What Is The Difference Between An Herb, A Vitamin And Other Kinds Of Dietary Supplements?

Jan. 13, 2010 -- Question: What is the difference between an herb, a vitamin and other kinds of dietary supplements?

Answer: That's a great question because it's very complex. Congress actually created the definition of a dietary supplement back in 1994 with a special act called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. And under that act, dietary supplements include things like herbs, but also high-dose vitamins, amino acids, even some hormones like melatonin. So it's a very broad range of different substances that fall under this category of dietary supplements.