As you walk down the supplement aisle of the supermarket or drug store, do you ever ask yourself when we started taking so many pills we do not know much about in the hopes of staying healthy? Dietary supplements, which are regulated differently from medications, include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and other botanicals and enzymes or tissues from organs or glands.

If you are considering taking a supplement, consider the following information.

Safety: Supplement manufacturers do not have to provide information to the FDA or consumers about the safety of their supplements before they are allowed on the market. In fact, to remove a supplement from the market, the FDA must prove that it is unsafe.

The Federal Trade Commission Web site (www.ftc.gov) states that “although many supplements can be used safely by most people, other supplements, including some herbal products, can be dangerous. Comfrey contains certain alkaloids that, when ingested, have been linked to serious, even fatal, liver damage. Animal studies suggest that the herb may cause cancer, too. Even certain vitamins can be toxic at high doses. And certain supplements have been found to interact with other medications in ways that could cause injury.”

Effectiveness: The FDA does not require proof of effectiveness, based on scientific studies, as it does with medications.

Quality Control: Dietary supplement regulations have been amended recently to include a requirement for quality controls. Under this new regulation, companies will have to test supplements for purity and to confirm that the supplement contains what is stated on the label. Large companies have until June 2008 to conform to the new regulations; smaller companies have until 2010.

This new regulation was prompted by the Food and Drug Administration findings that some supplements contain contaminants or undeclared active ingredients used in prescription drugs and that some supplements that do not contain what is listed on the label.

Label Claims: Supplement labels are allowed to make “structure and function” claims, such as “improves circulation” or “promotes joint function.” If such claims are made, the label must include the disclaimer that “this statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease.”

All Natural: Natural does not mean safe. The FDA has not defined the word “natural,” which means that any product can claim that it is all natural.

For more information about dietary supplements, visit the FDA Web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov. For information on “Common Herbs and Supplements,” visit www.drugdigest.org.

And for a healthy recipe, try the following for vegetarian chili.

Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a nutrition resource educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.

Vegetarian Chili

Makes 6 cups

1 tablespoon oil

3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into

1-inch cubes

1 onion, peeled and chopped

1 green pepper, washed, seeded and chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped or 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

28-ounce can tomatoes

1 cup corn (frozen or canned)

2 (15 ounce) cans beans (black, kidney or pinto) drained and rinsed

1 cup bulgur wheat

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add squash and cook until golden brown. Remove and set aside. Cook onions and green pepper in same pot over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper. Cook one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in tomatoes (including liquid), corn, beans and bulgur wheat. Add 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender and chili thickens. Add more water if chili is too thick.