​Nutritional Supplements - Too Much of a Good Thing?

I have been giving a bit of thought recently to the idea of nutritional supplementation.  It seems as if the entire world is taking some form of supplement, and statistics bear this out.

A seminal article in the New England of Medicine from 1993 revealed that individuals made 425 million visits to “alternative” care providers each year, in contrast to 388 million visits to conventional doctors.  Expenditures over 20 year ago exceeded 13 billion dollars per year, but 72 percent of the patients didn’t report the use of supplements to their doctors.  It is estimated that the natural foods, medicines and supplement industry in the United States may approach 70 billion dollars in the year 2016.  I have often seen patients arrive in my office with shopping bags half filled with various nutritional supplements.  It is not uncommon to hear that a person may spend several hundred dollars a month on nutritional aids and supplements.  Sadly and ironically, they are often the most unhealthy patients.  Is it the chicken or is it the egg?  Do sick people take more supplements, or does taking too much of the wrong supplement that makes people sick?
 
The answer is trifold.  There needs to be a cogent, logical and educated evaluation of the medical or clinical issues.  This then needs to be corroborated with laboratory testing, and based on the results, incorporated into a focused and directed choice of herbs, nutrients or vitamins from a reputable supplier.   This is what works.
 
Professionally speaking, I recommend that you don’t jeopardize an opportunity for improved health by utilizing crappy supplements, or following the apparent self-serving recommendations of unqualified individuals or websites.  There are plenty of well educated, compassionate professionals out there who can help you to utilize your supplements, and healthcare dollars wisely.  Utilize them.