Americans spent billions of dollars last year on natural remedies. But with so many different products to choose from in the aisles of your local health food store, how do you know which ones are worth buying and which ones you should avoid. Its important to note that there are many vitamin and nutritional supplements that can work wonders for your health however if you make the wrong choice, you may cause yourself irreparable damage. Before you make any long term decisions about your health, take a moment and discover these 3 amazing secrets related to supplements.
Surprising Secret #1 The difference between drugs and nutritional supplements.
Surprising Secret #2 The consequences of taking prescribed drugs with supplements.
Surprising Secret #3 The importance of buying approved, name brand products.
The Difference Between a Nutritional Supplement and a Drug
Often times, there is no significant difference. Both can have strong effects and can cause physical problems if taken incorrectly. One of the critical factors is how the FDA, or the Food and Drug Administration view them. Largely, supplements are handled like foods. They are intended to supplement the diet, to go along with it. Drug on the other side are substances intended to treat or prevent disease. Due to these differing definitions, most supplements get lots of attention from the FDA, almost as much as a package of cough drops.
The Implications of Taking Both Prescription Drugs and Supplements
It is important to be careful when taking supplements because some of them when mixed with prescription drugs may cause very negative side effects. The easiest and best thing to do is to discuss with your doctor and supplements that you are taking or are considering to take and let him evaluate them for you. You should do this even if you think that the supplements are good. In addition, if you are scheduled for surgery, make sure to stop taking these supplements as some can cause excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, and may interfere with the anesthesia.
The Importance of Taking Only Brand Name Supplements
One common misconception that has run ramped is that supplements are natural and chemical free and therefore safer than their prescription drug counterparts. The truth is that this is not always the case. Many lab test and studies have found that supplements contained very harmful ingredients including pesticides, metal, and bacteria. Not too long ago, Consumer Reports test discovered that not only did the bottles not contain the ingredients that they said they did, the bottles were also labeled with incorrect dosage information. According to them, the best strategy is to stick with what you know; companies like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe are always a safe bet.
Now that the secrets have been revealed, you may want to know where reliable information can be obtained regarding supplements. You will not find it online on a website through Google, or by talking to anyone who's not a medical doctor. Instead, try calling the FDA or the National Institute of Health. - 15995
Surprising Secret #1 The difference between drugs and nutritional supplements.
Surprising Secret #2 The consequences of taking prescribed drugs with supplements.
Surprising Secret #3 The importance of buying approved, name brand products.
The Difference Between a Nutritional Supplement and a Drug
Often times, there is no significant difference. Both can have strong effects and can cause physical problems if taken incorrectly. One of the critical factors is how the FDA, or the Food and Drug Administration view them. Largely, supplements are handled like foods. They are intended to supplement the diet, to go along with it. Drug on the other side are substances intended to treat or prevent disease. Due to these differing definitions, most supplements get lots of attention from the FDA, almost as much as a package of cough drops.
The Implications of Taking Both Prescription Drugs and Supplements
It is important to be careful when taking supplements because some of them when mixed with prescription drugs may cause very negative side effects. The easiest and best thing to do is to discuss with your doctor and supplements that you are taking or are considering to take and let him evaluate them for you. You should do this even if you think that the supplements are good. In addition, if you are scheduled for surgery, make sure to stop taking these supplements as some can cause excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, and may interfere with the anesthesia.
The Importance of Taking Only Brand Name Supplements
One common misconception that has run ramped is that supplements are natural and chemical free and therefore safer than their prescription drug counterparts. The truth is that this is not always the case. Many lab test and studies have found that supplements contained very harmful ingredients including pesticides, metal, and bacteria. Not too long ago, Consumer Reports test discovered that not only did the bottles not contain the ingredients that they said they did, the bottles were also labeled with incorrect dosage information. According to them, the best strategy is to stick with what you know; companies like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe are always a safe bet.
Now that the secrets have been revealed, you may want to know where reliable information can be obtained regarding supplements. You will not find it online on a website through Google, or by talking to anyone who's not a medical doctor. Instead, try calling the FDA or the National Institute of Health. - 15995
About the Author:
Author Dorthy Weatherbush sees everyday celebrities like Kristy Swanson of Knots Landing fame use these secrets plus diet and supplement programs like the Medifast Diet to trim unwanted pounds. Read Dorthys review of the Medifast weight loss plan.
