Are Immunity Supplements Safe While Breastfeeding?

When you're breastfeeding, everything you take can feel like a decision for two. Immunity supplements promise an extra layer of protection against colds, flu, and the endless germs a new baby brings home, but the labels rarely say whether they are safe while nursing. The short answer: many single nutrients are safe at normal doses, a few herbal ingredients, such as elderberry and echinacea, have no breastfeeding safety data at all, and high doses of almost anything can cause problems. This guide covers which immune support supplements are generally considered safe, which ones need caution, how much is too much, and what actually helps protect you and your baby.

Are Immunity Supplements Safe? The Short Answer

For most healthy adults, immunity supplements are reasonably safe when taken at or near the recommended daily amounts. The main risks come from three places: megadoses that exceed the safe upper limit, interactions with medicines, and poor product quality, since supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold.

Breastfeeding adds one more question: does the ingredient pass into breast milk, and is it safe for your baby? For vitamins and minerals, the answer is usually well known. For herbal ingredients such as elderberry and echinacea, there is often no published data either way, which is not the same as being proven safe.

It also helps to be realistic about benefits. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements immune function fact sheet for health professionals, deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium can weaken immune function, but there is little evidence that taking more than you need makes a healthy immune system stronger. Supplements work best as a way to fill real gaps, not as a shield against every infection.

So, are immunity supplements safe to take daily? Standard-dose vitamins and minerals generally are, as long as your total intake from all products stays under the upper limits in the table below. Herbal products are different: most have only been studied for short-term use, and long-term daily safety is not well established.

Common Immune Support Supplements: Breastfeeding Safety at a Glance

Most immune support supplements combine a handful of familiar ingredients. The table below shows the daily amount recommended while breastfeeding for adults, the tolerable upper intake level (UL) set by the National Academies, and what is known about each during lactation. Several of these, including vitamins C and E and selenium, work partly as antioxidants that protect immune cells from damage.

Ingredient	Daily need while breastfeeding (adults)	Upper limit (adults)	Breastfeeding notes
Vitamin C	120 mg	2,000 mg	Generally considered safe at normal doses; milk levels rise with intake up to a point. High doses can cause diarrhea and nausea.
Vitamin D	600 IU (15 mcg)	4,000 IU (100 mcg)	Safe at recommended doses. Babies still usually need their own 400 IU drops.
Zinc	12 mg	40 mg	Safe at normal doses. Long-term high doses can cause copper deficiency. Avoid zinc nasal sprays.
Selenium	70 mcg	400 mcg	Safe at normal doses. Excess can cause hair loss, brittle nails, and stomach upset.
Vitamin E	19 mg	1,000 mg (supplemental)	Safe at normal doses. High doses may raise bleeding risk.
Vitamin A	1,300 mcg RAE	3,000 mcg (preformed)	Avoid high-dose retinol. Beta-carotene from food is not a toxicity concern.
Elderberry	No set amount	Not established	No data on transfer to breast milk or infant safety.
Echinacea	No set amount	Not established	Little to no breastfeeding safety data; can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to daisy-family plants.
Probiotics	No set amount	Not established	Generally considered compatible with breastfeeding because they are not absorbed into the bloodstream in meaningful amounts.

Values for teens who are breastfeeding differ slightly for several nutrients. Check a product's label against these numbers, and remember to add up the same nutrient across every supplement you take, including your postnatal vitamin.

Understanding Safe Vitamin Intake While Breastfeeding

When you're breastfeeding, understanding safe vitamin intake helps make sure both you and your baby get the nutrients you need without overdoing it. Several vitamins deserve special attention.

Vitamin D

Breast milk often lacks enough vitamin D for your baby, so the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving breastfed infants 400 IU a day, starting soon after birth. Taking the standard 600 IU a day yourself does not raise your milk's vitamin D much. In a large clinical trial, mothers who took 6,400 IU a day produced milk with enough vitamin D for their babies, but that dose is above the upper limit and should only be used under medical supervision because of the risk of hypervitaminosis D. A blood test can show whether you need more than the standard amount.

