What Are Dietary Supplements?
Dietary supplements were defined in a law passed by Congress in 1994. A dietary supplement must meet all of the following conditions:
Dietary supplements are products (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that contain one or more of the following:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Herbs or other botanicals
- Amino acids
- Any combination of the above ingredients.
Dietary supplements are intended to be taken in the following forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
- Powder
- Softgel
- Gelcap
- Liquid.
Dietary supplements are not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet.
Dietary supplements are labeled as being a dietary supplement.
Other important information about dietary supplements includes:
- Dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs, so there could be quality issues in the manufacturing process.
- Dietary supplements can interact with prescribed or over-the-counter medicines and other supplements.
- "Natural" does not necessarily mean "safe" or "effective."
- Consult your healthcare provider before starting a dietary supplement, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, or considering giving a supplement to a child.
Diabetes Supplements: Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA; also known as lipoic acid or thioctic acid) is a chemical that is similar to a vitamin. This
diabetes supplement is an antioxidant -- a substance that prevents cell damage caused by substances called free radicals in a process called oxidative stress. High levels of blood glucose are one cause of oxidative stress.
ALA is found in foods such as:
- Liver
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Broccoli.
ALA can also be created in the laboratory. ALA supplements are marketed as tablets or capsules. It is theorized that ALA may be beneficial because of its antioxidant activity.
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