Herbal Supplements
Many people nowadays are turning to“organics”
and “naturals” otherwise known as herbals. The
rising popularity of herbal supplements has
created a new fad if not a new health lifestyle.
But before you join the bandwagon, here are
some things you need to know about this mean,
“green” dietary supplementing machine.
What is the difference between a drug and a
dietary supplement?
According to the definition set by food and drug
administrations in different countries, drugs are
chemicals that can prevent, prolong the life,
treat other effects of a health condition, improve
the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and
diseases, or alter the function of any part or
chemicals inside the body. These drugs have
approved therapeutic claims. For example,
paracetamol is a drug given to bring down the
body temperature in fever. Ascorbic acid is
indicated for the treatment of scurvy. Iron
supplements are given to treat mild cases of
anemia.
Herbal supplements are not classified as drugs
but as dietary supplements. The main
difference is that they do not have approved
therapeutic claims unlike in the case of drugs.
Moreover, dietary supplements could either
contain vitamins, minerals, herbals, or amino
acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the
diet of an individual. They are not intended to be
taken alone as a substitute to any food or
medicine.
Many people nowadays are turning to“organics”
and “naturals” otherwise known as herbals. The
rising popularity of herbal supplements has
created a new fad if not a new health lifestyle.
But before you join the bandwagon, here are
some things you need to know about this mean,
“green” dietary supplementing machine.
What is the difference between a drug and a
dietary supplement?
According to the definition set by food and drug
administrations in different countries, drugs are
chemicals that can prevent, prolong the life,
treat other effects of a health condition, improve
the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and
diseases, or alter the function of any part or
chemicals inside the body. These drugs have
approved therapeutic claims. For example,
paracetamol is a drug given to bring down the
body temperature in fever. Ascorbic acid is
indicated for the treatment of scurvy. Iron
supplements are given to treat mild cases of
anemia.
Herbal supplements are not classified as drugs
but as dietary supplements. The main
difference is that they do not have approved
therapeutic claims unlike in the case of drugs.
Moreover, dietary supplements could either
contain vitamins, minerals, herbals, or amino
acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the
diet of an individual. They are not intended to be
taken alone as a substitute to any food or
medicine.
Most of the manufactured medicines we now have once came from animals and plants.
Through the years, chemists isolated the life-saving or life-curing components and
separated them from the harmful ones. This lead to the further drug research and drug
development that lead to the production of a different variety of drugs for many ailments
and conditions from synthetic sources. But still we have semi-synthetic drugs, as well as
drug that more or less approximate more natural composition. Since herbal supplements
are made from a mixture of crude herbs reduced into powder or gel form, and later on
packaged as tablets and capsules, there is a possibility that life-threatening or at least
body chemistry-altering components are still present, thus the expression of concern from
the medical community.
Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?
Yes. With the rising popularity of using and consuming anything herbal or organic is the
proliferation of fake herbal supplements that threaten to endanger lives. If that’s the case,
then why are herbal supplements given drug administration approvals? One way
of ensuring the safety of the people is to have all candidate drugs, food, drinks, and dietary
supplements registered with the proper authority. Otherwise, they would pose more risk
with these things being sold in the black market for a hefty sum. We could
ensure the quality and
safety of herbal
supplements
if they get proper
classification with the
food and drug
administration.
Moreover, people may
be able to file the
proper complaints in
the event a worsening
of health condition is
proven to be linked to
the use of a particular
herbal supplement.
Is using herbal
supplements worth the
risk?
Yes. It cannot be
discounted that many
who have tried herbal
supplements
experienced an
improvement in their
health—whether this is
due to the herbals
safety of herbal
supplements
if they get proper
classification with the
food and drug
administration.
Moreover, people may
be able to file the
proper complaints in
the event a worsening
of health condition is
proven to be linked to
the use of a particular
herbal supplement.
Is using herbal
supplements worth the
risk?
Yes. It cannot be
discounted that many
who have tried herbal
supplements
experienced an
improvement in their
health—whether this is
due to the herbals
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Association.
Follow the directions for use.
Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by the doctor or as
instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components of
herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a
supplement of primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it.
It has no approved curative effect.
No matter how the product pamphlet or the label of the bottle sounds about
how it has been found to be helpful in certain health conditions, these herbal
supplements are not therapeutic. So do not substitute these for the
medications prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of certain diseases,
or for the maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and
cholesterol, and fight off infections.
Follow the directions for use.
Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by the doctor or as
instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components of
herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a
supplement of primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it.
It has no approved curative effect.
No matter how the product pamphlet or the label of the bottle sounds about
how it has been found to be helpful in certain health conditions, these herbal
supplements are not therapeutic. So do not substitute these for the
medications prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of certain diseases,
or for the maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and
cholesterol, and fight off infections.
themselves or due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen the
condition of an individual, then using them is worth the risk. But of course,
certain things must be considered before taking those herbal supplements:
Your doctor knows best.
First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if taking a
particular herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with
heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take
these, or at the minimum is to take these herbals in minimum amounts. All
substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered
respectively. Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been
pulled out from the Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it
contains substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as
Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing
effects that can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and
cause heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical
condition of an individual, then using them is worth the risk. But of course,
certain things must be considered before taking those herbal supplements:
Your doctor knows best.
First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if taking a
particular herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with
heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take
these, or at the minimum is to take these herbals in minimum amounts. All
substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered
respectively. Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been
pulled out from the Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it
contains substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as
Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing
effects that can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and
cause heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical
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