Health Tip: Choosing a Supplement?

(HealthDay News) -- Because supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as are prescription and over-the-counter medications, you should be careful when deciding what to buy.


Here are some guidelines on how to safely choose a supplement, courtesy of the Arthritis Foundation:

• Continue taking any medications that have been prescribed by your doctor. Supplements are not designed to replace those prescription medications.
• Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplement. There could be potentially harmful interactions between your prescriptions and a supplement.
• Stick to supplements that are manufactured by established, recognized companies.
• Check labels for the list of ingredients, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for help if any of the ingredients don't sound familiar.