Skin Care

What is the difference between a drug and a dietary supplement?

According to the definition set by food and drug administration’s in different countries, drugs are chemicals that can prolong the life, treat other effects of a health condition, improve the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and diseases, or alter the function of any part or chemicals inside the body. These drugs have approved therapeutic claims. For example, paracetamol is a drug given to bring down the body temperature in fever whereas Ascorbic acid is indicated for the treatment of scurvy.

Herbal supplements, such as Aloeride are not classified as drugs but as dietary supplements. The main difference is that they do not have approved therapeutic claims, as drugs do. Moreover, dietary supplements could either contain vitamins, minerals, herbals, or amino acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the diet of an individual. This is not the case with Aloeride however, as it is a 100% pure Aloe Vera based product, and contains only the extract from Aloe juice. Herbal Supplements are not intended to be taken alone or as a substitute to any food or medicine.

Most of the manufactured medicines we now have once came from animals and plants. Through the years, chemists isolated the life-saving or life-curing components and separated them from the harmful ones. This lead to the further drug research and drug development that lead to the production of a different variety of drugs for many ailments and conditions from synthetic sources. Despite this, we still have many semi-synthetic drugs, as well as drugs that more or less approximate a natural substance. Since many Aloe Vera products are made from the extracts of the Aloe Vera plant and packaged with other additional herb extract there is a possibility that life-threatening or at least body chemistry-altering components are still present, thus the expression of concern from the medical community. However, with Aloeride, this is not the case. It is 100% pure Aloe Vera based, and since the aloe plant is generally regarded as one of nature’s safest supplements, these concerns do not apply.

Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?

In short – Yes. With the rising popularity of anything herbal or organic there is the accompanying proliferation of fake herbal supplements that threaten to endanger lives. One way of ensuring the safety of the users is to have all candidate drugs, food, drinks, and dietary supplements registered with the proper authority, otherwise they would pose more risk with these things being sold in the black market for a hefty sum. At least we could ensure the quality and safety of herbal supplements if they get proper classification with the food and drug administration. In the case of Aloeride, although the product, like all other supplements at present, has not been approved by any formal body, it is still the only Aloe based product made to the same rigid pharmaceutical standards that approved drugs are. Combine this with the fact that it has been developed by a recognised industry professions – Dr Hans De Braak, and has numerous testimonials available from leading physicians, then we can be sure that its consumption is perfectly safe.

Is using herbal supplements worth the risk?

Yes. It cannot be discounted that many who have tried herbal supplements experienced an improvement in their health—whether this is due to the herbals themselves or due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen the condition of an individual, then using them is worth the risk. The list of health benefits attributed to Aloeride is quite impressive. It can alleviate the symptoms of IBS, Colitis, gum disease, can fight the ageing effects of sunburn and, of course, promote general health and wellbeing. But of course, certain things must be considered before taking any herbal supplements:

Your doctor knows best.

First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if taking a particular herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take these, or at the minimum is to take such products in minimum amounts. All substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered respectively. For example, Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out from the Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it contains substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and cause heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical Association.

Follow the directions for use.

Never take more Aloeride than what is directed by the doctor or as instructed on the packet. Each individual reacts differently to the components of these herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a supplement of Aloeride capsules, another person may be allergic to it. So, do not even think about downing the whole packet at once!