ABSTRACT
Dietary supplements have existed in many different forms and combinations, and have a long history of use. In general, they consist of concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. The purpose of taking a supplement is to complement the normal diet. The supplements can be vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plants, and a range of other substances isolated from a natural source. Herbal supplements, sometimes called botanicals, are the oldest form of dietary supplements. Other common dietary supplements, apart from herbal supplements, include preparations comprising individual or a combination of vitamins and minerals. The human body needs vitamins in order to function properly and maintain good health, but only in minute amounts. The socio-cultural risk discourse highlights how commercial advertising has become entrenched in contemporary society, challenging socio-culturally based healthy eating traditions, and explains why official recommendations and public perceptions of risks need to be part of the debate.
