24
2009). Dietary supplements are products that contain one or more concentrated
nutrients with the aim of supplementing an individual’s daily diet, when his or her
diet is not balanced or if nutrients are lacking. Dietary supplements do not belong
to the category of common food neither medicines nor special dietary products and
not intended for specific categories of people (www.nutrinews.gr).
Supplements offer the missing ingredients to the body in order for the latter to be
kept in good physical and mental condition. In effect, the human system wouldn’t
be exhausted and at the same time injuries and fatigue are avoided (Kourkouta et al.
2016). The production as well as the consumption of dietary supplements have considerably increased in the last decade. Majority of these supplements are supplied in
the form of tablets or powder. Although, the increased intake is supposed to offer
health benefits, too much consumption may result in higher amounts of vitamins
and minerals which the body may not be able to tolerate. As a result, consumers are
exposed to health risks due to excessive consumption of dietary supplements. The
problem becomes more serious if people take these supplements by themselves,
without prescription or medical supervision (Beitz et al. 2004).
3.2 Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are products that are ingested in addition to the regular diet to
provide additional health-promoting nutrients. According to the Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a dietary supplement is a product that is
intended to supplement the diet; contains dietary ingredients including vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, herbs, and botanicals; is intended to be ingested as a pill,
capsule, tablet, or liquid; and is labeled as being a dietary supplement (ODS 2011;
Ronis et al. 2018). Dietary supplements are widely used. They are generally taken
to improve and maintain overall health. For women in particular, supplements are
intended to support bone integrity and prevent osteoporosis. The most commonly
K. C. Patrick-Iwuanyanwu
Nutritional Biochemistry and Toxicology Unit, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence,
Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of PortHarcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
P. C. Onyeike
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
B. C. Ephraim-Emmanuel
Department of Dental Health Sciences, Bayelsa State College of Health Technology,
Otuogidi-Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Environmental Health Unit, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence, Centre for Public
Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port-Harcourt,
Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
S. Hassan et al.
2009). Dietary supplements are products that contain one or more concentrated
nutrients with the aim of supplementing an individual’s daily diet, when his or her
diet is not balanced or if nutrients are lacking. Dietary supplements do not belong
to the category of common food neither medicines nor special dietary products and
not intended for specific categories of people (www.nutrinews.gr).
Supplements offer the missing ingredients to the body in order for the latter to be
kept in good physical and mental condition. In effect, the human system wouldn’t
be exhausted and at the same time injuries and fatigue are avoided (Kourkouta et al.
2016). The production as well as the consumption of dietary supplements have considerably increased in the last decade. Majority of these supplements are supplied in
the form of tablets or powder. Although, the increased intake is supposed to offer
health benefits, too much consumption may result in higher amounts of vitamins
and minerals which the body may not be able to tolerate. As a result, consumers are
exposed to health risks due to excessive consumption of dietary supplements. The
problem becomes more serious if people take these supplements by themselves,
without prescription or medical supervision (Beitz et al. 2004).
3.2 Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are products that are ingested in addition to the regular diet to
provide additional health-promoting nutrients. According to the Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a dietary supplement is a product that is
intended to supplement the diet; contains dietary ingredients including vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, herbs, and botanicals; is intended to be ingested as a pill,
capsule, tablet, or liquid; and is labeled as being a dietary supplement (ODS 2011;
Ronis et al. 2018). Dietary supplements are widely used. They are generally taken
to improve and maintain overall health. For women in particular, supplements are
intended to support bone integrity and prevent osteoporosis. The most commonly
K. C. Patrick-Iwuanyanwu
Nutritional Biochemistry and Toxicology Unit, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence,
Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of PortHarcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
P. C. Onyeike
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
B. C. Ephraim-Emmanuel
Department of Dental Health Sciences, Bayelsa State College of Health Technology,
Otuogidi-Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Environmental Health Unit, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence, Centre for Public
Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port-Harcourt,
Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
S. Hassan et al.