DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS DO WE NEED THEM? Juanita Kerber KH499 Bachelor’s Capstone in Health and Wellness

Why Take Them? If you don’t eat a nutritious variety of foods, some dietary supplements may be beneficial to help you get adequate amounts of daily essential nutrients.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS Purposeful use to support the diet Purposeful use to support the diet Contains dietary components in vitamins, minerals or herbs Contains dietary components in vitamins, minerals or herbs Comes in various forms, maybe gelcap, tablets, or power Comes in various forms, maybe gelcap, tablets, or power

What You Should Know Research and use reliable information about using a dietary supplement The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) May interact with medications or other dietary supplements

What You Should Know Considering replacing your regular medication with one or more dietary supplements should be advised first. Surgical risks. Most dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children.

Safety According to NIH: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine key points are needed to ensure safety measures when using a supplement: Always inform your doctor about any dietary supplements you use Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends Stop taking it if you have side effects Read trustworthy information about the supplement (MEDLINE PLUS, 2011).

Safety Vitamin K can reduce the ability of the blood thinner Coumadin® to prevent blood from clotting. St. John’s wort can speed the breakdown of many drugs (including antidepressants and birth control pills) and thereby reduce these drugs’ effectiveness. Antioxidant supplements, like vitamins C and E, might reduce the effectiveness of some types of cancer chemotherapy.

Dietary Benefits Pregnant women can take vitamin folic acid to prevent certain birth defects in their babies. Calcium and vitamin D are important for keeping bones strong and reducing bone loss Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils might help some people with heart disease. Other supplements

Zinc is found in a wide variety of foods, including beans, and in dietary supplements. (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011).

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal foods, including meat, fish, and eggs. Some foods are fortified with vitamin B12. (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011).

“Historically, cranberry fruits and leaves were used for a variety of problems, such as wounds, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems. Recently, an NCCAM-funded study in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that cranberry juice—given to college-aged women who just recovered from a bladder infection—did not prevent urinary tract infections from coming back.” (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011).

FAQ Q. How do I know if I need a dietary supplement? A. Because many products are marketed as dietary supplements, it is important to remember that supplements include vitamins and minerals, as well as herbs, botanicals and other substances. Some supplements may help ensure that you get adequate amounts of essential nutrients or help promote optimal health and performance if you do not consume a variety of foods, as recommended in the MyPyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPyramidDietary Guidelines for AmericansMyPyramidDietary Guidelines for Americans However, dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure disease. In some cases, dietary supplements may have unwanted effects, especially if taken before surgery or with other dietary supplements or medicines, or if you have certain health conditions. Do not self diagnose any health condition. Work with your health care provider to determine how best to achieve optimal health and always check with your health care provider before taking a supplement, especially when combining or substituting them with other foods or medicine. Retrieved from

References: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2011). Using dietary supplements wisely. Retrieved from MEDLINE PLUS. (2011). Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. (N.D.). Dietary supplements: what you need to know. Retrieved from Randall, L. (2009). How much calcium does women really need? Retrieved from really-need