How supplements help relieve and treat ailments

Many complementary healthcare professionals recommend supplements for a wide range of health problems affecting virtually every body system. For most of these conditions, conventional doctors would be likely to prescribe drugs rather than supplements, though they might treat some disorders with supplements. For example, iron may be prescribed for some types of anemia, vitamin A (in the drug isotretinoin, or Roaccutane) for severe acne, and high doses of the B-vitamin niacin for reducing high levels of cholesterol.

In this blog, certain vitamins and minerals are suggested for the treatment of specific ailments. However, the use of nutritional supplements as remedies, especially for serious conditions, is controversial. Many doctors practicing conventional medicine are skeptical of their efficacy and believe it is sometimes dangerous to rely on them. But based on published data and their clinical observations, nutritionally oriented doctors and other health professionals think the use of these supplements is justified - and that to wait years for unequivocal proof would be wasting valuable time. Until there is clearer, more consistent evidence available, you should be careful about depending on nutritional supplements alone to treat an ailment or injury.

For thousands of years, however, various cultures have used herbs to soothe, relieve or even cure many common health problems, a fact not ignored by medical science. The pharmaceutical industry, after all, arose as a consequence of people using herbs as medicine. Recent studies suggest that a number of the claims made for herbs are valid, and the pharmacological actions of the herbs covered in this blog are often well documented by clinical studies as well as by historical practice. In Europe, a number of herbal remedies, including St Johns wort, ginkgo biloba and saw palmetto, are now prescribed as medications to treat disorders such as allergies, depression, impotence and even heart disease.

Of course, even herbs and other supplements with proved therapeutic effects should be used judiciously to treat an ailment. Study the guidelines for advice on using these remedies safely and effectively.

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