Personal choice or evidence based supplementation?

This post's purpose is to pose an important question in the mind of any reader of my blog: why are you taking your supplement?  WebMD suggests that we're idiots who buy a supplement for treating a condition based on no evidence.  Chances are there is a decent percentage who fall victim to news casts, recommendations of friends and family, or some other evidence-lacking motivation.  Is that to say that these sources are never right?


WebMD's explanation in full

This really says it all.  A point to make is that Regan Bailey, who works at nih.gov must not read any of nih's publications because she say's,"...The majority of scientific data available do not support the role of dietary supplements for improving health or preventing of disease."  When nih.gov not only provides supportive data with the beneficial effects of certain supplements in their publications, but, more often than not, conducts a preliminary study on the supplement on either mice, humans, or both (albeit, not often controlled, double-blind trials- which is generally what is required for medical professionals to accept said findings).

So, yes, those of us who use supplements are probably idiots in the eyes of the very people who are part of organizations that test the effectiveness of supplements.  If these supplements have no value, why do some doctors suggest them?  Not an all to common practice with most doctors, but some continue to educate themselves and wouldn't make such recommendations without seeing evidence to back up their suggestion.

Here is another question to pose- Do we need medical professionals who work with our doctors in regards to supplements?  Say a person finds out that omega-3 fatty acids and/or plant sterols can further lower their cholesterol levels and they simply go out, purchase, and start using these.  Something happens to this person and they go into surgery.  Even if they aren't taking Warfarin or another blood-thinner prescribed by their doctor, enough omega fatty acids can thin the blood and then the mess ensues: patient gets put on something to clot the blood in response to higher than normal bleeding, then while in the hospital bed the omegas diminish and now this person's clotting is too effective...  And, it could end up being a catastrophic miscalculation.  Let's face it, rarely do people carry a list of supplements and/or always inform their physician.  Adding a professional to fill the gap or increasing the educational standards of doctors would not only prevent potential dangerous interactions but also could make treating a condition with a medication and supplement (should that person qualify) increase effectiveness of the treatment of ailment.

There is a wealth of information about supplements benefits, but far less on interactions.  Frankly, some things that suddenly become mainstream likely lacked the motivation to test effectiveness and interactions previously.  So, keep that story in mind when you take medications or plan on getting a surgical procedure done, something you take that the doctor isn't well educated on or even know about could impact these things.  Be safe with anything you take, you can always put something into your body, but it's not an easy thing to take it back out :-).