Despite the advertising of some health products, supplements may not be a silver bullet for health conditions. According to “The New York Times,” nearly half of American adults use some form of dietary supplement, at a cost of up to $23 billion a year. Although many herbal and dietary supplements can help provide a needed boost for deficient nutrients and minerals, others may offer little to no benefit for your general health.
Dietary Supplements
Depending on your diet and nutrition, some supplements may be required to help provide a much needed boost to certain minerals and nutrients. For example, your doctor may recommend calcium supplements if you have been diagnosed with a bone density disorder such as osteoporosis. According to MayoClinic.com, fish oil is a common supplement that can provide health benefits for heart attack survivors and individuals with high triglycerides. For best results, ask your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements may also provide medicinal benefits for conditions that do not require traditional medications. Herbal supplements typically contain dried portions of the leaf, root, flower or berry of certain herbs that are taken orally in specified doses. The herbs used in these preparations can range from common herbs, such as garlic, ginger and green tea, to the less common red clover and black cohosh. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea supplements can provide many of the health benefits of the green tea beverage without having to drink so many cups. Green tea is high in antioxidants called polyphenols that have been linked to reduced symptoms in patients suffering from various types of cancers. Unfortunately, some herbal supplements may conflict with certain medications and should not be administered to children or pregnant women. You should not use herbal supplements without talking to your doctor.
Vitamins
Much of the debate about the usefulness of supplements has focused on vitamins. According to “The New York Times,” studies of multivitamins and other vitamin products have yielded conflicting results or shown no health benefits. As a result, many health practitioners recommend that their patients focus on balancing their diets to emphasize vitamins and minerals in their natural state in food. From this perspective, taking vitamin supplements may not be worth it for some individuals.
Concerns
Due to limited regulation, manufacturers of dietary supplements generally do not have to register their products with the Food and Drug Administration. As a result, the product label information may be misleading. To avoid possibly wasting your money on ineffective products, talk with your doctor about the specific health benefits and ramifications of taking certain supplements.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Taking Fish Oil Supplements - Without Fishy Burps; February 3, 2009
- "The New York Times"; Vitamin Pills: A False Hope?; Tara Parker-Pope; February 16, 2009
- The University of Maryland Medical Center; Green Tea; September 20, 2010
- "The Oprah Magazine"; Are Supplements Worth The Money?; David Katz; April 2009
- ABC News; Are Diet Supplements Worth The Money?; Theresa Agovino; August 25, 2006
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