The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (N C C A M): Part of the National Institutes of Health

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

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Be an Informed Consumer

Decisions about your health care are important—including decisions about whether or not to use complementary health products and practices. Take charge of your health by being an informed consumer. Find out and consider what scientific studies have been done on the safety and effectiveness of the product or practice that interests you. Discuss the information with your health care provider before making a decision. These fact sheets and resources can help you think about the issues to consider and questions to ask.

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Featured Fact Sheet:What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?

This fact sheet presents an overview of CAM, types of CAM, summary information on safety and regulation, the mission of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), and additional resources.

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