Dietary Supplements: Nutritional and Legal Considerations

conditions. During the twentieth century, progress has been made in elucidating the biochemical structures and physiological roles of vitamins and other nutrients. Today, many nutrients can be produced abundantly and inexpensively through laboratory synthesis, microbial fermentation, or other processes. Thus, nutritional imbalances or other special needs for vitamins and minerals, if properly recognized, can be treated with oral dietary supplements or with nutrient solutions administered through other routes if medically warranted. Once confined mainly to health food stores and pharmacies, dietary supplements now are found in a much broader variety than before in supermarkets and national discount chain stores and are sold though mail order catalogues, television, and the Internet. Although some supplements such as prenatal vitamin/mineral blends require a prescription, most do not and are readily available over-the-counter. Because dietary supplements are regulated as a special category of foods rather than drugs in the United States, the Institute of Food Technologists is well positioned to address this topic. This Scientific Status Summary specifically addresses dietary supplements—not medical foods nor functional Dietary Supplements: Nutritional and Legal Considerations