8/9/19

Word for the Day: Supplements

“I always ask my patients to bring all their supplements with them to their appointments, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that many arrive with a bagful of bottles. They frequently share that they’re not sure whether the supplements are working for them, or how much they should be taking. I’m sympathetic. Contrary information is everywhere. We’re drowning in data, while starving for information. How can the average person be expected to make sense of it all?”  Dr. Tieraona Low Dog

Supplements ranging from ashwagandha root to calcium flood the market.  How do we decide what supplement might be good for us and our particular nutritional and health needs?  Not all of us have access to physicians like Dr. Low Dog who practices integrative/complementary medicine.

If you are like me, the best I can do is to follow the blogs/websites of doctors who are leaders in this field and then cross reference their ideas on supplements with my own osteopathic physician. 

My two go-to sites are:

Dr. Andrew Weil’s  https://www.drweil.com/

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog’s  https://drlowdog.com: 

Once I have figured out what supplement to take, the next question is always where should I purchase it?   Well another very cool resource that I recently stumbled onto is the following site:

https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/

It is a large database that offers research-based information on  dietary supplements, natural medicines, and complementary, alternative and integrative therapies.

It does require a subscription to utilize this site.  A personal subscription is a little steep, but check with your local library, your doctor’s office or your place of employment if you are in the health care industry.  They may have access.

I used the site to find out if my particular brand of calcium and vitamin D were effective and reliable.  Luckily for me, they scored an 8 out of 10.  I also use the site to look up herbs or supplements recommended by Dr. Weil or Dr. Low Dog. In addition to rating a particular manufacturer’s product, this site also provides research on an herb or supplement’s effectiveness, interactions with other medications, adverse reactions and so much more.

Disclaimer: I am not a physician, herbalist or scientist.  I am simply a health consumer sharing what resources and processes I personally use to make decisions in my own life for taking supplements. 

Questions to Ask yourself:  What are my own personal views on supplements?  Where do I get my information on supplements from?  Do I talk to my physician before I start a supplement?  Am I making lifestyle choices that promote whole health instead of relying solely on a supplement?

As Dr. Weil reminds us, “It’s up to you to protect and maintain your body’s innate capacity for health and healing by making the right choices in how you live.”