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The Pros And Cons Of Dietary Supplements

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Dietary supplements are becoming more and more widely used. Whether it be for sport performance, herbal, or just a vitamin, many are being used and misused. People do not understand how dietary supplements are regulated and what the pros and cons are.
“In the United Sates, dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” (Schmillen, 2013., p. 4) but in 1994 the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was altered by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) to create more current standards for dietary supplements (Schmillen, 2013., p. 4). “The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines a dietary ingredient as a vitamin; mineral; herb or other botanical; amino acid; dietary substance …show more content…

“There is some evidence that omega-3s and alpha-lipoic acid improve common diabetes complications such as heart disease and neuropathy” (“The Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplements,” 2012.). ““One type of supplement stands above the rest” – Catherine Buettner, MD., omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)” (“The Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplements,” 2012.). There is evidence these fatty acids and their properties improve heart health (“The Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplements,” 2012.). For those people who do not consume fish, omega-3s are over-the-counter fish oil supplements. Catherine Buettner says “not all fish oil product has the same amount of omega-3s so be sure to check the labels” (“The Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplements,” 2012.). Alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant made by the body that may potentially reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy; blood glucose can help prevents the nerve damage caused by diabetes but not a lot of treatment is out for the pain and tingling caused by the disease, so a supplement might be a better option. (“The Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplements,” 2012.). Dietary supplements have also been used to enhance sport performance. Creatine, a naturally occurring, non-essential, guanidine compound (Bishop, 2010.). “Creatine can be obtained in the diet or synthesized from amino acids glycine, arginine and methionine” (Bishop, 2010.). Creatine is taken in supplement form to help improve an athlete’s energy in some

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