I once had a Doctor who was not only a Chiropractor but a Physicians assistant. He knew the ins and outs of supplements, snake oils, and pharmaceuticals.
Once, I wanted to lose weight and had a sluggish metabolism. His first advice was for me to force myself to become more active. I asked him at the time if I could have something to use that would jumpstart my metabolism, and he recommended a new diet pill known as
Didrex which was related to although not classified as an amphetamine. I asked him at the time if it would be better for me to take a natural supplement such as
Ma Haung . His reply was that the pharmaceuticals essentially did the same thing to the body that the natural substances did, yet could be monitored and controlled better since they were purer, more predictable, and consistent in dosage.
More people have died taking natural stimulants than have died taking Didrex.
Moral: Natural does not always mean better.