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Supplements

Here you will find recommendations on the supplements that only have clinical data to support their use. If you do not see the supplement you are looking for please ask for information about what clinical data is available! Always speak to your health care provider before starting any herbals or supplements and always ask us or your local pharmacist about potential drug interactions with herbals and supplements and prescription medications.

Bone Health | Iron Replacement | GI Health | Immune Health | Heart Health | Eye Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | Diet Booster | Other

Bone Health

Read here about why calcium and Vitamin D supplementation help with bone health and the recommended amounts by age. 

NOTE: The body can only absorb up to 500mg of calcium at a time, must divide total daily dose two to three times daily.

Citracal is preferred over Caltrate in elderly patients and those on proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec.

Also Citracal can be taken with or without food, Caltrate must be taken with meal.

Most adults only need up to 2000IU of Vitamin D3 for supplementation, please follow health care provider recommendations if your vitamin D level is low. 

Bone

Iron Replacement Therapy 

Read about iron deficiency anemia and iron replacement therapy here

NOTE: Ferrous Fumarate 324mg tablet (106mg elemental iron) One tablet twice daily;

Ferrous Gluconate 240mg or 324mg tablet (27mg or 38mg elemental iron) One to three tablets two to three times daily;

Ferrous Sulfate 140mg or 325mg tablet (45mg or 65mg elemental iron) One tablet three times daily

Iron

GI Health 

Read about how probiotics may help with GI health here 

Probiotics: Diarrhea and prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea; H. Pyloi present in stomach: Probiotics may help as an additive with standard treatment to eradicate H. pylori infections 

Flaxseed Oil: May help with constipation 

GI

Immune Health

Zinc: May help shorted duration of upper respiratory tract infections (sinuses)/common cold: Zinc lozenge 

Side effects: nausea, bad taste, diarrhea, vomiting, mouth irritation and mouth sores. 

Acai: Antioxidant effects

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Antioxidant properties have been demonstrated; especially useful in diabetic patients with poor glycemic control and HIV patients

Echinacea: Use to prevent upper respiratory tract infections (sinus infection)

Elderberry: Extracts may have some value in treatment of influenza and duration of cold symptoms and have antioxidant potential 

Immune

Cardiovascular/Heart Health 

Read about heart health here 

Fish Oil: 1g per day of Omega-3 fatty acids with coronary heart disease; 2 to 4 grams per day divided of Omega-3 fatty acids when triglycerides are elevated 

Red yeast rice: M. purpureus is a natural source of mevinolin, the active ingredient of the prescription drug Lovastatin (a statin to help lower cholesterol). Does have beneficial effects on lowering cholesterol.

NOTE: Red yeast rice should NOT be used in place of lovastatin due to safety concerns with dietary supplements. Dose is (2) 600mg capsules twice daily (2,400mg per day). 

Hawthorne: May improve circulation; Dose is 300mg to 900mg by mouth daily and benefits appear after 6 to 8 weeks of therapy 

Quinine for leg cramps associated with vascular spasm, internal hemorrhoids, varicose veins and pleura cavities after thoracoplasty

Heart

Eye Health 

For more information on eye health read here

For more information on macular degeneration eye health read here

Eye

Mental Health 

For information on mental health click here

Ginkgo biloba: Preliminary data suggests possible benefit in treating aura with or without migraine.

No definitive place in therapy for dementia and schizophrenia (although promising) 120-240mg of extract by mouth daily; data does not support enhanced cognitive function in health individuals.  

St. John's Wart: Effectiveness is comparable with standard antidepressants for treatment of depression. Adverse events are lower than conventional antidepressants but does have many drug interactions (avoid use with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, irinotecan, imatinib mesylate, and medications used to treat HIV): 900mg of extract daily in 3 divided doses, for up to one year. 

SAM(e): Equivalent to prescription tricyclic antidepressants; 200 to 1600mg by mouth daily. NOTE: Should NOT be used in patients with bipolar depression. Adverse reactions: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, mild insomnia, dizziness, irritability, anxiety and sweating. Has MANY drug interactions, ask us or your local pharmacist. 

Melatonin for sleep duration and quality: 3 to 5mg at bedtime for 4 weeks; jet-lag 0.5mg-2mg preflight and up to 5mg post flight over a period of up to 4 days; pediatric: 2 to 5 mg has been used in children 

Mental

Women's Health 

For more information on women's health click here

St. Johns Wart: May help with mild menopausal symptoms for healthy mood balance and associated sleep disturbances. Check with health care provider.

Adverse events are lower than conventional antidepressants but does have many drug interactions (avoid use with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, irinotecan, imatinib mesylate, and medications used to treat HIV): 900mg of extract daily in 3 divided doses, for up to one year.  

Black Cohosh: Used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms. 40 to 80mg daily. 

Women

Diet Boosters

Ensure: Protein shakes 

Creatine: Can enhance performance in short-duration, high-intensity exercise (not for long term use) Must check with health care provider prior to use. 

Diet

Other

Green Tea: Evidence suggests may have impact on body weight, glucose homeostasis, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Role in prevention of stroke is also suggested. 

Dosing: 160mg-2,488mg per day of catechins depending on use. Talk to health care provider or ask us for more details on dosing.

Turmeric: Research is limited for use of antioxidant activity, improving bone and joint health, and reducing inflammation. Research is also limited in effects for major depressive disorder. Studies are ongoing in regards to cancer treatment. 

Other
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