Should You Take Supplements to Improve Your Health? by Nadine Cartwright-Lowe, M.D. (Dr Na)

The concept of taking a dietary supplement seems like a non-issue to most people.  Vitamins and nutritional supplements are everywhere.  You can buy them in the supermarket, at your local pharmacy, on-line, and even in some gas stations.  But the prospect of taking nutritional supplements and understanding their effects is more complicated than it seems.

In my experience as a medical doctor, I find that many people are willing to take supplements, including herbal remedies, in order to enhance their health without really knowing what they are taking or how the supplement might affect their organs, metabolism or other physiologic functions.   I’ve often heard from patients “I’m taking [such and such] for a particular ailment” or to prevent a particular disease process.  Of course, my next question is invariably… what’s in it?  If I get an answer to the question, it’s usually “I don’t know”, but just as often the response to this question is a blank stare.  I find it interesting that many people want to avoid medications and their side effects but have no idea what the effects of supplements may be.  Any substance that you ingest has an effect on your health and well-being!

My study of and experience with pharmacological agents as well as herbal medicine have made it relatively simple for me to quickly determine whether a particular supplement is right for my patients.  This may not be so simple for the average person whose knowledge of physiology, pharmacology, organic chemistry and botany (and the clinical application of these disciplines) may be limited. 

Always remember that you are a unique individual.  A supplement that might work like a charm for a particular aliment for your friend may cause an allergic reaction in you.  Every chemical compound, from water to table salt, has the potential for being harmful to a particular individual in a particular setting or circumstance.  It is very important for you to understand how supplements and even common everyday foods may interact with your medications, other supplements or your prescribed dietary restrictions.  Before you take any supplement, you need to ask your doctor how it may interact with medications or whether it will exacerbate any medical condition for which you are being treated. 

Here are several common examples.  People may take handfuls of supplements.  What they may not know is that some supplements limit or inhibit the absorption of other supplements.  People who have digestive problems or food allergies may have problems with different supplements, not because of the supplements themselves but because of the additives and fillers in these supplements. I recommend that you should take care to read each ingredient on the label.  Bring all bottles of supplements which you plan to take to your doctor visit. Then discuss each ingredient as to how it might adversely affect you. 

You should also discuss with your doctor whether you need to take a supplement at all.  Common popular supplements may not be needed, and in some cases may result in problems if too much of the supplement is taken.  Again discuss all these issues with your doctor.  If you visit websites regarding these issues, make sure the sites are reputable and discuss nutritional supplementation responsibly.

Finally, consider not taking nutritional supplements at all.  Try to receive proper nutrition and achieve health from foods in their most natural state.  Sometimes “Edible Medicines” might be just what the doctor ordered.

Get Healthy Vibes and Feel Great! (SM) 

Dr. Nadine Cartwright-Lowe is the founder, lead health coach and lifestyle advisor at Personal Lifestyle Advisors:  (www.personallifestyleadvisors.com). Offices in Woodbridge: (203) 387-1574 and Greenwich: (203) 542-7288, Manhattan: (212) 829-4341.

Dr. Cartwright-Lowe received a B.A. in Biology from Brown University and a M.D. from Brown University Medical School.  She participated in medical research in biomechanics and orthopedics for Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and completed specialty training in internal medicine at St. Vincent's Medical Center/Yale University School of Medicine. 

Dr. Cartwright-Lowe’s medical, clinical and educational experiences are quite extensive.  She is a former staff physician at the Connecticut Veteran Affairs Healthcare System and St. Vincent’s Medical Center’s Immediate Health Care, former Medical Director of School Sister of Notre Dame-Lourdes Health Care, former staff physician at Gaylord Hospital, president and founder of Center for Personal Health, P.C. a complementary, alternative and internal medicine practice which emphasized health through prevention, healthy diet, exercise, natural practices, and health education.