Dietary Supplements: Understanding the Complexity of Use and Applications to Health

Dietary supplements, or nutraceuticals, are one of the most common health-related integrative medicine modulates used by the general public to enhance health outcomes and augment medical care. Whether treatment with dietary supplements are sought out for self-prescribing, in conjunction with a licensed or certified health practitioner, or in collaboration with the primary care physician and medical team, there are several important things to consider when designing a care plan aimed at optimizing outcomes while reducing potential untoward side effects. This chapter will provide an overview of dietary supplements with a focus on issues relating to nomenclature, understanding of the nutraceutical marketplace, and key regulatory issues. It will also take a deeper dive into how best to assess reputable manufacturers as well as supplement formulations. Taken together, the overall goal is to guarantee that all products selected are safe and quality control tested. In the current healthcare environment of rising chronic illness (diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease), escalating healthcare costs, and exponential growth in prescription medication, the public is seeking more natural products and functional nutrition interventions. A more comprehensive understanding of the dietary supplement and nutraceutical landscape and their practical applications to health will help to ensure greater safety and benefits to everyone participating in the healthcare industry.