Choosing Wisely.
With such a wide range of herbal and nutritional supplemental available nowadays it can be hard to know which to buy. Here are a few simple guidelines to follow so you can avoid wasting your money. Becoming informed will help you get the maximum benefit from the products you buy.
How Supplements Can Harm
A few years ago, a man came to see me. He felt tired and was off his food, feeling sick all the time. As we reviewed his supplements, it became clear that he was taking far too much zinc, which is toxic in high doses.
Once he stopped taking the zinc and took supplements to help reduce the toxicity in his body, he soon started to feel much better.
Despite having diabetes and being on prescribed medication, including insulin, this client had ordered in supplements without getting advice from any health professionals – not from his doctor and not from a natural health practitioner.
He had failed to research the supplements himself – or even to read the labels carefully.
Reading Labels: What’s In Your Supplements?
The name of a supplement is not necessarily all that is in it. For example, magnesium powders often contain B vitamins plus minerals, such as zinc and calcium. A herbal tablet may be called Valerian Complex but the small print will list other herbs and nutrients.
Avoiding Doubling Up on Nutrients
To avoid taking excess amounts of anything, make sure you don’t double up on nutrients by carefully reading the labels. It’s also good to be aware of which vitamins and minerals can build up in the body, such as zinc, vitamins A and B6.
Checking Out All the Ingredients
Some people are allergic to additives such as gluten or sulphites. Others may be vegan, avoiding any ingredients derived from animal products. So again, best to read the label carefully and, if you are self prescribing, check out all the ingredients- not just the active ones- before buying anything. This will tell you the recommended dose and also list all the ingredients. It may also list some warnings.
Asking First if On Medication.
Herbs and nutrients can interact with medication and with each other. For example, St John’s Wort, often taken for lowered mood, can decrease the level of several medicines in the body. These include some blood pressure tablets (e.g. nifedipine and verapamil), and also drugs used to treat cancer. St John’s Wort may also interact with antidepressants with adverse effects.
To be safe, if you’re taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medication, have a health condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to seek advice from a qualified health professional before taking any supplements.
With such a wide range of herbal and nutritional supplemental available nowadays it can be hard to know which to buy. Here are a few simple guidelines to follow so you can avoid wasting your money. Becoming informed will help you get the maximum benefit from the products you buy.
How Supplements Can Harm
A few years ago, a man came to see me. He felt tired and was off his food, feeling sick all the time. As we reviewed his supplements, it became clear that he was taking far too much zinc, which is toxic in high doses.
Once he stopped taking the zinc and took supplements to help reduce the toxicity in his body, he soon started to feel much better.
Despite having diabetes and being on prescribed medication, including insulin, this client had ordered in supplements without getting advice from any health professionals – not from his doctor and not from a natural health practitioner.
He had failed to research the supplements himself – or even to read the labels carefully.
Reading Labels: What’s In Your Supplements?
The name of a supplement is not necessarily all that is in it. For example, magnesium powders often contain B vitamins plus minerals, such as zinc and calcium. A herbal tablet may be called Valerian Complex but the small print will list other herbs and nutrients.
Avoiding Doubling Up on Nutrients
To avoid taking excess amounts of anything, make sure you don’t double up on nutrients by carefully reading the labels. It’s also good to be aware of which vitamins and minerals can build up in the body, such as zinc, vitamins A and B6.
Checking Out All the Ingredients
Some people are allergic to additives such as gluten or sulphites. Others may be vegan, avoiding any ingredients derived from animal products. So again, best to read the label carefully and, if you are self prescribing, check out all the ingredients- not just the active ones- before buying anything. This will tell you the recommended dose and also list all the ingredients. It may also list some warnings.
Asking First if On Medication.
Herbs and nutrients can interact with medication and with each other. For example, St John’s Wort, often taken for lowered mood, can decrease the level of several medicines in the body. These include some blood pressure tablets (e.g. nifedipine and verapamil), and also drugs used to treat cancer. St John’s Wort may also interact with antidepressants with adverse effects.
To be safe, if you’re taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medication, have a health condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to seek advice from a qualified health professional before taking any supplements.
