| Americans spent billions of dollars last year on | | | | Be very careful because some supplements |
| natural remedies. But with so many different | | | | interfere with prescription medications or cause |
| products to choose from in the aisles of your | | | | dangerous side effects when taken with |
| local health food store, how do you know which | | | | prescription drugs. The simple solution to avoid this |
| ones are worth buying and which ones you should | | | | danger is to always consult your doctor before |
| avoid. It’s important to note that there are | | | | taking any supplements even if you think they |
| many vitamin and nutritional supplements that can | | | | are harmless. You should also discontinue use of |
| work wonders for your health however if you | | | | supplements if you are scheduled for any invasive |
| make the wrong choice, you may cause yourself | | | | medical procedure. Studies have found that |
| irreparable damage. Before you make any long | | | | certain supplements interfere with anesthesia, can |
| term decisions about your health, take a moment | | | | cause excessive bleeding or elevate blood |
| and discover these 3 amazing secrets related to | | | | pressure. |
| supplements. | | | | The Importance of Taking Only Brand Name |
| Stunning Secret # 1 The difference between a | | | | Supplements |
| nutritional supplement and a drug. | | | | One myth that has run wild is that supplements |
| Stunning Secret # 2 The implications of taking | | | | are safer than prescription drugs because they |
| supplements while also taking prescription drugs. | | | | are thought to be natural and chemical free. |
| Stunning Secret # 3 The importance of taking | | | | Unfortunately research has not shown this to be |
| only name brand supplements from approved | | | | true across the board. Many independent tests |
| sources. | | | | have found that some supplements were |
| The Difference Between a Nutritional Supplement | | | | contaminated with potentially harmful ingredients |
| and a Drug | | | | such as pesticides, bacteria and heavy metals. |
| In many cases, there is not much of a difference. | | | | More recently, Consumer Reports tests found |
| Both substances can have extremely powerful | | | | that labels on supplement bottles did not contain |
| effects and cause problems if taken incorrectly. A | | | | what they said nor was the dosage information |
| key element is how the Food and Drug | | | | correct. According to their research, a good |
| Administration (FDA) view them. For the most | | | | strategy is to rely on more well known |
| part, the FDA treats supplements as if they were | | | | companies like GNC or vitamin shoppe [ over |
| foods. They are technically defined as | | | | lesser known brands. These and other better |
| “products taken by mouth that contain an | | | | known brands appear to have more consistent |
| ingredient intended to supplement the diet.” | | | | quality and safety. |
| Drugs on the other hand are legally defined as | | | | In light of your new found knowledge, the |
| “substances intended to diagnose, treat, or | | | | question you may wonder where you can find |
| prevent disease.” Because of this definition, | | | | reliable information about supplements. The irony |
| most supplements get as much attention from | | | | is that most of what you will find on the internet |
| the FDA as a package of throat lozenges. | | | | or from the grocery store clerk is not the most |
| The Implications of Taking Both Prescription Drugs | | | | reliable source of information. To start you in the |
| and Supplements | | | | right direction, consider the following sources. |