Brought to you by: Ashley Renn

Understand what a supplement is Learn the difference between vitamins, minerals, and herbs How to know if you need one Learn possible side effects of supplements Find out how to make well-informed decisions when it comes to supplements by using helpful resources

Intended to supplement the diet Can be a vitamin, mineral, herb, amino acid, or botanical Can be an extract, metabolite (product of metabolism), concentrate, or constituent (particle) Can come in the form of capsules, tablets, softgels, powders, or liquids FDA (2015)

Multivitamin Airborne Emergen-C Eccinachea Creatine Trimspa Metamucil Viactive St. John’s Wort Ginseng Melatonin Hydroxycut

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble. Excess amounts are stored in the liver. These amounts must be replaced as needed. Buildup and toxicity can occur. Vitamin C, and the B Vitamins are water-soluble. Excess amounts are flushed out of the body. Amounts in the body must be replaced each day. Toxicity is uncommon, but excessive amounts can lead to mild side effects.

Liver damage and red blood cell breakdown (vitamin K) Nausea and digestive tract disorders (vitamin E) Kidney problems, vomiting, weight loss (vitamin D) Blurred vision, irritability, liver enlargement, hair loss (vitamin A) Upset stomach and diarrhea (vitamin C) Nervous system damage (folate) Low blood pressure (thiamine) Flushing of the skin (niacin) Bruso (2015)

High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat colitis (calcium) Constipation, vomiting, nausea (iron & zinc) Rash, reduced circulation (boron) Acne, hormone impairment (iodine) Gout-like symptoms (molybdenum) Mineral Toxicity (2015)

Herbal medicine uses the leaves, bark, berries, flowers, or seeds of a plant to treat a host of diseases, illnesses, and conditions Originated in ancient China as early as 3,000 BC Common herbs include: Echinacea, St. John’s wort, gingko, ginseng, saw palmetto, garlic, chamomile, ginger, milk thistle, and evening primrose Ehrlic (2011)

Acute asthma attack, anaphylaxis (Echinacea) Insomnia, dizziness, photosensitivity (St. John’s wort) Anorexia, diarrhea, flatulence (gingko) Anxiety, hypertension, chest pain (ginseng) Dysuria, urine retention, impotence (saw palmetto) Hypothyroidism, asthma, shortness of breath (garlic) Burning of the face and eyes (chamomile) Hypersensitivity reactions (ginger) Menstrual changes, headache, nausea (milk thistle) Inflammation (evening primrose) Skidmore-Roth (2010)

Vegetarian diet Vegan diet Inadequate diet Insufficient sunlight Suffering from certain ailment(s) Suppressed immune system For an immunity boost Preventative measures

They are not approved by the FDA Cannot produce products that make false claims or are misleading Must comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act FDA (2015)

Whatever you decide, please, PLEASE consult with your physician. Many herbs, vitamins, and minerals can have sometimes deadly interactions with other prescription medications.

NIH – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health FDA – U.S. Food and Drug Administration “Herbs and Natural Supplements” by Linda Skidmore-Roth

Bruso, J. (2015). How to know if you are consuming too many vitamins. Healthy Eating. Retrieved from htmlhttp://healthyeating.sfgate.com/consuming-many-vitamins html Ehrlich, S. (2011). Herbal medicine. Retrieved from the University of Maryland Medical Center: medicine FDA. (2015). Are dietary supplements approved by FDA? Retrieved from the Food and Drug Administration: FDA. (2015). What is a dietary supplement? Retrieved from the Food and Drug Administration: Mineral Toxicity. (2015). Healthy Vitamin Choice. Retrieved from Skidmore-Roth, L. (2010). Herbs and Natural Supplements 4 th Edition. St. Louis, MS: Mosby Elsevier.