Dietary supplements include vitamins and minerals, as well as herbs, botanicals and other substances, and they are growing in popularity and number, but how do you know if you need them or which ones do what?

Some supplements may help ensure that you get adequate amounts of essential nutrients or help promote optimal health and performance if you do not consume a variety of foods.

However, dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure disease. In some cases, dietary supplements may have unwanted effects, especially if taken before surgery or with other dietary supplements or medicines, or if you have certain health conditions.

Before you decide to add supplements to your routine, get the facts on what is known about them. Ask a registered dietitian and your physician the following questions about any supplements you are thinking about taking:

• Is the supplement safe and can it cause harm at any level?
• How does the supplement really work in the body?
• What are the claims and are they valid?
• Where did the product information come from?
• Does the supplement actually contain the amounts of ingredients it claims to?
• What is the scientific evidence behind the product?
• How much is recommended and how often should it be taken?
• Will this supplement interact with my medications?

Always keep in mind that good nutrition depends on overall healthful eating and physical activity...There is no little magic pill.

• 31% of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.
• Women of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner.
• Each year, about 324,000 pregnant women in the U.S. are battered by the men in their lives.
  
• Approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
• Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems.
  

1. Donate new/used fitness equipment (resistance bands, small dumbbells, exercise mats, aerobic steps and exercise balls).
2. Make a monetary tax-deductible donation to the program so that we can purchase discounted equipment:

• $10 = Resistance band & set of dumbbells
• $20 = Yoga or pilates mat
• $30 = Exercise ball & set of dumbbells
  
• $50 = Aerobic step
  
• $100 = Full set of equipment