Any products used orally that contain a "dietary element" meant to supplement the diet are considered dietary supplements. This comprises concentrations, metabolites, components, and extracts of these compounds, as well as vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids. Dietary supplements are neither categorized as or viewed as pharmaceuticals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that dietary supplement product labels contain the following information:

• Statement of identity
• Net quantity of contents
• Directions for use
• Supplement facts panel, listing serving size, amount and active ingredients
• Other ingredients in descending order of predominance
• Name and place of business of manufacturer, packer or distributor

Manufacturers of dietary supplements are not required by the FDA to mark their products with an expiration date. An expiration date is frequently included on labels by manufacturers who can substantiate their assertion about the date. Avoid buying supplements with expiration dates that are near to the date of purchase, and discard any supplements you already have that have passed their expiration date. Over time, these products' efficacy may diminish.

A Supplement Facts label, which is akin to the Nutrition Facts label found on food goods, is present on any item that is designated as a dietary supplement. Along with additional substances like fillers, binders, and flavorings, it provides the active compounds and their quantities. Additionally, it provides a suggested serving size, though you and your doctor may decide that a different amount is better for you.

The levels of vitamins, minerals, and other elements like dietary fiber are indicated as a percentage of the Daily Value or%DV on the Supplement Facts label. Each vitamin has a DV that is applicable to everyone 4 years of age and older. The DV for the B-vitamin biotin, for instance, is 30 milligrams (mg), while vitamin C's is 90 mg.

On its website, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides more information about the Nutrition Facts label and DV.

If you're not consuming a variety of foods, several supplements may help guarantee that you get enough levels of critical nutrients or help support optimal health and performance.

Dietary supplements, on the other hand, are not meant to treat, diagnose, lessen, prevent, or cure disease. When taken in some circumstances, such as before surgery, in combination with other dietary supplements or medications, or if you have certain medical problems, dietary supplements may have undesirable effects.

Never self-diagnose a health issue. The ideal way to reach optimal health can be determined by working with your healthcare professional. Before using a supplement, you should also speak to your doctor, especially if you use any medications or other dietary supplements or if you have any medical issues.

Check out the free online tool provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to acquire a list of all vitamins and minerals, along with the recommended daily intake. Simply enter a few details about yourself, such as your age, height, and weight. You can also get a rundown of your daily protein, calorie, and other dietary requirements.

Remember that the quantities of vitamins and minerals you require come from both food and drink; a dietary supplement may or may not be necessary to obtain these amounts. In order to decide which supplements, if any, would be beneficial for you, speak with your healthcare physician.

In some cases, dietary supplements may not be completely risk-free. While some supplements may contain active substances that can produce unfavorable reactions in some people, others may involve interactions with over-the-counter or prescription medications or bad effects during surgery. Prior to ingesting a dietary supplement, we advise patients to speak with their doctor.

When consuming any dietary supplement, use common sense. Below are some tips:

• Pay close attention to both your doctor's instructions and the instructions on the packaging.
• Maintain a list of all the vitamins and prescription drugs you are taking.
• Note the quantity of each product you're consuming as well as the time of day. It's simple to overlook taking a supplement, which increases the risk of taking too much by mistake.
• Additionally, note any side effects you have and how the supplement affects you.
• At each visit, discuss your notes with your doctor.

The quantity of a certain nutrient you should consume each day depends on your age, gender, and whether you are pregnant or nursing. This amount is known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).

You're more likely to encounter the abbreviation DV, which stands for Daily Value, on a supplement label. This shows how much of a certain vitamin the supplement offers in comparison to a person's daily diet as a whole.

For example, the DV for calcium is 1,000 mg per day, thus a calcium supplement branded "50% DV" includes 500 mg of calcium each serving. For some persons, the DV of a supplement may occasionally be higher than the RDA. In many circumstances, a supplement's label will state that there is no DV. Consult with your doctor to make sure your supplement doesn't contain too much of any nutrient.