When your doctor prescribes a medication, they likely go over any crucial information you need to know, like when to take it and what you can or can’t mix it with.
Supplements are a different story. Most people buy supplements over the counter instead of getting them from a doctor. That means it’s up to you to know how to take them safely. But often, supplements are taken without much thought.
“As a pharmacist, one thing I always emphasize is that vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements should be treated as part of a person’s complete medication list and should be communicated to their medical team, including pharmacist and primary care doctor,” says Dr. Janis Kosma-Covey, PharmD, a compounding pharmacist and founder of Kosmatology.
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Dr. Kosma-Covey tells Parade that one of the biggest misconceptions she sees as a pharmacist is people thinking that supplements labeled “natural” are harmless, explaining, “Supplements can interact with medications, affect how medications are absorbed and sometimes contribute to side effects or toxicity.”
There’s one very popular supplement in particular that pharmacists wish people would tell their doctor they’re taking. Read on to learn more.
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The Supplement Pharmacists Wish People Would Tell Their Doctor They’re Taking
While Dr. Kosma-Covey says that, ideally, everyone would talk to their doctor before starting any supplement, there’s one in particular that she wishes people would tell their doctor about first: magnesium.
“Magnesium has become an incredibly popular supplement, with people taking it for everything from sleep and relaxation to muscle cramps and constipation,” she explains. “Because magnesium is a mineral our bodies naturally need and it’s readily available over the counter, people may not think of it as something that could interact with their medications, but it absolutely can.”
Dr. Joseph Walter, PharmD, BCPS, a pharmacist at Hackensack Meridian Health, agrees. He explains that magnesium is a highly reactive mineral that can bind to medications in the stomach or change how your body processes them. For example, he says that magnesium can bind to certain antibiotics, which prevents the body from absorbing the medicine. Because of this, it’s important to take magnesium two to three hours after taking an antibiotic, something many people don’t realize.
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Both pharmacists also say that magnesium can decrease the absorption of certain medicines taken for osteoporosis. “All patients should inform their doctor or pharmacist that they take a magnesium supplement to ensure it does not interact with any other medications that they may be taking,” Dr. Walter emphasizes.
The pharmacists add that magnesium supplements can potentially be dangerous for those with kidney disease, neuromuscular disorders or cardiovascular disorders.
Who Can Benefit From a Magnesium Supplement
With all these disclaimers in place, you may think you should steer clear of magnesium supplements completely. This isn’t necessarily true. Dr. Walter says that many people can benefit from taking a magnesium supplement; you just want to talk to your doctor about it first.
“Magnesium is essential for numerous functions in our bodies, so many people could benefit from a supplement, particularly if, like most, they do not receive the recommended daily allowance in their daily diet. Your body relies on magnesium for a variety of crucial daily tasks, from keeping your muscles and nerves working properly to stabilizing glucose and blood pressure levels. It also contributes to bone health,” Dr. Walter says, adding that it may also be beneficial for people experiencing migraines.
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If you do want to take a magnesium supplement, Dr. Walter stresses that it’s important to consider the form of magnesium. In general, he recommends magnesium glycinate over other forms because it is highly absorbable and gentle on the stomach. “It’s widely considered the best option for correcting a deficiency, promoting relaxation and supporting sleep,” he says.
It’s worth remembering that the goal should be to get magnesium from your diet, not relying on a supplement. Dr. Walter explains that, unlike with magnesium supplements, it’s virtually impossible to overdose on magnesium through food.
“When you eat a giant spinach salad with pumpkin seeds and almonds, your healthy kidneys will simply flush out whatever magnesium your body doesn’t need through your urine,” he says. “However, because supplements deliver a highly concentrated dose of magnesium all at once, they bypass the body’s natural pace of absorption and can lead to excess magnesium in your body. This is why it is important to follow the 350 milligrams a day safety limit set by the National Institutes of Health only for supplements and medications, not the food on your plate.”
Other Common Supplement Mistakes People Make
One common mistake Dr. Kosma-Covey sees people making with supplements is accidentally doubling up on what they’re taking. For example, if you take a multivitamin and another supplement for bone health or sleep, there could be overlapping ingredients, which can lead to consuming too much of certain nutrients or vitamins. With this in mind, it’s important to diligently read the labels of all the supplements you’re taking and make sure there is no ingredient overlap.
Another common mistake is timing. “People often take all their vitamins, supplements and medications together because it’s convenient, but depending on what they’re taking, that may not be appropriate,” Dr. Kosma-Covey says.
Last, Dr. Kosma-Covey emphasizes that more isn’t always better. “Many essential vitamins and minerals can be detrimental when taken in excessive doses. Start by asking [your doctor] whether you actually need the supplement and whether there’s evidence supporting its use for what you’re trying to accomplish,” she says.
If you have any questions at all about a supplement you’re taking or are considering taking, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist. Both are trained to answer any questions you may have to ensure that the supplement you’re taking is supporting your health, not harming it.
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Sources
Dr. Janis Kosma-Covey, PharmD, compounding pharmacist and founder of Kosmatology. Dr. Joseph Walter, PharmD, BCPS, pharmacist at Hackensack Meridian Health. Magnesium. National Institutes of Health.Hence then, the article about the supplement pharmacists wish more people would tell their doctor they re taking was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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