Science Buzz Cafe # 449 OTC Vitamins & Supplements: Good Medicine or “Fake News”? Dr. Allan Bernstein, Neurologist

Dr. Allan Bernstein, Neurologist
How do we choose and Is there a rational filter between the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to unregulated supplements? Supplements include herbals, botanicals, amino acids and enzymes along with vitamins and minerals. There are thousands of over the counter supplement companies and they all say that their products are pure, high quality, natural, etc. How can we know? What is the difference between natural and synthetic vitamins and does it make a difference? What about medical grade supplements verses over the counter?

Wishful thinking can be an effective healing agent but it may not be as useful when it comes to choosing OTC supplements. Supplements can be helpful and health-enhancing or harmful and a waste of money.

Ask the ‘Doc’: Bring your questions, comments and experience.

Allan is Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, UCSF Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program. Medical Director of North Bay Neuroscience Institute, an Alzheimer’s research center in Sebastopol. His area of research and publications include: stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine and nutrition. He served as a Professor of Clinical Neurology at the School of Medicine, University of California, Davis and was a visiting professor in Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia and Singapore.