Nutritional Supplement Tables

The following tables identify the major nutritional supplements by their most common names. The tables explain each supplement’s potential health benefits and possible side effects. Please note the words “potential” and “possible”—there hasn’t been enough research to back up all the claims of benefits made for nutritional supplements, and the side effects of most supplements are rare and usually result either from allergies or extremely large doses. Wherever possible, the tables provide RDA information for adult men and women in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (µg). Check with your doctor for RDAs for children and pregnant or lactating women.