Many advertisements for vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medications strongly promote how these products can change your life. It also includes stories from people who have become healthier than ever before.
These are often referred to collectively as “nutritional supplements.” The marketing of these products often indicates that a doctor’s approval is not required. That is, you can simply purchase the product and start taking it.
However, a doctor must be involved. In some cases, supplements and vitamins can change the effectiveness of prescribed treatments for existing health conditions. Your health care provider needs to know what you are taking in order to provide accurate medical advice.
The Food and Drug Administration lists common supplements as follows:
- Vitamins (such as multivitamins or individual vitamins such as vitamin D or biotin)
- Minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.)
- Plants or herbs (such as echinacea or ginger)
- Plant compounds (such as caffeine and curcumin)
- Amino acids (tryptophan, glutamine, etc.)
- Live microorganisms (commonly called “probiotics”)
“We need to speak up,” said Amy Dwight, CNP, APRN, a family health provider at Sanford Aberdeen Clinic. “One of the big things we’re seeing,” he says, “is that people don’t necessarily think it’s important to tell their doctors these things. Just because it’s there doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe. ”
A recent survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition showed that 75% of Americans use dietary supplements. Another national study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that sales of dietary supplements will reach $55.7 billion in 2020.
We asked Dwight to help us understand how to make safe decisions about using dietary supplements.
There are many nutritional supplements in the world. What are some basic tips when considering taking a new nutritional supplement?
Patients who see this ad often ask their health care provider if they should take the drug as instructed on TV or over the phone. They offer a brand name and expect a yes or no answer.
Unfortunately, ensuring supplement safety can be more complicated.
“There’s something to indicate that the product is good for supporting fruits and vegetables, so you should take it,” Dwight says. “But if you turn the bottle upside down and see what’s actually in it and how much of each ingredient is in the bottle, you’ll be more likely to bring these bottles or their labels with you the next time you visit your provider. I see that there is a need.”
The first step when considering supplements is to contact your provider. They can cut through advertiser claims and tell you if there is any risk in building this into your system.
“We’re here to answer questions,” Dwight said. “We don’t want people to be afraid to ask questions. Taking supplements and vitamins is not a one-size-fits-all situation, so we’re all open to having the conversation.”
Are there any popular dietary supplements that should be used with special care?
Even simple supplements like calcium and vitamin D, which are widely recommended, should be discussed with your provider. Popular supplements containing ginkgo biloba are widely sold, as are garlic supplements and St. John’s wort. A Google search for any of the three will return a page of results. The shelves in the health section of your local department store or grocery store are filled with the same stuff.
“They have different strengths, and more is not always better,” she said. “For example, using ginkgo biloba or garlic can increase bleeding. If you are older and already taking blood thinners, your health care provider should be aware of that.” .”
Are vitamins and supplements different?
Vitamins are substances that occur naturally in our bodies. If you eat a balanced diet and get enough lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, you often don’t need extra vitamins.
“I get a lot of questions about vitamin D,” Dwight said. “This is one vitamin you can check your levels of in your body. Exposure to sunlight affects vitamin D levels. If you live in the Midwest, you can be deficient in vitamin D during the winter months, but… , you may not need to supplement your vitamin D intake during the summer.
“Supplements are not something your body naturally produces,” Dwight continued. “When you’re taking a supplement, you’re adding something to your body that doesn’t exist naturally.”
How do I decide which supplements and vitamins are best for me?
First, it’s important to remember that while the FDA does monitor both vitamins and supplements to some degree, the level of oversight is well below the standards applied to prescription drugs.
“I advise my patients to look for the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) label,” Dwight said. “This means this product meets federally recognized public quality standards. This means that what it says is in the bottle is actually what you’re getting. To make sure, it means an independent company has reviewed it. Third-party verification.”
Even effective supplements can have negative health effects if not taken correctly.
“Take vitamin C. If you’re not careful, a person can reach almost toxic levels,” Dwight said. “It’s popular in the winter because people don’t want to get the flu or coronavirus and think it’s better to take more, but that kind of thinking can backfire. ”
Are there other health care providers, such as dentists, chiropractors, or optometrists, who need to know if you are taking dietary supplements?
Put simply? Yes, you must tell us if you are taking dietary supplements.
“Various vitamins can affect your blood and how it bleeds,” Dwight says. “If you’re going to have root canal treatment, your dentist and your doctor need to know about it.”
Vitamins and supplements can affect various treatments. The most important are those that can alter your blood and digestion rate.
What should I know about taking supplements for children?
Many parents seek melatonin for their children as a sleep aid. This is a hormone produced by the body to regulate sleep and helps children and adults reset their sleep habits.
“There are lots of different doses of melatonin on the shelves,” Dwight says. “Check with your health care provider to see if it will interact with other medications your child is taking. Also, the amount your child takes should be the same as the amount an adult takes. We also need to remember what not to do.”
You should also consider using supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as the ingredients you are taking can be passed into your body and harm your baby.
Can the use of supplements change laboratory tests?
There are many supplements that can affect blood and urine tests. Telling your health care provider about the supplements you take can help your health care provider better understand your test results and determine the best care for you.
“People look at the label and see that it improves things like blood pressure and digestion and automatically think it works,” Dwight says. “I look at changes in their blood tests over six months and ask if there’s anything different. My first question is if they’re taking supplements.”
Dwight has them write down the supplements they are taking and asks them to stop taking them. They will come back later to see if the numbers improve.
“They’re taking these supplements for the right reasons, but they’re not always informed about the consequences,” Dwight says. “We monitor your kidneys, liver, and anything that can thin your blood. These can have life-altering consequences and make our job of caring for you even harder. There is a possibility.”
If you are considering starting a dietary supplement or have questions about any supplements you are currently taking, please consult your health care provider. You can schedule an appointment in Sanford through My Sanford Chart or by calling your local clinic.
learn more
…
Categories: Aberdeen, Family Medicine, Healthy Living, Nutrition
