in contact with dietary supplements and to start the process of removing specific brands from shelves, comes after the supplements have already been introduced to the public. Basically through reading the article, they detail just how little regulation is actually involved with supplements, and how easy they are to access. This is not really the most shocking news to me, however it is still incredibly disappointing to learn.

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It is interesting that people are often so willing to take a supplement instead of eating a better diet. For some reason, it just seems so much easier. Growing up my grandmother had a "health food" store. She sold all kinds of organic foods, low sugar food - we never had "regular" candy and foods for people with restrictions or allergies. I think back then, this would have been in the 70s, people know that things like wheat bothered them but didn't know why. The other items that were very popular were vitamins and other supplements. It was very common for us to have different vitamins in our house. I didn't know as a child but have learned, as we also read in the article "FDA 101:Dietary Supplements" that supplements are not regulated. We also read about the effects some supplements can have when taken in combination with other supplements or medications. Kind of scary.

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Dietary Supplements are added nutrients to our diet or it can also help lower risk of health problems such as osteoporosis or arthritis. They come in the forms of pills, capsules, powders, gels and tablets, extracts, or liquids. Some examples of dietary supplements are multivitamins, garlic tablets, fish oil capsules, probiotics, natural weight-loss aids, and certain types of energy drink. Some facts about dietary supplements; they are not meant to treat or cure any diseases but rather to be use a preventive care or support. Also, not all of them are prescribed, we can purchase some online, supermarkets and vitamins shops. The Federal Drug & Administration (FDA) does not require supplements to be proven safe before they hit the market. If you ever experience any harmful dietary supplements, you should report it to FDA or better yet call your immediate consultation with your doctor. Overall, dietary supplements are there as an alternative aide to give an individual a boost, support, energized supplements that we are lacking from our diets or health.

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Just how safe are supplements? The FDA has very lax restrictions on dietary supplements meaning they allow supplements to be put on the shelves of grocery stores, drug stores, and health food stores. Just because the OUTSIDE of the bottle say "organic" does not necessarily mean that the contents on the INSIDE truly are! I recommend doing your own research when looking for a dietary supplement that best meets your dietary needs. I'm just saying---practice wisdom!

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Dietary supplements are important for food metabolism, healthy immune system and mental health. However, if we eat less processed food and prioritize a balance diet that includes fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, nuts, fats and legumes. We can meet the required daily allowance of all our vitamins. Furthermore, exercise and sunlight exposure are also essential for compete healthy body. Now, let us get healthy!!

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Something I learned that was interesting was that Federal law doesn't require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before being sold on the market. I have always assumed that all dietary supplements were FDA approved.

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I think that the most interesting thing from the article was simply that supplements that do not necessarily have to get FDA approval, yet can have huge effects on the body that can be potentially harmful given certain situations, such as surgery. Certain supplements can cause extended bleeding which can create a hazard for someone participating in a procedure.

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Something I learned that was interesting was that Federal law doesn’t not require dietary supplements to be proven safe to FDA’s satisfaction before being sold on the market. I have always assumed that all dietary supplements were FDA prove.

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There are different types of supplements such as protein powders and oral vitamins. The difference between vitamins and supplements is that vitamins occur naturally in our body whereas supplements are synthetic chemicals taken to complement to the diet. But taking vitamins that you take orally with your diet is considered a supplement. For example, if you have an allergy to milk, you'll take calcium vitamins. Or if you have an iron deficiency you would take iron vitamins. Or saw you're a vegetarian you would take protein powder in place of meat or find other sources of protein. This is what I think when I hear the word supplements.