Natural supplements are becoming a normal part of life for most Americans. This is likely due to the amount of people interested in healthy living to prevent issues. This makes sense since hospitals are expensive. It is estimated that nearly one-third of Americans are now mixing supplements with their medications. No one should mix a medication with a supplement unless a health specialist approves it, but the additional nutrients can be helpful.
Maintaining Gut Bacteria
There is a delicate balance in life, which is reflected in a person’s body. One of the most popular types of prescriptions given to Americans, either over-the-counter or prescribed, is antibiotics. These prescriptions are meant to destroy different pathogens within the body. Some are more powerful than others, but their goal is to kill bacteria. This is a good thing for those suffering from different bacteria diseases, but there is a small problem. Some of these medications don’t know the difference between good bacteria and bad bacteria.
Yes, there is good bacteria within the body, which are usually called probiotics. These organisms help the body stay in control of the bad bacteria, but the system can fail from time to time, which can allow a person to get sick. Medications are not sophisticated enough to kill one bacteria without killing the other. This means the body will need a strong layer of protection as the medication kills bad bacteria. One of the most important types of supplements that those taking antibiotics need is probiotics. These come in pill form, but some come in liquid form, too. It should be noted that probiotics help maintain gut health and promote digestion.
Controlling Blood Flow
Another common drug that many Americans take is decongestants. These prescription drugs help relieve runny noses, which is exactly the effect that people are looking for, but there is a side effect worth noting. The reason that this works is because this medication causes blood vessels to swell up just a bit. The swelling focuses on the mucous membrane, which helps tighten up the sinuses, but this effect can penetrate throughout the rest of the body. This happens often, especially when the person taking the prescription is forced to take more than a few doses per day.
There are a lot of negative side effects that people might experience with tightened blood vessels such as insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, or even headaches. This is the reason why it might be a good idea for some to take decongestants with natural supplements like garlic extract, which comes in vegetable capsules. Garlic seems to turn red blood cells into cell messenger hydrogen sulfide cells. These cells help relax blood vessels, which increases blood flow. Of course, this is just one supplement worth considering though there are others.
Mood Leveling
Sadly, several medications out there can lead to depression. This is because some of these common prescriptions are meant to alter hormones, which can have a negative effect on the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Some of the most common prescriptions to worry about are acne treatment medications, oral contraceptives, high blood pressure drugs, or drugs that help deal with high cholesterol.
This is the reason why some people have turned to supplements when taking some of these drugs. There are several natural supplements that help make sure that the balance of neurotransmitters is not disturbed such as St. John’s wort or Valerian. These supplements are relatively safe, natural, and help produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are anti-depressants and help ensure that the medication the person is taking does not lead to unnecessary depression.
Of course, it is best to know what kinds of side effects a medication might have before choosing supplements, so it might be a good idea to talk to a health care specialist to opt for the right supplements.