They are everywhere; they talk about their daily routines; they refuse to skip a day without them. Who are they? They are people addicted to supplements. They take mega doses of vitamins, minerals, and/or herbs, oftentimes using them as meal replacements.
According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) -Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition,
The term "dietary supplement" in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. A dietary supplement is a product taken by mouth that contains a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet. The "dietary ingredients" in these products may include: vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, glandular, and metabolites. Dietary supplements can also be extracts or concentrates, and may be found in many forms such as tablets, capsules, soft gels, gel caps, liquids, or powders. They can also be in other forms, such as a bar, but if they are, information on their label must not represent the product as a conventional food or a sole item of a meal or diet. Whatever their form may be, DSHEA places dietary supplements in a special category under the general umbrella of "foods," not drugs, and requires that every supplement be labeled a dietary supplement.
The DSHEA states, it is the responsibility of the company manufacturing the supplement to ensure the safety of its use. There is a loop hole in this law- supplements are not considered drugs and therefore the FDA does not have to approve supplements, prior to consumer use. In addition, if an individual becomes ill after taking a supplement the manufacturer is not required to investigate or file a report with the FDA. Although not impossible, it is difficult for the FDA to prove that a supplement is unsafe before it can be removed from the market.
Supplements are often misused and taken in conjunction with prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal preparations, and homeopathic remedies. This abuse and misuse of supplements can lead to: mega-dosing, toxic levels, increasing and/or decreasing the efficiency of medications, and a false sense of good health.
Appropriate supplement usage is two-fold: To ensure that any vitamins and minerals destroyed during the processing of foods are replaced. To provide the body with essential nutrients lacked by insufficient or reduced production by the body.

However supplements have been used as meal replacements, or in dosages far above the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) by consumers who are under the misconception that more is better. What can be worse, is that consumers are utilizing the internet to self-diagnose and self-medicate by purchasing supplements to combat conditions believed to be cured by mega-doses of certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
No one can argue that under certain conditions, supplementing with vitamins, minerals, and the like is important. The problem is not in supplementing but in eating right in the first place. We are missing the point, supplements are not going to increase longevity or cure disease. The body needs the right kind of fuel to work properly. However the body can only make the right kind of fuel if the proper raw materials are provided. You can do this by eating a variety of foods from a variety of sources. By eliminating processed foods, and eating raw, fresh produce and vegetables. By eating lean meats that are free of hormones and chemicals. By reducing portion sizes. By cutting out foods high in simple sugars. Eating right, and not depending on supplements will assist in keeping one's body healthy and strong.

All of this sounds wonderful. So why aren't we doing this? Because it can be more costly to eat healthy, and we live in a society that craves immediate gratification. Why cook healthy, spend more money for fresh and raw, when we can cheat by increasing the use of supplements? For one, you get what you pay for. Many supplements have fillers that can trigger allergic reactions. Many supplements are made with cheaper non-absorbable ingredients. Many supplements are water soluble and therefore excreted via urine. Conversely fat-soluble-vitamins are stored and can lead to toxicity. Supplements and medications can have adverse effects on each other.

It is important to discuss supplementation with your health care provider to ensure that your plan is safe and a true benefit to your health. Take care of yourself. You deserve longevity, but be smart, and do it right!

I want to share a listing of some commonly utilized supplements, consequences of mega-dosing, and what could happen if those supplements are combined with prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

Supplement Purpose Mega-Dosing Combined With Results In
Niacin (B3) Lowers cholesterol & triglycerides
Vertigo & tinnitis

Tinnin
Liver damage, Aggravates Peptic Ulcers, Gout Beta-adrenergic blockers
Diabetic Meds Dangerously low blood pressure
Interfers with glucose metabolism

Phosphorus Formation of red blood cells; and bones. Causes decalcification Antacids with aluminum Binds with aluminum and excreted without being absorbed.
Zinc Component of many essential enzymes Disrupts calcium, copper, iron metabolism (to name a few) Diuretics

Oral contraceptives Increases zinc excretion.
Decreases blood zinc levels.

