Dangerous side effects and risks of 8 popular supplements

In the United States, more than 50% of adults use food supplements. However, supplements are not regulated as drugs, so it is essential to be aware of the dangerous side effects possible to stay safe and healthy.

Jump at the main dishes to remember.

1. Multivitamins: Do not replace a balanced diet

Multivitamins are the most popular supplement for each age group, but little evidence support their use. Most experts agree that food is the best way to get your vitamins.

Certain serious side effects of vitamins found in multivitamins include:

• Beta-carotene Can increase the risk of lung cancer for people already at high risk (people who smoke and get around asbestos).
• Vitamin K In multivitamins, can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin, an anti-Sang drug.
• Iron And copper In multivitamins can contribute to iron or copper overload and increase the risk of dementia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Calcium And zinc can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics.

2. Vitamin D: toxic calcium levels

Vitamin of helps the body to absorb calcium. Taking excessive amounts of vitamin D for months or more can cause hypercalcemia (toxic calcium levels), leading to symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscular weakness
• Pain
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Kidney stones
• Neuropsychiatric disorders

At the most extreme end of the spectrum, the toxicity of vitamin D can cause:

• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Renal failure
• Calification of soft tissues (such as heart valves and vessels)
• Death

Obtaining vitamin D naturally from sunlight or food, rather than supplements, does not cause this complication.

3. Omega-3S: immune and bleeding complications

Omega-3 fatty acids (often found in fish oil pills) can cause serious side effects when taken in high doses. These include:

• Reduction of the immune function due to the lowered inflammatory response caused by omega-3 fatty acids.
• Bleeding for prolonged periods due to a reduction in platelet aggregation, when blood cells come together to form a blood clot.
• Increased risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rate) in people with cardiovascular disease.

It is essential to discuss the dosage of fish oil with your health care provider. Experts recommend taking two omega -3 long chain fatty acids – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – in daily doses of no more than 5 grams (G).

4. Vitamin C: kidney stones and drug interactions

Vitamin C supplements are generally safe and toxicity is rare because it is a soluble vitamin in water (which means that excessive quantities are eliminated in your urine).

However, there is evidence that high doses of vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones, especially for men and people already predisposed to kidney stones.

Vitamin C supplements can also cause dangerous interactions with certain drugs. It is essential to discuss the addition of vitamin C to your routine if you take one of the following drugs:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Statins

5. Calcium: hardening of the arteries

Calcium supplements can increase the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), resulting in symptoms such as:

• Renal failure
• Bad muscle tone
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Higher risk of cardiovascular disease

Taking large amounts of calcium can cause serious health complications. Although research is somewhat mixed, scientists think that taking high quantities of calcium can increase the risk of developing:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Kidney stones
• Prostate cancer

Experts recommend that adults from 19 to 50 do not take more than 2500 mg of calcium per day, and for those aged 51 and over, the upper limit is reduced to 2,000 mg to avoid side effects.

6. Magnesium: digestive upheaval and toxicity

Taking high doses of magnesium from supplements can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects, such as abdominal cramps, gas and diarrhea.

When taken in doses of more than 5,000 milligrams (MG) per day, or by those with poor kidney function, magnesium can cause toxicity, rare but dangerous occurrence.

Symptoms of magnesium toxicity include:

• Low blood pressure and fainting
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rusty face
• Inability to urinate
• Depression
• Lethargy and muscle weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heart rate
• Cardiac arrest (heart attack)

Adults 19 and over should not take more than 350 mg of magnesium per day to avoid side effects and reduce the risk of toxicity.

7. Probiotics: infection for immunocompromised individuals

Probiotics are living microorganisms that can have a positive effect on your health. Sometimes they are called “good bacteria”.

When taking Probiotics, some people may experience side effects, such as gas, bloating and an ailment stomach.

However, those who are immunocompromised or seriously patient should speak to a health care provider before using probiotics, as they can cause serious infections, such as:

• Bactelemia: A bacterial infection in the blood; also called blood poisoning or septicemia
• FUNGEMIA: A fungal infection in the blood.

8. Iron: Risks of dangerous overdose

Low doses of iron supplements can cause various digestive side effects, and very high doses can be dangerous.

Although rare, it is possible to overdose on iron supplements. Since 1997, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that the iron supplements sold in doses greater than 30 mg contain solid warning and packaging labels.

Iron overdose can cause:

• Blood loss
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Death
• Necrosis (tissue death) of the intestines
• Organic insufficiency
• Shock

Main to remember

• Food supplements are not regulated in the same way as drugs, and serious side effects are possible.
• High doses of certain popular supplements can cause dangerous side effects and even death.
• Try to get your vitamins and minerals as much as possible with food.