Over the Counter Supplements - How to know what to take

[DebraF77753]

A number of years ago, I started seeing a specialized physical therapist for a health condition.  In addition to PT, he recommended many over the counter supplements.  I took what he recommended because he was not selling them and told me to research and chose my own brands; however, he felt I should take so much of "A" and so much of "B".  

I have been seeing him periodically over the past decade because my condition is a permanent one, and over that time I realized while he is a great PT, he is a bit wack-a-doo when it comes to over the counter supplements and falls to the latest fads.  

I now have over 15 bottles of supplements that I take multiple times a day.  I want to figure out which ones I truly need (I do have a number of inherited medical issues) and which ones are not necessary.  

I asked my regular physician.  He told me there are no real studies for this except for high danger levels and the only way to know is to test our blood.  Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover looking at levels of certain things in our blood anymore that used to be done every time we had a physical.  Even Vitamin D and B must have reasons listed by the doctor and approved in order to be tested in the blood.  His opinion was if it isn't broke, don't fix it.  Normally he would say go off of everything beyond what he tested and see how I do, but because one of my health issues is a neurologic condition, he didn't know if it was safe for me to go cold turkey like that after so many years.

I asked my neurologist.  He said a big part of the issue was that depending on the manufacturer and how the supplement was made, and therefor processed by our digestive system, we don't even really know how much of the supplement is being ingested and is it in a form our body is using or are we just excreting it out.  Some vitamins we don't even break down because of how they are and they just end up being pooped out without anything of consequence being absorbed.  Others we get a small benefit, but because of how we are taking it, we are not getting the full amount of the supplements.

With so many scams out there and people who take so many pills each and every day, one would think this is something that would be studied and recommendations given.  I know it comes down to money vs benefit, but is anyone aware of any safe place to consult to even get a basic idea of how to determine what supplements to take and how much?  I know each person is different, but still, a general overall guide would be helpful.  

I know I'm shouting into the wind here, but hoping someone knows of some places that at least give a starting point for research done by professionals with balanced/unbiased studies.

Thank you in advance

[SereneSeagull]

Unless the PT has a medical degree I would not take any advice regarding supplements.  I’d only take advice from doc.  Pharmacists know a great deal as well on meds, but like you’ve said, not definitive info out there on supps .  What can interact with your conditions or prescription drugs is again what I’d go to my doc on. Good luck.  I run any supps by my doc anyway, and have gotten good advice on what they can and can’t provide, and what is just hogwash 

[DebraF77753]

Everything you said makes sense and I've come to realize it on my own.  Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[SereneSeagull]

Hope you get some resolution! 😀