Let’s look at a common pitfall that many health Influencers overlook. The side effects of Supplements. If this is the first time you’re hearing that supplements have side effects, you’re probably quite shocked and that’s okay! Nobody really talks about this side of the coin. By the end of this newsletter, you’re going to understand exactly what I mean by “side effects”.
What’s this about supplements having side effects?? So many of us have the idea that if it’s natural, it’s free of side effects. in order to fully understand what I mean by supplements having side effects, lets take a look at the definition of side effect. Side Effect - Cambridge Dictionary “an unwanted or unexpected result or condition that comes along with the desired effects of something” There. So basically, a side effect can be described as an effect other than the intended result from using any product. Not necessarily negative or harmful, just an additional effect.
The reason I bring this up is because supplement are very effective in supporting the body & alleviating many symptoms. What many people fail to realize is that one supplement affects multiple things, even if you’re only taking it for one desired effect. Garlic is a great example of this. Garlic is great at supporting immune function, a natural antibiotic, high in Quercetin and antioxidants, protects the liver and more. At the same time, garlic is also a blood thinner. When taken in high doses or over an extended period of time, it can be dangerous! Especially when combined with a blood thinning medication. But we can’t necessarily say that the blood thinning properties of garlic are inherently bad. Someone may use garlic instead of blood thinning medication for that exact purpose: under professional guidance! The thing is, supplement companies aren’t required to list drug interactions or all possible effects on the bottle. In fact, the effects of herbs, vitamins & supplements are so vast and varied that each supplement would have to come with a pamphlet of effects. If you do a Google search of a supplement (which let’s be real, all of us have done at some point), you’re likely to find endless articles on the benefits of taking it for particular ailments. Where do you see lists of possible drug interactions? Not on most places. In fact, even our website doesn’t have a list of possible drug interactions for each supplement. As I mentioned before, the effects of herbs and supplements are so vast and varied that it would be near impossible to list them all.
The Bottom Line is: do your research thoroughly & work with a holistic professional. Supplements are powerful & I am a strong believer in using natural alternatives to medication wherever possible. Our bodies respond well to familiar substances. In other words, our bodies inherently know how to use herbs & supplements to it’s best advantage. Medication, although sometimes necessary, stresses the liver & gut. But Natural doesn’t mean Ineffective. And if it has effects, some of those may not be the best in specific cases. Not sure what to do from here? If you’re looking for personalized guidance, I’d love to meet with you to see if coaching is a right fit! I specialize in helping women overcome PCOS & hormonal imbalances holistically. You can save a spot on my calendar here!👇
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