Vitamin D deficiency is common, especially if you get little sunlight, have darker skin, or cover most of your skin outdoors. Food sources include fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk, but few foods contain much. A 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test measures your vitamin D levels and tells your provider whether a higher dose is worth considering.

Vitamin B12 and Other B Vitamins

If you're vegan or have absorption issues, a vitamin B12 supplement is essential. Low maternal B12 can lead to infant anemia and neurological problems, and breastfed babies depend entirely on their mother's intake. The recommended amount while breastfeeding is 2.8 mcg a day. Very high doses of vitamin B6 (hundreds of milligrams a day) have been linked to lower milk supply, so avoid high-dose B6 products unless your doctor prescribes them.

Vitamins A, E, and K

Vitamins A, E, and K are fat-soluble, so your body stores the extra rather than flushing it out. That makes them easier to overdo, especially preformed vitamin A (retinol). Stick to the amounts in a standard postnatal vitamin unless a clinician tells you otherwise. Vitamin A deficiency is mainly a concern in low-income countries, and the World Health Organization does not recommend routine vitamin A supplementation for breastfeeding women.

Iodine

Iodine is often missing from immune supplements but matters a great deal while breastfeeding, because your baby relies on iodine in your milk for thyroid and brain development. The recommended intake while breastfeeding is 290 mcg a day, and the American Thyroid Association recommends a daily supplement with 150 mcg of iodine for breastfeeding women. Avoid kelp and seaweed supplements, which can contain far more iodine than is safe.

Recommended Mineral Supplements for Breastfeeding

When you're breastfeeding, getting enough calcium, magnesium, and zinc matters for both you and your baby. Calcium protects your bone health, magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, and zinc plays an important role in your immune system and your baby's growth and development. Nutrient needs during breastfeeding are higher than at most other life stages, so here is how to meet them safely.

Calcium for Bone Health

Calcium plays an essential role in maintaining strong bones for breastfeeding mothers. Aim for 1,000 mg a day of elemental calcium, or 1,300 mg if you're a teenager. It's best to prioritize calcium-rich foods like dairy, fortified foods, tofu, and canned fish with bones before considering supplements.

Calcium supplements don't greatly change the calcium in your breast milk, but they help protect your own bones long-term. Essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium work best as part of an overall balanced intake. Don't exceed 2,500 mg a day from food and supplements combined to avoid risks like hypercalcemia and kidney stones. If you have kidney problems, talk to a healthcare provider before starting supplements.

Magnesium Needs and Dosage

Magnesium often goes unnoticed, yet it plays an important role in your health while breastfeeding. It supports more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body, including those involved in energy production and muscle function. Many adults fall short on magnesium from food alone, and low intake may contribute to symptoms like muscle cramps and fatigue.

The recommended intake while breastfeeding is 310 to 320 mg a day for adults and 360 mg for teens, from food and supplements combined.

Remember these points:

• Start with 100 to 200 mg a day if you have a sensitive stomach, increasing gradually.
• Choose magnesium citrate, glycinate, or malate for better absorption.
• Avoid taking more than 350 mg a day from supplements without medical supervision, since higher amounts can cause diarrhea.
• Watch for medicines or conditions that affect magnesium levels.
• Consider your diet and talk to a healthcare professional when planning supplementation.

Zinc's Role in Breastfeeding

Zinc is one of the most common ingredients in immune support supplements. You need about 12 mg of zinc a day while breastfeeding if you're over 19, or 13 mg if you're a teenager. Zinc in breast milk is highly bioavailable and meets your baby's needs for the first few months. Breast milk zinc naturally declines over 4 to 6 months, which is one reason zinc-rich complementary foods become important for your baby around that age.

Most postnatal vitamins cover your zinc needs, so high-dose zinc supplements aren't usually necessary. Taking more than 40 mg a day over the long term can lower copper levels and weaken immune function rather than strengthen it. Zinc lozenges taken briefly at the start of a cold are a different situation, covered below.

