A new review of dietary supplements shows that many people use them hoping to stay healthy or treat illnesses, but these products often don’t work the way people think they do. Unlike medicines, supplements don’t have to go through the same strict testing before being sold. This means we don’t always know if they’re safe or if they actually help. The research highlights that people sometimes use supplements instead of seeing a doctor, which can be risky. Experts say we need better rules to make sure supplements are safe and that people understand what supplements can and cannot do for their health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How dietary supplements are used, whether they’re safe, how they interact with medicines and food, and what rules exist to control them
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study with human participants. Instead, researchers reviewed information from websites, databases, and scientific publications about supplements worldwide
  • Key finding: Most dietary supplements don’t have to pass the same safety tests as medicines before being sold, and many people use them thinking they can treat or prevent diseases—even though supplements aren’t allowed to make those claims
  • What it means for you: Before taking any supplement, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Supplements might interact with medicines you’re taking or with foods you eat, and they may not actually help with what you’re hoping to treat

The Research Details

This research is a review article, which means scientists looked at lots of existing information instead of doing their own experiment with people. The researchers gathered information from many websites, scientific databases, and published studies about dietary supplements. They looked at safety information, how supplements interact with medicines and foods, legal rules about supplements in different countries, and statistics about how many people use supplements.

The researchers analyzed what advantages and disadvantages supplements have, and they looked at how supplement manufacturers are regulated. They also examined why people choose supplements and what misconceptions people have about what supplements can do.

This type of research is useful because it pulls together information from many sources to give a big-picture view of an important topic. However, it doesn’t involve testing supplements on people directly.

Understanding how supplements are regulated and what we know about their safety is important because millions of people use them. Many people believe supplements will help them stay healthy or treat diseases, but they might not realize that supplements aren’t tested the same way medicines are. This review helps explain why that matters and what people should know before using supplements.

This is a review article published in a scientific journal, which means it went through expert review. However, because it’s not a study that directly tested supplements on people, it can’t prove whether specific supplements work or don’t work. The strength of this research comes from looking at many sources of information. Readers should know that the researchers were looking at existing information rather than conducting new experiments.

What the Results Show

The research shows that dietary supplements are very popular worldwide, and many people use them hoping to improve their health, treat illnesses, or slow down aging. However, most supplements cannot legally claim to treat or prevent diseases. Despite this rule, many people believe supplements will do exactly that.

One major finding is that supplement manufacturers often don’t have to do the expensive and time-consuming safety tests that medicine companies must do. This is because supplements are classified differently than medicines in most countries. This means we often don’t have as much scientific proof about whether supplements are safe or effective.

The research also found that supplements can interact with medicines and foods in ways that might be harmful. For example, some supplements might make certain medicines work differently or cause side effects. Many people don’t realize this and don’t tell their doctors about the supplements they’re taking.

Finally, the review highlights that some people use supplements instead of seeing a doctor or getting proper medical treatment for serious health problems. This can be dangerous because the supplement might not actually help with the condition, and the person might miss out on treatments that could really help.

The research found that there’s a lot of misinformation about supplements available to consumers. Many websites and advertisements make claims about supplements that aren’t proven by science. The review also noted that legal rules about supplements are different in different countries, which can be confusing for people. Additionally, the research points out that people often don’t have enough information to make smart choices about whether to use supplements or not.

This review adds to a growing body of research showing that supplements are widely used but not well understood by the public. Previous research has also shown that people often have unrealistic expectations about what supplements can do. This review emphasizes that the problem isn’t just about individual supplements—it’s about the whole system of how supplements are made, tested, and sold.

This research is a review of existing information, not a study that directly tested supplements on people, so it can’t prove whether specific supplements work or don’t work. The researchers looked at many sources, but they couldn’t control what information was included or how reliable all the sources were. The review doesn’t focus on specific supplements, so it can’t tell you about individual products. Also, because supplement rules are different in different countries, some of the information might not apply to where you live.

The Bottom Line

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement. This is especially important if you take medicines, have health conditions, or are pregnant or nursing. Don’t use supplements to replace medical treatment for serious health problems. Be skeptical of supplement claims that sound too good to be true. Look for supplements that have been tested by third-party organizations. Keep a list of all supplements you take and share it with your healthcare provider.

Everyone who takes or is thinking about taking supplements should understand this information. This is especially important for people who take medicines regularly, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and parents making decisions about supplements for their children. People who are considering using supplements instead of seeing a doctor should definitely pay attention to this research.

If you start a supplement, it may take weeks or months to notice any effects—if there are any. However, some interactions with medicines can happen immediately. If you’re using a supplement to treat a health problem, you should see improvement within a reasonable time frame (usually a few weeks to a few months), or you should talk to your doctor about whether it’s actually helping.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Create a supplement log that tracks: supplement name, dose, time taken, any side effects noticed, and any medicines or foods taken at the same time. Rate how you feel each day on a scale of 1-10 to see if the supplement seems to be helping.
  • Before adding any new supplement, use the app to set a reminder to consult with your doctor or pharmacist first. Create a list of all supplements and medicines you take and share it with your healthcare provider at each visit.
  • Track any changes in how you feel, any new symptoms or side effects, and whether the supplement seems to be helping with your goal. Also monitor for any interactions by noting if your medicines seem to work differently after starting a supplement. Review this information with your doctor every 3 months.

This research is a review of information about dietary supplements and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not regulated the same way as medicines, and claims about their effectiveness are not always proven. Before starting any supplement, especially if you take medicines, have health conditions, or are pregnant or nursing, consult with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use supplements to replace medical treatment for serious health conditions. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.