Vitamin E Anticoagulant
RBC development
Antioxidant Bleeding, altered metabolism of thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal hormones Anticoagulant

Antacids

Iron Supplements Increases bleeding
Decreases Vitamin E absorption
Decreases effects of Iron in Iron-deficiency anemia.
Calcium Bone formation Binds with Iron Magnesium, and Zinc making it more difficult to absorb these two minerals Tetracycline

Laxatives Excretes the antibiotic unabsorbed and unused.
Binds to calcium and reduces ability to absorb minerals.
Vitamin K Regulates normal blood clotting Impaired liver function, brain damage Warfarin (anticoagulant)

Some Antibiotics Reduces the effectives of Warfarin

Causes Vitamin-K deficiency
Selenium Antioxidant

Stimulants Immune system
Alopecia, Fatigue, Cardiomyo-pathy, Impaired liver function Vitamin E

Immuno-suppresants Prevent oxidation of body chemicals
Alter immune response
Vitamin B-1
Thiamine Maintains normal function of CNS, & muscles.

Keeps muscous membranes healthy Hypersen-sitivity, skin rash, wheezing, drowsiness Oral Contraceptive

Muscle relaxants

Reduces Vitamin B-1 efficiency excessive muscle relaxation

Echinacea Immune booster, supportive therapy for acute and chronic respiratory ailments. Allergic reaction to those sensitive to the Asteraceae family such as daisy, sunflower, and ragweed. Immuno- suppressant medications (such as cyclosporine) Counteracts productivity of medication
Garlic Used to treat: Arterio-sclerosis, and hypertensionAntioxidant, Animycotic, antithrombotic. Allergic disorders, bleeding, topical burns

Decades ago, it was common practice when a woman needed to supplement with calcium, her doctor would recommend popping a couple of Tums. We have certainly learned a great deal since the 1980's about calcium supplementation! Today there is a variety of calcium preparation - from coral calcium, calcium citrate, to calcium carbonate. Some calcium supplements are buffered, while others are more readily absorbed.

We also know that a single dose of more than 500mg is wasteful as the body can only assimilate 500 mg at a time. Therefore if the doctor recommends 1500mg a day, then you would take 500mg three times a day. Women in their childbearing years rarely have to supplement with calcium as estrogen aids in the absorption and utilization of calcium. However the opposite is true for menopausal women who lack estrogen. Menopause and certain medications will rob the body of calcium and lead to osteoporosis. To reduce the incidence of osteoporosis, some doctors recommend estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) during the three to five year periods after menopause. Since there are a number of risks associated with ERT many women are opting to take calcium supplementation instead.

Many studies have been done to determine the best way to properly assimilate calcium. While calcium is the primary supplement in a plan of care for bone density, there are many other nutrients, which are either related to the absorption of calcium or play some other pivotal role in bone health and integrity.

**Vitamin D: Is the key to calcium absorption. The production of it is triggered when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Taken together with vitamin K and calcium the trio is a powerhouse for bone health.
**Magnesium: Is an important nutrient as it is necessary in the production of bone. It is also used in a variety of chemical processes throughout the body.
**Manganese: Is necessary for a variety of activities throughout the body. It provides an avenue for carbohydrate and fat metabolism and during pregnancy helps the baby form bone tissue.
**Phosphorus: An often forgotten mineral, it is a vital component of bone health. Phosphorus is needed to balance the pH level of blood, helps transport fat, and is found in the myelin sheath of nerve cells.
**Fluoride: It is stored in our bones and teeth and aids in hardening the enamel of our teeth thus reducing the incidence of cavities.
**Vitamin K: Most of us know that this vitamin is necessary in the production of blood clotting enzymes but it is also needed to form bone tissue. Taken along with vitamin D and calcium the trio will ensure healthy formation of bone tissue.
**Copper: Has many roles in the body one of which is to help produce strong bones.

Always consult with a physician when considering calcium supplementation and there are a number of contraindications in the usage of this and other minerals.

Disclaimer: Dr. Mundorff is a Board Certified Naturopath, and not a medical doctor. The information in this column is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose and treat diseases. Naturopathy is a complementary practice to health care and should be used in conjunction with a competent health care practitioner. Many herbal and homeopathic remedies can actually be contraindicated in many health conditions, with certain prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Please consult your physician before starting any alternative modalities.