11 supplements to consider...

A followup to my Consumer Reports blog about potentially harmful supplements.  To their credit they did have a list of 11 supplements worth taking.  The original article can be found here.

Here are their recommendations :

CALCIUM

Effective in combination with vitamin D in preventing and treating bone loss and osteoporosis.   Calcium can decrease the effectiveness of certain antibiotics, osteoporosis drugs, and thyroid drugs.

FISH OIL

(EPA/DHA, omega-3 fatty acids, PUFA) Effective for reducing triglyceride levels. Likely effective for decreasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and progression of hardening of the arteries in people with existing heart disease.  Might increase the effect of blood-thinning drugs and high blood pressure medications. 

GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE 

Likely effective treatment for reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Might also help slow progression of osteoarthritis. Might increase the blood-thinning effect of warfarin and cause bruising and bleeding.

LACTOBACILLUS

(acidophilus, acidophilus lactobacillus, probiotics) Possibly effective for preventing diarrhea while taking antibiotics. Gas. People with poor immune function should check with their doctor first. 

PSYLLIUM

Effective as a bulk laxative for reducing constipation or softening stools. Likely effective for lowering cholesterol in people with mild to moderately high cholesterol. 

PYGEUM
(African plum tree, African prune, Prunus africana) Likely effective for reducing symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

SAMe
(ademetionine, adenosylmethionine, S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine, sammy) Likely effective in reducing symptoms of major depression, reducing pain, and improving functioning in people with osteoarthritis. 

ST. JOHN'S WORT
Likely effective for improving symptoms of some forms of depression.

VITAMIN D
(Cholecalciferol, vitamin D3, ergocalciferol, vitamin D2) Likely effective when taken with calcium to help prevent osteoporosis.