Supplement Information Sheets

Plain-language guides to common uses, the strength of the research, possible risks, and questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Free to read and download. No email address or profile required.

These resources support healthcare conversations. They do not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A supplement that helps one person may not be appropriate for another.

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All 8 available sheets in one alphabetically arranged PDF, with a clickable contents page and bookmarks.

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Collection updated October 19, 2026. See each sheet for its source-review date.

What Is A Supplement?

A dietary supplement is a product taken by mouth to add to the diet. Vitamins are one type of supplement, alongside minerals, herbs and other ingredients.

These seven groups organize this guide; they are not an official FDA classification. Groups can overlap, and more may be added. The category does not tell you whether a product works or is safe.

Seven Types Used In This Guide
Type	What it means	Examples
Vitamins And Multivitamins	Nutrients needed in small amounts for normal body functions.	Vitamin B12, vitamin D, multivitamins
Minerals	Elements used for functions such as bone health, muscles and nerves.	Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc
Herbs And Plant Extracts	Plants or concentrated ingredients taken from plants.	Turmeric, ginger, echinacea
Amino Acids And Related Compounds	Protein building blocks and substances related to them.	L-lysine, acetyl-L-carnitine
Oils And Fatty Acids	Fats and oils sold to add particular fatty acids to the diet.	Fish oil, EPA and DHA omega-3s
Enzymes	Substances that help chemical reactions happen; digestive enzymes help break down food.	Lactase, digestive enzyme blends
Other Dietary Supplements	Ingredients that do not fit neatly into the groups above.	CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, probiotics, apple cider vinegar products