Some people swear by their daily vitamin combinations while others write off their effects as placebo. Vitamins, often labeled “dietary supplements” because of legal issues, don’t have to be approved by the FDA. This leaves a few people wondering about the real benefits vitamins can provide.
If you’re feeling skeptical, there is something you should know about the laws that are in place for these products. Before 1994, vitamins and supplements were subject to the same FDA regulations as all other foods we eat. But the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) put responsibility into different hands. Now, companies may market their supplements without FDA approval only if they themselves can prove with “adequate evidence” that their products are safe, with no misleading claims, says the FDA’s site. DSHEA requires that companies give support to prove that their claims are not false.
Now, what vitamins should I choose? It all depends on what you’re looking for, and if you’re willing to take a leap. Unlike medicines that you may take for a headache or a cold, vitamins usually don’t produce immediate effects, and can seem ineffective if you’re expecting dramatic results. So you have to be willing to spend money on products that may or may not produce all of the benefits they claim, even over time. But according to the manufacturers and millions of believers out there, vitamin supplements can improve your quality of life in the long run. Here are a just a few standard vitamins and the claims associated with each.
Ginko Biloba:A ginko tree is a mysterious, ancient plant with no close living relatives. Its unique properties are said to improve memory function, and increase one’s blood flow when ingested. You can also use ginko biloba in a topical form as an anti-infammatory.
Quercetin:In addition to its anti-oxidant, anti-histamine and anti-infammatory effects, Quercetin is being evaluated as a preventer of viral infection, and possibly some cancers, based on animal studies. Found in fruits, Quercetin’s major effects are still being studied, but have proven helpful in the fight against allergies.
Ginger:Perhaps better known as a member of your spice rack, as a supplement ginger has been used as a nausea reducer. Not only is it safe to use for nausea experienced during pregnancy, but it can also help with the sicknesses associated with chemotherapy.
Vitamin B6: There’s a lot of hype around B6 as a weight loss supplement, but hopefuls shouldn’t dive in just yet. B6 does affect metabolism, but it already occurs naturally in our bodies. An ingredient in energy drinks, B6 claims it will give you a significant boost; so if you’re more active there is a potential for weight loss. B6 is better proven however as an aid to amino acid function, which is necessary for making proteins in our bodies. It has also been shown to relieve arthritis and boost immunity.