By Karen Collins, R.D. SPECIAL TO MSNBC http://www.msnbc.com/news/286182.asp#BODY
July 2,1999 — Herbal products are
more popular than ever, yet surveys show that 70 percent of patients do
not reveal use of supplements to their physicians. Whether this is
because they are afraid of receiving discouraging remarks, or because
they think of herbal products as irrelevant to medical care because
they are natural, keeping this information secret is dangerous.
RESEARCH SHOWS that some
herbal products interact with medications or medical conditions, so
it's important for doctors to know a complete list of health-related
products used in order to diagnose problems and prescribe medications
properly. For example, continued use of the products ginkgo biloba,
ginger, garlic or feverfew can increase the effects of "blood-thinning"
medications, causing dangerous bleeding tendencies. On the other hand,
ginseng can decrease these medicine's effectiveness, leading you and
your doctor to think you are receiving more protection from blood clots
than you really are. Immunostimulant products (such as echinacea,
astragalus and licorice) should not be taken with immune-suppressing
medications (corticosteroids and cyclosporin) or by those with
autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and lupus). Tannic acids in
herbs such as St. John's wort and saw palmetto can partially block
absorption of iron from supplements or food.
Some herb products (such as chamomile and yarrow) can cause allergic
reactions, especially in those allergic to ragweed. Ginseng can cause
increased blood pressure and decreased blood sugar reactions. Some
products may cause premature uterine contractions and cross the
placenta to the baby, so women who are pregnant or are thinking of
becoming pregnant should not use any herbal treatments. If you use an
herbal product that can interact with a medical condition or medicine
but have not had a bad reactions yet, don't be fooled into believing
you are safe forever. Part of what makes use of herbal products
confusing is their inconsistent formulation. The herbal products
industry acknowledges that because of lack of legal standardization,
content of active ingredients (and therefore chance of both desirable
and undesirable effects) varies from brand to brand, and even within
the same brand. One study found that only 25 percent of ginseng
products actually contained any detectable ginseng. Clearly the world
of herbal products needs more study to better understand the benefits
they offer and the ways to avoid their potential risks. Although
legally marketed as foods instead of drugs, these products can have
very real interactions with health conditions and medicines. So don't
keep your doctor in the dark if you use or change your use of such
products.
Karen Collins is a registered dietitian with the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.
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