Supplements to Approach With Caution

Some supplements need extra care while breastfeeding, either because of contamination risks or because there is too little safety research. Fish oil and herbal products are the two main categories to approach carefully.

Fish Oil Concerns

Fish oil is often recommended for its omega-3s, and DHA in particular supports your baby's brain and eye development. Your intake directly raises the DHA and EPA levels in your breast milk. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that breastfeeding women eat 8 to 12 ounces of a variety of lower-mercury seafood each week, which is the simplest way to get these fats.

Consider these points:

• Limit intake: The FDA has said combined EPA and DHA intakes up to 3 grams a day from all sources are generally recognized as safe. Most people need far less.
• Choose purified products: Pick fish oil that is third-party tested for mercury and other contaminants, or use algae-based DHA.
• Check for allergies: Avoid fish oil if you have a fish allergy, and check labels if you're allergic to shellfish.
• Watch for side effects: Fishy burps are common but harmless. Higher doses can affect bleeding.
• Know the evidence: Studies of fish oil during breastfeeding have not shown clear brain development gains in healthy, full-term babies.

Herbal Supplement Risks

Herbal supplements can be tricky during breastfeeding because of limited safety data and regulatory gaps. Many herbs haven't been tested for how much passes into breast milk or how they affect babies. Because dietary supplements don't need proof of safety or consistent potency before sale, ingredient amounts can vary, and some products have been found to contain contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides.

Herbs like fenugreek, black cohosh, goldenseal, and St. John's wort are flagged for caution because of reported infant reactions or missing safety data. They can cause stomach upset or skin reactions and may interact with medicines. Choose diet and simple remedies over nonessential herbal products, and check with a healthcare provider before using any herbal supplement while breastfeeding.

Elderberry and Echinacea

Elderberry and echinacea are two of the most popular immune herbs, and both are found in many immunity blends. The NIH's LactMed database notes that no data exist on whether elderberry passes into breast milk or on its safety for nursing infants, so no recommendation can be made about medicinal doses. Raw elderberries, leaves, and stems can release cyanide-like compounds, which is why only properly prepared commercial products should ever be used. Echinacea has a similar lack of breastfeeding research. If an immune blend contains either herb, ask your healthcare provider before taking it while nursing.

How Vitamin Supplements Affect Breast Milk

Understanding how supplements change your milk helps explain why some are worth taking and others make little difference to your baby. Water-soluble vitamins like the B vitamins and vitamin C quickly reflect changes in your intake, so milk levels rise and fall fairly fast. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) appear in higher amounts in colostrum and change more slowly in mature milk because your body stores them in tissue.

With vitamin D, standard doses do not put enough into breast milk for your baby, which is why direct infant drops are recommended. Multivitamins can raise levels of vitamins A, B2, and C in milk, though effects vary. Minerals such as iron and zinc show little change in milk with supplementation, because your body tightly controls how much reaches your milk. In practice, this means taking extra zinc or iron mainly benefits you, not your baby.

Breast Milk's Natural Immunity Benefits

Although many new parents look for ways to boost their baby's immunity, breast milk already provides immune protection no supplement can copy. It delivers a mix of antibodies, immune cells, and bioactive factors that adapts to the germs you and your baby are exposed to.

Secretory IgA and IgG antibodies protect against pathogens, and vaccines you receive while breastfeeding add to this shield as your body makes antibodies that pass into your milk. Immune cells in breast milk, including regulatory T cells, help shape your baby's immune tolerance. Bioactive elements like cytokines and human milk oligosaccharides guide immune development and support a healthy gut microbiome.

• Antibodies: sIgA and IgG protect against pathogens.
• Immune cells: White blood cells, including T cells, help regulate inflammation.
• Bioactive factors: Cytokines and HMOs support immune development.
• Microbiota transfer: Breast milk helps shape the infant gut microbiome.

Risks of Excessive Supplementation

While some supplements improve your nutrient status, more is not better. Taking more than the recommended amounts can harm you and, in some cases, your baby. Stacking several products is the most common way this happens, since a postnatal vitamin, an immune blend, and a separate vitamin D or zinc pill can easily add up past the upper limit.

