Posted on May 20, 2022
Ah, the herbal and supplement industry is interesting.
- ONLY BUY VERIFIED SUPPLEMENTS. There are three independent agencies which review supplements to make sure they have what they say they do, and in the correct amount.
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- NSF International
- USP (US Pharmacopeia)
- ConsumerLab
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- CHECK YOUR LABS before you start a regimen. After a few months, check your labs again. I have seen numerous patients in liver failure for taking “protein powder,” “antioxidant supplements,” even Vitamin D. Are you deficient in what you are taking?
- LOOK AT EVERYTHING YOU ARE TAKING. If you are taking a multivitamin which has Vitamin D and biotin in it, and then taking additional biotin in a hair and nail formula…. oh and then that Calcium and Vitamin D gummy. But they are so tasty, so I take a few extra sometimes… How much of it are you getting? There are hidden micronutrients, vitamins, and supplements in many things out there. Nutrafol contains collagen in it. So if you are adding collagen to your coffee, you are double dosing. If you are drinking and eating lots of calcium, you may not need to supplement it. Are your Vitamin D levels normal? If so, you don’t need to take extra.
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- Fat soluble vitamins can accumulate in your tissues (A, D, E, K)
- Water soluble vitamins in excess you are likely peeing out.
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- WHO IS SELLING IT TO YOU? Many doctors, naturopaths, and others may advocate for a product because they profit from it. Getting something online may be cheaper because it is a knock off product. Be wary.
- ASK TO SEE SCIENTIFIC PAPERS THAT SHOW IT WORKS. There is no regulation of what herbals and supplements can claim. “Great for menopause!” “Helps with brain fog!” “Helps weight loss and cortisol support!” Be wary of online reviews.
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- What is the dosage? absorption?
- How is it processed (liver? kidney? Do you need to check labs?)
- What are the other side effects? You may want testosterone cream to help with libido, but what if you get acne? hair loss? There is always an underbelly. What is the negative?
- You can look up what doctors say in their national organizations (ACOG, NAMS) or do a PubMed search and see if there are any published articles. Look for ones with more people in them (not a study of 10 people), objective data like histologic biopsies and measurable end points, and the best is a study which is prospective with a control arm/placebo vs. treatment.
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The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health or medical condition.