The essential supplements for healthy bones, brains and everything inbetween

 

 

Digestion

What to take: Probiotic.

What it does: Restores good bacteria in your body that can be killed off when taking antibiotics. It can also help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

What it can interact with: Probiotics have caused serious infections in the severely immune compromised, such as cancer patients.

Taking probiotics with other medicines that suppress the immune system may increase the risk of infection.

 

Bones

What to take: Vitamin D.

What it does: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed for strong bones. Muscles also need vitamin D to move, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and other body parts and the immune system needs it to fend off viruses. Vitamin D is made by the body following sun exposure but a supplement may be needed if levels are low.

What it can interact with: It's possible for vitamin D to interact with other medicines that also increase calcium levels, like some diuretics, and this may cause its levels to get too high.

It's one of the vitamins that can have adverse effects if taken in overdose. And vitamin D toxicity can cause a build-up of calcium in the blood, which can lead to vomiting, frequent urination, weight loss, poor appetite, constipation, heart rhythm abnormalities and kidney stones.

 

Memory

What to take: Resveratrol.

What it does: Resveratrol is an anti-ageing compound found in the skin of red grapes. It may be beneficial for memory and cognitive function.

What it can interact with: Because not enough is known about possible drug interactions, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as people with hormone-sensitive conditions, steer clear of it. Like many other supplements, it may also slow blood clotting and should be avoided in the weeks before and after any surgery.

 

Joints

What to take: Glucosamine.

What it does: Relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It can also prevent cartilage breakdown and even repair it. Glucosamine can be combined with fish oil, krill or ginger, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can also help sore joints.

What it can interact with: Potassium glucosamine (an additive found in many glucosamine supplements) can leave you with too much potassium in your body. Known as hyperkalemia, this is particularly dangerous if you are taking blood pressure medication or have impaired kidney function. You might not feel anything with mild hyperkalemia, but if potassium levels rise too much, too quickly, it can lead to a slow heartbeat and weak pulse. It can also increase the risk of bleeding if taken with the anticoagulant drug warfarin.

 

Mood

What to take: St John's wort.

What it does: It can help with the treatment of mild depression. It has greater potential and St John's wort is as effective as most, if not all, antidepressants.

What it can interact with: St John's wort can make other medicines less effective, including birth control pills, digoxin (used for heart conditions), chemotherapy, medicines for preventing blood clots and organ transplant rejection, and those for epilepsy and HIV. St John's wort can also interact with some antidepressants to increase the risk of side effects including serotonin toxicity. Because it reduces the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin, you should not take St John's wort before surgery.