• Vitamin D: Regularly taking more than 4,000 IU a day without medical supervision raises the risk of high calcium levels and toxicity.
• Zinc: Long-term intake above 40 mg a day can cause copper deficiency, anemia, and lower immunity.
• Vitamin C: Doses above 2,000 mg a day commonly cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.
• Vitamin A: High-dose retinol can cause liver damage and other toxicity symptoms.
• Vitamin B6: Very high doses may reduce milk supply.

The word "supplementation" is also used in breastfeeding for giving babies formula. That is a separate topic: unnecessary formula supplementation can reduce feeding frequency and milk supply, and in premature infants formula feeding is linked to a higher risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Talk to a lactation consultant if you're unsure whether your baby needs formula.

Immunity Supplement Side Effects and Medication Interactions

Even at normal doses, immune support supplements can cause side effects in some people, and several ingredients interact with common medications. Knowing the most frequent problems makes it easier to spot them early.

Common Side Effects

• Stomach upset: nausea, diarrhea, and cramps are the most common complaints, especially with vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium.
• Bad taste: zinc lozenges often leave a metallic taste.
• Headaches: sometimes reported with high doses of several vitamins and minerals.
• Allergic reactions: rash, itching, or swelling, most often with echinacea in people allergic to ragweed or daisy-family plants.

Interactions With Medications

Supplements can change how medicines work, which is why your provider needs a full list of everything you take.

• Zinc and antibiotics: zinc can reduce absorption of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics. Take the antibiotic at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after zinc.
• Vitamin E, fish oil, and blood thinners: high doses may add to the bleeding risk of medicines such as warfarin.
• St. John's wort: can make many medications less effective, including hormonal birth control, and can interact with antidepressants.
• Echinacea: may interact with some medicines, including drugs that suppress the immune system.

Who Should Avoid or Limit Immunity Supplements?

Some people face higher risks from immune products and should check with a healthcare provider before taking any of them.

• Pregnant women: a prenatal vitamin covers most needs, and high-dose preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects.
• People with autoimmune disorders or those taking immune-suppressing medications, since herbs marketed to "stimulate" immunity have not been shown safe for them.
• Anyone taking blood thinners or with surgery planned.
• People with kidney disease, who can build up minerals such as magnesium and calcium more easily.
• Children, whose doses and upper limits are much lower than adults'.
• People with plant or fish allergies, who should read herbal and omega-3 labels carefully.

What Experts Say About Immune Supplements

Expert opinion on immune supplements is consistent: they can correct a deficiency, but they are not a reliable way to prevent infections in well-nourished people. Here is what the research shows for the most popular options.

Vitamin C and the Common Cold

A large Cochrane review found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce how often most people catch a cold, although it slightly shortened the duration of colds, by about 8% in adults, and may ease their severity. Starting vitamin C after symptoms begin did not consistently help.

Zinc Lozenges

Zinc lozenges started within 24 hours of cold symptoms may shorten a cold, but they commonly cause a bad taste and nausea. Zinc nasal sprays should be avoided, since the FDA has warned they have been linked to a lasting loss of smell.

Vitamin D and Respiratory Infections

Research suggests vitamin D supplements may modestly reduce respiratory tract infections, such as colds, influenza, and pneumonia, mainly in people who are deficient. For people with normal levels, the benefit appears small.

Herbal Immune Products

Studies of elderberry and echinacea for colds and influenza have produced mixed results, and most were small. None have been tested in breastfeeding women.

Proven Ways to Support Your Immune System While Breastfeeding

The most effective immune protection while breastfeeding comes from steps that are well studied and safe for your baby.

• Stay up to date on vaccines. The CDC considers flu and COVID-19 vaccines safe while breastfeeding, and the antibodies you make can pass to your baby through your milk.
• Eat a varied diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, eggs, yogurt, and lower-mercury fish supply most immune nutrients, including vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and vitamin A from beta-carotene.
• Keep taking your postnatal vitamin. It fills common gaps without the megadoses found in many immune products.
• Rest when you can. Sleep loss weakens immune defenses, so accept help with night feeds or nap when your baby naps.
• Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking weakens immune defenses, and the CDC notes that not drinking is the safest option while breastfeeding.
• Wash your hands often. Clean hands before feeding and after diaper changes reduce the spread of germs to you and your baby.
• Manage stress. Short walks, breathing exercises, and support from others all help. Some people also look at vitamins for stress relief, but check each one for breastfeeding safety first.

