The most popular supplements purchased in the United States includes multivitamins, Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acid, and herbal remedies. Melatonin is also a dietary supplements that is a recommended sleep aid.
Dietary supplements are widely used, but some may pose certain health risks due to limited regulation from the federal government agencies. Some supplements contain harmful ingredients or inaccurate concentrations that don't align with the print on the label. It is up to the customers, however to find formulations that which they can trust, which is something that over half of Americans are unable to do, according to a recent survey.
Continue reading to find out where to find reputable sleep aids, so you can ensure that you are buying the best thing for your health.
What are dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements are products individual buy to obtain additional benefits beyond that of food. Those who manufacture and market dietary supplements cannot claim that they do anything more that provide consumers with extra amounts of said product. However, most people do consume these supplements with the goal of improving their health.
Over 85,000 different types of dietary supplements are available for purchase. Dietary supplements are in many forms, from pills and powders, to liquids and bars. Common ingredients include micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, herbs, natural compounds, amino acids, and live ingredients.
How are they regulated
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some oversight of the production of dietary supplements, but it does not regulate supplements in the same way they do drugs. To gain FDA approval, the manufacturers of a new drug must present evidence that it is both safe and effective. The FDA then decides if the proposed benefits outweigh the risks.
However, for supplements, manufactures are not required to demonstrate the same safety and efficacy before they can sell them. Instead, the FDA regulates them after they are already on the market. Due to the lack of FDA regulation, if manufactures do make any claim of health benefits, they must follow that statement with a disclaimer that those benefits have not been approved by the FDA.
Safety
The safety of a dietary supplement depends on multiple factors, including how it is manufactured and the characteristics of the person taking it. Some supplements are mislabeled, containing more or less concentration than they advertise. Others contain potentially harmful ingredients that are not listed on the label.
When dietary supplements are properly formulated and labeled, it may still be unsafe. Some are labeled as natural, and should be safe with limited effects. However, this is not necessarily true. Natural products can have a major effect on the body and cause harm. Dietary supplements can also have negative interactions with certain medications and even surgery.
Who tests supplements?
The FDA does not directly test supplements before they are sold, so consumers are urged to undergo third-party testing. There are many organizations that test dietary supplements to ensure they are free of contaminants and contents actually match the labels. Manufactures can have their supplements tested and receive a seal of approval for their website and product labels.
Examples of these organizations include the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the National Sanitation Foundation, ConsumerLab.com, and CVS.
When to talk to your doctor
The FDA recommends talking with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before beginning to take a supplement. Even when they have undergone third-party approval, it might not be safe or appropriate for all people. Healthcare professionals can help you decide if taking a supplement is right for you. If you are having trouble sleeping, and would like to talk to one of our sleep health professionals about a potential dietary supplement, please click the orange button below to take a free online sleep test.
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/how-to-evaluate-sleep-supplements