Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements include herbs, vitamins, mineral and nutritional supplements such as Boost, Ensure, etc.

Depending on the health status of each individual, supplementation of vitamins, mineral and nutritional supplements might be helpful to meet your daily nutrient needs resulting from nutrient deficiency, unintended weight loss, pregnancy or lactation.

However, risks exist for misusage or overuse of those products such as contamination or incorrect ingredients, unproven health claims with misleading information to consumers, side effects and contraindication with prescription medications or other products.

Herbal Products

Effectiveness for herbal products are equivocal and cannot substitute for prescription medications. If you are still considering herbal product to help with blood glucose, blood pressure or other chronic issues, consult with a health professional before initiating to receive most up-to-date scientific evidences for its effect, safety and side effects.

How do I know if those supplements are safe for me to use?

First and foremost, read the label on the bottle and try to find NPN or DIN-HM number.

Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) written on the label means that the evaluation has been done by Health Canada in its quality, safety and efficacy.

Please consult this website for the list of licensed natural health products from Health Canada: https://health-products.canada.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/index-eng.jsp

Consult with the dietitian or other health professionals to explore in detail if those dietary supplements are suitable for you.

Are regulations in the US different than in Canada?

Unlike prescription products, those dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, which will be a challenge for customers to identify reliable sources for supplements. US Pharmacopeia (USP) is an organization to set standards and quality control for all FDA-approved prescription and nonprescription medications. Some manufacturers voluntarily to be verified by the USP.

Please consult this website for the list of USP verified manufacturers: https://www.quality-supplements.org/verified-products/verified-products-listings

Consult with the dietitian or other health professionals to explore in detail if those dietary supplements are suitable for you.

References:

• Cornell, S., Halstenson, C., Miller, D. K., & Educators, A. A. o. D. (2017). The Art and Science of Diabetes Self-management Education Desk Reference: American Association of Diabetes Educators.

• Government of Canada. (2016). About Natural Health Product Regulation in Canada. Natural Health Product. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/natural-non-prescription/regulation.html#gmp

• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. (2020, 09.03). Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/