There is a growing movement towards natural or holistic approaches to medicine, and that is great! Many pharmaceutical medicines carry unwanted side effects that make them unappealing to most. The perception is that natural medicines are safer and will have low to no side effects at all. This perception can lead to some careless behavior when it comes to adding natural dietary supplements and herbs to the diet.
While it is true that most natural supplements carry less side effects than their pharmaceutical counterparts, these are still powerful medicines and should be respected as such. You wouldn’t want to overdose on a natural supplement the same way you wouldn’t want to overdose on over-the-counter cough syrup. If you are not careful you can end up causing life threatening damage.
As a kidney patient you must remember that some supplements may not metabolize the same way they would for a person with healthy kidneys. The kidneys not only control fluids, but they also maintain a balance of substances in our bodies. If the kidneys are not filtering properly, that can lead to a build up of some substances to toxic levels. For this reason, you should only add a supplement to your diet after a doctor or health care professional has examined your bloodwork or nutritional profile. Read on for some helpful tips to safely add natural supplements and herbs to your diet.
What are Natural Supplements
Natural supplements can include vitamins, minerals, herbs, extracts, tinctures, teas, tonics, or oils that can be used for medicinal purposes. These are sourced naturally, not chemically altered, and are minimally processed.
Eat Better
Instead of taking a supplement, which may be highly concentrated, it may be better to just include more of it in your food. For example, instead of taking a garlic supplement, just add garlic in some of your recipes to include more of it in your diet. Eating nutrient dense food will be one of the safest ways to naturally supplement your diet.
Do Your Homework
If you are considering a natural supplement , research it thoroughly first! The internet is full of cures and miracles for whatever ails you, and some claims might actually be legit. However, the burden is on you to do your homework. Everyone has a unique body chemistry. What works well for some may not work well for you. You must consider the medicines your are already taking, your allergies, and your current medical health before taking any natural supplement. WebMD has a great resource on their site to research natural supplements. Simply search for your supplement to find information on dosages, drug interactions, and other precautions.
Shop Around
After you have researched the supplement and feel comfortable about your choice, make sure you shop around to find the best quality for the price. Be careful, since natural supplements are not covered by most insurance companies you can find yourself with a hefty price coming out of your budget. Look for organic, non-gmo brands from trusted companies with good product reviews. Some of my favorite brands are NOW, Doctor’s Best, and Nature’s Plus.
Start at the Lowest Dose
Remember, just because a product is natural does not mean that it is any less powerful than a pharmaceutical medicine. Some supplements will have concentrations that are much stronger than the plant it is derived from. Doctors will generally start a patient on a new drug at the lowest dose in the beginning to test how the patient will react to the new drug. The same logic should be followed for a natural supplement. It will be critical that you pay attention to how you feel on the new supplement. Make note if you have any allergic reactions or digestive upset. If you experience any of these or other adverse reactions, discontinue that supplement.
Don’t Hide it From Your Doctor
Most doctors are not open to alternative forms of medicine, but you should still be honest with them. Be sure to let them now everything you are taking to avoid any interactions with anything he or she may prescribe to you. It would also be helpful for your pharmacist to know the supplements your are taking as well.
There is a place for natural supplements in our daily health care regimen, but we must take precautions to make sure we are not causing harm to our health. Be wise and be safe! I wish you the best of health!
