Disclaimer: The content on this site is not intended to substitute for the advice of a qualified physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. The products may have additional information and instructions on or inside the packaging, which you should carefully read and follow. Contact your health care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem. The use of dietary supplements may not have been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their use is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition.
There are two types of evidence used in evaluating vitamins & supplements--experimental and anecdotal. 'Experimental' evidence comes from strictly controlled studies done by professional researchers. 'Anecdotal' are stories collected from people who use a product and get some benefit from that use. There is a wealth of anecdotal evidence supporting dietary supplements, and experimental evidence is constantly being gathered.
Both types of evidence are important when evaluating a dietary supplements program, and thorough research is advisable; the more you know the better your chances of getting what you need.
As in every industry, some companies sell substandard products. Nutritional supplements makers are not required to list their ingredients the way food makers must, nor do they undergo the strict oversight that drug makers receive from the government. Even natural substances, when taken in improper quantities, can actually be harmful and may cause illness, injury or death.
As with any product or service, you usually get what you pay for, and cheap nutritional supplements may not be as effective, so purchase nutritional health supplements only from reputable manufacturers and dealers. Of course, only high-quality discount nutritional supplements are available from Overstock.com.
Nutrients are the substances the body needs to function--about 45 different elements and compounds according to some professionals--including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other chemicals. Originally, humans got all their nutrients from the foods they ate, or they went without. Today, science has learned what these chemicals are, how many of them work and how to synthesize them or extract them from plants, making them more widely available in support of good general health.
Some are formulated with specific results in mind: Body building nutritional supplements are supposed to help increase muscle mass. Sports nutritional supplements are supposed to help athletes keep their game up until the final second. Weight management formulas are designed specifically for older people, to help decrease the natural effects of aging.
Ideally, humans should get all their nutritional needs met on the hoof, so to speak. The health & wellness industry was created because few people always eat a well-balanced diet. Vitamins and other supplements are now available as pills, gelcaps, softgels, liquids and powders. Some are designed to be taken alone, others to be mixed with food or drink. There is no scientific evidence that any one form is more effective than another.
DSHEA: In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, defining dietary or nutritional supplements as products taken by mouth, containing ingredients intended to supplement the diet. These ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, plant extracts (called 'botanicals'), amino acids or other substances to supplement the diet by increasing the amount of that substance consumed by people. They may be included in food bars or similar items. Sellers must not suggest their products are conventional foods, nor that their products should be a whole meal or diet.
Amino acids: Building blocks of protein, the substance that makes up a large portion of the human body.
Antioxidants: Substances that block or inhibit free radicals--molecules that speed up the aging process and contribute to illness.
Minerals: Natural, inorganic substances like calcium, iron, selenium and zinc.
Vitamins: Natural, organic substances given letter designations (A, B1 to B12, C, D, E, K).
Both, in the proper quantities, are essential to good health.
Where can I get unbiased information?
Nutritional supplements information is available from the Office of Dietary Supplements. ODS was created within the National Institutes of Health ''to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating results and educating the public.'' Click here to visit the ODS website.
How do I know if I need a nutritional supplement?
ODS has created an online checklist to help you get ready to discuss nutrition needs with your health care provider. It is available at the ODS website. Because a wide variety of products are marketed as nutritional dietary supplements, it's important to remember that these supplements might include vitamin nutritional supplements, herbal nutritional supplements, minerals, plant extracts 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 eat a well-balanced diet.
Are dietary supplements as safe and effective as any other drug?
Dietary supplements are not drugs. Drugs must be proven to be effective against a specific disease or medical condition before they can be marketed. If a supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health or reduces the risk of a health problem, the manufacturer may say so, but they must include a disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not designed to diagnose, treat or cure disease."
Are there risks in taking dietary supplements?
There are risks in everything, but we still walk across the street and undergo surgery when needed. Nutritional supplements may have unwanted or unforeseen side effects, especially if taken before surgery, with other supplements or medicines, or if you have certain health conditions. Discuss your individual situation, needs and all potential risks with your health care provider.
Most doctors agree on three essentials for good health: proper nutrition, regular exercise and a good attitude. At Overstock.com, we are committed to the well-rounded person. Visit our fitness & rehab department for home health equipment. In our sports store, you'll find a home gym or fitness set to tone your muscles or the gear that will get your act together and take it off the road. Visit our books & movies department for more detailed information or something just to keep the mind sharp.
Don't just feel good, look good. The personal care department features all manner of goodies for the hair, the teeth, the nails and other body parts that need individual attention and pampering now and then. For those interested in massage or other traditional healthcare practices, be sure to browse our holistic supplies department, where ancient wisdom from all over the world is at your disposal.
Whatever the specifics of your personal health program, trust Overstock.com to have something useful and affordable.