Dietary supplements are foods that provide nutrients in concentrated form and are meant to add to the normal diet without replacing it. They include vitamin and mineral products, but also protein powder or creatine, provided they are offered and labelled in the corresponding form. The range extends from individual vitamins through minerals to protein powders and amino acid products.
Unlike medicines, dietary supplements do not have to prove effectiveness against specific complaints, and their labelling is subject to different legal requirements. General dosage notes on the packaging are to be understood as guides, and this site gives no individual recommendations. People with pre-existing conditions, such as kidney disease, should seek medical advice before taking them regularly. A balanced diet generally covers nutrient needs to a large extent, and dietary supplements remain a targeted addition.
More on the general dosage of such products is explained in the entry Dosage, and a concrete example of a dietary supplement is described in the entry Creatine.
