Do I Need to Consult My Doctor Before Taking Dietary Supplements? - An Expert's Perspective

It's always a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning any new dietary regimen, including vitamins and supplements. Your primary care physician is familiar with your medical history and can provide guidance on which supplements to take or avoid. Many supplements on the market contain several ingredients and fillers, so it's important to get the right advice. Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights is a two-story office with a walk-in urgent care center and more than 35 specialties.

If you tell your doctor everything you're taking, they may recommend that you stop taking a dangerous supplement right away. Dr. Camila Passias is a board-certified primary care doctor at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights and sees patients on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Your doctor may suggest high-quality supplements, such as those that bear the seal of the United States Pharmacopoeia, which states that the supplement contains the right ingredients in the right amounts and does not contain harmful amounts of contaminants, such as heavy metals. A doctor will be able to educate you about the ingredients of supplements and how they affect your body.

Therefore, always provide your doctor with a complete list of all medications and supplements you take, even if you take them infrequently. Your doctor will likely tell you to stop taking these supplements for a while before surgery. That's why it's essential that you talk to your doctor before adding any supplement to your routine, including a daily multivitamin. Make sure that a doctor or pharmacist reviews that list at least once a year and look for possible drug interactions. For example, sudden fatigue can be a sign of a vitamin D deficiency, but it can also be an indication of something more serious that your doctor could help you treat or control. Protecting your health and saving money are two great reasons to talk to your doctor before taking any new supplement.

Your physician may suggest adding whole foods to your diet and taking supplements if your body urgently needs certain nutrients due to illness or vitamin deficiency. It's important for people of all ages to discuss supplements with their doctor before taking them, but it's even more essential for older adults, says Lauren Grossman, M. Here are other reasons why it's important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement.

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