dad and herbs?

Question

Annie is 53 and her father is 85. Any way Annie takes Kelp tablets and Alfalfa Tablets. Her father and she were talking about herbs. Annie's father said to Annie be careful when taking herbs. And that he thinks Annie should check with her doctor about herbs because Annie does not want to have kidney problems and if for example if a label on an herbal bottle says to take that herb for three months then it is what a person should do. Annie got a angry at her father. Annie's father said all that he means is Annie should follow the directions on the bottle. Annie said dad the herbs I take don't say anything on the bottle and if her father doesn't believe her he can read the label on her bottles, but her father said that was not necessary because he believes her. Annie then asked her father if he was saying that she should not take the herbs at all. and why did he say be careful with them. Her father replied I never said not to take them what I said is read the labels and the reason I said be careful was due to the fact you were holding one of your herb bottles in your hand when this conversation took place. Annie later on told her friends the story and asked them is my father saying I should not take my herbs. Her friends said no your father is not saying you should not take them all he is saying is follow the directions, nothing more. MY QUESTION: Do you agree/concur with Annie's friends and give me your reason?

Answer 1

I agree with Annie's friends for the simple fact that ANYTHING you take - regardless if it is deemed as "natural" or "completely safe" should be taken with precaution and great care. Just because something is from all natural ingredients does not mean that it is 100% safe, especially if it is not being used in moderation. Even if there are no visible labels on the bottle, Annie should research kelp and alfalfa tablets as they may have some small but significant side effects if taken incorrectly. Annie's father is right in assuming that she should be careful with the herb bottles; he probably only brought up that fact because he assumed she had just taken one of the pills - since she was holding it in her hand at the time of the conversation. Alfalfa and kelp tablets are indeed natural and do not include chemicals, but the human body should only have a certain amount/intake of each nutrient per day. As for background information on the herbs, alfalfa herbs can be taken as an alternative treatment to deal with ailments/problems such as menopause, high cholesterol and it even helps in fighting off various cancers. As for kelp herbs, they are particularly helpful for women; it is very rich in minerals and nutrients and can be used as an all-around multivitamin. Another plus of kelp herbs is that it contains iodine, which is known to regulate the thyroid gland and improve functioning. If Annie should continue to take the herb pills, she should make sure she is not ingesting too much of the Alfalfa or Kelp pills. She should also look into her family/genetic history to make sure she does not have any other health problems - such as allergies, which may complicate her health in the future. Hope this helps, good luck! =)

Answer 2

Yes and I really don't get what the beef is all about; why is Annie making such a fuss over it? Isn't the father allowed to give his opinion freely? when he's merely giving a fatherly advise to his daughter? Does he know something about his daughter's kidney problems no one else does? Anyhow! alfalfa is good for you and I can't see it hurting Annie... not to mention that Annie is taking it just as it says so on the bottle anyway! With all of the real problems in the world today, I don't know why anyone would make one of such a simple event.

Answer 3

AS A DOCTOR WHO UNDERSTANDS THE EFFECTS OF TAKING SUPPLEMENTS I CAN TELL YOU THAT ALFALFA AND KELP BOTH PROVIDE ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS THAT MAY BE USEFUL TO THE HEALTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
YOU TAKE EITHER OF THESE SUPPLEMENTS SAFELY NOT BEING OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT OVERDOING IT. THE SAME CANNOT BE SAID FOR FISH OIL, OR VITAMIN D OR E.
WHY?
THESE ARE FAT SOLUBLE AND STORED IN THE BODY'S FAT. TAKING TOO MUCH OF THESE WILL CAUSE LIVER PROBLEMS.