Dietary supplements can be an effective way to combat health conditions and promote wellness, but be wary as some products may cause long-term adverse effects when taken in high dosages or when mixed with certain drugs or foods.
As opposed to drugs, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate dietary supplements before they hit the market, leaving companies producing the supplements with more freedom in research efforts.
Do Your Research
Health supplements can play an integral part in supporting overall wellness, particularly if you struggle to obtain enough essential vitamins and minerals from food alone. But keep in mind that health supplements should supplement medical advice and healthy lifestyle practices rather than replace them.
Be wary of supplements with exaggerated claims (such as curing health conditions or burning fat). Look for manufacturers who follow FDA regulations, adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practices and labeling regulations.
Be mindful that certain supplements can cause allergic reactions or interfere with certain medical conditions and medications, so if you already have medical issues it’s wise to consult a physician prior to beginning any new supplements – this will allow them to help determine which are right for you as well as provide dosage information that prevents overdosing, which could have severe and even life-threatening repercussions.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Your Doctor
Health supplements can provide your body with essential nutrients, but it’s wise to consult your physician prior to beginning any new supplement regimen. They have a detailed knowledge of your medical history and may suggest safe supplements like Vitamin D for bone health or Folic acid to decrease birth defect risks such as spina bifida. They can also advise if there are any potential conflicts with current medications you are taking.
Although medications are strictly regulated by the FDA, supplements aren’t. Without regulation from this authority, manufacturers can make exaggerated claims about their product’s benefits such as “curing diseases and burning fat.” Unfortunately, such claims often turn out to be inaccurate; Prevagen was discovered containing unnecessary ingredients without reporting adverse reactions to FDA. Therefore, the only way for supplements to be properly regulated is for consumers to speak out when experiencing problems with them.
Don’t Be Swayed by Inflated Claims
The FDA requires supplement manufacturers to adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMPs) in order to ensure their product is safe and contains what it claims it does. In addition, it monitors the market for unsafe products and takes action against them when necessary.
As supplements do not aim to treat, diagnose or prevent disease like pharmaceuticals do, they do not undergo the same rigorous testing requirements. Instead, scientific investigations of supplements typically begin with observational studies where researchers compare health status between people taking and those not taking specific supplements.
Studies may provide inconsistent evidence, so the best strategy may be getting a blood test to identify nutritional deficiencies, then consulting with your physician about which supplements might be helpful to you. Also ensure any supplement has a United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) verified mark before buying anything dietary related.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
An age-old axiom states: ‘you can never ask too many questions.” While this statement holds true in principle, sometimes asking health supplement-related inquiries can be intimidating or seem ignorant to others; yet there are no stupid or irrelevant questions when it comes to healthcare supplements.
As the FDA regulates dietary supplements, it’s crucial that you communicate with your physician regarding any products you take. Doing so allows them to monitor any potential side effects or detect potentially hazardous supplements when first introduced onto the market.
Let your healthcare providers know about any supplements you are taking so they can keep an eye out for any possible interactions between these and any prescription medicines you are currently taking.
