Hippocratic oath is a great guideline for consumers in these times that corporate profits may outweigh the importance of an individual’s health.
“Practice two things in your dealings with disease: either help or do not harm the patient.” In the case of supplementation, you, the consumer should do whatever you can not to harm yourself.
Below is a list of steps that can help you.
- If you are sick, talk to a health care professional.
- Do not take herbal supplements during pregnancy and as long as you are breastfeeding.
- Do not give herbs to babies. Those younger than age 18 and older than age 65 carry greater risks.
- Do not exceed the recommended amount and double-check daily continuous and cumulative long-term effects.
- Make sure that all ingredients are listed on the package and understand that benefits are not guaranteed.
- Double-check interactions with other medications including those for high blood pressure, cholesterol, antidepressant.
- Do not mix herbs with medication that already operate at a higher degree of risk with a narrow safety margin. Examples are Theo-24®,theophylline (Theo-Dur®),phenytoin (Dilantin®), digoxin, lithium (Lithobid®, Eskalith®), warfarin (Coumadin®) and more.
- Always review your plan to use herbal supplements and remedies with your health care provider.
Common Herbal Supplements For Weight Loss
- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).
- Aloe
- Cascara
- Chitosan
- Dandelion
- Ephedrine
- Glucomannan
- Guarana
- Guar Gum
- Pyruvate
- St. John’s wort
- Yerba Mate.
- Herbal diuretics