This collection of fact sheets and other resources from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and other federal government sources presents information about dietary supplements and their ingredients. These include vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, probiotics, and more. Many of these resources are available in versions written for consumers (in both English and Spanish) and also for health professionals.
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F
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V
W
Y
Z
A
- Acai
Resources:
- Herbs at a Glance: Acai
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Acai Berry
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: acai, açaí, Amazonian palm berry.
Latin name: Euterpe oleracea.
- Activated charcoal
- African mango (see Weight Loss)
- Alfalfa
Resources:
- Alfalfa
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Aloe vera
Resources:
- Aloe Vera
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Aloe Vera
- Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Common names: aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall
Latin names: Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis
- Alzheimer's disease
- Andrographis
- Antioxidants (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Arginine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Ashwagandha
- Astragalus
Resources:
- Astragalus
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: astragalus, bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwanggi, milk vetch
Latin names: Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus mongholicus
- Athletic and exercise performance (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Vitamin A
Resources:
Rich sources of vitamin A include green leafy, orange, and yellow vegetables such as carrots and spinach.
B
- Bacopa monnieri
- BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Bee pollen
Resources:
- Bee pollen
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Beetroot (beet juice) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Berberine
- Beta-alanine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Beta-carotene (see Vitamin A)
- Beta-glucans (see Weight Loss)
- Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Betaine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Bilberry
Resources:
- Bilberry
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: bilberry, European blueberry, whortleberry, huckleberry
Latin name: Vaccinium myrtillus
- Biotin
Resources:
Biotin is naturally present in some foods, such as salmon and eggs.
- Bitter melon
Resources:
- Bitter Melon
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Bitter orange
Resources:
- Bitter Orange
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Bitter Orange for weight loss (see Weight Loss)
Common names: bitter orange, Seville orange, sour orange, zhi shi
Latin name: Citrus aurantium
- Black cohosh
Resources:
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
- Blessed thistle
- Blue-green algae
- Blueberry
Resources:
- Blueberry
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Boron
Resources:
Apples are a good source of boron.
- Botanical Dietary Supplements
- Brain health
- Branched-chain amino acids (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Bromelain
Resources:
- Bromelain
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: bromelain, pineapple extract
Latin name (for pineapple): Ananas comosus L.
- Butterbur
Resources:
- Butterbur
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: butterbur, petasites and purple butterbur. Butterbur is also known under several patented standardized extract forms, such as Petadolex.
Latin names: Petasites hybridus (also known as Petasitidis hybridus, Petasites officinalis, or Tussilago hybrida).
- Vitamin B1 (see Thiamin)
- Vitamin B12
Resources:
Foods from animals, but not plants, naturally have vitamin B12.
- Vitamin B2 (see Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (see Niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (see Pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6
Resources:
Vitamin B6 is found naturally in many foods and is added to others.
- Vitamin B7 (see Biotin)
- Vitamin B9 (see Folate)
C
- Caffeine
- Calcium
Resources:
Calcium-rich foods include milk, cheese, and yogurt; vegetables like kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage; and canned sardines and salmon with soft bones that you eat.
- Calendula
Resources:
- Calendula
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Capsaicin (see Weight Loss)
- Capsaicinoids
- Capsicum
- Carnitine
Resources:
Animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, and milk are the best sources of carnitine.
- Cartilage (bovine and shark)
- Cascara sagrada
- Cat's claw
Resources:
- Cat's Claw
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Cat's Claw (Uncaria guianensis)
- CBD (cannabidiol)
- Cesium
- Chamomile
Resources:
- Chamomile
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Chamomile (Roman)
- Chasteberry
Resources:
- Chasteberry
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Chitosan (see Weight Loss)
- Choline
Resources:
You can get recommended amounts of choline by eating a variety of foods.
- Chondroitin
Resources:
Chondroitin is found in cartilage, the connective tissue that helps cushion the joints.
- Chromium
Resources:
Chromium is a mineral found in many foods.
- Cinnamon
Resources:
- Cinnamon
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Citrulline (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Clove
Resources:
- Clove
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Cobalamin (see Vitamin B12)
- Cod liver oil
Resources:
- Cod Liver Oil
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Coenzyme Q10
- Cola nut (kola nut) (see Weight Loss)
- Coleus forskohlii (forskolin) (see Weight Loss)
- Colloidal silver
- Conjugated linoleic acid (see Weight Loss)
- Copper
Resources:
Nuts are a rich source of copper.
