It is described as a material, which could be a vitamin, mineral, herb, or a dietary component, like amino acid, that is used to supplement the diet in some way. As a result, it is a fairly broad term. It must be taken by mouth, however, it can be taken in a variety of ways. It can be pills, powders, or liquids, but it usually refers to anything that is used to supplement one's diet.

How do I know if I need a dietary supplement?

When it comes to dietary supplements, it's vital to ask yourself, "Do I truly need this?" if you start taking one. " I ask since supplements are frequently available in the store and are quite easy to obtain my health and wellness are more important. According to what we know, there are over 80,000 on the market.

One of the most important inquiries to ask is, "Can I buy this from my diet?" Because they're easy to understand and assimilate, the question isn't often posed. Is this going to interact with any meds I'm now taking? Are there any other drawbacks to taking this that I haven't considered? Will it have an impact on my sleep and mood?

At the end of the day, having someone we can talk to — a health care practitioner — can help them through this process to ensure that supplement is ideal, rather than just picking it up off the shelf and worrying about it later, is critical.

Can I take supplements on my own?

When it comes to when to start taking a supplement, this is a common question. Is it necessary for me to see a doctor or a holistic supplement expert?

There are a few circumstances where you'll be fine, but it's difficult to tell in most cases, so it's better to be cautious than sorry. As a result, it's critical to seek out a health care practitioner before picking up a supplement off the shelf.

We've seen a lot of people that we take off supplements in the clinic. Many people are startled to learn that in integrative medicine or complementary medicine, we remove more supplements than we add on. And it's true every day. When we get to the point of why you're taking this and what results in you've had with it, it's not uncommon for patients to remark, Gosh, I wish I could have talked to you before I started that because now you know there's more confusion than confirmation.

So, if we get the opportunity to speak with a health care provider, it will assist us in navigating all of the complexities. Is it something you should do? If that's the case, where can you buy it? What is the recommended dosage? What is the name of the brand? How long should you take it? What is the status of the treatment trial? Let's revisit this in three or four months to see if it's something worth keeping or if it's time to move on.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information on supplements?

A health care practitioner is undoubtedly the best source of information on dietary supplements. There are other places to start. The Mayo Clinic, for example, has a lot of useful information about dietary supplements.

But, at the end of the day, your healthcare provider should be the one who knows you best, and it's ideally someone with whom you've had a long working relationship. They'd be familiar with your prescriptions, medical issues, and allergies, and they'd be the person to whom you might say, I'm thinking about trying this supplement for this condition. What are your thoughts on the subject? 

That's a wonderful place to start when determining whether it's the proper supplement, as well as the right formulation, amount, and brand.

Before we begin supplementing, there are numerous details to consider, and we should always consult with a health care professional first.