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Herbal Supplements
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Posted on: 7th Dec 2013
Many people nowadays are turning to �organics� and
�naturals� known as herbals. The rising popularity
of herbal supplements has created a new fad if not
a new health lifestyle. 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 and/or
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 of
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
drugs. Moreover, dietary supplements can 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 for 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 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. Still we do have semi-synthetic
drugs, as well as drugs that approximate more natural
composition. Since herbal supplements are made from a
mixture of crude herbs reduced into powder or gel form,
and more recently packaged as tablets and capsules,
there is a possibility that life-threatening or 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
the approval of some drug administrations? 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 on the
black market for a hefty sum. We could ensure the quality
and safety of herbal supplements if they got proper
classification with the Food and Drug Administration*.
Moreover, people would 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 themselves or
due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen
the condition of an individual, or cause side effects,
using them is worth the risk. Of course, certain things
must be considered before taking herbal supplements:
Your doctor knows best.
First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask
him 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 herbals, or to take herbals in minimum amounts. All
substances pass through the liver and kidneys to be
processed and filtered respectively. For example, Kava,
which is used to relieve stress, has been pulled from the
Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it
contains substances known to cause liver damage.
Follow the directions for use.
Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by
your 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 a
particular supplement, another person may be allergic to it.
Herbal supplements have no approved curative effect.
No matter how positive the product pamphlet or the label
sounds about how it has been found to be helpful in certain
health conditions, some herbal supplements are not therapeutic.
Do not substitute herbals for medications prescrembed by your
doctor without discussing it with him first. This especially
includes disease, maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of
blood sugar or cholesterol levels, and fighting off
infection.
*Most herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the U.S.
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