Last year more than 100 million Americans used at least one type of dietary supplement daily. Unfortunately, most of these Americans did not discuss this or other preventive health measures with their physician. A national Harvard-sponsored survey on complementary and alternative medicine use, or CAM, revealed 61 percent of the population thought it “not important” to tell their doctors about CAM use, which includes dietary supplement intake, while 60 percent said they do not discuss it because their physicians do not ask.

We recently sat down with Michael Hirt, M.D., medical director at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center in California, to better understand the importance of open communication between patients and their physicians.

Wellness Advisor:Dr. Hirt, why is it important to develop open lines of communication with your doctor?

Dr. Hirt:When patients communicate with their physicians, they are helping their doctors help them. By taking some simple steps and asking questions, patients can give doctors a more accurate picture of their total health.In particular, it’s important to talk to your doctor about complementary and alternative medicine use, including taking vitamins and other dietary supplements.

WA:What are the five things you recommend patients tell their doctor?

Dr. Hirt:The first thing to do is to consider your chart. What I mean by this is to pay special attention to your patient history chart. In the “What medications are you currently taking?” section, include all dietary supplements you take, even if you take them infrequently. Because some dietary supplements interfere with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, it’s important to state the dosage and the frequency of use. Disclosing dietary supplement use on your patient history chart is a great first step in discussing alternative medicine use with your physician.The second thing I recommend is to discuss your health habits. Did you start a new diet? Are you a vegetarian? Have you made major changes in your food intake since your last office visit? You may be missing certain nutrients that are a necessary part of a healthy diet, such as iron, vitamin B-12 and calcium. Ask your doctor which vitamins and minerals can compensate for your diet’s nutritional deficiencies.

WA: When you say health habits, do you also mean smoking, drinking, or any other unhealthy habits one might have?

Dr. Hirt:Yes absolutely. Although many patients try to hide unhealthy behavior from their doctor, it’s crucial to discuss these habits, so you and your doctor can work together to explore solutions. For example, excessive smoking and drinking weaken the immune system and rob your body of vital nutrients while depleting energy levels. If you drink and smoke frequently, ask your doctor about antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which help strengthen the body’s immunity and protect against damage from free radicals. Fast food addict? Talk to your doctor about a daily multivitamin, which can help protect against nutritional deficiencies.

WA:How can I expect my physician to know which vitamins and minerals are right for me?

Hirt: This leads into my third recommendation, which is to educate yourself and your physician. Bring in newspaper or magazine articles on the dietary supplements you take or the ones you are interested in. Write down any questions you have for your doctor and be sure to ask them. Don’t expect your physician to know everything about the benefits and purpose of each dietary supplement – instead, do some research, share information and discuss it with your doctor. By educating yourself and your physician, you’ll be more likely to make safe and informed decisions about dietary supplements.

WA:You mentioned earlier that some dietary supplements might interfere with prescription drugs, could you comment further on that?

Dr. Hirt:Sure, that actually corresponds with my fourth recommendation, to always discuss contraindications. According to a recent Harvard survey, 64 percent of Americans take prescription drugs in addition to a vitamin/mineral supplement daily – this can lead to potential complications. For example, some vitamins and other supplements may cause certain medications to become ineffective, or they may actually enhance their potency. If you are taking a prescription drug, always talk to your doctor before taking an over-the-counter drug or a dietary supplement.

In addition, certain prescription medications can deplete essential nutrients in your body. For example, certain asthma medications and antibiotics deplete your body’s supply of calcium. Ask your doctor if the medications you take cause nutritional deficiencies and discuss how you can compensate.

WA:You also commented earlier about the importance of education. As a patient, where should I go to find helpful health information?

Dr. Hirt:Good question. Currently, more than 100 million Americans go online to find health information, however, not all online health information is thorough and accurate. Where do you get your health information? Which Web sites do you visit? You should share health sources with your doctor and also ask your doctor to identify reliable sources of information on dietary supplements. So, to wrap up the five tips, my fifth suggestion would be to ask your doctor to help you identify reliable sources of information.

Also, if conflicting media coverage of dietary supplements confuses you, make sure to ask your doctor. Be wary of reports promising “miracle cures.”

WA:Thank you very much for your time Dr. Hirt.

Dr. Hirt:You’re very welcome. Be well.