The proliferation and complexity of disease in today’s modern world has led people to try various means towards treatment and healing. Thus, it has paved the way for the growing popularity of alternative medicine and all-natural or herbal supplements. Natural and herbal ingredients aid in the speedy healing of ailments and also provide general well-being to the body.
For instance, ginkgo is said to improve memory while Maca Capsules promote healthy learning ability and supports mood, well-being and sexual function. But, are you really aware what these all-natural supplements can do to your body? Here’s a checklist of five things you should know about these so-called herbal supplements:
- All-natural supplements are not necessarily approved by the FDA.
Makers of all-natural supplements do not have to seek the approval of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA). It is regulated under the dietary supplement category but not as drugs or food. The FDA can only take measures to investigate and remove a specific all-natural supplement from the market if there are reports of problems encountered by consumers who have used it.
- It may interact with other medication.
If you’re taking medication for hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease, then all-natural supplements may not be a good choice. The same goes when you’re taking birth control pills. Always take precautionary measures and consult your physician if you plan to take herbal supplements. Similarly, talk to your doctor first before considering the said supplements if you have these health concerns: glaucoma, thyroid problem, cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, among others.
- Natural does not always mean it is entirely safe.
Taking all-natural supplements doesn’t give the assurance that it is entirely safe. For one, there are ingredients even from natural sources like herbs and plants that produce poison and makers of herbal supplements may not have prior training on how to use it safely. On the contrary, unpleasant scenarios may be avoided by ensuring that herbal supplements should have clear labels that indicate the list of active and inactive ingredients and serving size.
- It is not for everyone.
As much as you want to try all natural supplements, it is not really meant to be for everyone especially those who have health concerns. Talk to your doctor first if you plan to take these supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding your child. If you’re scheduled for surgery or undergoing chemotherapy, then it is best to avoid all natural supplements as it can interact and result in dire effects. Most importantly, if you’re below 18 years old and older than 65 years old, you should not take it as it has not been tested on children and minors as well as for older adults.
- All-natural is not always natural.
Be wary with what you see in the labels of all natural supplements as there have been reports of manufacturers who advertise it as all natural yet contain some ingredients that are synthetic and harmful to the body. There have been instances where companies advertise all natural sex enhancement pills which were found out to contain powerful Viagra-like drugs. To avoid this, choose your brand wisely and be sure that it is tested by reliable sources like ConsumerLab.com.
Taking all-natural supplements has become a common practice nowadays, but it should be done with great caution because these supplements are not necessarily approved by the FDA and may interact with other medication. These herbal supplements are not all entirely safe, not always natural and definitely not for everyone.
