Health supplements, patient behavior, concordance-does anybody bother?

Abstract

Naturally available fruits and vegetables along with a healthy diet does provide all required nutrients to the body. Then why do people go behind the so-called “health supplements” - vitamins, minerals, herbal immune booster, probiotics, tonics, etc? Do you really need them? Patients in India are desperate to grab the shortcut to good health. They buy products which are unnecessary and which do not have any beneficial effect. On the other hand, health of the patient is undermined as he skips essential drugs which doctors would have prescribed according to the health of a patient. Misconceptions that herbal medicines are safe and without side effects need to be addressed. Patients need to be educated regarding health supplements, its consequences, costs and its implications, and nonadherence. The need of the hour is educating patients to be the guardian of their own health. Numerous reviews exist on health supplementation; however, many facts remain unexplored. This review focuses on what needs to be done for optimal health care.