To ensure that your needs are met, you must take an active role in your own health care.

Communication With Your Doctor

Many people come from a generation that did not ask questions of doctors. They expect doctors to figure out their problems and then provide the answers. Others want to ask questions, but do not when the doctor seems rushed. However, good communication requires a partnership. To provide the best possible care, your doctor needs you to provide details about your illness and about other care you are receiving, including medications and supplements.

Product Research

The intent of marketing is to sell services and products. Information often is slanted to accentuate the benefits and downplay side effects, risks, and dangers. Before purchasing and using a nutritional supplement, consider the following points:

• Ask yourself whether the claims sound too good to be true.
  Do the claims for the product seem exaggerated or unrealistic? Does the product have testimonials but no evidence from clinical trials? Are simplistic conclusions being drawn from a complex study? Learn to distinguish hype from evidence-based science. Question so-called experts on their training and knowledge in nutrition or medicine.
• Think twice about chasing the latest headline.
  News stories are often too brief to include important details. Sound healthcare is generally based on a body of research, not a single study. Be wary of a quick fix that departs from previous research and scientific beliefs. Science does not proceed by dramatic breakthroughs, but by taking many small steps, slowly building toward a consensus.
• Check your assumptions.
• "Even if a product may not help me, it at least won't hurt me."
  When consumed in large enough amounts, for a long enough time, or in combination with certain other substances, all chemicals can be toxic - even those derived from natural sources
• "When I see the term 'natural,' it means that a product is healthful and safe."
  The term natural on labels is not well defined. There is no guarantee that these food-like substances have milder effects or are safer to use than prescription drugs. Their ingredients may interact with drugs or may be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.
• "A product is safe when there is no cautionary information on the product label."
  Dietary supplement manufacturers are not required to include warnings about potential adverse effects on the labels of their products.
• "A product recall guarantees that all such harmful products will be immediately and completely removed from the marketplace."
  A product recall of a dietary supplement is voluntary and does not necessarily remove all harmful products from the marketplace.
• Contact the manufacturer for more information.
  If you cannot tell whether the product you are purchasing meets the same standards as those used in the research studies you read about, check with the manufacturer or distributor. The product label includes contact information. Your questions might include:
• What evidence-based research do you have to substantiate the claims you have made for the product? What tests have you conducted to ensure the safety or efficacy of the ingredients?
• Do you have a quality control system in place to ensure that the product contains only those ingredients listed on the label and is free of contaminants?
• Have you received any reports of adverse effects from consumers who have used the product?

While the Internet is a rich source of good health information, it is also a forum for spreading myths, hoaxes, and rumors. Be skeptical of overly emphatic language. Ask your doctor to recommend respected organizations, search those sites, and discuss your findings with your doctor. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Who operates the site?
  Is the site run by the government, a university, or a reputable medical or health-related association? Is the information written or reviewed by qualified health professionals, experts in the field, academia, government, or the medical community?
• What is the purpose of the site?
  Is the purpose of the site to educate the public or just to sell a product? Most nonprofit and government sites contain no advertising and offer free access. Be wary of practitioners or organizations whose main interest is in marketing products, either directly or through sites with which they are linked. Commercial sites should clearly distinguish scientific information from advertisements.
• What is the source of the information and does it have any references?
  In the case of a scientific study, has it been reviewed by recognized scientific experts and published in reputable peer-reviewed journals like the New England Journal of Medicine? Does the information say "some studies show " or does it state where the study is listed so that you can check the authenticity of the references? For example, can the study be found in the National Library of Medicine's database of literature citations?
• Is the information current?
  Check the date when the material was posted or updated. Dated material may not contain the most recent research or other findings such as side effects or interactions with other products. Health and medical sites should be updated frequently.