“The more you know, the less you need.” – Australian Aborigine saying
Recently I asked my readers (after all you are the reason for this column!) to weigh in on any topics of interest and/or assistance I can provide in their quest for optimum health. I received a few replies (thank you) and the major requests were supplement use.
Disclaimer here: I am not a registered dietician or medical professional. I am certified in nutrition counseling and various fitness regimens including yoga, balance, aerobic, and flexibility modalities. After more than 40 years of professional management, I embarked on this important endeavor as a second career, and my suggestions for you are based on those qualifications as well as my own experience. As noted at the end of this column, ALWAYS confer with your medical provider for your specific needs.
Moving on – dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) the way prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are regulated. Supplement manufacturers and distributors are responsible for ensuring that what is in the bottle is safe and accurately labeled. If there is evidence to the contrary, the FDA can issue warnings, but this happens after the supplement in on the market, not before.
You can also check the supplement for third-party testing from an organization such as USP (US Pharmacopeia), which helps ensure that what is listed on the label matches what is in the bottle with no additional ingredients hidden. Please read labels!
Vitamin and herbal supplements are a multi-billion industry, both in this country and around the world. Currently there are nearly 80,000 herbal and dietary supplements on the market. A higher percentage of women (63.8 percent) reported dietary supplement use than men (50.8 percent). For both sexes, dietary supplement use increased with age, and in all age groups, dietary supplement use was higher among women than men.1
You may wonder if I take any herbal or dietary supplements. The answer is … yes, I do. However, in your best interest, dear readers, I decline to share specifics on what those items may be as they are not relevant to your specific needs and goals.
The most important thing you can do is talk to your provider. Discuss any supplements you are taking or plan to take with your physician, particularly if you have any type of medical condition, as supplement use can exacerbate those conditions. If you are already taking a supplement, bring the bottle to your provider’s office to show him/her to determine safety and value to your health. According to the 2024 JAMA Network Open study, the vast majority of at-risk botanical users took the supplements without consulting a health provider.
Please note that just because you read an advertisement or see a commercial touting a particular supplement, do not assume it is safe and beneficial. Many dietary supplements can be beneficial, particularly if you have a compromised health issue or another area in which you are lacking proper nutrition. Antioxidants are very important to our overall health, and those antioxidants include Vitamins such A, C, D, and E, for instance.
But did you know that Vitamins A, D and E are considered fat-soluble while Vitamin C and the B’s are water-soluble? Why is this important you may wonder?
It is very important as fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fat tissues and liver and can potentially build up to toxicity while water-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in the urine. Vitamin toxicity is very serious and potentially dangerous. Please do your own research on these and other supplements.
Remember that the planet has given us plenty of antioxidant-rich foods that give us vitamins, fiber, and more. Eating nutrient-rich foods is by far the gold standard for optimum vibrancy. Stay healthy, my friends.
1 cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.