Taking natural supplements can help you improve your health. However, it would help if you took them safely as incorrect use can harm more than good. You must have all the facts concerning healthy foods before you start taking them. This will ensure that you choose a safe supplement and one that best fits your health needs.
You should also learn about the potential benefits of nutritional aids and their side effects. Consult your doctor you start taking natural supplements, especially if you have pre-existing health problems, taking any medicine, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Regulation of Natural Boosters
Natural supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the FDA is not as strict as over-the-counter or prescription drugs since it treats them like food rather than medications. They are classified under the dietary supplement category. Natural manufactures do not have to prove their products are effective or safer like drug manufacturers.
On the other hand, natural supplements manufacturers must label their supplements accurately and ensure they are free of contaminants. They should also provide research to support claims that the nutritional aid supports health or addresses a nutrient deficiency disclaimer that the FDA has not evaluated. The manufacturers should also avoid mentioning specific medical claims. If the claims are unsupported or false, the FDA can take action against the manufacturer.
These measures help the FDA to prevent dangerous products from hitting the market. It also ensures that natural supplements meet specific quality standards.
People Who Should Not Use Them
Natural supplements contain active ingredients that can affect the body leading to unexpected risks. You must talk with your doctor to ensure you are cleared to take the supplements. If you are taking over-the-counter or prescription medication, it may not be safe for you to take supplements. This is because they can cause severe side effects when mixed with medication such as blood thinners, aspirin, and blood pressure drugs.
Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers also need to take extra precautions with supplements since they may be harmful to the baby, although they are safe for them. Some supplements can affect surgery success by lowering the effectiveness of anesthesia or leading to complications such as bleeding.
People older than 65 or younger than 18 may experience some side effects with natural supplements. There have been limited tests on the impact of supplements on children while older adults have different metabolism for medications.
How to Know the Contents
Labeling the supplements is very important. According to the FDA, all-natural supplements should have labels with the following information. The name of the nutritional aids and manufacturer and their address. It should have a complete list of ingredients and dose amount, size, and active ingredient. You can ask a pharmacist or doctor to explain anything that you don’t understand on the label.
If you notice that the claim on the label sounds unreasonable or too good to be true, it probably is. The three significant food and dietary supplements claim are nutrient content claims, health claims, and structure and function claims. If your doctor fails to address the issue, you can look for scientific research findings.
The Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health are good sources of information. You can log on to their websites and get insights to make informed choices on natural nutriment. You can also contact the manufacturer and ask specific questions about the supplement and what they have to substantiate the claim.
Safety Tips On Using Natural Supplements
Before you start taking natural supplements, ensure that you are familiar with these safety tips. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do to exceed the recommended serving or period recommended. Ensure that you monitor everything you are taking by writing down the dosage and quantity and how it affects you.
Choose your brand wisely and go for a brand that has been tested by independent sources such as U.S Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International. Always be on the lookout for alerts and advisories, especially from the FDA. Check out nutritional aids that have been recalled or are under review for having been reported to have adverse side effects.
If you start taking natural supplements and experience adverse side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately. Always ask questions when in doubt, especially when it comes to your health and well-being.
