A 2008 Study revealed that 38% of adults in the United States utilized alternatives to conventional medicine. The supplement industry alone brings in almost $61 billion dollars a year in the US. If so many people are taking supplements than how are there such little regulations? Currently, no organization or agency regulates the manufacture or certifies the labeling of herbal preparations. So, this means that when your shopping for a supplement you can't be sure of the actual amount contained in the bottle, the dose, or the statements on the label.
A recent Canadian Study tested 44 bottles of supplements from 12 companies and found that the ingredients were diluted, replaced, or had fillers like wheat and rice. There are also many issues with the integration of the evidence based model because the supplements used are not of clinical grade or the structure is flawed.
How do we support natural medicine and all CAM treatments within the current medical model?
1. Focus on food: remember that supplements were never intended to replace or replicate the nutrients derived from whole foods
2. See a trained naturopathic physician to evaluate your health and make sure you are prescribed the appropriate clinical grade treatments while ruling out any possible interactions.
3. Get active: exercise is free and has profound effects on your health
Sources:
http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvery_fs1.htm
http://nccam.nih.gob/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm?lang=en
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/5/12/5161
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20650954?dopt=Citation
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Add a Comment1 Comments
Hi Dr. Burklund and thanks for another great Share with very helpful information.
As a cancer patient I am regularly targeted by advertisers for various supplements claiming all kinds of magical powers. While I know these are nonsense I also see the same claims being made in online patient support groups, often from people who are selling these products. I have also read news articles about FDA actions taken against these firms for "false advertising" but I have never seen patients who were duped by these companies share this type of information.
Whether you have cancer, or are a completely healthy individual, it's important to take care and know what you're putting in your body. Just because a supplement claims it's "natural" it does not mean that it is guaranteed to be safe. Ruling out potential interactions is a must as is assuring the supplement is a high quality, clinical grade product.
Thanks again,
Pat
November 16, 2014 - 12:28pmThis Comment