NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Are we at risk?

Antony Polynice
HW 499 Unit 4 Assignment
Kaplan University
Professor Davis
Date: June 08, 2015

OUTLINE

Introduction
Legal Disclaimer
4 Categories of Supplements
Regulations
Issues
Active / Inactive Ingredients
Safety
Resources
Summary
References

INTRODUCTION

Every Year, millions of people invests hundreds to thousands of dollars

on nutritional supplements. According to Forbes.com, in 2012, vitamins,
minerals, and supplements, also known as the VMS group, produced and
sold over $32 billions of nutritional supplements across the globe (Lanviere,
D., 2013).
In the past, the majority of VMS products were purchased by
professional and aspiring body builders, along with other athletes. However,
today nutritional supplements are being consumed by many regular, everyday people, seeking general health and well being.
Although some nutritional products may seem to be safe and effective,
there are numerous issues in the VMS group regarding regulations, ethics,
safety, and efficacy. Regardless of the publics concerns, many people
continue to use nutritional products with hopes to find solutions to revitalizing
health, nutrition, medical conditions, and sex drive.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This presentation is not intended for the

purpose of convincing anyone to use any of
the listed products or supplements. It is
strongly suggested that you seek medical
consultation from your primary care
physician before using any dietary or
nutritional supplements."

4 CATEGORIES OF SUPPLEMENTS

Weight Loss Supplements

Claims to:

Help burn fat

Provide Nutrients
Increase metabolism
Curb appetite

Athletic Performance
Supplements
Claims to:
Provide energy to cells &
muscles
Provide Nutrients
Help build muscle
Help repair muscle tissue

4 CATEGEORIES OF SUPPLEMENTS
Continued
Sexual Performance
Supplements
Claims to:

Helps release hormones

Boost Testosterone levels
Enhance and improve sex
drive and performance

Herbal Supplements
Claims to:

Be natural
Be healthy
Be safe
Assist in treating many
conditions and diseases

REGULATIONS
Key Facts

The FDA oversees dietary supplements (NIH, 2011).

FDA Regulations for dietary supplements are not as strict as the regulations of drugs.
Dietary supplements do not require premarket review or approval by the FDA.
Supplement companies are responsible for providing evidence to the FDA of the
safety of their products and the truthfulness of their labels, but do not have to provide
that evidence to the FDA before the product is marketed (NIH, 2011).
Manufacturers must follow good manufacturing practices to ensure the identity,
purity, strength, and composition of their products (NIH, 2011).
Manufactures can make certain health related claims, but cannot say that their
products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
(NIH, 2011).

Issues

Impurities and adulterants have been found in some supplements, mostly due to
the lack of requirements for good manufacturing practices (Harris, I, 2000).

No strict standards are required for dietary supplements (Harris, I, 2000).

Active ingredients may be absent or highly variable among manufacturers

(Harris, I, 2000).

Many people diagnose and treat themselves with dietary supplements without
adequate knowledge or understanding about the products (Harris, I, 2000).

Supplement companies are responsible for providing evidence to the FDA of the
safety of their products and the truthfulness of their labels, but do not have to
provide that evidence to the FDA before the product is marketed (NIH, 2011).

ACTIVE / INACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Active Ingredients are:

Any component of a product
intended to provide therapeutic and
pharmacological activity in direct
effect to a diagnosis, cure,
mitigation, treatment, or prevention
of disease, or to affect the structure
or any function of the body of
humans (FDA Glossary, 2012).
Inactive ingredients are:
Everything else not considered
to be active such as; fillers,
binders, and flavorings (NIH, 2011).

Examples of Active
ingredients found in
supplements include:

Amino Acids
Botanical Extracts
Non-botanicals
Fine Chemicals
Vitamins
Minerals

(USP, 2015)

SAFETY
You Should:

Some products are safer than others. Always read package

labels to check for possible active harmful ingredients

Supplements should be used as an enhancement to

nutrition, and not as a replacement.

Never mix supplements with alcohol or drugs

Always research products for safety and reputation

Supplement's safety depends on many things, such as its

chemical makeup, how it works in the body, how it is
prepared, and the dosage used (NIH, 2011) .

Always consult with a physician before taking supplements

if pregnant, or experiencing diseases or medical conditions

REPUTABLE RESOURCES

1. National Institutes of Health (NIH)

www.nih.gov
2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
www.fda.gov
3. U.S Pharmacopeia (USP)
http://www.usp.org/
4. ConsumerLab.com
https://www.consumerlab.com/
5. NSF International (NSF)
http://www.nsf.org/

SUMMARY

Today, the manufacturing and sales of nutritional/dietary

supplements is a multibillion dollar a year industry.
Many consumers purchase supplements to help improve either;
health, medical conditions, nutrition, and/or sexual performance.
There are four categories of nutritional supplements; weight loss,
athletic performance, sexual performance, and herbal.
All supplements contain active and inactive ingredients
Although the FDA periodically regulates supplements, the FDA
places much trust in good manufacturing practices.
It is critical to always purchase reputable products from reputable
sources. It is also important to always thoroughly research
ingredients and supplements, and consult with a physician
before consuming them

REFERENCES

FDA Glossary (Feb 02, 2012) Drugs, Retrieved on June 8, 2015, from
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/InformationOnDrugs/ucm079436.htm
Harris, I., Pharm. D (2000) Regulatory and Ethical Issues with Dietary Supplements, Retrieved on June
8, 2015, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409637
Lanviere, D (Apr. 18, 2013) Nutritional Supplements Flexing Muscles as Growth Industry, Retrieved on
June 5, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidlariviere/2015/02/18/new-smart-jar-appthat-can-measure-calories-carbs-in-ingredients-launches/
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (June 17, 2011) Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know,
Retrieved on June 8, 2015, from
http://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx
U.S Pharmacopeial Convention (2015) USP Verified Dietary Ingredients, Retrieved on June 8, 2015,
from http://www.usp.org/usp-verification-services/usp-verified-dietary-ingredients