Dietary and Herbal Supplements

A dietary supplement, as defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education ActA Federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-labeling standards and health claim limits. DSHEA defines supplements and outlines quality, safety, and efficacy regulations that are different from those for drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not review dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. (DSHEA), is a product that:

• Is intended to supplement the diet
• Contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicalsA plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots., amino acids, and certain other substances) or their constituents
• Is intended to be taken by mouth, in forms such as tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid
• Is labeled as being a dietary supplement.

Many people take dietary supplements in an effort to be well and stay healthy, and research has shown that some uses of dietary supplements are effective in preventing or treating diseases.