- COVID-19
- Cranberry
Resources:
- Cranberry
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
- Creatine
- Vitamin C
Resources:
You can get enough vitamin C by eating a variety of foods including citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruit) and their juices, as well as red and green pepper, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, baked potatoes, and tomatoes.
E
- Echinacea
Resources:
- Echinacea and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
- Echinacea and immune function (see Immune Function)
- Echinacea
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
- Elderberry
Resources:
European Elder (Sambucus nigra)
- Eleuthero
Resources:
- Eleuthero
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Energy drinks
Resources:
“Energy” drinks are marketed as promoting alertness, concentration, energy, weight loss, athletic performance, or stamina.
- Ephedra
- Essiac/Flor-Essence
- Eucalyptus
Resources:
- Eucalyptus
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Evening primrose oil
Resources:
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
- Exercise and Athletic Performance
Resources:
Some dietary supplement ingredients are claimed to enhance exercise and athletic performance.
- Eye conditions
Resources:
- Eye conditions
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Vitamin E
Resources:
Many foods have vitamin E including vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, sunflower, and safflower oils), nuts (such as almonds), seeds (such as sunflower seeds), and green vegetables (such as spinach and broccoli).
F
- Fenugreek
Resources:
- Fenugreek
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
- Feverfew
Resources:
- Feverfew
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
- Fish oil (see Omega-3 fatty acids)
- Flaxseed
Resources:
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)
- Fluoride
Resources:
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.
- Folate
Resources:
Folic acid is added to many grain-based products.
- Folic acid (see Folate)
- Forskolin (coleus forskohlii) (see Weight Loss)
- Fucoxanthin (see Weight Loss)
G
- Garcinia cambogia
- Garlic
Resources:
- Garlic and immune function (see Immune Function)
- Garlic
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Gelatin
Resources:
- Gelatin
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ginger
Resources:
- Ginger
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Ginkgo
Resources:
- Ginkgo
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Ginkgo
- Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
- Ginseng
Resources:
Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
- Glucomannan (see Weight Loss)
- Glucosamine
- Glutamine
- Goji
Resources:
- Goji
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Goldenseal
Resources:
- Goldenseal
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- Grape
Resources:
- Grape
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Grape seed extract
Resources:
- Grape Seed Extract
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Grape Seed Oil (seed extract of Vitis vinifera)
- Grapefruit
Resources:
- Grapefruit
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Green coffee beans
- Green tea
Resources:
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Guar gum (see Weight Loss)
- Guarana (see Weight Loss)
- Gymnema
Resources:
- Gymnema
- Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
I
- Immune Function
- Iodine
Resources:
The use of iodized salt is the most widely used strategy to control iodine deficiency.
- Iron
Resources:
Iron is found in lean meat, seafood, poultry, beans, iron-fortified breakfast cereals and breads, and other foods.
- Isoleucine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
K
- Kava
Resources:
- Kava
- Kava
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Kava (Piper methysticum)
- Ketones
- Kola nut (cola nut) (see Weight Loss)
- Vitamin K
Resources:
Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin K.
V
- Valerian
Resources:
- Valerian
- Valerian
- Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Valerian (Valerian officinalis)
- Valine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Vinpocetine
- Vitamin A
Resources:
Rich sources of vitamin A include green leafy, orange, and yellow vegetables such as carrots and spinach.
- Vitamin B1 (see Thiamin)
- Vitamin B12
Resources:
Foods from animals, but not plants, naturally have vitamin B12.
- Vitamin B2 (see Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (see Niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (see Pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6
Resources:
Vitamin B6 is found naturally in many foods and is added to others.
- Vitamin B7 (see Biotin)
- Vitamin B9 (see Folate)
- Vitamin C
Resources:
You can get enough vitamin C by eating a variety of foods including citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruit) and their juices, as well as red and green pepper, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, baked potatoes, and tomatoes.
- Vitamin D
Resources:
Very few foods naturally have vitamin D. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are among the best sources. Fortified foods like milk provide most of the vitamin D in American diets.
- Vitamin E
Resources:
Many foods have vitamin E including vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, sunflower, and safflower oils), nuts (such as almonds), seeds (such as sunflower seeds), and green vegetables (such as spinach and broccoli).
- Vitamin K
Resources:
Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin K.
Z
- Zinc
Resources:
Many foods have zinc. Red meat, poultry, oysters and other seafood, and fortified breakfast cereals are good sources. Beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products have some zinc as well.
General Supplement Information
Supplements for Specific Purposes