ABCNews.com

How Long Do I Need To Take A Particular Herb, Vitamin Or Supplement To Determine If It Is Effective?

Brent Bauer, M.D., Mayo

Question: How long do I need to take a particular herb, vitamin or supplement to determine if it is effective?

ABCNEWS.com
Brent Bauer, M.D., Mayo
ABCNEWS.com

Answer: Because many of these dietary supplements, such as herbs, are from a natural source, they're not typically concentrated or made to be very potent. In other words, they're not an extract and they're not a drug, so they tend to be milder in their onset. They take a little longer to see the effect. So for example somebody using St. John's wort for depression might need four to six weeks to see the benefit, whereas an anti-depressant drug might work even sooner than that.

on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook
Commenting on this article is closed.
 
You Might Also Like...
Connect with Us
Social Tools Facebook Twitter Twitter Connect with Us YouTube RSS
ABC News Newsletters
 
Today in ABC News
1