Supplements and Drugs: A Hazardous Combination

As I have become more involved in using functional nutritional therapy in my practice, I have come to realize that many people are still confused about the safety and effectiveness of various dietary supplements. Because these products are "natural", many feel they are always safe to use. Although supplements and herbs can be safer than pharmaceutical drugs, they can still function as drugs in the body and should be used with caution and respect.

It is estimated that over 80% of the world's population and 60 million Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, although many believe CAM compliments their current traditional healthcare, most do not inform their physicians that they are taking these products. And, many providers don't ask or discuss CAM use with their patients, although one survey of 181 cardiologists found that half of them took antioxidant vitamins, themselves.

What many people don't realize is that there is no regulatory agency in charge of the supplement industry. Herbal products are not tested for purity, effectiveness and safety as drugs are. In 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was enacted that requires the FDA to prove beyond any doubt that a supplement is unsafe before removing it from the market. Other than regulating what can be included on the label, they are unable to enforce any other regulation.

There is no incentive for supplement companies to conduct research because they are unable to patent 'natural' products. Those marketing herbs and other supplements save millions of dollars not spent on research, or worse, yet, conduct their own "research", which often does not include rigorous controls. Although there are many excellent and reputable supplement companies on the market, the typical consumer is unlikely to know who the credible ones are. Many independent sales representatives only know what the company tells them, and are as unaware as the consumer.

Even if the supplements are pure and not harmful by themselves, problems arise when combined with drugs. Dietary supplements may compete with drugs, leading to toxicity or treatment failure of that drug. An estimated 4 million people are at risk for herbal-prescription drug interactions. Here is a list of the most common interactions between supplements and drugs:

* Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to prevent blood clotting for those at risk for deep vein thrombosis, stroke, or heart attack. Supplements that can change bleeding time controlled by this drug include flaxseed oil and fish oil supplements, goldenseal, saw palmetto, feverfew, garlic, ginseng, and willow bark, just to name a few.

* Digoxin is another heart medication. Ginseng has been noted to falsely elevate blood digoxin levels. Some herbs that will affect drug effectiveness include senna, licorice, aloe, cascara, hawthorne, foxglove, goldenseal and guar gum.

* Phenytoin is a drug used for seizures. Herbal interactions to be aware of include ginkgo biloba, white willow, lemon balm, skull cap, kava kava, and valerian root, to name a few. It is also important to know that Folate supplementation is necessary with Phenytoin, but excess Folate can be harmful.

* It's important to take calcium supplements and vitamin D two hours apart from taking either Phenytoin or Digoxin in order to not interfere with these drug's effects.

Of particular concern are interactions with the herb St. John's Wort, which is taken by 7.5 million Americans as a depression remedy. This herb can cause serious consequences when taken with drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil, as well as warfarin, cyclosporine, and oral contraceptives. This herb may also interact with Digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, and other drugs, causing treatment failure. Some of these interactions are serious enough that if St. John's Wort were a drug, the government would restrict marketing, make it a prescription-only item, or require label warnings.

So, what can one do??

Anyone taking a dietary supplement should first do their homework. Know exactly what the purpose of a particular supplement is for and learn all known interactions. There are many excellent informational websites on the internet. A good rule of thumb is to look for a site that does not offer products for sale!

It's also important to inform your healthcare professional what supplements you are taking, in order to avoid potential supplement-drug interactions that could put you at medical risk. Although many credible professionals sell products, there are just as many who sell products but don't really understand the physiology of the human body and are just out to make money. Supplement sales is a very popular 'easy' way to make money today!

It's just as important to do one's homework when looking for a complementary care practitioner. Although this is only one set of criteria, the best recommendation is to look for one or any of these: A pharmacist or registered dietitian who is educated in medicinal herbs, a physician who specializes in functional medicine, or an MD, OD, ND, DC, PharmD or RD who also has the CCN credential.

Don't be afraid to take supplements. They serve a very beneficial purpose. But do know why you're taking each supplement, just as you should know why you take any prescription medications. Be an informed consumer and take responsibility for your health and wellbeing.

Marjorie Geiser has been teaching health, fitness and nutrition since 1982. She is a nutritionist, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and life coach. As the owner of MEG Fitness, Marjorie's goal for her clients is to help them incorporate healthy eating and fitness into their busy lives. To learn more about the services Margie offers, go to her website at www.megfit.com or email her at Margie@megfit.com

---

Amino Acids For Height Growth ? Boosting Your Growth Hormones

Many people take amino acids for height growth these days.... Read More

Vitamin Supplements ? A Pill is Not Always the Answer

Vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies use, in very... Read More

What is Chromium Picolinate?

Chromium picolinate supplement combines the essential trace mineral Chromium with... Read More

Eight Glyconutrients

Glyconutrients- the latest development in the health industry. What are... Read More

L-tyrosine and Your Health

L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More

Coral Calcium: The Preferred Source of Absorbable Calcium

Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and... Read More

Evening Primrose Oil and Co-Enzyme Q-10: A Dynamic Supplement Duo for Women

During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More

What L Glutamine Powder Can Do For You

L glutamine is an amino acid occurring abundantly within the... Read More

Why Is Vitamin B6 So Important?

Vitamin B6 is the hardest working nutrient in the human... Read More

Are You Flushing Your Money Down The Toilet...Literally?

Many of you are probably aware that The American Medical... Read More

Taurox SB: A Balanced Immune System Leads to Increased Energy

Taurox is an excellent way to find true and healthy... Read More

Health Benefits of Taking Spirulina Daily - Real Health Part 5

As I mentioned in Part 4 of my Real Health... Read More

Natural Tonics for Health and Wellness

I'm a great believer in natural tonics to strengthen or... Read More

What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola... Read More

Selenium Can Lift Your Spirits

In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture... Read More

Safer And More Effective Than Botox? Shocking Results

Are the new Argireline Wrinkle Relaxing Creams as effective as... Read More

Omega 3 Fish Oil EPA and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Since the release of a book called" beat chronic fatigue... Read More

Vitamin C - The Most Common Health Food Supplement

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons... Read More

Vitamin E to Protect Against Parkinsons Disease

Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect... Read More

The Liquid Vitamin Mineral Supplement

The liquid vitamin mineral supplement is a must have for... Read More

Nutritional Nutrients

Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual... Read More

Vitamin Euphoria ? A Shot in the Dark

Vitamins seem to be so good for everything. The newly... Read More

What Everyone Should Know About Supplements

For years now we have heard that supplementing our diets... Read More

Herbal Supplement

Herbal Supplement ? what is it?So what is an herbal... Read More

Glyconutrients For You?

Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More

Anabolic Steroids and Will They Work for Me?

Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More

Learn Why Digestive Enzymes are Crucial for Optimal Health

Your body produces over 20 separate digestive enzymes that are... Read More

The Worst $$$ I Ever Spent . . . Month after Month!

"They", the "experts" all say how important vitamins are -... Read More

The Myths and Facts of Vitamin D and Sun Exposure

Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More

Beta-Glucan May Prevent Anthrax When Taken Orally

In a 2002 study, a group of researchers used oral... Read More

The Real Truth About Supplements

Not All Supplements are Created Equal. There are more supplements... Read More

The Frightening But True Facts About Smoking

If you think that smoking is a harmless little hobby... Read More

What are Phytochemicals (Phytonutrients)?

Don't be overwhelmed by this big word, ... Read More