ABSTRACT
A "dietary supplement" is officially defined in the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA). The principal federal legislative act which addresses the production, marketing, and sale of dietary supplements is the DSHEA, which became law in 1994. Because dietary supplements are not classified as medications, they are not subject to the same strict regulations and approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is required of drugs. The purpose of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) is to explore the potential role of dietary supplements in improving healthcare in the United States. Herbal or botanical products are generally defined as any part of a plant, including leaves, stems, flowers, roots, seeds, or some combination thereof. Cinnamon has largely been found to be safe for consumption. Garlic appears to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. Ginger is used in a number of commercially prepared foods and beverages.
