subject: Are You Taking The Right Supplements? [print this page] Are you like many Americans that take supplements on a daily basis?
Ever wonder if you are taking the right dosage of a supplement, or if you're taking even the right supplement at all?
You are not alone. Many Americans take vitamins, herbs, and other supplements on a daily basis quite "blindly". These misguided souls have either seen a commercial for a supplement, read in a book that if they have "x" condition to take "y", or even worse-take the supplement because a friend had good results with it.
To make matters even more confusing, there are thousands of "nutritionists" (and we use that term very loosely) that perform rediculous tests on the patient or practice "protocols" (see above-if you have "x" take "y"). These "experts" often do not have a legitimate degree, or they have taken a crash course over a few weekends in nutrition.
Often when we meet a new patient in our office we have them bring in all the supplements they take. After all the bottles are on the table, we go through each ingredient with them. Guess what? Many of you are overdosing on vitamins. We even find some supplements are interfering with that prescription med you are taking. Even still, some patients are taking a prescription med and a supplement containing the exact same active ingredient, thus way overdosing on their doctor's prescribed medicine.
So what can one do?
The answers are in the blood and urine. Simple, effective, scientific tests can be performed to see if you are deficient in anything. The tests can also see if your diet is too acidic, etc. Often these tests can be performed "in house" and you will not even have to make a special trip to a lab.
It is not a mystery here people. Use the science. Do not let someone perform a muscle test on your arm and then tell you that you need Vitamin B.
Get the accepted medical tests performed and you can reap the benefits. You may even find that simple dietary modifications can allow you to stop purchasing certain supplements.
Remember, be vary wary of "nutritionists" that do not have legitimate training. Trust your gut instincts while in their office. If something doesn't feel right, chances are you have a good reason for feeling that way.
In short, trust the age old expression: "if it quacks like a duck....waddles like a duck..."
