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Dietary supplements are the newest rage on the health food and vitamins market. The problem is, dietary supplements are neither food nor vitamins, and they also are not medication. As such, dietary supplements are not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration and are usually not tested for efficacy, absorption, or to see if the claims these dietary supplements make are true.

More often than not, the claims are not true, and in fact, some dietary supplements can be dangerous, deadly, or simply useless.

So the first question you need to ask yourself when deciding if a dietary supplement is right for you is to ask why you think you need a dietary supplement. Are you wanting to try one because you saw an ad on television or the internet telling you that you should? If so, chances are you don't need that particular dietary supplement.

Do you feel shamed into taking one, because you want to lose weight, or you feel bad or have a lack of energy, and the advertisements claim a particular dietary supplement will fix your problems? Then chances are you don't need a dietary supplement.

The only time a dietary supplement should be taken is with the consultation with a physician or a licensed nutritionist, and then to only take supplements where you can see the studies performed for efficacy and absorption.

Dietary supplements are not all bad, neither are they all dangerous, but they must be taken properly and in the proper dosages and in the proper manner. The truth is, if you are eating properly, a well-balanced meal full of vitamin rich fruits and vegetables, enough protein, low in fat but with the good fats still part of your diet, and you are getting enough calcium from dairy products, there really is not additional need for extra dietary supplements.

However, it is tough to find the time to cook and eat foods properly to receive all the nutrients we should have in our diets. Especially for the young and the elderly, vitamins such as the B vitamin complexes, are needed for energy. A vitamin B complex is also good for women during their childbearing years.

Some people will take dietary supplements to help with sleep cycles, such as taking melatonin. Unfortunately, the only way melatonin will work to help regulate sleep cycles is if the body is melatonin deficient.

Taking St. John's Wort as a dietary supplement has been said to help regulate and control mood disorders, to calm nerves, and help prevent depression. However, St. John's Wort can be extremely dangerous is someone who has undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and it can also be very hard on the body during metabolizing.

It's not that dietary supplements are all bad and should be avoided completely, but rather a word of warning that taking them that everyone should check with their doctors or nutritionists first. Always be sure to check with your health care professional before starting any new dietary supplement and let them know all dietary supplements you are taking, because many of them can interact poorly with traditional medications.

To know when it's right for you to take a dietary or herbal, do your research first. Read the scientific studies from independent parties not the manufacturer, read on the internet real life experiences of those who have used the supplements and purchase only ones with proved efficacy. After that, check with your doctor or nutritionist and take only the right dietary supplements for you and your needs.

Learn more about this author, Michelle L Devon.
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