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Structure-Function Claims

Meaning

Structure-Function Claims are statements permitted on dietary supplement and food labels that describe the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the normal structure or function of the human body. These claims explicitly contrast with disease claims, as they are not permitted to suggest that the product can diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a specific disease or medical condition. In the hormonal wellness space, examples include claims like “supports healthy thyroid function” or “helps maintain bone density,” focusing on physiological well-being rather than treating a pathology. Regulatory bodies require that these claims be truthful and substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence.