Organic and all-natural supplements have grown in popularity over the past decade due to their herbal and holistic properties. Many supplements contain organic ingredients and natural substances, which are often used as an alternative to Western medicine and pharmaceuticals. Studies show that in the U.S., 57.6% of adults aged 20 and over use dietary supplements each month.
With all-natural supplements on the rise, many questions are being raised about their efficacy and safety. While most supplements are safe for regular consumption, there are many questions to consider, such as “Is it safe to mix all-natural health supplements?” Here, we will go over the potential dangers of mixing supplements and discuss safe ways to manage supplement use.
What Are All-Natural Supplements?
All-natural supplements refer to the natural ingredients that make up some supplements. These ingredients stem from animal, mineral, or plant matter and are present or produced by nature. Natural supplements can contain various mixes of herbal ingredients, such as California Poppy Seed or Marshmallow Root, which are found in plant matter, or collagen, which is sourced from animals.
It is important to note that while many supplements are labeled as “all-natural,” not all supplements are organic. “Organic” simply refers to the farming practices used to grow and cultivate all-natural ingredients and does not guarantee the safety or efficacy of natural supplements. Choosing natural supplements that are also organic comes down to personal preference.
Just like conventional drugs, natural supplements can have potent effects on the body. Before utilizing supplements to boost your overall health, it’s essential to consult your doctor or primary care physician to rule out any possible interactions with medications or treatments. Some natural supplements have the potential to interfere with medication absorption, reducing their effectiveness, while others have the potential to increase risks or worsen specific medical conditions.
Risks of Mixing Supplements and Dosing
A key concern with mixing supplements is the potential for unintended consequences. Unlike prescription drugs and medications, natural supplements rarely have standardized dosing and use measurements such as “Recommended Dietary Allowance” (RDA) to determine how many supplements you should take. Various amounts of active ingredients, especially when mixing different brands and dosages of supplements, can increase the risk of exceeding safe doses and can cause side effects.
Understanding Supplement Interactions
If you are considering taking one or more supplements, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of mixing natural supplements:
Nutrient Competition: When certain supplements are digested, they begin to compete for absorption in the gut. If you’re taking multiple supplements, one supplement can be more easily absorbed than the others. This competition for absorption can cause the other supplements to experience reduced efficacy.
Increased Potency: Combining some supplements with similar effects or compounds can amplify their potency and create unwanted side effects. In some cases, taking multiple similar supplements can have the same effect as taking double or even triple the recommended dose of one supplement.
Medication Interactions: Some supplements can interact with prescription medications, reducing their effectiveness and causing adverse reactions. These interactions can be dangerous against certain medicines and affect their absorption rates.
The Importance of Consulting A Medical Professional
Consult your doctor or primary care physician before utilizing a multiple-supplement approach to support your overall health. Medical professionals can assess your individual needs, review your health records, and provide informed suggestions for safe supplement combinations. If you are currently being prescribed a prescription drug, your doctor can also identify potential interactions with your medication and make adjustments to your doses.
Your doctor can also help determine the proper dosages of supplements and assess their ingredients to ensure that they benefit your health.
Strategies for Safe Supplement Use
If you have consulted your doctor and researched which supplements you want to take, there are a few things you should do to practice safe consumption.
Start slowly and gradually increase dosage: Start with low supplements and monitor for any adverse effects before increasing your dosage and intake.
Stick to reputable brands: Choose natural supplements from reputable brands. Verify the natural ingredients and potency of your supplements.
Remain transparent with your doctors: Be sure to keep track of all the supplements that you are taking. Take inventory of your supplements’ brands, dosages, and intended purposes. Sharing this information with your doctor can help them give you the best advice for implementing supplement use into your daily health regimen.
Taking a Holistic Approach With PhytAge Laboratories
While all-natural supplements can be beneficial, they are not a cure-all for health issues. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is imperative to meeting your health goals, and supplements should only complement your daily health regime.
Take the guesswork out of mixing and matching your supplements. PhytAge Laboratories offers proprietary blends of all-natural, organic supplements to benefit various health issues. PhytAge Laboratories uses targeted ingredients to treat specific ailments, providing a unique approach to maintaining overall wellness.
Consult your doctor to see if PhytAge supplements are right for you. Explore our extensive range of supplement solutions today and take a step in the right direction.