Two articles in Prescriber’s Letter recently were good examples of how conventional doctors abandon logic when they write about nutritional supplements. The first was talking about lithium orotate, which is used in very low doses as an adjunct to help with anxiety and depression. It concluded that lithium orotate is dangerous because there was one report that a patient developed mild signs of toxicity after taking 18 pills a day. The recommended dose is 2-3 pills a day, and it is very safe at that dosage. Next, an article correctly pointed out that specific supplements can increase the risk of bleeding (gingko), sedation (valerian, kava), and hypertension (ephedra). Therefore, all nutritional supplements should be avoid for two weeks prior to surgery. Instead of a blanket prohibiton, maybe physicians should take a few minutes to learn the effects of nutritional supplements, some of which can improve recovery after surgery (vitamin C, Body Mend homeopathic) without any risk whatsoever.
See Prescriber’s Letter (click here, subscription required) February, 2009, p. 9, 10.
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