Does the Goverment Regulate Vitamins?

Millions of Americans use vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. There are many varieties and brands to choose from which can be a bit overwhelming . Most vitamins, minerals and supplements are not regulated by the government. The government regulates certain substances because of the harmful possiblities they may have on our minds. Not all substances are created equal and so not everything that is not yet regulated by the government is any safer than those which are. It can be difficult to draw the line when it comes to government policies regarding minerals and vitamins because while they have some regulation and ongoing studies with some supplements they do not with all of them. So how do we know when it is safe to take a vitamin or mineral supplement?

Many other countries in the world have no policies regarding regulation of vitamins and minerals. Medications are regulated but vitamins and minerals are often considered related to food and not drugs.. Medical researching and case studies often show positive and harmless results for many vitamins and minerals which may not be yet be approved or disproved by our own government.

Does this mean that you can't rely on the government when it comes to making choices about the vitamins and minerals you purchase?If it is a medication then we know that the government has done extensive research and for the most part can trust what they announce as being safe. How about vitamins and supplements? Because they are labeled food, the government usually leaves the responsibility to the manufactuer of the vitamin or supplement to make certain it is safe for consumption. What this means to you as a consumer is that your going to have to place your faith in the company that makes the supplements. You can write to the company and request information on their research if your still not sure how safe or effective their vitamins and supplements are.

The bottom line is that when a supplement is sold in the stores, there is no policy that says that vitamin or mineral has to be tested and proven to be safe or even effective. You also need to be aware that there are no government regulations requiring manufacturers to publish any side effects , illnesses or injuries which may be connected to takint the supplement. This is because supplements are considered to be classifed as a food and not a drug.

If your using or considering using vitamins and mineral supplements be sure you understand that you as the consumer are responsible for what goes into your body. If you have any concerns about which supplements to take and any possible side effects or dangers from their use, then the best move would be to consult with your doctor and possibly read up on the vitamin and mineral substances yourself so you can have a better understanding of what your putting in your body.