It boggles my mind at how many "natural supplements" greet you when you walk in to any drug or health food store in the Southern Tier.  Is it me or is the supplement isle getting larger every year?

Men's Health just released a list of "risky" over the counter supplements you should stay away from.  They bring up a good point, just because it's available over the counter, doesn't mean it's for everyone.

I must admit, I do take supplements and at least one on the list is something I have taken during the cold and flu season. But more on that later.

Here are some other popular supplements you should be aware of before you take:

  • St. John's Wort is known to be a natural supplement to help with depression.  Stay away from this is you are already on antidepressants or take heartburn meds or blood thinners.
  • Ginkgo biloba is said to help with anxiety and even help protect against dementia, but stay away if you have diabetes.
  • Goldenseal is one of the 2 popular supplements on the Men's Health list that people take to treat colds and allergies.  Do not take this is you are already on allergy meds or have erectile dysfunction.
  • Caffeinated pre-workout supplements are popular with the fitness crowd in the Binghamton area.  There are a ton of them in supplement stores like GNC and Vitamin World.  Check the label first and try to avoid it if you suspect any heart issues or high blood pressure.
  • Echinacea may seem innocent enough.  I know I have had good results with this natural supplement that has been known to keep colds at bay.  Since it is a member of the daisy family, stay away if you are allergic to plants such as ragweed and other outdoor plants.

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