What is Supplements Vs Medications
Medications include prescription drugs that have been approved and tested by doctors to ensure that they are safe, effective, and can treat, prevent, or cure disease. Supplements consist of food-based substances which provide vitamins, mineral, herbs or natural ingredients. It’s important to make this distinction because supplements are not regulated the same as medicines and therefore do not have the same safety requirements. This could allow some manufacturers make irresponsible promises about their products’ abilities to improve or preserve health.
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 is a landmark legislation that established guidelines for the marketing of supplements. DSHEA permits supplements to be labelled with structure/functions such as: “may aid the maintenance of good heath” or “may reduce risk of certain illnesses.” The law also sets out restrictions for dietary substances that cannot be used as medicine, including synthetic vitamin and ingredients that have undergone chemical modification.
Some nutrients, while readily available in a wide range of foods, are harder to get. This is true in particular for those who are vegan or vegetarian. These lifestyles deprive our bodies of essential nutrients, such as B12, and other vitamins. People with certain medical conditions may also be at higher risk for nutrient deficiencies. A large dose of vitamin could also cause toxicity. Niacin, which is used to lower cholesterol, can cause liver damage if the levels are too high.
Many of the factors that influence a person’s nutrition also impact their supplement use. People who take dietary supplements are generally more health conscious than others and tend to exercise more. It can be difficult, therefore, to control for all variables in observational research on the benefits of supplementation.
Researchers are intensifying their efforts to test the efficacy of supplements. This is done by using a controlled trial that is similar to those used in the development of medications. These trials will be performed on a large number of people who have specific health conditions and take certain supplements. The results of this study will then be compared to those who do not use the same supplements, to see if these supplements are actually effective.
Consult with your doctor prior to starting a new regimen. The physician will be in a position to evaluate your condition and recommend the vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies that are best for you. Additionally, he or she will be able give you advice about the safest ways to take them. In addition, the doctor will be able to give you recommendations about combining different Supplements vs Medications. This will allow you to get the most from them and avoid any complications. Lastly, your doctor will be able tell you whether there are any possible interactions with other medicines that you’re currently taking.