What to Do If You Get Sick While Breastfeeding

Even with good habits, most breastfeeding parents catch at least one cold or flu. Knowing what to do keeps both of you safer.

• Keep breastfeeding. The CDC advises that most mothers with a cold or the flu can continue breastfeeding, since the antibodies you make against the virus pass into your milk.
• Reduce exposure. Wash your hands before feeds and consider a mask when holding your baby while you have a cough.
• Check cold medicines. Many common medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, but decongestants such as pseudoephedrine can reduce milk supply. Ask a pharmacist before taking combination cold products.
• Watch your baby closely. Call your pediatrician right away if a baby under 3 months has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or if any baby has trouble breathing or is feeding poorly.
• See your own provider if your fever is high, lasts more than a few days, or you develop breast pain and redness, which can signal mastitis rather than a simple illness.

How Are Immunity Supplements Regulated?

Dietary supplements are regulated differently than drugs, which is a big part of why safety varies between products. They are classified as foods under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The FDA's authority comes from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, amended by DSHEA, which bans adulterated or misbranded products.

What the FDA Does and Doesn't Do

Manufacturers are responsible for making sure their products are safe and their labels are truthful. Unlike drugs, most supplements don't need FDA approval before they are sold, except for those containing new dietary ingredients. Companies must follow current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs), and the FDA focuses on oversight after products reach the market, such as tracking adverse events and testing samples. Supplements can make structure and function claims, like "supports immune health," but can't claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. The FTC oversees advertising to make sure claims aren't misleading.

How to Check a Supplement's Quality

Because the FDA does not test supplements before sale, a few checks help you choose more safely:

• Look for a third-party seal such as USP Verified or NSF Certified, which confirm the product contains what the label says.
• Ask the brand for a certificate of analysis showing testing for potency and contaminants.
• Be wary of products promising to "cure" or "prevent" illness.
• Choose single-ingredient or simple formulas while breastfeeding, so you know exactly what you're taking.
• Report side effects to your healthcare provider and the FDA's MedWatch program. The FDA reviews these adverse event reports to spot unsafe products.
• Store supplements in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity, and check the expiration date, since potency drops over time.

Red Flags in Immune Supplement Marketing

Because supplements cannot legally claim to prevent or treat disease, certain wording is a warning sign. Be cautious with any product that promises to prevent the flu, protect against COVID-19 or other viruses, "cure" a cold, or replace vaccines. Claims that a product "supports normal immune function" are allowed, but they tell you nothing about whether it is safe while breastfeeding.

Consulting Healthcare Professionals

When considering immunity supplements while breastfeeding, talking to a healthcare professional is the most reliable way to stay safe. They can check whether you actually need a supplement, help you avoid stacking doses, and flag any herbal ingredients without safety data.

Importance of Professional Guidance

Your healthcare provider can weigh the risks and benefits for you and your baby specifically. They'll review your medical history, diet, and current medicines to decide whether a supplement is safe and necessary. Evidence-based resources like LactMed and InfantRisk, which providers use to check medicines during breastfeeding, can help align your choices with the latest information.

• Discuss your medical history, medicines, and your baby's health to check for any reason to avoid a supplement.
• Review your diet and, where useful, blood tests to decide whether a supplement is needed at all.
• Check lactation-specific databases for safety summaries before using any herbal product.
• Agree on a dose, how long to take it, and when to recheck.

Questions to Ask Before Starting a Supplement

Bring the product bottle or a photo of the label to your appointment, and ask:

• Do I have a deficiency that this supplement would correct?
• Does my postnatal vitamin already cover this nutrient?
• Is any ingredient known to pass into breast milk or affect my baby?
• Could it interact with any medicine I take?
• Should my baby take vitamin D drops even if I take vitamin D?

