Are those “natural” supplements helping you or harming you? Even seemingly harmless commercial supplements can be harmful to your health. “If you have certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, or are planning to have surgery, supplements may interact with or pose risks to other medications you are taking.” . Jeffrey MilsteinDoctor of Medicinevia Penn Medicine. “Some supplements have not been tested on pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children and may require special precautions.” May be harmful to your health Here are seven popular supplements.
Related: “Ozempic supplement” for weight loss is on the rise.
caffeine tablets
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Caffeine pills can be dangerous, experts warn. “Consumers of commonly available caffeinated products such as coffee, tea, and soda may be aware of less serious effects of caffeine, such as nervousness and tremors, but these You may not realize that pure, highly concentrated caffeine products are much more potent and can cause serious health effects such as rapid or dangerously unstable heartbeats, seizures, and death. ” FDA warns. “Vomiting, diarrhea, stupor, and disorientation are also symptoms of caffeine toxicity. Pre-existing conditions can intensify the effects of caffeine, making these products even more dangerous for some people.”
iron supplements
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If you are past menopause, you may be consuming too much iron. “Iron plays an important role in a young woman’s menstrual cycle and diet for pregnancy, but after menopause the recommended amount of iron is significantly reduced.” say Beth ChewonyRD, LD, via Cleveland Clinic. “Despite lower guidelines (8 mg a day after age 50), many postmenopausal women still take supplements containing iron and copper. One study found that excess iron and copper has been linked to increased rates of Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.”
vitamin C
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Taking too much vitamin C can have very unpleasant consequences. “High doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea and stomach upset.” Robert H. SchmerlingDoctor of Medicine. “There are also concerns that high-dose vitamin C supplementation may interfere with the effects of blood thinners and cholesterol-lowering drugs.” The recommended upper limit for vitamin C intake for adults is 2,000 milligrams per day. Consuming more than this amount can lead to side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even more serious problems such as kidney stones. Vitamin C is water-soluble and excess amounts are normally excreted through urine, but even very high doses can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and may preclude the use of certain medications.
Vitamin A and Vitamin E supplements
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Vitamin A and E supplements are associated with health effects. “A 2012 review of studies published in the Cochrane Database found that taking vitamin E supplements daily may increase the risk of premature death.” say Donald HensrudDoctor of Medicine. “Vitamin A — The same review found that high intakes of vitamin A supplements were also associated with an increased risk of premature death.” To avoid these potential dangers, stick to recommended doses That is important.
Related: Is Magnesium the new miracle sleep supplement?
beta carotene supplements
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Beta-carotene supplements are extremely dangerous. “Supplementation with beta-carotene, a compound that is converted to vitamin A in the body, has also been shown to increase the risk of death, especially in smokers or former smokers,” Dr. Hensrud says. “Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United States, so it’s probably not worth the potential risk to take this supplement.”
vitamin D
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Vitamin D supplements are important for people with vitamin D deficiency, but taking too much can be dangerous. “High doses of vitamin D can cause serious symptoms such as stomach upset, kidney damage, and pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening,” Schmerling says. Doses above 4,000 IU per day are generally considered too high for most people, and long-term use of very high doses, such as 10,000 IU or above, can lead to vitamin D toxicity and hypercalcemia ( This can lead to serious complications such as excess calcium in the blood. ), kidney damage, and other health problems. It is important to follow your doctor’s advice regarding vitamin D supplementation based on your individual needs.
Niacin
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Although niacin is easily available, do not take it without consulting your doctor. “Vitamin B-3 (niacin)…large doses can help lower high cholesterol levels, but this should only be done under medical supervision. Side effects such as severe liver disease may occur. Yes,” says Dr. Hensrud. Although niacin is beneficial for some people, taking doses higher than 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams per day can cause serious side effects, including severe liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, and skin flushing. there is. To avoid these potentially harmful effects, it is important to take high doses of niacin only under the guidance of a doctor.
