Health Supplements is a category of products used to improve the health of a person. These health products are usually sold over the counter and have not been FDA approved for selling. Some health supplements are in the form of food supplements that are not bought as food but rather bought as a nutritional supplement. However, a food supplement does not necessarily contain all of the vitamins and minerals for a healthy person would need. For example, some nutritional supplements are made to improve the appetite and energy levels of an individual. A health supplement is generally a manufactured item intended to supplement oneҳ daily diet by taking a tablet, capsule, fluid or powder. There are health supplements for almost every condition under the sun. A vitamin supplement will usually give a person more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of a certain nutrient and can sometimes be helpful in treating or preventing a disease. There are health supplements for a range of conditions including high blood pressure, cholesterol and osteoporosis. A mineral such as vitamin D is found naturally in most foods. However, there are foods that lack this vitamin and some manufacturers include it in large quantities in order to make the food more appealing to the mass market. The use of vitamin E and other natural antioxidants are also commonly used in the manufacturing of health supplements. Most health supplements contain some amount of mercury, but the level of mercury in the product is usually regulated by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is therefore best to read the label and consult with your physician before buying a health supplement. In the recent years, there have been many recalls of health supplements due to toxic reactions that can occur if the product is not properly used. Health care providers in the United States are required to advise patients and consumers about the safety of supplements. The Food and Drug Administration monitors all the products that enter the country to make sure that the levels of chemicals, vitamins and minerals do not exceed the maximum safe levels. The FDA also holds annual conventions that bring together health supplement manufacturers, retailers and trade representatives to discuss issues that may be related to the production, processing and distribution of supplements. Vitamins A, B, C and E are considered essential but in some countries and in some people deficiency of these vitamins can be serious. Deficiency in some vitamins can lead to bone diseases and loss of body hair. It is important for pregnant women and children to take vitamins even though it may not be necessary to meet their daily requirements. Some people tend to develop a form of vitamin B12 deficiency, which causes a serious condition called rickets in children. A rarer form of vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone diseases and it can lead to a deformity. Deficiencies in other vitamins can be serious conditions like anemia and hypercalcemia. If you decide to take any type of dietary supplements you should talk with your doctor first. Most of these dietary supplements are approved by the FDA but there are some that the FDA has not approved because they have not been proven to be effective. Taking any vitamin supplement without the advice of your doctor is not advised. While some supplements have received FDA approval for certain health conditions such as weight loss and breast cancer prevention, they are not necessarily recommended for everyone. Natural dietary supplements are also available. Herbs and other naturally occurring substances are becoming popular choices in natural dietary supplements. They are used to add extra vitamins and minerals to the diet. While natural dietary supplements have not received FDA approval for some serious health conditions, they are not considered unsafe. However, you need to be careful not to consume too much of them. Some of these herbs can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain if taken in high doses. Dietary supplements have been proven to be very beneficial to everyone, but the best way to choose which one is right for you is to talk to your doctor. He or she can help you figure out what supplements would be most beneficial to you based on your current lifestyle. It is important to take the right amount of each vitamin and mineral. Also, it is important to remember that not all vitamins and minerals are absorbed well by the body. Some can be lost through the process of digestion, while others can pass through without being absorbed at all. By talking with your doctor you will be able to determine which supplements will benefit you the most.