How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About Supplements
Choosing the right supplements can be overwhelming with so many options and marketing claims. It’s important to understand what you’re taking and discuss any supplements with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe and suitable for your individual needs.
- Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk, PhD, MBA
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Prepare for a Productive Appointment
Before your visit, gather the following:
- Make a complete list of what you’re taking: Include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements, along with the dose, frequency, and reason for each.
- Bring the actual bottles or photos: Labels provide exact ingredients, amounts, and critical information on “proprietary blends.” If you can’t bring the bottles, take clear photos of the Supplement Facts panel.
- Check your supplements WhatToTrustTM Score: This platform evaluates supplements based on the science behind them, helping support or challenge any claims.
- Write down questions and concerns: Make a list of items to discuss with your provider.
Key Discussion Points During Your Visit
When reviewing a supplement with your healthcare provider, focus on safety, desired health outcomes, and effectiveness.
Consider asking:
- Could this supplement interact with any medications or other supplements I’m taking?
- Are there potential side effects I should watch for?
- Is the dosage safe and appropriate for my body and health conditions?
- If I have a medical procedure planned, should I stop taking it, and when?
- Is this supplement truly necessary, or can I meet my nutritional needs through diet?
- If my labs show a deficiency (e.g., low iron), how much should I take and for how long?
- How long should I take this before we re-evaluate its effectiveness?
- Is this safe for my child, and how often is it appropriate to give?
WhatToTrustTM Scores: Science Behind the Claims
Making confident choices in the wellness aisle means asking for evidence behind a supplement’s claims.
That’s the mission of WhatToTrustTM : evaluating supplements based on rigorous research and providing an objective score. By cutting through marketing noise and highlighting the science, the platform gives you and your healthcare provider the information you need to make informed decisions, along with additional information about the active ingredients in supplements.
Before your next appointment, check the WhatToTrustTM Score for any supplements you or your family take. Having science behind the products you choose helps ensure they are safe, effective, and aligned with your health goals.
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Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk, PhD, MB
Dr. Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk is a renowned life scientist with expertise in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. A Harvard Medical School faculty member since 2005, she has led research on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases while mentoring students and postdocs.
As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Pradhan-Nabzdyk shares her insights at events like Supply Side West and Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN), and has presented Canomiks’ work at top conferences. She is featured in publications such as Nutraceuticals World and Nutrition Industry Executive. Dr. Pradhan-Nabzdyk actively supports the nutraceuticals industry, serving as Co-Chair of the WIN Science Committee, and as a board member for Launch Minnesota and the Jeremiah Program.
She holds a PhD in Pharmacology from Tulane University, an MBA from MIT Sloan, and a BSc from the University of Mumbai. Her leadership continues to influence Canomiks and the wellness industry
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