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Many adults and children in Europe take one or more vitamins and dietary supplements per day, and according to a recent survey, about 93 percent of European consumers have taken food supplements in the past 12 months. What's more, over 66% mentioned that either a doctor or a pharmacist was their main source of information on supplements. This indicates that more people would rather consult healthcare professionals on these matters, rather than doing a Google search or asking friends and family members for supplement recommendations.
Dietary supplements can enhance or improve overall well-being, and some can be beneficial for managing health conditions. However, just like conventional medications, there are risks involved in taking supplements. It's important to educate people on the benefits and dangers of these products, as well as the proper way to consume them. Here's what you need to do before recommending dietary supplements.
Find Out Why the Patient Needs the Supplement
People have different reasons for taking supplements. Some merely want to increase their vitamin and mineral intake, while others want to prevent illness or boost their immunity. Before recommending a supplement, ask the patient why they need it since some people tend to abuse them while others have been sorely misinformed about the efficacy of these products.
For instance, if a patient says that they need supplements for acute or chronic pain management, they may benefit from taking 7oh tablets. This supplement is a potent analgesic and a mild relaxant to promote better sleep. However, if the patient insists that they need supplements for bodybuilding or to improve their athletic performance, they need to be educated on the right way to take these.
Supplements like creatine and chromium have been touted to improve athletic performance, but they have yet to be scientifically proven to do so. Meanwhile, anabolics and DHEA are potentially dangerous to health, and athletes who take these may get banned from competitions if they test positive for these substances. Keep an eye out for bodybuilders or athletes who repeatedly purchase these products, and advise them to take safer, more effective options for their general well-being.
Ask Them About Their Current Health Condition
About 35 percent of Europeans above the age of 16 are living with a long-standing illness or health condition, such as chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Most of them take medication to manage their disease, and adding supplements to the mix can be potentially dangerous. According to Dr. Jeffrey Millstein, a physician at Penn Internal Medicine Woodbury Heights, some supplements “may interact with other medications you're taking or pose risks if you have certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, or are going to have surgery.”
Patients need to disclose details about their current health condition since taking dietary supplements, no matter how innocuous they may seem, could cause further injury or damage. For instance, those with liver disease should avoid taking Vitamin A or ashwagandha since these can harm an already sick liver. Meanwhile, expecting moms should be advised against taking natural supplements like licorice since it can harm fetal health, while blue cohosh and passionflower may induce uterine contractions and labour.
Give Advice on the Best Ways to Take Supplements
If a patient complains that a particular supplement isn't doing anything for their health, they've likely been taking them the wrong way. Health experts should advise them on the right times to take these health products and to follow the recommended dosage for maximum effectiveness. Vitamins, for instance, can be taken in the morning, afternoon, or evening, but one shouldn't take them on an empty stomach. Having a meal or even a light snack before taking Vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K can help the body absorb them better, especially if the meal contains a bit of healthy fat like olive oil or avocado. Meanwhile, sleep aids like melatonin should be taken 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime. If the patient is taking melatonin for the first time, they should be advised to start with the lowest dosage first, which is 2mg, and not go beyond the maximum dosage of 10mg per day.
Dietary supplements can be beneficial for people’s health and wellness. Consider these tips before recommending a supplement, and encourage patients to buy supplements from reputable brands or pharmacies to reduce the risks of side effects.
This article is part of the HealthManagement.org Point-of-View Programme.
