DOI: 10.36347/sajp.2024.v13i05.007

Pages: 181-188

Different nations define dietary supplements differently, and regulations are sometimes ambiguous and seem to prioritise corporate profits over the general welfare. Supplements may have direct negative effects or interact negatively with drugs or other supplements. It turns out that many supplements include heavy metals, and some of them don't have the expected amounts of active ingredients. Generally speaking, supplements are not necessary unless deficits are shown, and consuming excessive amounts of some nutrients may increase your risk of cancer. There are strong reasons to support the introduction of dietary recommendations for expecting mothers, such as those pertaining to iodine and folate. The most widely used nutritional supplements are amino acids and calcium, neither of which has much evidence to support their benefits for healthy teenagers. For competitive athletes who don't eat a balanced diet, nutritional supplements could be helpful if a specific dietary deficiency has been found. This assessment discusses possible dangers to the public's health related to dietary supplements and offers suggestions for upcoming legislative actions.