Analysis of Dietary Supplement Regulations, Safety, and Benefits

This report provides an overview of dietary supplements, focusing on the regulations governing their sale and consumption, as well as an assessment of their safety and effectiveness. It highlights the FDA's role in regulating supplements to protect consumers from substandard and harmful products, emphasizing the importance of consumer awareness regarding supplement safety. The report also includes a discussion on the safety and benefits of supplements, referencing the widespread use of supplements by Americans with generally positive outcomes, while acknowledging instances of recalls due to harmful effects. Furthermore, the report includes a personal perspective on supplement use and a recommendation for the FDA to conduct regular surveys to identify and eliminate undesirable supplements from the market. Finally, it presents tables outlining major sources and functions of various vitamins and minerals, along with the diseases they can prevent, offering a comprehensive understanding of the role of dietary supplements in maintaining health.

Running head: DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS 1
Dietary supplements
Name:
Institution:
Tutor:
Date:

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS 2
Dietary supplements
Impression of dietary supplement regulation
Am really impressed by the initiative to regulate supplements. According to the FDA,
there are some unscrupulous and bogus sellers who manufacture and sell substandard
supplements to consumers. Some of these supplements contain harmful and toxic products that
can harm people. Regulation is therefore a good step since such substandard and harmful
supplements will be eliminated from the market.
Opinion on current regulation of dietary supplements
The move to regulate dietary supplements is a good move. Majority of the consumers
lack information on harmful properties of some supplements. Therefore, the move to regulate
dietary supplements protects such innocent consumers from harm.
Are supplements safe and effective?
Supplements are very safe and clean. According to the report by the FDA, millions of
Americans have consumed supplements for many years and there have been no ill effects (Webb,
2013). However, there are few supplements that had to be recalled because of harmful effects. It
is therefore important to check out safety of any supplement before consumption.
If I have ever used supplements
Throughout my life, I have never used any supplements. This is because I have never
experienced any medical condition or dietary deficiency that necessitates the same. However, I
am planning to use enzymes supplements in future to speed up biochemical reactions in the
body.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS 3
Recommendations on what government should do to control dietary supplements
being sold.
At the moment, everything is fine. However, the only recommendation I would propose
is that the FDA should conduct regular surveys on shelves of different shops and identify the
undesirable supplements then arrest such sellers. This will in future, eliminate all the fake or
harmful supplements.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS 4
VITAMIN MAJOR SOURCES FUNCTIONS DISEASES
PREVENTED
A Liver, fish oils Form and maintain
healthy teeth, skeletal
and soft tissues
Night blindness
D Beef, cheese Assists the body in
the absorption of
calcium
Prevents heart failure.
E Nuts, vegetable oils Protect the body
against damage of
tissues by radicals
It prevents
cardiovascular
diseases.
K Fish and liver Strong bone
formation
Prevents
osteoporosis.
C Winter squash, red
and green pepper.
It forms collagen,
skin, tendons and
blood vessels.
Neurodegenerative
disorders
B1-thiamin Beef, liver and dried
milk
Facilitates
metabolism of
pyruvate
Prevents the body
against Wernicke-
Korsakoff syndrome
B2-Ribloflavin Eggs, organ meat Fat and carbohydrate
metabolism to
maintain the body
energy.
Prevents
ariboflavinosis.
Niacin Mushroom, cereals It lowers the level of
cholesterol in the
body
Cardiovascular
diseases.
Folic acid Leafy green
vegetables, citrus
fruits
Synthesis and repair
of DNA and RNA
Birth defects
specifically brain and
spinal cord
B6-pyridoxine Leafy green
vegetables, bananas
Facilitate metabolism
of fats and proteins
It prevents
malabsorption
B12 Animal liver, kidneys
and sardines
Ensure proper
functioning of brain
and nervous system
(Bari, 2017).
Alzheimer’s disease

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS 5
MINERAL MAJOR SOURCES MAJOR
FUNCTIONS
DISEASES
PREVENTED
Phosphorous Milk, meat Provides structure
and strength of the
body
Phosphorous prevents
diseases of the bones
magnesium Legumes, sea food Bone formation High blood pressure
potassium Bananas, cooked
spinach
It regulates fluid
balance
Stroke and
osteoporosis
sodium Poultry, salted nuts. Maintains blood
volume and blood
pressure
Prevents
hypertension
iron Cashews, beans and
lentils.
Important in blood
production
It prevents anemia
zinc Meat, whole grains It is essential for the
senses of smell and
touch
Prevents diarrhea and
respiratory diseases
fluoride Coffee, shellfish Ensures strong teeth
and bone formation
It prevents tooth
decay
chromium Whole grain
products, milk and
dairy products.
Fat and carbohydrates
metabolism
It prevents diabetes
iodine Sea food, Tuna It is responsible for
production of thyroid
hormone.
It prevents goiter.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS 6
References
Bari Shozib, H. (2017). Vitamins & Minerals | Volume 6, Issue 4. Vitamins & Minerals,
06(04). doi:10.4172/2376-1318.1000e151
Webb, G. P. (2013). Non-Essential ‘Nutrients’ that are Used as Dietary Supplements.
Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods, 187-212.
doi:10.1002/9781118788660.ch7