Herbal Nutritional Supplements:
A Guide for Senior Women
More than 100 million Americans take dietary supplements daily, including dozens of herbal nutritional supplements. A majority of these are women, and many of these women are over the age of 50. Research has shown that some herbal nutritional supplements can:
- Improve overall health and well-being
- Boost the human immune system
- Enhance memory and sleep quality
Yet despite the popularity of herbal nutritional supplements to promote better health, not everyone who uses them is well informed about all of their properties or how they may interact—or interfere—with a variety of prescription drugs and other medication. Many people fail to share information about their use of herbal nutritional supplements with their health providers, and health providers often don’t think to ask if patients are taking herbal nutritional supplements. Both are oversights that could have dangerous consequences. The most important thing you should do before you consider taking herbal supplements is to have a conversation with your health care provider.
Mid-life or older persons who are contemplating surgery or who are taking medications regularly should become familiar with the power and properties of any herbal nutritional supplements they are taking. Amounts can vary from product to product, and some products combine several ingredients, some of which might interfere with your medications. Here are a few things to watch for with several of the herbal nutritional supplements commonly used by women over 50:
Echinacea |
Benefits – Strengthens the immune system, may help lessen the symptoms of colds and flu, and aids in overall healing. |
Side Effects – May cause liver inflammation if used in conjunction with certain other medications such as anabolic steroids and methotrexate, which are often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. |
Feverfew |
Benefits – Used to help prevent migraine headaches, and to treat arthritis, rheumatic disease and allergies. |
Side Effects – May increase bleeding, especially in people who already take certain anti-clotting medications. |
Garlic |
Benefits – Helps to lower cholesterol, triglyceride levels and blood pressure. |
Side Effects – May increase bleeding, especially in people who already take certain anti-clotting medications. |
Gingko |
Benefits – Increases blood circulation and oxygenation, and improves memory and mental alertness. |
Side Effects – May increase bleeding, especially in people who already take certain anti-clotting medications. |
Ginseng |
Benefits – Increases physical stamina and mental concentration. |
Side Effects – May increase heart rate or high blood pressure. May cause bleeding in women after menopause. May decrease the effectiveness of certain anti-clotting medications. |
Goldenseal |
Benefits – Reduces inflammation and can be used as a mild laxative. |
Side Effects – May increase swelling or high blood pressure. |
St. John’s Wort |
Benefits – Used for mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders. |
Side Effects – May prolong the effects of certain anesthetics. |
Herbal supplements can provide important health benefits, but it's important to know how they react with medications you may already be taking.
Before you take herbal nutritional supplements, take a few precautions. These six tips will protect your health and may save your life!
- Always check with your health care provider to be sure the herbal supplements are right for you.
- Read labels carefully to identify all the ingredients.
- Check dosages to make sure they are what you discussed with your physician.
- Check for expiration dates before you buy… some supplements have a specific shelf life.
- If possible, find out about the manufacturer to make sure they are reputable and follow the highest safety standards.
- Always buy supplements from a reputable, established store. Be cautious of online sales.
Remember that no herbal or dietary supplement should claim to diagnose or cure any disease. Such claims are against the law. And remember too, if the claims sound too good to be true, they probably are.
Source: The Congress of California Seniors
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