EP 08: Choosing the Correct Dietary Supplement

The Better Prescription

There are shelves, and sometimes even whole aisles, of health and dietary supplements in many grocery stores and health shops all across the country. It's easy to assume that because a product is on the shelf, it is safe, but supplements are not regulated in the same way medication is. In this episode, Dr. Malhotra talks about the importance of researching a supplement before incorporating it into your life. It is your responsibility to do the necessary due diligence around the effects of the ingredients you consume. We also hear about the risks that come with taking harmful supplements, and Dr. Malhotra shares how she, as a functional medicine doctor, approaches supplements with her patients. Tune in to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Health and dietary supplements are regulated in a post-market manner.
• What happened with the Purity supplements scandal.
• Resources you can use to check the ingredients of your supplements.
• Ingredients that are allowed to be in dietary supplements.
• The circumstances under which someone might need a dietary supplement.
• Some of the risks that come with taking dangerous, uncertified supplements.
• How a functional medicine doctor will approach recommending supplements.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email — [e-mail]

U.S. FDA

Global DRO

Supplement 411