3 Secrets Nutritional Supplement Companies Hide From You
Posted on 30. Oct, 2009 by Dorthy Weatherbush in Diet & Nutrition
Every year, Americans spend billions upon billions of dollars and natural remedies or cures for their sicknesses. There are millions of products in the stores to choose from for every conceivable illness, which can make it hard for you to decide which one is best for you. In addition, some of these supplements contain ingredients that are good for you, and other ingredients that can cause irreparable damage to your body. Before you swallow, take a few moments to uncover these shocking truths.
Stunning Secret # 1 The difference between a nutritional supplement and a drug. Stunning
Secret # 2 The implications of taking supplements while also taking prescription drugs.
Surprising Secret #3 The importance of buying approved, name brand products.
The Difference Between a Nutritional Supplement and a Drug
Often times, there is no significant difference. Both can have strong effects and can cause physical problems if taken incorrectly. One of the critical factors is how the FDA, or the Food and Drug Administration view them. Largely, supplements are handled like foods. They are intended to supplement the diet, to go along with it. Drug on the other side are substances intended to treat or prevent disease. Due to these differing definitions, most supplements get lots of attention from the FDA, almost as much as a package of cough drops.
The Consequences of Taking Both Drugs and Supplements
Be very careful because some supplements interfere with prescription medications or cause dangerous side effects when taken with prescription drugs. The simple solution to avoid this danger is to always consult your doctor before taking any supplements even if you think they are harmless. You should also discontinue use of supplements if you are scheduled for any invasive medical procedure. Studies have found that certain supplements interfere with anesthesia, can cause excessive bleeding or elevate blood pressure.
The Importance of Taking Only Brand Name Supplements
One common misconception that has run ramped is that supplements are natural and chemical free and therefore safer than their prescription drug counterparts. The truth is that this is not always the case. Many lab test and studies have found that supplements contained very harmful ingredients including pesticides, metal, and bacteria. Not too long ago, Consumer Reports test discovered that not only did the bottles not contain the ingredients that they said they did, the bottles were also labeled with incorrect dosage information. According to them, the best strategy is to stick with what you know; companies like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe are always a safe bet.
In light of your new found knowledge, the question you may wonder where you can find reliable information about supplements. The irony is that most of what you will find on the internet or from the grocery store clerk is not the most reliable source of information. To start you in the right direction, consider the following sources. (National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration)
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