Health food store giving medical advice

elkpark · Feb 21, 2008

Well, of course I think it's a VERY BAD idea, but, unless the people in the store are actually presenting themselves as having some sort of professional credentials that they don't have (e.g., presenting themselves as doctors or nurses), they're not breaking any law or anything -- no different from your neighbor raving to you about how much she likes this new supplement she's taking, and you should try it, too. If the people who go into the store don't know any better than to take seriously medical advice from the cashier, that's their problem ... :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2008

To be perfectly straightforward, only a fool would seek medical advice from a health foods store cashier who, in all probability, has attained no education beyond a high school diploma or GED. In my opinion, the customers of the store are getting what they pay for. If they do not want to pay the money to see a physician or nurse practitioner for medical advice, they only have themselves to blame for any bad outcomes that may result.

I would ask the store clerk about the location of the herbal tea, but I would never ask them for medical advice regarding my chronic fatigue or headaches. Some tasks are handled more suitably by professionals.

I'm a nurse, but I never give medical advice because of the consequences that may arise at a later date if the recipient of the advice is displeased (or dead).

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 21, 2008

I had a patient in my clinic just yesterday that told me she was taking magnesium and potassium which was obtained from a health food store because she had leg cramps (she is a yoga instructor). I told her that she needed to mention this to her doctor, and that I was going to document that she was doing this. I looked up information in the micromedix about these supplements, made copies for her and explained the risk of taking these supplements without medical monitoring. She was totally shocked. I told her that it is not wise to listen to these people. She seemed to be a reasonable person, so, I told her to purchase the Nursing Herbal Guide and look up her supplements, speak to her doctor and let them come up with a regimen she is interested in if she is still determined on taking these things. Not wise at all to go by what these clerks say.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2008

I see this every single day. I have some patients on multiple supplements (like 20 different kinds!) every day, and it's like pulling teeth to get them to admit to taking all of them. If I had a dime for everytime I asked a patient what prescription medications or OTC supplements they are taking and they say "oh, just calcium." But question them further and it's "wait I also take Immune Bust and Magnesium, some Fish Oil and Omega 3, ummm also....Primerose Oil, Glucosamine, Ginsing, and Flaxseed. Oh I forgot my Green Tea, CoQ10, Artic something or other, Goldenrod, and sometimes St. John's." I actually had one lady that admitted she spent over 500 dollars a month on supplements.

Personally I question how healthy it can be to take all of that everyday, but what really gets me are the patients that I had seen that will forgo much needed and lifesaving medical treatment (for cancer, heart disease, diabetes) in favor of the supplements touted at the health food store.

MrsCaseyRN · Feb 21, 2008

what really gets me are the patients that I had seen that will forgo much needed and lifesaving medical treatment (for cancer heart disease, diabetes) in favor of the supplements touted at the health food store.[/quote']
OMG!! You are so right. It is super frustrating and sad that people really think medicine is "bad" for them and the "natural cures" are the answer. What on earth are these people thinking? I really believe the media is a big influence on "nature rememdies" and also has a way of making conventional medicine seem like not the way to go.

kythe, LPN · Feb 21, 2008

OMG!! You are so right. It is super frustrating and sad that people really think medicine is "bad" for them and the "natural cures" are the answer. What on earth are these people thinking? I really believe the media is a big influence on "nature rememdies" and also has a way of making conventional medicine seem like not the way to go.

This is true, but I think there can be more to it. Managing medications can get complicated and this can make it scary. Some people are trying to avoid side effects that will lead to more drugs, or they fear the amount of monitoring a medication may need. It seems so much simpler to take an herb that comes with recommendations than to take a traditional medicine that comes with a package insert of warnings.

Trust (or lack thereof) in the provider has an impact too. Doctors often seem distant and spend very little time with patients. People are used to spending a lot of time in waiting rooms, only to be seen for 10 minutes or less when their turn comes. It is a very unfriendly system and can leave the impression that the doctor isn't interested in them. Contrast this with the health food store, where employees are willing to spend time listening to a person's concerns and showing interest. What they advise may or may not be true, but it comes across as genuine concern for the person's well-being. This is a factor often lacking in traditional health care.

jessi1106, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2008

I recently had a pt who was instructed by someone in a health food store to take several types of herbs in order to lose weight.

She was young and in liver failure (most likely due to the ingestion of high quantities of these herbs).

She was jaundiced w/ acsites and all. But she just didn't seem to believe that it could have been something "natural" that caused it.

Very sad.

goldRN · Feb 21, 2008

i had a type II diabetic who stopped taking her diabetes medication because she read that cinnamon i repeat cinnamon would "cure" her diabetes. So she went to the health food store and bought cinnamon supplements, which I had never seen before, but they exist I saw the bottle with my own two eyes. Needless to say after 4 liters of IV NS and 3 hours on an insulin drip in the ER she returned to being slightly oriented to person and place, but not time, or situation. DKA is not fun

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 21, 2008

I've actually had quite a few patients ask me about various products.

I remind them of exactly what Commuter said: the sales clerks may have a GED or HS diploma; also, the clerk just may have worked at the local fast food place week before last. They tell customers exactly what they are instructed to tell them. I also add: what is their purpose there, anyway? To sell stuff, of course. Usually it's like a light bulb goes off in their heads when I mention that!

The same argument goes for the sister-in-law, cousin, or neighbor who is selling products from her home. (My SIL did sell some stuff a number of years ago. One of the "energy" products had a tendency to make people jittery. According to the "literature" this was due to its detoxifying effects. Uh, no, it was most likely due to the large quantities of things like caffeine and ephedra in the product!! She was selling this stuff to family members with extensive medical histories, as well).

I'm not totally anti-supplement; I take some myself, and recommend fish oil to my patients for cholesterol, to take along with their prescribed medications. Still, I make sure the patients know these aren't widely tested and aren't regulated.

As for the "natural" and "organic" equating to "harmless" or "healthier" I have an analogy I use.

Let's say you're walking out in a cow pasture and see a mushroom growing on a cow patty. Are you going to pick that, take it home, and eat it? (Usually the patient looks pretty revolted at the thoughts). The answer: No, of course not! Everybody knows mushrooms can be poisonous!

"Well," I say, "you can't get a whole lot more organic or natural than that, now can you?"

Another light bulb moment!! :idea:

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2008

had a type II diabetic who stopped taking her diabetes medication because she read that cinnamon I repeat cinnamon would "cure" her diabetes.

I see this all the time! I oversee drivers licensure for school bus drivers in my state. They are required to have medical forms filled out for chronic conditions (diabetes, CHF,COPD, etc.). You'd be alarmed at how often people stop taking their oral meds OR insulin because some moron told them cinnamon was an adequate "natural" replacement. Yes, I do cancel their licenses when this happens

This health food store doctorin' advice has been going on for a very long time. I had friends and neighbors in the 60's who spurned conventional medicine but would listen to what any cashier in a health food store would say. Add to that vegans who don't think their kids need vitamin B12 and I just shake my head.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 21, 2008

to make it worse, if that is possible, health food salespeople can also wear a badge stating they are "nutritionist", but not "clinical nutritionist". The public does not know the difference. The certification for CN is stringent, and not every dietician has it.