Transcript True or false - University of Georgia

Should I Take a
Supplement?
The University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension
Supplements Are Only
a Safety Belt
• They do not replace
a healthy diet and
regular physical
activity
• We don’t even
know all the
nutrients in one
single food
But There are Possible Benefits
• May reduce risk for
heart attacks
• May lower risk for
colorectal cancer
• May improve brain
function
• May improve
immunity
Supplemental Drinks
• No proven benefit in
healthy adults
• Some benefit for those
who are bedridden in
preserving muscle
mass
What Brands are Better?
• Store brands just as good
• Buy senior formulas without iron unless
anemic
• In general, don’t exceed 100% of Daily
Value (%DV) unless recommended by
doctor
Nutrients that Probably Need
Supplementing
• B12
– Synthetic doesn’t need
stomach acid to be
absorbed
• Folic Acid
– Synthetic better
absorbed
• Vitamin D
– Just need a lot
Vitamin D
• If in sun 2-3 times per week in Southern
U.S. for 15 minutes at a time may not need
supplement
• Otherwise need a total of about 400-600
I.U. from supplements and low fat or skim
milk.
Glucosamine-Chondroitin
• May help with
arthritis pain relief
• Seems to have
greater effect if
severe pain
Fish Oil
• American Heart
Association only
recommends for those
with heart disease
• Eat fish high in
omega-3 fatty acids
twice a week
• Don’t mix with blood
thinners
Supplements that May or May
Not Help
• Calcium – recent study questioned its
benefit for osteoporosis prevention
• Vitamin E –controlled studies discount its
benefit for heart and cancer prevention
Supplements Not Controlled
• FDA does not approve
like other drugs
• FDA has to prove
unsafe or ineffective
after on market
• Just because recalled,
doesn’t mean not
being still sold
• If have bad reaction,
report to FDA
• Call 1-800-322-1088
can’t be sure supplement contains the
ingredients in the doses listed
Dangerous Supplements
•
•
•
•
Aristolochia
Yohimbe
Bitter Orange
Organ and glandular
extract
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Chapparral
Comfrey
Kava
Pennyroyal oil
Lobelia
Germander
Androstenedione
Take Supplements Safely
• Tell your doctor and
pharmacist what you
are taking to prevent
drug interactions
• Don’t use any for
weight control
• If having surgery, ask
doctor if should be
stop taking 2-3 weeks
ahead
Question the Claims
• Who is promoting the
supplement?
• Are they trying to
educate or sell?
• Do they have valid
studies from wellknown journals to
prove effectiveness?
• Does this sound too
good to be true?
• Are they encouraging
you to promote to
others?
• Could this be harmful
to you or your
pocketbook?
WArning
Don’t stop a
drug to take a
supplement
without
consulting
with the
doctor first!
Summary
• A daily multivitamin may help
• Do not take more than 100% of the Daily
Value without your doctor’s advice
• Buy store brands
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all
the drugs and supplements you take
Check your knowledge
• True or false. Store brands of vitamins are
not as good as name brands.
• True or false. You may need a supplement
with Vitamin D.
• Are you more or less likely to take large
doses of supplements?