UC Irvine

In the age of clickbait and targeted marketing, we are constantly exposed to hype and misleading claims about dietary supplements. Many of us may need to take dietary supplements for various reasons (i.e., vitamin and mineral deficiencies). The goal of this chapter is not to advise against taking the dietary supplements that we need. The chapter will explore areas about which we all need to know: how to find what is scientifically known about supplements, where to look for the most rigorous studies, and how to assure the quality of a supplement in the absence of a formal FDA approval process. Although scientific certainty is the goal, high-quality botanical extracts that have worked for thousands of years to alleviate a variety of symptoms and improve human health are likely to continue working if used in the right context, science or no science.