Understand How to Use Supplements and Herbal Remedies

The regulation of dietary supplements in the United States began in 1994 with the passage of the Dietary Supplement and Education Act of 1994. Today, supplements are still less regulated than pharmaceuticals and food. A proper understanding of the ingredients, sourcing, dosage, safety and efficacy of each supplement should precede any purchase. Consulting with a medical professional who has nutritional training or with an experienced herbalist can help with the selection. Measuring biomarkers in the blood, undergoing diagnostic tests, and sharing a comprehensive history of symptoms with a medical professional can serve as a valuable guide in the selection of dietary supplements. Well-regarded psychiatrist Daniel Amen, MD attempts to use supplements instead of medication whenever possible because on average, supplements are less toxic, have fewer side effects, and may be as effective as some medication.

 

The practice of using plants as medicine has existed for thousands of years. There is a growing body of clinical research to support the efficacy of various herbal remedies. The Practice section below contains information about some of the most researched herbal remedies that are used for psychological stress, immune support, and detoxification.

 

Well-regarded functional medicine doctors: Steven Gundry, MD, Mark Hyman, MD, Terry Wahls, MD, and psychiatrist Daniel Amen, MD recommend, at the bare minimum, a multivitamin to all of their patients (see the Resources section below for their websites). This is primarily due to the average diet becoming less nutrient dense over the past several decades as conventional farming practices deplete soil and crops of their vitamin and mineral concentration. Furthermore, food that contains pesticides or has a high concentration of lectins may cause inflammation in the digestive system, leading to diminished nutrient absorption. Please review the WavyFields topic “Reduce Inflammation by Eliminating Inflammatory Food” for more information about creating a healthy digestive system. 

 

Supplements and herbal remedies have also become more necessary in the past decade as the increasing toxicity of the environment puts additional pressure on the body’s detoxification systems. When toxins enter the body, they produce free radicals, which are then neutralized by naturally occurring antioxidants. Supplementing with an antioxidant such as glutathione may help with neutralizing some of the free radicals and toxins. Glutathione is naturally made by the body and is found in the liver's detoxification pathways. Eating a diet that contains the building blocks of antioxidants is an alternative approach to supplementation. A major building block of glutathione is sulfur which can be obtained through foods such as fish, eggs, seeds, nuts, onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, arugula, kale, and radishes. Improving the microbiome can also help with detoxification as the bacteria living in the digestive system can digest toxins and transform them into beneficial molecules such as fatty acids. Please refer to the WavyFields topic “Improve Digestion by Creating a Thriving Microbiome” for more information about how to create a healthy microbiome. 

 

Any supplement or herbal remedy that is ingested will be broken down in the digestive system by acid, enzymes, bacteria, and the detoxification pathways of the liver. Bioavailability is a term that is used to describe how much of an ingested substance will end up being used by the body. Feedback inhibitory mechanisms allow the body to sense how much of a substance exists and is needed. If too much of a substance is ingested, such as glutathione or another supplement, then the body will have to work harder to neutralize the excess quantities.

 

Before any supplement is purchased, the ingredients, sourcing, dosage, safety and efficacy of the supplement should be analyzed. By law, ingredients are listed on the label in order of their weight per dominance. If a consumer is looking for a high quality protein, then that protein ingredient should be listed first or second on the label. The source of the ingredient(s) used in the supplement should be similar to the source of the ingredients(s) used in the clinical trials. Some companies (this sometimes occurs in proprietary blends) will adjust the dosage of the ingredients to a ratio that is different from what was used in the clinical trials. Doing a literature search in the U.S. National Library of Medicine can help the consumer find the sourcing and dosage of the ingredient(s) that were clinically shown to produce a health outcome. Checking the label for a seal that indicates third party testing will also ensure that the ingredients and dosage listed on the label match what is inside of the supplement.