Do you use supplements?

Do you have confidence that your supplements aren’t adulterated with toxic ingredients?

It’s an important question. And it is hard to know the answer. We should be able to trust companies to be honest about what is in their products, but that is not always the case.

I often get asked by folks thinking of signing up for a consultation, where I get my herbs from, and how I know they are quality. I love this question. It gives me a chance to talk about how I run my apothecary and source high-quality herbs. But rarely do folks ask the same questions about supplements. We often just trust big companies more than small-time folks. I don’t have data here, but I would suspect that it is the big companies that adulterate products more often than individuals who have a direct relationship with clients.

Just this month, the FDA put out a statement warning that certain supplement brands found on Amazon, Etsy, and eBay contained an ingredient not listed on the label that could cause adverse health issues. You can read the statement and see the brands listed here.

This happens more often than most people think, especially with supplements advertising weight loss, energy, or body building, but adulteration is possible with any supplement.

Now, I do recommend supplements to the folks I work with. Sometimes those supplements are herbs in capsule form, either because that is the best way for the person to take the herb, or because I cannot get my formulas to them (if they live in another country, for example). I may recommend vitamins if there are signs of deficiency. Or some other nutrient that I think would benefit the person.

But my philosophy around supplements is minimalist. I only recommend what I feel would almost certainly help someone with their wellness goals. I know supplements are expensive, and it is not easy to remember to take them every day. Often, I suggest a person decrease or discontinue supplements. I’ve had clients come to me with 10 or more supplements recommended by other practitioners, sometimes with overlapping ingredients.

When I do recommend a person take a supplement, I always suggest a brand that is reputable. Folks who work with me know that, like many practitioners, I use FullScript as my supplement dispensary, which requires third-party testing for all their supplements. This gives me peace of mind that the products I recommend are what they say they are.

The takeaway here is that you need to be a careful consumer. Don’t get your supplements from Amazon, eBay, or Etsy (definitely purchase your handcrafts on Etsy though). Purchase from companies with a good reputation.

And when it comes to herbs and herbal medicine, ask your practitioner or farmer about quality. I’m sure they would love to talk about it.

In good medicine,

April