Advanced Family Medicine

Supplements: The Hidden Cost In today’s fast paced world people are always looking for things that will give them an edge; better body, sharper mind, better sleep – the list is endless. To attain this edge many people turn to supplements, they come in a myriad of varieties, and all shapes and sizes, and are often labeled as natural. But, unbeknownst to most, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, and that there is no guarantee of their safety let alone if they even will produce the desired result. The largest supplier of supplement ingredients is China, where again, there is no regulation on the quality. Leaving the end user susceptible in a dangerous position. A supplement that is labeled as a product that will help give you an edge, may in fact be bringing you down. Further, supplements may contain ingredients that conflict with certain medications, which can cause undesirable side effects and complications. The only way to be sure that this...

Vitamin D - Myth and Reality Vitamin D deficiency is known now as a significant problem, especially in the Seattle area due to our frequent gloomy weather and general lack of sun. The human body, through sun exposure, naturally absorbs Vitamin D; however the same rays that deliver vitamin D also increase the risk of skin cancer—and sunscreens block vitamin D absorption—thus creating the need to supplement vitamin D levels. There is much debate today about vitamin D deficiency and how it affects our health. Some of the debate is constructive and raises valid concerns, and some is controversial and has no scientific basis. In this paper, we will separate fact from fiction about vitamin D deficiency.  Myth: The more Vitamin D intake the better. Reality: The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin D for an adult is around 2000 u and for a child- 400 u. However, the RDA for you may be different, a personal recommendation from your health care provider regarding vit...