In the absence of government regulation, you’re often on your own.

Alternative and complementary remedies—such as acupuncture, herbal supplements, massage, homeopathy, and the like—have risks and benefits, just like conventional treatments.

However, alternative treatment providers often lack standard licenses, and herbal and vitamin compounds aren’t tested and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. That means people using these remedies are more or less on their own when it comes to safety.

Still, alternative treatments do provide relief for some conditions. More and more Americans—some 40 percent, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine—use them in some form. The following suggestions can put you among those who use alternative and complementary remedies safely and effectively.

• Be informed. Before you try an alternative treatment, learn as much as you can about it. You should know the risks, benefits, and results of any conclusive research studies.
• Avoid drug interactions. Ask your pharmacist if your medications would interact with any dietary supplements or herbs you are considering.
• Know the cost of the treatment. Some insurance companies cover certain alternative treatments, but many do not. If you’re paying for a remedy on your own, be sure you have a written cost estimate before you begin.
• Assess the credentials of the treatment provider. Ask to see the person’s license or certification. Ask for personal references from other patients. Ask your doctor if he or she knows anything about the practitioner.
• Avoid treatments that sound too good to be true. For example, pass up treatments that claim to cure incurable diseases such as diabetes or arthritis, or to prevent or cure several serious conditions.
• Realize that “natural” doesn’t always mean safe. Tobacco is natural, as is arsenic. Dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, and other alternative remedies are not government approved.

For more information, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at www.nccam.nih.gov.

© StayWell Custom Communications. Information is the opinion of the sourced authors and organizations. Personal decisions regarding health, diet, and exercise should be made only after consultation with the reader's own medical advisers. This material may not be reproduced for redistribution without written permission from StayWell Custom Communications.