Deck 20: dietary Supplements: Necessity or Waste

Question 1

Health Canada does not test any supplement for safety before it is marketed.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Acceptable forms of evidence proving the effectiveness of a supplement include

A) anecdotal evidence.
B) small scale epidemiological studies.
C) clinical trial data.
D) celebrity endorsements.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Dietary supplements should NOT be considered as substitutes for whole foods.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Herbs can act the same way as drugs; they can cause medical problems if not used correctly.

Question 5

In 2004, Canadian regulations were changed to include natural health products as drugs.

Question 6

In Canada, the labels on natural health products must state any cautionary statements, warnings and possible adverse reactions associated with the product.

Question 7

Who is responsible for determining the safety and efficacy of any dietary supplement?

A) the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
B) the manufacturer of the supplement
C) the Attorney General
D) the Natural Health Products Directorate

Question 8

Which of the following would NOT be an effective strategy to follow when trying to evaluate the safety and quality of a particular supplement?

A) Look for the natural product number (NPN) or homeopathic medicine number (DIN-HM).
B) Buy nationally recognized brands.
C) Purchase products labeled "natural."
D) Contact the company to request additional information.

Question 9

The regulation of dietary supplements is just as rigorous as the regulation of drugs.

Question 10

Natural health products do not require a prescription and are not regulated as drugs.

Question 11

People who should consult their doctor prior to using herbs include

A) seniors.
B) pregnant women.
C) middle-aged men.
D) college students.

Question 12

Unless prescribed by a qualified practitioner, taking a single-nutrient supplement is NOT recommended because it

A) may quickly lead to a nutrient toxicity.
B) will cost too much money.
C) might lead to a nutrient dependency.
D) might reduce your appetite.

Question 13

Dietary supplements need approval from the Natural Health Products Directorate before they are marketed.

Question 14

When considering using natural health products make sure to

A) be aware of any reaction or interactions with other drugs you are taking.
B) double the dosage for the first one to accelerate its effectiveness.
C) take as many products as possible at one time to make sure you aren't missing anything.
D) read news and fitness websites to get a better picture of what it does.

Question 15

A dietary supplement would NOT contain

A) vitamins and minerals.
B) herbs or other botanicals.
C) amino acids.
D) soil samples.

Question 16

An example of a dangerous supplement for a particular condition is

A) fluoride supplements for children not drinking fluoridated water.
B) vitamin B₁₂ for vegans.
C) folate for pregnant women.
D) beta-carotene for smokers.

Question 17

Which of the following individuals would LEAST likely need dietary supplementation?

A) pregnant teenagers
B) people with lactose intolerance
C) people who eat a vegan diet
D) people who eat a balanced diet

Question 18

The use of herbs to promote health and treat discomfort and disease is a relatively recent occurrence.

Question 19

Taking supplements will increase your energy level.

Question 20

The ideal nutritional strategy for optimizing health is to

A) eat a healthful diet containing a variety of whole foods.
B) eat foods you like and take a one-a-day supplement.
C) eat a healthful diet but take a one-a-day supplement "to be sure."
D) eat what you want but take a supplement containing 100% or more of recommended levels.