HEALTH
Herbal Supplements: natural remedy or risk? 5LEVQEGMWX &RXSMRIXXI (ERRSRMIV I\TPEMRW [L] MXƶW MQTSVXERX XS YRHIVWXERH XLI FIRIǻXW ERH perils of taking herbal supplements erbal supplements are products derived from plants and/or their oils, URRWV VHHGV EHUULHV RU ƷRZHUV 7KH\ have been used for thousands of years and are believed to have healing properties. Herbal supplements come in many GLƵHUHQW IRUPV DQG PD\ EH XVHG RUDOO\ RU topically. It is important to understand the SRWHQWLDO EHQHƶWV DQG VLGH HƵHFWV EHIRUH you buy. Even though they are labelled as ‘natural’, herbal supplements can pose risks and there is no guarantee that they will HYHQ EH HƵHFWLYH Herbal supplements can pose unexpected risks because many contain active ingredients that have strong HƵHFWV LQ WKH ERG\ )RU H[DPSOH WDNLQJ a combination of herbal supplements or using supplements together with prescription drugs could lead to harmful or even life-threatening results. It is especially important to talk with your doctor about herbal supplements if you are taking prescription or over the counter (OTC) medications, if you have certain medical conditions, if you are undergoing surgery, or depending on your age. Some PD\ FDXVH VHULRXV VLGH HƵHFWV ZKHQ WDNHQ with aspirin, blood thinners and blood pressure medications. Taking supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding may be harmful to your unborn baby. Many KHUEDO VXSSOHPHQWV FDQ DƵHFW WKH outcome of surgery. They may decrease WKH HƵHFWLYHQHVV RI DQDHVWKHVLD RU cause dangerous complications, such as excessive bleeding. Older adults may PHWDEROLVH PHGLFDWLRQV GLƵHUHQWO\ Bermuda’s retail supply of herbal supplements is primarily received from the UK and US, so it also is important to note that the regulation of herbal supplements varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In the UK, the laws governing foods sold in the UK also govern food supplements. There is no requirement for food supplements
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Health & Beauty Summer 2022
to be licensed or registered with any UK governmental agency. They must merely comply with the relevant food laws. Manufacturers of supplements must ensure that their products are free of contaminants, accurately labelled and that they do not make false or unsupported claims to sell their supplements. In the United States, herbal supplements are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but not as strictly as prescription or OTC drugs. Some helpful tips relating to supplements include: • For reliable information about a supplement, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you and provide the latest medical guidance about a supplement’s uses and risks.
• When taking supplements, follow the directions. Don’t exceed the recommended dose or take for longer than recommended. • Make a note of any supplements that you are taking and include them with your medication list of prescriptions and OTC drugs. Stop taking the supplement if it LVQšW HƵHFWLYH RU GRHVQšW PHHW \RXU JRDOV for taking it. Mrs. Antoinette Cannonier is the Pharmacist Manager at Point Finger Road Pharmacy, conveniently located on the outskirts of town at 16 Point Finger Road. This full-service pharmacy accepts all prescription insurance plans and has plentiful free parking for easy drive in and out collections. Visit www.pharmacy.bm for more information. 9
