Keep up with supplement safety alerts

Being sold in the marketplace doesn't make a supplement safe or effective.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps a list of dietary supplements that are under regulatory review or that have been reported to cause adverse effects. If you're taking a supplement, it's a good idea to check the FDA website periodically for updates.

Keep in mind, though, that the FDA doesn't regulate or oversee vitamin and supplement content or claims to the same degree as it does prescription medications.

If you think that a dietary supplement may have caused you to have a serious reaction or illness, stop using the product and fill out a safety report through the Safety Reporting Portal website.