The Magic of the Magic Pill By Kandice Damron

Face facts… you have probably tried drugs.  There is no question that obesity is an issue in our society, or that it is a difficult problem to solve.  One study showed that approximately 15% of adults have used a weight loss drug, 30% of those were in the last year, and 10% took the medication for at least 12 months. (Blanck etc)  This study also showed that most users are not discussing their supplement use with their doctors. (Blanck etc)  Most of those weight loss drugs contained stimulants…  There is a good chance that if you suffer from obesity, you have tried drugs.

Not obese… I bet you still tried drugs  While weight loss is what comes to mind when we think of dangerous OTC drugs, there are many others out there.  Herbs, oils, vitamins, and especially sports supplements all classify as a type of drug.  Dictionary.com defines a drug as a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention… used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well- being.  There is a war against drugs in the USA but often times people do not consider supplements drugs. While many of them are harmless, they can be harmful if not taken correctly.

Educate Yourself It’s not that all supplements are bad… some of them actually do help. You just need to educate yourself on what you are wanting to take before you take it.

Where do you begin? Find your why…  Consider what your goals are and how supplements can help.  Have you tried other methods without success?  Do you just need a little something extra? Do your research…  Looking online for advice is not always a bad thing, but consider your source.  Talk to your doctor.  TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!  Many drugs can interfere with medications and have side effects, talking to your doctor will help.

Some valuable websites…  ubs/DS_WhatYouNeedT oKnow.pdf The National Institute of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements provides a great start on research provide a basic overhaul of supplements including effectiveness, risks, and regulations. ubs/DS_WhatYouNeedT oKnow.pdf  DietarySupplements/ This site gives some insight into the role that the FDA plays on supplements and includes a Q&A section and New Dietary Ingredients Notification section. DietarySupplements/  arch/CARDS_Database.asp x Computer Access to Research on Dietary Supplements (CARDS) Database is a go to for research done by the NIH. arch/CARDS_Database.asp x

There is no magic pill…  While there is no one magic pill, supplements can help you just need to do your research and find out what may work for you. It is important to include your doctor in this decision as they will have some valuable insight.  Educating yourself on what you put into your body before you put it in there is key to being healthy. This goes for food, supplements, herbs, vitamins, and anything else you can think of. Education is the key to making a wise decision.

Resources  Blanck, H., Serdula, M, Gillispie, G., Galuska, D., Conway, JM., Kahn, L., & Ainsworkth, B. (2007, March). Use of nonprescription dietary supplements for weight loss is common common Americans. Retrived June 7, 2015,from  Computer Access to Research on Dietary Supplements (CARDS) Database. (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2015, from  Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. (2011, June 11). Retrieved June 7, 2015, from Know.pdf Know.pdf  (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2015, from  U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2015, from