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Nutrition labels
The following label-building skills are intended to make it easier for you to use nutrition labels to make quick, informed food choices that contribute to a healthy diet. -
Dietary supplements
"Adults in the US take one or more dietary supplements everyday or occasionally.Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbals and botanicals,amino acids, enzymes,and many other products.Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms traditional tablets, capsules,and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars. Popular supplements include vitamins D and E minerals like calcium and iron herbs such as echinacea and garlic and specialty products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils." -
Effectiveness
“Some supplements might help you get adequate amounts of essential nutrients. However, supplements can't take the place of the variety of foods that are important to a healthy diet. Scientific evidence shows that some dietary supplements are beneficial for overall health and for managing some health conditions” Excerpt From: “Personal Wellness.” v1.0. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright. -
Risks
“Always be alert to the possibility of unexpected side effects, especially when taking a new product. Supplements are most likely to cause side effects or harm when people take them instead of prescribed medicines or when people take many supplements in combination. Some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding. Dietary supplements can also interact with certain prescription drugs in ways that might cause problems." -
Quality
The FDA has established quality standards for dietary supplements to help ensure their identity, purity, strength, and composition. Don't take dietary supplements for health issues that you have diagnosed yourself without seeing a doctor. -
Environmental effects
“The environmental effects of pesticides and fertilizers on natural wildlife and our water supply is well-documented. Currently, the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, where no fish or other animals can live, has grown to 8,543 square miles, the size of New Jersey.”