Supplements Done Simply

pHion Balance  |  0 Comment

If you walk into any supplement store in America, you’ll be dazzled by hundreds of colorful bottles, vials, phials and flasks; you’ll encounter enticing advertisements exhorting you to buy the latest revolution in natural health – and if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, you could easily be overwhelmed. Depending on the expertise of the person behind the counter, you may or may not find the information you seek, and if you asked your physician about a particular supplement before heading to the store, you may have been less than satisfied with the answer.

For better or worse, when it comes to choosing a supplement – whether it’s for general health maintenance or a specific health concern – you’re pretty much on your own. The Internet has made it easier to track down basic information about many supplements, but the worldwide web is also the domain of marketers and others who put their own interests before yours. So you must learn to separate the misinformation and hype from the real science. And that’s where things can get a little tricky.

Unfortunately, there’s little scientific data available for most of the supplements found on health-food store shelves. Since supplements aren’t subjected to the same regulatory scrutiny that prescription drugs are (and since they’re seldom the cash cows prescription drugs are), most research dollars are diverted to the pharmaceutical industry. Except for what has been learned through observation, much of what we know about supplements is derived from “in vitro” (test-tube) or animal studies, which may have little bearing on human physiology. 

Thankfully, you can learn about some of the supplements you’re taking – or about a new supplement you’re considering – in a number of places: the Office of Dietary Supplements, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the Linus Pauling Institute,  and PubMed Health are good sources for “evidence-based” information – the sort of information generated by scientific trials – when it is available.
 
In general, you should approach your supplements in much the same way you’d approach a new prescription medication. Before you use any supplement, consult sources that aren’t affiliated with the product’s manufacturer. If you find studies that allude to in vitro or animal studies, be aware that the supplement may not exert the advertised effects in your body.

When purchasing supplements, look for manufacturers that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (you’ll see the initials “GMP” or “CGMP” [Current Good Manufacturing Practices] stamped somewhere on the label). Although they’re not equivalent to the FDA standards that govern the production of pharmaceuticals, Good Manufacturing Practices are your best assurance of the purity, quality and consistency of the ingredients in a supplement. Just as you would do your homework before taking a prescription medication, every supplement you put in your body should get the same critical review. Most supplements have medicinal activity – albeit less profound than prescription drugs – and many supplements interact in undesirable and occasionally dangerous ways with each other or with prescription medications.

Although it seems counterintuitive, the best way to simplify your search for the right supplement is to do a bit of research first. Dig for sources that don’t have a vested interest in what you’re buying. Talk to your healthcare provider. Consult an herbalist, nutritionist, homeopath, Chinese physician or naturopath if your medical doctor isn’t helpful. Read the testimonials of others who have tried the product(s) you’re thinking of using.

Then, the next time you walk into your favorite supplement store, you can do so with confidence. 
          
Here's to your wellness,

Comments Would you like to comments? Join pHionbalance for a free account, or log in if you are already a memeber. Forum Search