Supplements May Be Harmful

December 3, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Could you tell me about vitamin O? I have COPD and heard it is very good for my condition.

DEAR READER:
Vitamin O is not a true vitamin. Rather, it is an expensive supplement composed primarily of salt water and some germanium, a trace element that can be dangerous to your health. Proponents of the “vitamin” claim that disease occurs because the human body is lacking oxygen. They claim it can be a cure for cancer and heart and lung disease. However, there is no scientific evidence to document such a claim.

In fact, in 2000 one manufacturer agreed to pay $375,000 to settle charges of claims for false statements in promoting the product.

As an additional point, many supplements have not been tested for their interactions with other supplements, [Read more...]

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August 6, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m a nearly 72-year-old female with acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and vaginal irritation. I read the letter where you advised a reader to stop wasting money on unproven alternative remedies. I’ve gone to doctors all my life for my ailments, but in the last few years their treatments didn’t work or caused side effects I couldn’t tolerate. That’s when I heard about alternative remedies from a friend who was forced to retired from work because of his health. He went to a physician who used alternative methods and diagnosed him with a yeast infection. My friend was helped so much he was able to return to work a new man. I approached several of my medical doctors about alternative treatments and received mixed reactions, but my primary care physician consented and sent me to one. [Read more...]

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