Supplements: Information for Health and Wellbeing

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2025/03/20
Category Topic: Supplements for Health (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Subtopics

Synopsis: Information on dietary supplements, preparations intended to supply nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, or amino acids missing in the diet. Supplements as generally understood include vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, among other substances. U.S. authorities define dietary supplements as foods, while elsewhere they may be classified as drugs or other products.

Introduction

NOTE: In the U.S. dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any supplements.

Focus

A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is defined as a substance intended to provide nutrients that may otherwise not be consumed in sufficient quantities.

Supplements as generally understood include vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, among other substances. U.S. authorities define dietary supplements as foods, while elsewhere they may be classified as drugs or other products. There are more than 50,000 dietary supplements available. More than half of the U.S. adult population (53% - 55%) consume dietary supplements, with the most common ones being multivitamins.

According to the U.S. FDA, dietary supplements are products which are not pharmaceutical drugs, food additives like spices or preservatives, or conventional food, and:

Some countries define dietary supplements as foods, while in others they are defined as drugs. The hormones DHEA (a steroid), pregnenolone (also a steroid) and the pineal hormone melatonin are marketed as dietary supplements in the U.S.

Food fortification is the public health policy of adding micronutrients - essential trace elements and vitamins - to foodstuffs to ensure that minimum dietary requirements are met, as simple diets based on staple foods with little variation are often deficient in certain nutrients.

Several ranges of food supplements are recognized:

Main Groups of Supplements

In the United States, a dietary supplement is defined under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act as a product intended to supplement the diet and contains any of the following dietary ingredients:

Furthermore, it must also conform to the following criteria:

Interesting Supplement Facts

Publications

- Hypervitaminosis D cases are rising and can cause several potentially serious health issues.

- HGH has an effect on almost all our tissues and organs, it enhances growth of various organs and tissues, muscle and bone, and increases protein synthesis.

- Study indicates when people consume a natural dietary supplement called nicotinomide riboside daily it mimics caloric restriction kick-starting the same key chemical pathways responsible for its health benefits.

Complete List of Publications

Subtopics

Citing Information and Page References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World (DW). (Rev. 2025, March 20). Supplements: Information for Health and Wellbeing. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved May 19, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/supplements/

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/supplements/">Supplements: Information for Health and Wellbeing</a>: Information on dietary supplements, preparations intended to supply nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, or amino acids missing in the diet.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.