Skin rashes, shortness of breath, diarrhea, severe joint or muscle pain, difficulty speaking and blood in the urine are other possible adverse events that can result from the use of supplements, according to the U.S. UU. These symptoms can range from less severe to fatal. Manufacturers can add vitamins, minerals and other supplement ingredients to the foods you eat, especially 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. Excess iron causes nausea and vomiting and can damage the liver and other organs.
Excessive amounts of minerals in the body can cause gastrointestinal problems. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is responsible for digesting and absorbing food. The body needs a certain amount of vitamins and minerals to function. Excessive doses of these vitamins can be toxic to the body and the gastrointestinal tract will respond negatively through symptoms of nausea, constipation and diarrhea.
Adverse reactions to nutritional supplements that involve chronic toxicity can go through a series of stages, from adaptation to, rarely, death, similar to the evolution of nutritional deficiencies. Plant-based supplements may contain harmful chemicals or cause an adverse reaction due to the genetic makeup of the plant. This site includes fact sheets and videos on dietary supplements for the public, educators, and health professionals. Manufacturers may say, for example, that a supplement promotes health or supports a part or function of the body (such as heart health or the immune system).
In some cases, when herbal supplements have been tried, they have been found to contain very little or none of the ingredients listed. The Federal Trade Commission, which oversees product advertising, also requires that information about a supplement be truthful and not misleading. Talk to your health care team before taking large doses of any vitamin, mineral, or other supplement. And keep in mind that supplement manufacturers and sellers have a financial interest in promoting their products.
People use these supplements to enrich the body with vitamins and nutrients or to lose weight, improve sexual performance and increase energy. Some supplements may increase the risk of bleeding or, if taken before surgery, may change the response to anesthesia. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine if dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed. Side effects of dietary supplements occur more often if people take high doses or use them instead of medications prescribed by their healthcare provider.
The FDA is the federal agency that oversees both supplements and drugs, but the FDA regulations for dietary supplements are different from those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. However, unlike medications, most people choose which dietary supplements to take without being told by their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Consumers should be aware that a negative reaction to a supplement may require immediate medical attention. Because of these concerns, many cancer experts recommend that people avoid dietary supplements while receiving cancer treatment.
