Natural Health

Many people use natural health products every day without even knowing it. In fact, over 70% of Canadians admit to having used a natural health product in the last year. But what is a natural health product?

Natural health products are any naturally occurring substances that you can use to either maintain or restore good health. Most of them are made from different parts of plants. However, they can also be derived from animals and microorganisms, as well as marine sources. In addition, they can be found in just as wide of a variety of forms as they can be made from. They can come in everything from pills and capsules to ointments, salves and creams.

What is a natural health product?

Natural health products, or NHP’s, are often referred to as alternative or complementary medicines. They include amino and fatty acids, traditional Chinese or Ayurvedic medicines, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. In fact, in Canada, certain everyday products like natural kinds of toothpaste and deodorants are also considered to be NHP’s.

Natural health products are used for three main reasons. First, to maintain good physical and mental health. Second, to prevent or treat an illness or condition. Third, to reduce the chances of health risks in the future. All products in this class must be safe to be purchased over the counter. Otherwise, they would require a prescription and be classified as drugs.

Risks and safe use

Though these are natural and usually organic substances, that doesn’t mean that they are completely risk-free. The risks are much less severe than with prescription medications. However, there are still several factors that should be considered before using natural health products.

Firstly, there is a chance that certain products will not interact well when combined with other prescription drugs or even other NHP’s. Similarly, you may have an allergic reaction to the product without knowing you were allergic to it. If either of these two things occurs, discontinue use immediately.

Secondly, outside factors like manufacturing conditions can lead to complications. Factors like incorrect ingredients or dosages, cross-contamination during packaging or shipping, or even false claims and misinformation about products. Above all, you should always do research before using any NHP. This will help to ensure that they are right for you and your own personal health. If possible, speak with a health care professional like a physician, pharmacist or naturopath before using an NHP. It’s always better to be safe. This will help to ensure that there are no complications with any other medications you may be taking.