Guidelines for Choosing and Using Dietary Supplements
Without a doubt, dietary supplements have widespread usage and appeal, to the tune of more than $22 billion in annual sales in the United States alone. Approximately 85 percent of Americans have used dietary supplements at one time or another, and more than 60 percent of the population are regular users of supplements (using them on most days of the week).
Despite the large number of people currently buying and using dietary supplements, a huge gap often exists between the practice of supplementation and the knowledge behind these choices and usage patterns. For example, while virtually 100 percent of adults consult their doctors or pharmacists about how to use prescriptions, less than half discuss dietary supplements with a health-care professional. In addition, many consumers are not careful about recommended dosages for supplements—and the common assumption that "if one is good, more is better" can pose serious health consequences for some supplement users. It is very important that you discuss your use of dietary supplements with your health-care provider. In many cases that health professional will not be an expert in nutrition or supplementation, but the knowledge that you are supplementing your diet will at least alert your health-care provider to issues such as the possibility for drug interactions or blood thinning.
It is also important that supplements be used responsibly. Just because they're not prescription drugs, it is dangerous to think that they can be used indiscriminately. Chapter 8 of this book can be used as a sort of handbook for supplements that target cortisol control, and the case studies presented throughout the book can help you decide on the most appropriate use of these supplements for your particular situation. For supplement recommendations in areas other than cortisol control, a consultation with a qualified nutritionist, dietician, herbalist, or nutritionally oriented physician is appropriate. Rather than blindly picking a consultant out of the yellow pages, you can check with the following organizations to find a qualified supplement consultant in your area:
American Nutraceutical Association (www.americanutra.com)
American College of Nutrition (www.am-coll-nutr.org)
American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org)
SupplementWatch, Inc. (www.supplementwatch.com)
However, for some of the more straightforward supplement questions and answers, the following information can help guide you in choosing and using the right supplements in the proper manner.
by Shawn M Talbott, PhD