Be Supplement Savvy and Wary
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An estimated 18 million adults use herbal supplements in one form or another and that number continues to increase each year. We are a society plagued by the need to have results quickly, which is leading us to pop magic pills to get results.
Even if you don’t take diet pills or stimulants, those “natural supplements” you are taking can be just as dangerous, or at the least, completely unnecessary.
Herbal supplements, which come from plants that have medicinal properties, claim to cure, treat, or prevent disease. While the label may say “natural”, that doesn’t mean a thing in regards to its efficacy, purity, or safety- natural is not a term regulated by the FDA so anyone can say anything is natural. A rat poison manufacturer can say their product is natural. Although there are proven health benefits for some herbal products, potentially harmful effects exist for others.
It seems everyone and their brother has a supplement on the market, whether the market it as a diet pills, a nutritional enhancer, or a fat burner (whatever that is.) Just because there may be a familiar face on the box, doesn’t mean that it is safe, effective or not a total waste of money.
Remember that food is still the number 1 option for getting the nutrients you need. A balanced multivitamin supplement is second best and is usually safe but beyond that, individual nutrient supplements should only be chosen in special cases by a professional. Popping daily vitamin cocktails is unnecessary and potentially dangerous- not to mention a huge waste of a lot of money.
It is true that vitamins and minerals are essential in regulating various body activities. These nutrients do not function alone but work together with other nutrients. Food provides the complete package. Individual foods also provide hundreds of other substances such as phytochemicals, zoochemicals, and antioxidants that help to prevent disease and boost the immune system, where as vitamins and supplements provide only one or a few nutrients.
Not everyone needs a supplement, and you should only take one if instructed by a doctor. It is best to seek advice from your physician or consult with a registered dietitian. This health professional should assess your dietary habits and intake, medical status, medication history, alcohol intake, and lifestyle habits, as all of these can cause adverse effects.
Bottom Line: A poor diet plus supplements is still a poor diet. Food remains your best source of vitamins and minerals. If you don’t want to worry about crunching numbers all day long, just eat a well-balanced diet. That way, you are all but guaranteed to be consuming every vitamin and nutrient your body needs.