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Dr Russ Blog - Best Advice on Supplements? Ask Your Doctor and Pharmacist
Best Advice on Supplements? Ask Your Doctor and Pharmacist
Created on 9/24/2010
In recent months esteemed publications have published articles questioning the scientific basis for using many over-the-counter supplements, including herbs. The articles identified specific ingredients to avoid and made note of the perceived lack of research data supporting the use of many popular agents.
As a conventionally-trained physician, I had no exposure to the science behind proper use of carefully selected vitamins, minerals, herbal medicines and supplements. It was not until I completed a 2-year Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at The University of Arizona College of Medicine that I came to understand the difference between there not being any supportive research data on vitamins and supplements, and my not being aware of the existing supportive research data.
There are a number of supplement ingredients to be avoided, no question.
Others identified in the articles to be potentially harmful can be dangerous under certain circumstances, but are harmless and actually therapeutically effective when prepared in other careful ways.
Caution is prudent when it comes to vitamins, supplements and herbs.
Just as caution is prudent when it comes to pharmaceutical drugs.
To be sure, pharmaceutical drugs are tightly regulated by the FDA, offering another layer of confidence in their use, but there are regulations in place for the supplement industry, too. They may not always be enforced, however.
Many over-the-counter supplements and botanicals (herbal remedies) such as coenzyme Q10, fish oils, vitamin D, saw palmetto and others have ample sound research behind them to support their use in certain instances. Others, well, maybe not so much.
How to tell the differece between marketing hype and a useful remedy for health?
The same way you do when making decisions about drug therapy - speak with your doctor and pharmacist first.
Painting all herbs, vitamins, supplements, and drugs for that matter, with a broad brush stroke stating "they're all suspect" is like to fear-mongering, and is not helpful.
Any agent that has activity in the body that can be good for you can also be harmful if prepared or used incorrectly. The single best way to make sure you are safe when choosing anything to put into your body for health purposes is to talk with your health partners - your doctor and your pharmacist.
Don't be afraid of all supplements and herbs on the market - be smart. Gather information, share it with your doctor and pharmacist, and come away with a well-considered decision about whether or not to use the agent in question.
Regarding supplements, in fact, in all of life, good information creates clarity of direction and defeats fear.
Be well.
Dr. Russ
** Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. **
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