Final answer:
Dietary supplements are designed to provide nutrients that might be missing from a person's diet and support health but not to prevent or treat diseases. A food label contains nutritional information such as calories, vitamin content, and ingredients, which helps consumers make informed choices about their food intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
Function of Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements serve various purposes, including providing nutrients that may not be consumed in sufficient quantities. Supplements can include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and herbs or other botanicals. They are intended to supplement the diet, not replace healthy eating habits. Some supplements can help ensure that you get an adequate dietary intake of essential nutrients; others may help reduce the risk of disease. However, it's essential to approach supplements carefully, as they are regulated differently from drugs and are not intended "to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."
Components of a Food Label
Food labels contain vital information that can guide consumers in making healthier food choices. The nutrition facts label on packaged food lists the nutrient content including calories, fats, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, and selected vitamins and minerals per serving. Furthermore, they include percentages of daily values based on a 2,000-calorie diet, which can help assess how a particular food fits into the overall diet. The ingredients section of the label provides a list of the contents in descending order of abundance. Reading this part of the label can help you avoid certain additives or allergens and prefer whole ingredients over processed ones.