Your best friend started taking glucosamine recently for his arthritic knees,
and he just can't believe the difference. Before you hobble over to your local
pharmacy looking for your own bottle of glucosamine capsules, it may be wise to
first stop and ask yourself a few questions:
- Do I know what's in this supplement?
- What are the possible side effects of this supplement?
- Might this supplement interact with other medications I'm
taking?
- Does the way I eat affect how this supplement will work?
- Has research, in particular, studies involving humans, shown this
supplement to be effective?
According to a survey of 2,000 adults, most people learn about dietary
supplements through conversations with family and friends. Other popular sources
for information are radio, television, or Internet advertisements and the claims
listed on a product's label. In a survey of pharmacists, nearly all of the
pharmacists who had spoken with consumers about alternative medicines found
consumers to be misinformed. They found that most people do not realize that
dietary supplements may lead to serious side effects or that they may be
dangerous when combined with other medications. For example: did you know that
if you are taking the heart medication digoxin, high doses of calcium can cause
an irregular heartbeat? That iron supplements may decrease the effectiveness of
blood pressure medications? That taking niacin (vitamin B3) at the
same time as certain cholesterol-lowering medications can increase the
possibility of adverse side effects, such as liver toxicity?
It is critical that you tell your healthcare provider about any supplement
products you are using. This is especially important if you are taking
blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, or managing serious health
conditions, such as cancer or HIV. Never take dietary supplements to treat a
condition for which you are already taking prescription medications without
talking to your physician first. Also, be sure to report any adverse side
effects from dietary supplements to your doctor or pharmacist.
Finally, you need to keep in mind that the government does not regulate the
manufacture of dietary supplements. As a result, the amount of active
ingredients in a capsule may vary from brand name to brand name, or even within
a single brand. The American Medical Association is urging Congress to subject
dietary supplements to FDA approval for safety and efficacy. They are also
advocating laws requiring that United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards
be met for identity, strength, quality, purity, packaging, and labeling. In the
meantime, it's a good idea to look for products that provide the manufacturer's
name, address, and phone number on the label. (You may even wish to call the
manufacturer and ask them what measures they use to ensure quality: for
instance, do they perform microscopic, chemical, and biological analyses?) Avoid
products that do not give dosage recommendations and/or indicate a lot number or
expiration date (the expiration date should be at least one year after the date
of purchase).
Dietary supplements are a booming business these days. Sales have nearly
doubled in the last five years. It's clear that more and more Americans are
turning to supplements to address their healthcare concerns. Although dietary
supplements are "natural" and available over-the-counter, they are not always
safe or effective for everyone or in every circumstance. Talk to your doctor
before adding supplements to your daily routine. And most importantly, never use
supplements to replace proper nutrition and rest.
