Dietary supplements: Yay or nay?

There are varying stances when it comes to taking dietary supplements. The one school of thought discourages the intake of dietary supplementation explaining that there is little evidence that they offer significant health benefits, while another school of thought encourages the intake of dietary supplementation, alluding to various factors. Amongst them being that our diets do not offer us enough nutrients to meet the needs of our bodies in these times.

Now, don’t get me wrong - I may come across as biased on this topic as my formal training in naturopathy is primarily dedicated - but not limited to - offering nutritional interventions through dietary supplementation. However, I will try and be objective here.

‘Dietary supplement’ is an umbrella term that includes everything from vitamins and minerals to herbal supplements. Dietary supplements are available over the counter without a prescription and usually come in a pill, powder or liquid form.

The truth is that over-the-counter dietary supplements are a big business. They bring in billions of dollars for big corporations. What is worrisome is the fact that these supplements are not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA classifies supplements as foods and not as drugs. Therefore, it doesn’t evaluate their quality or their effects on the body. Consequently, supplements can appear on shelves without having to prove they offer any benefits. With little regulation over supplements, it is difficult to know if the ingredients on the label are really what they claim to be and if they are free of contaminants.

In Namibia, the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) was established to ensure that medicinal products are regulated.

Holistic approach

Supplements should never be a substitute for a balanced, healthy diet. When you consider taking them, ask yourself the following question: Do I really need to take the supplement? Some supplements may have side effects, may cause certain problems with particular health conditions, and they may interfere with your current medical programme. When it comes to health, a holistic approach is key!

When there is a need to take supplements, some factors need to be considered. Firstly, get a professional self-evaluation that takes into account your symptoms, health history, family history, environmental and lifestyle factors. Find a practitioner who is able to offer you interventions that are personalised to your particular individual needs - in other words, who offers patient-centered care. Lastly, take the time to understand the brands. There are reputable brands out there dedicated to offer clinically-researched supplements specific to the needs of patients and their conditions, but there are also brands that just capitalise on the opportunity within the market. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, the cheaper the product, the lesser the quality.

Lately, with the advancements of modern technology, we see trends rising in the science of genetics and nutrition, which allows for personalised medicine practice to take an individual’s variation into account. These can include variations in our genes, environment, lifestyle and even the microscopic organisms that live inside of us. These tests produce genetic reports that explain what type of diet you are more likely to respond to, which supplements may be more helpful specific to your genes, what type of exercise regimen you are likely to respond to, and what your weight management priority scales should be, based on your genetic make-up, amongst other biomarkers.

They remove the guessing game, and allow for practitioners to effectively address your needs.

Careful consideration

In Namibia, we have some way to go with regards to understanding the integration of medicinal care with patients - that is to say, considering nutrition and alternative interventions alongside conventional interventions. But we will get there.

In conclusion, careful consideration of the type of dietary supplements you plan to take should be taken, if you want to use these types of supplements.

If care is not taken, you may very well be wasting your time and money. When used effectively, they should be taken in a holistic approach so as to maximise their benefits and, in turn, boost your overall health. In the end, an informed approach equals happy health.

*Dr Penehafo Haitamba-Shindume is a trained naturopathic doctor with 10 years’ experience in private practice. She is registered with the Allied Health Professions Council. She is a member of the Namibia Association of Naturopathy, Homeopathy and Phytotherapy as well as the South African Naturopathy Association.