Part I: The truth about diet supplements

Herbal supplements have always been very popular.

After all, who can resist the lure of miracle drugs that promise to take care of your cellulite, diabetes, hair loss, obesity and heart disease problems all in one shot?

Are herbal supplements for you? Let us find out.

Common myths about herbal supplements

~ If it is herbal, it cannot hurt.

This is not always true. When consumed in high enough amounts for a long enough time, or together with certain other substances, many chemicals including the ones in herbs can be toxic.

~ Anything 'natural' is always safe.

The term 'natural' is sometimes not well-defined on the labels of herbal products. The ingredients may act negatively with drugs or may be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.

~ A product has to be safe when there is no cautionary information on the label.

Herbal supplement manufacturers do not necessarily include warnings about potential adverse effects on the labels of their products.

When to avoid taking herbal supplements

~ You are taking other medication.

Some herbs can cause serious side effects when mixed with other drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners or blood pressure medications. Talk to your doctor before you decide to take herbal supplements.

~ A proven medical treatment is already available for your medical condition

A traditional medication that is tried and tested might be more effective than one that is touted as a miracle cure.

~ You are pregnant or breast-feeding.

As a general rule, don't take any herbal supplements without a prescription while pregnant or lactating.

Some tips while choosing an herbal preparation

i. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Some claims you need to be beware of include 'definitely no side effects', 'can cure the disease totally', 'satisfaction guaranteed in 30 days or money back', 'limited availability' and so on. The more the hype, the more caution you need to exercise.

ii. More is not always better.

In fact, some herbs can be harmful when consumed in high amounts, for a long time, or in combination with certain other drugs.

iii. Think twice about chasing the latest supplement in the market.

A few isolated successful studies or cases do not guarantee effectiveness. Be wary of results that depart from science and established medical guidance.

iv. Safety always comes first.

Do not substitute any herbal supplement for a prescription medicine.

Some herbal preparations, especially the ones that contain lead, can be toxic.

Remember that over-the-counter herbal supplements are neither standardised for dose nor regulated for safety.

v. Consider your individual needs.

An herbal drug that works for someone else might not be the right one for your condition. Read about all the ingredients and their side effects before you choose a supplement.

vi. Single ingredient preparations are better.

In multi-ingredient supplements, it is tough to monitor side effects and interactions between the ingredients.

vii. Stay informed.

If you do plan to take an herbal preparation, make sure you know as much as you can about it.

Part I: The truth about diet supplements

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Dr Roopa Nishi Viswanathan has an MBBS from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, with a Masters in Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin.