iNutritional Supplements » Prescription Drugs

Top 10 Safety Tips For Nutritional Supplements

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:02:42 +0000

Mitamins Team asked:
With every month that goes by, one of the big drug companies unveilsanother wonder-cure that can lower cholesterol, treat depression, or help us lose weight. In additon, a gaggle of natural health companies promise herbal alternatives and vitamin nutritional supplements that can replace prescription medication. Yet as the number, and cost, of prescription drugs and nutritonal supplements increases, how come the health of the nation is getting worse? Heart disease, depression and obesity are all rising despite the increase, and supposed effectiveness, of the pharmaceutical’s products. And if nutritonal supplements are supposed to balance our body’s vitamin and mineral content then why do we still feel ill after taking them?

It is a modern phenomonen than we are very simply taking too many medicines. These medicines not only produce harmful side-effects, they can also cause vitamin depletion and actually harm our health. It’s possible to replace these lost vitamins through nutritional supplements, but the one-size-fits all multivitamins sold in grocery stores may not have the right balance for your particular condition. Taking these nutritional supplements may, in turn, affect the action of your medication in the body. So medicines help with our health concerns but deplete the vitamins in our body, and nutritional supplements replace those lost vitamins but can stop the medication from working. How to break free from this visious circle? By taking control and being informed about your personal health and your vitamin nutrtional needs(www.mitamins.com).

Ways of Preventing Drug-Vitamin(www.mitamins.com) Interactions

Drug vitamin interactions mostly affect psychiatric patients, elderly people, and individuals who had been recently hospitalized. These groups are more likely to be taking heavy medications for more than one health concern and so the risk of interactions is much higher. Drug vitamin interactions may also affect people who like to “shop around” and consult a number of different physicians and healthcare proffesionals – each one prescribing a different medication or nutritional supplement. However, the risk of drug vitamin interactions can be reduced if you take care of few important things such as:

1. Asking your pharmacist, doctor, or other health professional to check any interaction between your prescribed medicines and your vitamin nutritional supplements(www.mitamins.com).

2. Learning the names of the medicines and nutritional supplements you’re taking and knowing the effect of each one upon your body.

3. Making a full list of all the nutritional supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, and homeopathic remedies you have and update it after each visit to the doctor.

4. Getting your prescription filled out the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist may be better able to notice any possible drugivitamin interactions.

5. Not taking a new medicine without discussing the side effects with your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional.

6. Ensuring that each doctor knows the medicines prescribed by others, if you are consulting more than one doctor.

Besides, the above given precautions, drug vitamin interactions can be reduced if care is taken about keeping your medication and supplements properly. Some things to keep in mind are:

7. Different medicines or nutritional supplements should not be kept in same container as it can cause interaction between them.

8. All medicines and nutritional supplements have an expiry date (or should do). Don’t take expired medicine or nutritional supplements.

9. Always consult your doctor or physician if you decide to stop taking a certain medication to begin a course of nutritional supplements instead.

10. If any side effect or problem is experienced due to a medication or nutritional supplement, consult your doctor immediately.

What Does Nutritional Supplements Consist Of?

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:20:17 +0000

MIKE SELVON asked:

Under the broad heading of nutritional supplements, you will find vitamins, amino acids, minerals, herbal supplements, some steroids and even hormones like melatonin. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate dietary supplements and require the manufacturer ensure they are safe before they are marketed.

The FDA only takes action against any unsafe nutritional products after it reaches the market. Dietary supplements are classified as foods, not drugs as regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so they are treated differently than prescription drugs.

A nutritional supplement is a product that is intended to supplement the diet and contain any of the following dietary ingredients:

A vitamin

A mineral

An herb or other botanical (excluding tobacco)

An amino acid

A dietary substance for use by people to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or

A concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any of the above

Furthermore, it must also conform to the following criteria:

It is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid form.

It is not to be represented for use as a conventional food or as the sole item of a meal or diet.

It is labeled as a dietary supplement.

While hormones are not included in the above list, some hormones are labeled as “dietary supplements”.

Dietary supplements are permitted to make structure and/or functional nutritional value claims. These are broad claims that the product can support the structure or function of the body, as in “glucosamine helps support healthy joints”, “the hormone melatonin helps establish normal sleep patterns”. The FDA must be notified of these claims within 30 days of their first use, and there is a requirement that these claims be substantiated.

The possibility of interactions between nutritional supplements and prescription drugs is something you need to keep in mind before starting a new supplement regimen. A product may be from an “herbal” or “natural” source, but that alone does not ensure its safety.

Combined with other drugs, supplements can produce unwanted pharmacological side effects. Though a nutritional supplement may be available without a prescription, it is a good idea to seek medical counsel regarding possible adverse side effects.

The bottom line is, in order to protect yourself; it is highly recommended you investigate nutritional supplements before you start taking them. Make sure plenty of studies have been conducted that show its nutritional value, safety and effectiveness. A good rule of thumb is to evaluate whether you are already getting enough of the vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement through your dietary intake, without additional supplementation.

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is preferable, if that is a feasible option. If you recognize you are falling short of recommended daily allowances, ask your physician or nutritionist what supplements and dosages he recommends.

Nutritional Supplements – Why Should You Take Care

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:25:05 +0000

Lorna Mclaren asked:

Nutritional supplements are becoming increasingly popular. As our population grows older and yet stays fitter we are all striving to slow the clock. What some people don realise is that some of the supplements are not merely harmless nutrients but that high levels can cause dangerous imbalances and some can even react harmfully with some common prescription drugs. Once you know of these risks you would be advised to speak to you doctor for the sake of your health.

