Diet Supplements

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 defines a dietary supplement as any product (other than tobacco) that a person can add to her regular diet to obtain additional nutritional benefits. Included in this definition are items such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and other botanicals. The ruling also applies to extracts taken from plants and animal glands.

A trip to the drug store quickly reveals that there are thousands of diet supplements on the market from which to choose. What's more, the purported health benefits of the supplements range from the ability to cure chronic diseases to raising sluggish energy levels. With all the available products, it really is hard to determine which ones really do what they claim.

Unfortunately for the general public, manufacturers can pretty much place whatever claims they want on diet supplements. This is still the case even with the passage of the DSHEA. However, there are certain guidelines that makers of dietary supplements must follow before placing their products on the shelves.

Guidelines for Product Labeling

First and foremost, manufacturers must make sure that the information listed on the product label is accurate and not misleading. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency responsible for regulating the information placed on the labels and in the advertising claims of the diet supplement. The FDA requires that the following five statements appear on the label: a statement of identity (name of the dietary supplement), the net quantity of contents statement (amount of the dietary supplement), nutrition labeling, an ingredient list, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Be sure that any supplement you purchase adheres to these guidelines.