Should you take dietary supplements with you into the hospital? And if you do, should you tell your doctor?

It’s a good question, because certain supplements can interact adversely with medications taken during a hospital stay. A study conducted at the University of North Carolina Medical Center finds that 78.3 percent of entering patients used dietary supplements regularly, but that 75 percent were not asked about their use of supplements. Only 9 percent of patients informed the admitting physician about their supplement use, despite the subject not being raised.

The study reveals that incoming hospital patients felt they had good reason for keeping information about supplement use to themselves: More than half of those interviewed said they felt the subject was not important enough to mention. Roughly 20 percent said the admitting physician never brought the subject up.

Not all doctors are aware of the risks of mixing certain supplements with prescription drugs. The good news? Some supplements and natural remedies do not cause unwanted interactions. However, it’s essential to discuss any supplement use with your doctor.