Many, many people believe that because vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements are sold as health foods they are only associated with positive effects. As with everything there is positive and negative effects to be had with most nutritional supplements.

If nutritional supplements are take to excess, that is in quantities greater than the recommended dietary allowances, then they are classes as drugs. In these circumstances the nutritional supplements can adversely affect a persons’ health and cause interference with prescribed medication.

Here are just some examples of what can happen if care is not exercised when taking nutritional supplements.

Vitamin A – fatigue and lethargy Vitamin D – possible kidney failure Vitamin C – gas and diarrhoea (dehydration can occur due to diarrhoea) Vitamins A, D, K – reaction to toxicity Niacin – flushed skin, impaired liver function Iodine – enlargement of the thyroid gland Magnesium – diarrhoea

If you feel the need to take nutritional supplements then do so but be aware that the same amount of care you employ when taking prescription medication should also be taken when taking nutritional supplements.

Nutritional supplements can be taken for a variety of reasons. If you are vegetarian then you may not get all that you need from your more limited diet choice and therefore a nutritional supplement can keep you on top form. If you dislike fish then again a nutritional supplement can fill in that dietary gap. Some people either dislike dairy products or only like a few and therefore a top up nutritional supplement can be just the thing.

Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional and don’t take high doses of vitamins without advice first. Your doctor will also be able to advise if you are getting the right quantities of everything you need from you current diet or whether a nutritional supplement can be of help. Some minor niggles such as mild headache or mild persistent tiredness can be signs of nutritional deficiency and could be simply set right with the correct nutritional supplement.

Educate Yourself About Nutritional Supplement

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:11:03 +0000

MIKE SELVON asked:

Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, some steroids, the pineal hormone melatonin, and herbal supplements all fall under the heading of nutritional supplement. The Food and Drug Administration classifies dietary supplements as foods, and not as drugs, so they are regulated differently than prescription drugs.

The FDA requires the manufacturer ensure the safety of their product before it goes to market. The Food and Drug Administration will only take action against any unsafe nutritional products after it reaches the marketplace.

Nutritional supplements are any product that is intended to supplement the diet and contain any of the following dietary ingredients:

A vitamin

A mineral

An herb or other botanical (excluding tobacco)

An amino acid

A dietary substance for use by people to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or

A concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any of the above

Furthermore, it must also conform to the following criteria:

It is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid form.

It is not to be represented for use as a conventional food or as the sole item of a meal or diet.

It is labeled as a dietary supplement.

While hormones are not included in the above list, some hormones are labeled as “dietary supplements”.

Dietary supplements are permitted to make structure and/or functional nutritional value claims. These are broad claims that the product can support the structure or function of the body, as in “glucosamine helps support healthy joints”, “the hormone melatonin helps establish normal sleep patterns”. The FDA must be notified of these claims within 30 days of their first use, and there is a requirement that these claims be substantiated.

Keep in mind the possibility of interactions between a prescription drug and nutritional supplement. Just because a product is derived from “natural” or “herbal” sources does not assure its safety.

Many herbal products produce pharmacological side effects. Just because herbal products are available without a prescription, medical advice is necessary because of the adverse effects of these products and the potential for drug interactions.

The bottom line is, in order to protect yourself; it is highly recommended you investigate a nutritional supplement before you start taking it. Make sure plenty of studies have been conducted that show its nutritional value, safety and effectiveness. A good rule of thumb is to evaluate whether you are already getting enough of the vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement through your dietary intake, without additional supplementation.

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is preferable, if that is a feasible option. If you recognize you are falling short of recommended daily allowances, ask your physician or nutritionist what supplements and dosages he recommends.

Nutritional Supplements – Should you be Taking a Dietary Supplement?

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:57:40 +0000

Jason M Paulsone asked:

There are many supplements out there in the marketplace nowadays and it can be confusing sometimes as to whether or not they are worth taking. The fact is that most people have diets that are simply not providing their body with the necessary nutrients that they need.

We are all aware that we need to be consuming more fruits and vegetables but the reality is that most people for whatever reason are not doing it. Thus consuming some sort of nutritional supplement is often an ideal choice to introduce the necessary vitamins and minerals back into the system for optimal health.

Supplements can be found today very easily at most supermarkets and even online at places like Amazon or other nutritional sites. Choosing the right supplement for you can be a confusing task as there are so many different options. It is often a good idea to consult with a doctor first to make sure that the product you intend to consume is compatible with any prescription drugs that you may be taking.

It is important to keep in mind that just because you are taking a nutritional supplement it does not all of a sudden give you a license to eat whatever you want. You still need to make sure you are consuming the right kinds of foods and not over indulging. Moderation is the key here so you can consume almost any food but keep the amounts minimal for those high fat or junk foods.

There are many great super foods out there that you can consume that can offer great health benefits. Whole food supplements such as green drinks are concentrated nutritional supplements and can give your body a huge boost of nutrients. The great thing about most whole food supplements is that they are made of regular foods only more concentrated so there really are no nasty side effects.

Another benefit to whole food supplements is that they give your body an array of vitamins and minerals that you would not get with isolated supplements so you can save money by only using this kind of nutritional supplementation.

Food can offer you a great way to stay healthy and in fact can be used to help heal your body. Use it to keep you healthy and strong and control your urges to over eat or consume too much of the wrong kinds of foods. It is tough to develop this discipline but I think you will agree that the health benefits may make it very worth while.