For vitamin C, the recommended amount while breastfeeding is 120 mg a day, yet many immune supplements provide 500 to 1,000 mg or more per serving, so it is worth checking with your doctor before taking high-dose products. Your vitamin D needs can be confirmed with a blood test. If you follow a vegan diet, discuss your vitamin B12 needs. Herbal teas such as raspberry leaf are generally well tolerated, but most herbs lack breastfeeding research, so professional advice matters.

Conclusion

Immunity supplements can be safe while breastfeeding, but the details matter. Single vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are generally safe at recommended doses, while herbal ingredients like elderberry and echinacea lack breastfeeding research, and megadoses of almost any nutrient can cause harm. Your breast milk already gives your baby powerful immune protection, and vaccines, a varied diet, rest, and a good postnatal vitamin cover most of what you need. Check labels against safe upper limits, choose third-party tested products, and talk to your healthcare provider before adding anything new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about immunity supplements and breastfeeding.

Can Immunity Supplements Affect Breast Milk Flavor?

Some can. Strongly flavored ingredients like fish oil, garlic, and certain herbs may change the taste of breast milk slightly. If your baby suddenly fusses at the breast after you start a new supplement, stop it and talk to your healthcare provider.

Do Immunity Supplements Impact Breast Milk Production?

Standard doses of immune vitamins and minerals generally don't affect milk production. Very high doses of vitamin B6 may lower supply. Some herbs, like fenugreek, are marketed to increase supply, but the evidence is limited and they can cause side effects. Hydration, nutrition, and frequent feeding matter most.

Are There Natural Foods That Support Breast Milk Immunity?

A varied diet supports the nutrients in your milk. Lower-mercury fatty fish supply DHA, while nuts, seeds, oats, yogurt, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide vitamins and minerals your immune system needs. Many of these overlap with foods that support brain function. Breast milk's antibodies come from your immune system's response to germs and vaccines, not from food alone.

How Do Probiotics in Diet Influence Breast Milk Immunity?

Probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Some studies suggest maternal probiotics may influence immune factors and beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in breast milk, which could support your baby's gut health and immune development. The research is still early, so results vary by strain.

Can Stress Influence the Effectiveness of Immunity Supplements?

Yes. Chronic stress can weaken immune responses and disrupt gut health, which may reduce any benefit from supplements. Rest, social support, and gentle exercise are the safest first steps while breastfeeding. Herbal stress supplements like ashwagandha lack breastfeeding safety data, so check with your provider before trying them.

Is Elderberry Safe While Breastfeeding?

There is no published data on elderberry during breastfeeding. LactMed states no recommendation can be made on medicinal doses. Properly prepared elderberry products are widely used by adults, but ask your healthcare provider before taking one while nursing, and never use raw elderberries.

Can I Take Vitamin C and Zinc While Breastfeeding?

Yes, at normal doses. Aim for about 120 mg of vitamin C and 12 mg of zinc a day from food and supplements combined, and stay under the upper limits of 2,000 mg for vitamin C and 40 mg for zinc. Short-term zinc lozenges for a cold are generally fine, but avoid zinc nasal sprays.

Are Immunity Supplements Safe for Children?

Most healthy children who eat a varied diet don't need immune supplements, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfed babies do need vitamin D drops. Children's doses and upper limits are much lower than adults', so never give adult supplements to a child, and check with your pediatrician first.

Are Immunity Supplements Safe During Pregnancy?

Your prenatal vitamin is the safest foundation during pregnancy. Avoid high-dose preformed vitamin A, which can cause birth defects, and most herbal immune products, which have not been tested for safety in pregnancy. Ask your obstetric provider before adding anything else.

Can Immunity Supplements Interact With Medications?

Yes. Zinc can reduce absorption of some antibiotics, vitamin E and fish oil may add to the effect of blood thinners, and St. John's wort can make hormonal birth control and many other medicines less effective. Share a full list of your supplements with your doctor or pharmacist.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.