Millions of consumers believe in the supplements that they take on a regular basis. These beliefs are the result of personal use, testimonials, and/or testing that shows promising results. It is these consumers and the probability that several of the dietary supplements will truly prove to have significant benefits that legislation allowing the manufacturing and marketing of dietary supplements exists.

As a person gets older the production of these beneficial compounds decreases. The amount of the decrease varies from slight to almost total lack of production. It is virtually impossible, without extensive testing, to know which of the dietary supplements might be needed by any one person. Even with extensive testing it may not be known what is in short supply or may not be properly absorbed/converted by one's metabolic system. It is this unknown factor that probably causes the varying degree of benefit for people taking dietary supplements. For one person taking a particular supplement the benefit might be immediate and continue for as long as the person takes that particular supplement. For others taking the same supplement may produce no noticeable benefit at all.

One of the reasons that some individuals show no improvement after taking a dietary supplement is simply the lack of taking the supplement as directed and over a long enough period of time. You can't build a house from one or two bricks and you probably won't see dramatic results after taking a dietary supplement for just a few days. A few dietary supplements provide 'little building blocks' and your body must have a sufficient amount over a period of time for results to be shown.

The same supplement taken by multiple individuals will produce varying results. For one person the benefit might be immediate and astounding. For others, they feel or see less dramatic results. We believe this is quite often simply because we are each an individual. We are similar to others but our bodies and lifestyles are different. There are many reasons why we are different: our environment, our eating habits, our family genetics, etc. It should not be surprising that some of our bodies react to supplements in a way that is different from others.

As time passes on, several of these dietary supplements will continue to be proven to be beneficial and a few will fall by the wayside. At this time, some of the likely ones to continue to be proven beneficial will be: Coenzyme Q10, Garlic, SAM-e, and the combination of Chondroitin and Glucosamine. The vitamin class of supplements has proven to be beneficial to virtually all people unless taken in excess. With supplements there is a known list of symptoms or probabilities that contributes to the justification of trying/taking those supplements. For example, for joint function improvement it has been shown that SAM-e and/or also chondroitin and glucosamine supplementation can be very beneficial. Clinical studies have shown that the loss of cartilage between joints can be slowed and for some the cartilage can actually be increased after a few months of supplementation.

Several of the dietary supplement products have herbal/botanical ingredients. Most herbal derived products have been in use for hundreds and even thousands of years. Several herbal derived products have become commonly accepted and have proven affects and dosages. An 'extract' of a botanical ingredient concentrates the component that is believed to provide the benefit. These extracts are intended to provide the 'beneficial' ingredient without having to consume the bulk of the original plant. The extract also allows the effective ingredient to be packaged in a smaller delivery size (tablet, capsule, etc.). In the Asian countries there are over 6000 naturally derived products. Most of these originate from plants.

The Food and Drug Administration is currently mandated to:

1. Help in the quest to assure that dietary supplements are safe to consume. 2. Provide guidelines concerning marketing information 3. Provide standards for product labeling. 4. Establish good manufacturing practice regulations.

The manufacturers of these products are primarily responsible for: 1. Good manufacturing practices 2. Label accuracy (concerning any claims made and ingredients) 3. Product safety.

In addition to the FDA, there is an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is to explore the role of dietary supplements as a significant part of the efforts of the United States to improve health care, and to promote scientific study of the benefits of dietary supplements in maintaining health and preventing chronic disease.

Dietary supplements may make claims of 'nutritional support' if there is scientific evidence to support those claims and if those claims have been properly presented to the FDA for filing and possible review.

Dietary supplements are marketed in the United States without the same controls as prescription drugs. Proper (legal) marketing of dietary supplements can not make claims that the supplement treats, cures, prevents, or diagnoses any disease.

All dietary supplement products are required, by law, to have the wording:

The FDA has not evaluated this statement. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Dietary supplements, with ingredients that have a long history of use, cause very few adverse reactions. However, like prescription drugs, dietary supplements sometimes result in a few consumers experiencing mild to severe adverse reactions.

To lessen the chance of having an adverse reaction:

Consult with a medical doctor. Do not exceed recommended dosages. Too much of almost any product is not good for you. Read the label and follow the label's instructions. Dietary supplements should not be consumed by children, pregnant women, nursing (breast-feeding) women, or people under a doctor's care without their medical doctor's approval. Example, too much iron is one of the leading causes of accidental poisoning of children.

Bad reactions, when they do occur, should be treated with the importance they deserve (consult your medical doctor). It could be that the dosage used was excessive for your system. It could be an allergic reaction. It could be that your system has been accumulating an ingredient and can't handle any more.