Standard Process® Products / Dietary Supplements - What are They?

What are Dietary Supplements?

If you take a vitamin pill each day, you are taking a dietary supplement. That is, you are adding something to your diet of foods, most likely in an attempt to make up for a less than perfect diet, to promote good health, or to help speed healing when illness strikes. Dietary supplements are also prescribed for vitamin or mineral deficiencies such as iron for anemia or vitamin supplements for pregnant women and small children.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act defines dietary supplements as a:

• product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a vitamin, mineral, amino acid, herb or other botanical;

  OR
• a dietary substance for use to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake;
  OR
• a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any ingredient described above;
  AND
• intended for ingestion in the form of a capsule, powder, softgel, or gelcap, and not represented as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet.

Despite drug companies efforts to hide the true facts regarding the effectiveness of dietary supplements, scientific studies support their role in the prevention and treatment of cancer and arthritis. (See the references on page 2 and 3 of this article).

The 13 vitamins and 19 minerals consumed by Americans are available in several forms. They are marketed by promoters and purchased by those who are looking for alternatives to the 4th leading cause of death in this country: medications. The Center for Disease Control, Johns Hopkins University and the New Jersey School of Medicine estimate that 80,000-120,000 Americans are killed by prescription drugs every year.

An estimated eight of ten Americans use vitamin supplements to the tune of an average household cost of $66 a year. The Rutger's Study confirms that because of the poor quality of processed foods, we don't get all of the nutrients necessary to provide us good health. Because of this it's not only the "special groups" of people that need dietary supplements in addition to a balanced diet. With the number of "junk foods," being consumed by the public, many busy people often forego nutritious meals in favor of fast foods. Our recommendation to these people is to take dietary supplements but to also receive the proper education to move them toward eating a more healthy diet. Supplements are just that; they should supplement the diet, not replace it.

Some supplements rise and fall in popularity. While these can be considered "fads", the fact remains that proper nutritional supplementation has its definite place in improving and maintaining the health of the individual.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

We have a clear understanding of what the body needs for good health. Vitamins and minerals in specified amounts are requirements to maintain a healthy body. Our government has widely publicized the "food pyramid," which indicates how many servings of various types of food are necessary for good health. Within the pyramid's six food groups (grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, animal protein, and minimal amounts of fats and sweets) are foods that provide all necessary nutrients.

The government also publishes guidelines outlining a minimum daily requirement for each vitamin and mineral. These guidelines are continually reviewed and updated.

WILL IT HELP?

People who are nutritionally deficient certainly will benefit from dietary supplements or nutritional therapy. For example, the iron included in a daily multivitamin can make up for iron lost by menstruating women. The often poor diets of the frail elderly can be improved with the currently popular "complete nutrition in a can" products. Pregnant women require more calcium, iron and folic acid than non-pregnant women.

Many people still are convinced that megadoses of vitamin C can cure colds, although many good scientific studies disproved that idea. On the other hand, the use of zinc lozenges, taken no more than one day after the onset of a cold, may be helpful in reducing the time the cold lasts and lessening its symptoms.

Certain vitamins promote good eyesight, calcium helps build strong bones and teeth, and folic acid reduces the number of birth defects. The antioxidant vitamins, although still under study, seem to have real benefits in promoting good heart health. But there is no evidence that supplements cure or prevent cancer. Studies suggest that people who eat more fruit and vegetables containing these antioxidants, however, may have a lower risk for cancer.

One should be forewarned, however, that megadoses of nutrients to "treat" or prevent illness can be harmful; even toxic. Too much vitamin C, for example, can interfere with the body's ability to absorb copper, an essential metal required in our body chemistry. Too much phosphorous has a negative effect on how well calcium is absorbed. Megadoses of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and K can easily reach toxic levels.

It is also important to remain skeptical of promises made on food supplement containers about their ability to promote health, reduce weight, or increase physical strength. Such claims are not regulated by the US government. In most cases the products do not live up to the claims. If you do choose to take a supplement, choose one that provides vitamins and minerals in amounts close to the RDA (100% RDA on the label). Avoid "organic", "natural" and time-release supplements. These are no better than standard supplements, but are more expensive. Local or store brands are just as good as national brands, but usually cost less.

There is no real substitute for a regular, well-balanced diet. But you also need to know that you really can't follow the general USDA guidelines found in the food pyramid. These recommendations fall short in providing you with a healthy diet. In addition, it is better to get the necessary vitamins and minerals from their natural whole food sources, rather than from food supplements.

No matter what promises or claims are made for vitamins and other dietary supplements, we do not suggest taking a supplement because a friend told you to, or because you read about it in a magazine or saw it on television. There are a lot of supplements on the market today that make some incredible claims as to their effectiveness in improving the functions of the body. Be very careful in what you take for "truth". Nutrition is a science and the art of knowing what to give each individual is just that, an art. Do your research and reading and choose a doctor or clinician who is trained in clinical nutrition. Otherwise you may be getting a biased opinion to move you toward taking more drugs.

You can also an article entitled "Understanding Food Supplements".