Nutritional Supplements - Yes or No

Is it necessary to take supplements?

Won't my regular diet give me full nutrition?

If you are basically healthy, is there any advantage in taking supplements regularly?

Supplements include just vitamins and minerals or anything else?

Do supplements have healing power?

If you develop a health disorder or ailment, can you expect supplements to offer any help?

Can conventional medicine be avoided completely if herbs are used for certain health problems?

These are some of the questions that people have who don't know much or are skeptical about nutritional supplements.

They believe in conventional medicine only. Of course, multivitamin and multimineral supplements have been taken since 50 years or more by many and mostly by aged people. Herbal supplements were less known and less taken whereas some herbs have the capacity to cure chronic ailments like cancer too.

Even doctors and nurses who practice conventional medicine may be sceptical about alternative therapies but there is evidence that many take vitamin and mineral supplements themselves.

But this mindset is changing in patients as well as doctors.

Read my article on 'The Changing View of Dietary Supplements'

Another section of people are those who want to avoid conventional medicine as much as possible because of their side effects, some medicines leaving disastrous effects on our mind and body. These are people who prefer alternate therapies, home remedies and herbal supplements and go to medical professionals under extreme circumstances like surgery requirements.

Alternative treatments like naturopathy, reiki, homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, yoga, meditation and use of supplements are becoming popular due to

1. less or no side effects


2. less cost

But the fact is visit to a medical practitioner is necessary if required in certain circumstances although alternative treatments are effective in many cases. It can be foolish or even dangerous to seek complementary or alternative treatments for medical conditions that Western-trained doctors excel at treating or preventing.

It is good always to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or if you are already taking any particularly if you have any chronic condition say asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Some supplements may complement, or even replace conventional drugs. But never alter or discontinue the dosage of any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.

So be fit and fine by enhancing your diet with nutritional supplements and go for alternate therapies too for good health and a healthy lifestyle and yes only after consulting your certified medical practitioner and knowing whether a supplement or remedy suits you or not.