Self-medicating through use of supplements is growing trend

Ben Goodier of Jackson has been taking vitamin supplements for more than 20 years and knows they've improved his health.

After taking vitamin C, he was able to stop taking antihistamines for his hay fever allergies. A zinc supplement helps cure sniffles from a cold and a combination of vitamin A, selenium and zinc worked wonders for his stigmatism.

Goodier admits that his doctors "smile knowingly" when he tells them about his vitamin supplement regimen. "But they don't discourage me," he said.

The numbers aren't definite, but some surveys suggest that half the American population is taking some sort of nutrition or health supplement. Goodier takes about 15 or 20 different vitamins, some only on occasion as he needs them, others as part of a daily dosage.

Whether it's glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis pain or kava kava to help relieve stress, people are searching for herbal remedies to relieve their ailments.

Health-care professionals, however, are concerned that people taking these supplements are putting themselves at risk since some herbal supplements counteract prescription medication or cause adverse reactions.

Scott Givens of Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson said the facility's trainers really discourage people from taking anything more than a good multivitamin.

And some supplements can create more problems than they're helping, he added. Studies have shown too much kava extract can be toxic to the liver, diet supplements with ephedra can be dangerous to the heart, and even taking too much vitamin A is harmful.

Goodier said he's researched what he takes to see what effects it has on the body and what its suggested use is. He reads several health magazines and studies before taking anything new.

But Goodier might be in the minority -- not everyone talks to their doctor about supplements or even researches the uses for what they're taking.

Unfortunately, people are more apt to tell their pharmacists about what other vitamins or supplements they're taking than their doctors, said Jeff Smith, director of the Healing Arts Pharmacy at St. Francis Medical Center.

At the pharmacy, Smith can consult a database to see what interactions, if any, a person taking supplements might have when prescribed a new medication.

Tina Schlosser, of Scott City, found a product that helped reduce the symptoms she had from the early outset of menopause. She discovered Herbalife, and now is a distributor for the health products.

"It's good for all sorts of things," she said. "Whether it be weight management, allergies or back pain, there's something for a lot of different health conditions."

But Givens says few people realize that supplements aren't always the answer. "If you could just pill up exercise, you'd make lots of money."

Goodier agrees that exercise is crucial to living a healthy life. Without it, the supplements won't do any good. "You have to have a complete lifestyle."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126