Are Health Supplements Effective?
Are Health Supplements Effective?
Dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, amino
acids, enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants ofor.agricharts, are a popular way to help boost your
health. They come in a range of forms, such as capsules, gummies, tinctures,
powders and liquids.
These products aren’t regulated the same way as prescription drugs, and
manufacturers can make claims on their packaging that aren’t always supported by
scientific evidence. These claims can be misleading, and you should always read the
label carefully. For example, some supplements can interact negatively with your
medications or cause side effects.
Vitamins and minerals may not be as effective as some people think. For example,
long-term use of high-dose vitamins (more than the recommended dietary intake)
can lead to symptoms of toxicity. In addition, taking too many supplements can
interfere with certain medical treatments and prescription medicines. For example,
Vitamin E can increase the action of blood thinners, leading to easy bruising and
nosebleeds; St. John’s wort can inhibit the effectiveness of antidepressants and birth
control pills; and folate taken in large doses can hide vitamin B12 deficiencies.
There are some situations when a supplement is necessary, but most of the time,
nutrient deficiencies can be addressed with healthy eating and lifestyle changes.
Some examples include pregnant and breastfeeding women who need iron; people
with digestive disorders, such as celiac disease or IBS, who can’t absorb nutrients
from food well; and those with certain medical conditions that make them more
susceptible to nutrient deficiencies, like diabetes and heart disease.
Many of the benefits attributed to vitamins and minerals are based on observational
studies, which can’t fully account for other factors, such as a person’s diet or
exercise habits. Additionally, it’s difficult to measure the impact of supplements on
chronic diseases.
Before you take a supplement, it’s best to talk to your doctor first. They can check
that it’s safe for you, warn you about potential side effects and add it to your health
record. They can also tell you which supplements are most important for your health
and how much of each one you should take. And remember, if something sounds too
good to be true, it probably is.