Taking health supplements can be beneficial for your overall health, but it is important to be aware of the potential side effects that may come with them. Skin rashes, shortness of breath, diarrhea, severe joint or muscle pain, difficulty speaking, and blood in the urine are all possible adverse events that can result from taking supplements. These symptoms can range from mild to fatal. Manufacturers often add vitamins, minerals, and other supplement ingredients to the foods we eat, such as breakfast cereals and beverages.
As a result, you may be consuming more of these ingredients than you think, and more may not be better. Taking more than you need costs more and may also increase the risk of side effects. For example, too much vitamin A can cause headaches and liver damage, reduce bone strength, and cause birth defects. Too much iron causes nausea and vomiting and can damage the liver and other organs.
If the health practices of your culture are important to you, consider seeking an integrative doctor who combines conventional health care with holistic, traditional methods. Forty percent of supplement labels warn people not to take them if they have a medical condition, but only a few mention an ailment such as a bleeding disorder; 36 percent warn of possible adverse reactions; but only 13 percent warn of possible interactions with a specific drug or type of drug. You can share this record with your healthcare providers to discuss what is best for your overall health. However, supplements cannot replace the variety of foods that are important to a healthy eating routine.
And see a doctor if you need help in the bedroom, as it could indicate an underlying health problem. A lack of knowledge about the risks of supplements can sometimes lead to potential and unforeseen problems. Research supplements on trusted government sites such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). For more information on what constitutes a healthy eating routine, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate are good sources of information.
In the case of herbal supplements, it's worth knowing how they might interact with other supplements and, more importantly, with prescription medications. For example, last year the FDA reported seven reports of serious health problems related to consumers who took the Soladek vitamin solution marketed by Indo Pharma in the Dominican Republic. Drugs that may be affected include statins which are used to control cholesterol and several antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Manufacturers may say that a supplement promotes health or supports a part or function of the body such as heart health or the immune system.
Extracts and supplements can even make medications last longer than expected or they can reduce the amount of time they are effective. If you think you've had an adverse reaction to a dietary supplement tell your healthcare provider. This site includes fact sheets and videos on dietary supplements for the public educators and health professionals.
