HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
What to know before you buy!
Echinacea to prevent colds, Ginkgo to improve memory & Flaxseed to lower cholesterol are just some of the herbal remedies available.
Herbal supplements aren't right for everyone.
Get the facts before you buy.
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Plants have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
- However, herbal supplements haven't been subjected to the same scientific scrutiny & aren't
as strictly regulated as medications. - Makers of herbal supplements must follow good manufacturing practices to ensure that supplements are processed consistently & meet quality standards but they don't have to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before putting their products on the market.
- Yet all herbs, including herbal supplement products labeled as "natural" can have
drug-like effects.
1. Anything strong enough to produce a positive effect, such as lowered cholesterol or" improved mood, is also strong enough to carry risk.
2. So it's important to do your homework & investigate potential benefits & side effects of
herbal supplements before you buy.
3. Be sure to talk with your doctor, especially if you take medications, have chronic health problems, or are pregnant or breast-feeding.
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Are herbal supplements safe?
Herbal supplements are regulated by the FDA, but not as drugs or as foods.
They fall under a category called dietary supplements.
The rules for dietary supplements are as follows:
- Manufacturers don't have to seek FDA approval before putting dietary supplements on the market.
- In addition, companies can claim that products address a nutrient deficiency, support health
or are linked to body functions, if they have supporting research & they include a disclaimer
that the FDA hasn't evaluated the claim. - Manufacturers must follow good manufacturing practices to ensure that supplements are processed consistently & meet quality standards.
- These regulations are intended
1. To keep the wrong ingredients & contaminants, such as pesticides & lead, out of supplements,
2. Also to make sure that the right ingredients are included in appropriate amounts.
- Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA is responsible for monitoring its safety.
1. If the FDA finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer or distributor or both.
2. It may issue a warning or require that the product be removed from the market. - These regulations provide assurance that herbal supplements meet certain quality standards
& that the FDA can intervene to remove dangerous products from the market. - The rules do not, however, guarantee that herbal supplements are safe for anyone to use.
1. Because many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong effects in the body, these products can pose unexpected risks.
2. For example, taking a combination of herbal supplements or using supplements together
with prescribed medications could lead to harmful, even life-threatening results.
3. For this reason, it's important to talk with your doctor before using herbal supplements.
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How do you know what's in herbal supplements?
The FDA requires that the following information
be included on the labels of all herbal supplements:
- The name of the herbal supplement.
- The name & address of manufacturer or distributor.
- A complete list of ingredients either in the Supplement Facts panel or listed beneath it.
- Serving size, amount & active ingredient.
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If you don't understand something on an herbal supplement's label,
ask your doctor or pharmacist for an explanation.
- An easy way to compare ingredients in products is by using the Dietary Supplement Label Database, which is available on the National Institute of Health's website.
- The database has information on the ingredients for thousands of dietary supplements sold
in the United States. - You can look up products by brand name, uses, active ingredient or manufacturer
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How do you know if herbal supplements' claims are true?
Manufacturers of herbal supplements
are responsible for ensuring that the claims they make about their products
aren't false or misleading & that they're backed up by adequate evidence.
However, they aren't required to submit this evidence to the FDA.
So be a smart consumer & do a little homework.
Don't just rely on a product's marketing.
Look for objective, research-based information to evaluate a product's claims.
To get reliable information about a particular supplement:
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Even if they don't know about a specific supplement, they may be able to point you to the
latest medical guidance about its uses & risks. - Look for scientific research findings. Two good sources include
1. The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
2. The Office of Dietary Supplements.
3. Both have websites that provide information to help consumers make informed choices
about dietary supplements. - Contact the manufacturer.
1. If you have questions about a specific product, call the manufacturer or distributor.
2. Ask to talk with someone who can answer questions, such as what data the company has
to substantiate its products' claims.
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Who shouldn't use herbal supplements?
If you have health issues,
it's essential that you talk with your doctor before trying herbal suplements.
In fact, in some high-risk situations,
your doctor will likely recomment that you avoid herbal supplements altogether.
It's especially important that you talk to your doctor
before using herbal supplements if:
- You're taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
1. Some herbs can cause serious side effects when mixed with prescription & OTC drugs,
such as aspirin, blood thinners or blood pressure medications.
2. Talk to your doctor about possible interactions. - You're pregnant or breast-feeding.
1. Medications that may be safe for you as an adult may be harmful to your fetus or your breast-feeding infant.
2. As a general rule, don't take any medications, prescription, OTC or herbal, when you're pregnant or breast-feeding unless your doctor approves. - You're having surgery.
1. Many herbal supplements can affect the success of surgery.
2. Some may decrease the effectiveness of anesthetics or cause dangerous complications, such as bleeding or high blood pressure.
3. Tell your doctor about any herbs you're taking or considering taking as soon as you
know you need surgery. - You're younger than 18 or older than 65.
1. Few herbal supplements have been tested on children or have established safe doses
for children.
2. And older adults may metabolize medications differently.
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Safety tips for using herbal supplements
If you've done your homework & plan to try an herbal supplement,
play it safe with these tips:
- Follow supplement instructions.
Don't exceed recommended dosages or take the herb for longer than recommended. - Keep track of what you take.
1. Take only one supplement at a time to determine if it's effective.
2. Make a note of what you take & how much for how long & how it affects you. - Be cautious about supplements manufactured outside the United States.
1. Herbal products from some European countries are highly regulated & standardized.
2. But toxic ingredients & prescription drugs have been found in supplements manufactured elsewhere, particularly China, India & Mexico. - Check alerts and advisories.
1. The FDA & NCCAM maintain lists of supplements that are under regulatory review or
that have been reported to cause adverse effects.
2. Check their websites periodically for updates.
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