What you can do

The FDA and Congress have recently taken some action to strengthen the agency's oversight, such as passing the law requiring that companies report serious adverse events. But much more needs to be done to keep consumers safe. (See Viewpoint.) In the meantime, here are steps you can take to make sure the supplements you use are safe and beneficial.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist

Even helpful products can be harmful in some situations, such as when you're pregnant or nursing, have a chronic disease, or are about to have elective surgery. And some supplements might be fine on their own but interact with certain prescription drugs. Your doctor or pharmacist can steer you away from such problems only if they know what supplements you're taking or plan to take.

Beware of these categories

Supplements for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding have been problematic, the FDA said, because some contain steroids and prescription drugs. Lose weight through diet and exercise, get fit through training, and consult your doctor if you need help in the bedroom.

Look for the "USP Verified" mark

It indicates that the supplement manufacturer has voluntarily asked U.S. Pharmacopeia, a trusted nonprofit, private standards-setting authority, to verify the quality, purity, and potency of its raw ingredients or finished products. USP maintains a list of verified products on its website, at www.uspverified.org.

Don't assume more is better

It's possible to overdose even on beneficial vitamins and minerals. Avoid any product that is claimed to contain "megadoses."

Report problems

Let your doctor know if you experience any symptoms after you start taking a supplement. And if you end up with a serious side effect, ask your doctor or pharmacist to report it to the FDA, or do it yourself at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-332-1088.

Research in the right places

Be skeptical about claims made for supplements in ads, on TV, and by sales staff. If a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Instead, try these sources:

• The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, at ods.od.nih.gov.
• The FDA, for alerts, advisories, and other actions, at www.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements.
• Consumer Reports Health, at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org, where, for a $19 annual subscription to the site, you can search for information about dietary supplements and other natural health products by type, brand, or ingredient. You can also view ratings of product effectiveness for various conditions and check interactions between those supplements and certain drugs.