Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets

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.

Search the list below by selecting a letter of the alphabet or by entering a word or phrase in the search box.

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ALL 5 A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W Y Z

I

Iodine
The use of iodized salt is the most widely used strategy to control iodine deficiency.
Iron
Iron is found in lean meat, seafood, poultry, beans, iron-fortified breakfast cereals and breads, and other foods.
Iron (for athletic performance) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Isoleucine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)

K

Kava
- Kava
- Kava
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Kava (Piper methysticum)
Kola nut (cola nut) (see Weight Loss)
Vitamin K
Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin K.

L

L-arginine
- L-Arginine
  - Source: MedlinePlus
L-tryptophan
- L-Tryptophan
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Lactobacillus
- Lactobacillus
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Lactobacillus (probiotic) (see Probiotics)
Lavender
- Lavender
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Leucine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Licorice root
- Licorice Root
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Lutein
- Lutein
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Lycopene
- Lycopene
  - Source: MedlinePlus

M

Maca
- Maca
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Magnesium
The amount of magnesium you need depends on your age and sex.
Manganese
Legumes are a good source of manganese.
Mangosteen
- Mangosteen
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Maritime pine
- Maritime Pine
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Melatonin
- Melatonin: Sleep Disorders
  - Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
- Melatonin
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Milk thistle
- Milk Thistle
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Mistletoe
- Mistletoe
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Mistletoe Extracts (PDQ)
  - Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Mistletoe (Viscum album L.)
Mitochondrial disorders (see Primary Mitochondrial Disorders)
Molybdenum
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Multivitamin/mineral Supplements
Multivitamin/mineral supplements can refer to products of widely varied compositions and characteristics.

N

Niacin
Noni
- Noni
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

O

Olive
- Olive
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3s are found in foods such as fatty fish and plant oils.
Omega-6 fatty acids
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Oregano
- Oregano
  - Source: MedlinePlus

P

Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need.
Papaya
- Papaya
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Passionflower
- Passionflower
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Pau d'arco
- Pau D'Arco
  - Source: MedlinePlus
PC-SPES
- PC-SPES
  - Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Peppermint oil
- Peppermint Oil
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Peppermint (Mentha ⨯ piperita)
Performance: Exercise and Athletic (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Phosphorus
Dairy products are good sources of phosphorus.
Pomegranate
- Pomegranate
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Potassium
Dried apricots are an excellent source of potassium.
Primary Mitochondrial Disorders
- Dietary Supplements for Primary Mitochondrial Disorders
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that may be beneficial to health.
Probiotics (for weight loss) (see Weight Loss)
Propolis
- Propolis
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Protein (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Psyllium (blond)
- Psyllium (Blond)
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Pyruvate (see Weight Loss)

Q

Quercetin (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)

R

Raspberry ketone (see Weight Loss)
Red clover
- Red Clover
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Reishi mushroom
- Reishi Mushroom
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Resveratrol
- Resveratrol
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Rhodiola
- Rhodiola
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Riboflavin
Eggs, organ meats, lean meats, and milk are rich sources of riboflavin.
Ribose (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Rose hip
- Rose Hip
  - Source: MedlinePlus

S

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)
- S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine for Treatment of Depression, Osteoarthritis, and Liver Disease
  - Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Saccharomyces boulardii
- Saccharomyces Boulardii
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic) (see Probiotics)
Sage
- Sage
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
- SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)
  - Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Saw palmetto
- Saw Palmetto
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Selenium
Selenium is found naturally in many foods, including seafood.
Senna
- Senna
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Shark cartilage
- Shark Cartilage
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Slippery elm
- Slippery Elm
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Sodium bicarbonate (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Soy
- Soy
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Soy: Effects on Health Outcomes
  - Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Soy (Glycine max)
Spearmint
- Spearmint
  - Source: MedlinePlus
St. John's wort
- St. John's Wort
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- St. John's Wort and Depression
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

T

Tart or sour cherry (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Tea
- Green Tea
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Tea and Cancer Prevention
  - Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Thiamin
Thiamin (also called vitamin B1) is found in whole grains, meat, and fish.
Thunder god vine
- Thunder God Vine
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Tribulus terrestris (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Turmeric
- Turmeric
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

V

Valerian
- Valerian
Valerian (Valerian officinalis)
Valine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Vitamin A
Rich sources of vitamin A include green leafy, orange, and yellow vegetables such as carrots and spinach.
Vitamin B1 (see Thiamin)
Vitamin B12
Foods from animals, but not plants, naturally have vitamin B12. These include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and other dairy products.
Vitamin B2 (see Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (see Niacin)
Vitamin B5 (see Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is found naturally in many foods and is added to others.
Vitamin B7 (see Biotin)
Vitamin B9 (see Folate)
Vitamin C
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
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 D (for weight loss) (see Weight Loss)
Vitamin E
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
Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin K.

W

Weight Loss
Whey protein
- Whey Protein
  - Source: MedlinePlus
White kidney bean (see Weight Loss)
Wild yam
- Wild Yam
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Willow bark
- Willow Bark
  - Source: MedlinePlus

Y

Yerba mate
- Yerba Mate
  - Source: MedlinePlus
Yerba mate (mate) (see Weight Loss)
Yohimbe
- Yohimbe
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Yohimbe (for weight loss) (see Weight Loss)

Z

Zinc
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.

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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets

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General Supplement Information

Supplements for Specific Purposes