WARNING: SUPPLEMENTS CAN KILL. DON’T BE A VICTIM

 

Recent studies done on the effect of certain supplements seem to indicate that there could be some potential danger involved in taking supplements, but how much of this information is reliable and what has been blown out of proportion?  Dangers of supplements such as vitamin E have been widely reported by the media, but are taken from only one study done on the effect of Vitamin E on prostate cancer.  Likewise, a single observational study done on the effect of supplements on mortality rates of elderly women have the media screaming about the dangers of dietary supplements.

While I believe there are potential risks with taking certain supplements in high quantities, my particular opinion is that there needs to be much more extensive research done on supplements before the dangers of supplements can be confirmed.  There are potential dangers and known side effects for some supplements which include:

• Fat soluble supplements like Vitamin A and D can build up in the liver and cause toxicity over time if taken in too large of doses.

• Niacin can cause flushing when taken in certain forms, which is more uncomfortable than it is dangerous.

• Iron chelates can be potentially fatal in large doses, and supplements with iron should always be kept away from children and pets.  Chemically derived iron supplements in proper dosage can also cause constipation in some people.

• Supplementing with fish oils can be dangerous if you are taking blood thinners, as they naturally thin the blood.  This drug-supplement interaction can be potentially fatal.

The dangers of dietary supplements should not be overlooked, however the benefits from taking supplements are also well documented.  In general, my feeling about supplement safety hinges much more on the form and quantity taken, rather than blanket statements that all supplements are dangerous.

Food-based supplements which are derived from natural substances and often come in liquid forms seem to be much easier to digest and assimilate than chemically derived supplements.  This makes a lot of sense; it would be pretty difficult to overdose on, say, broccoli, which is high in iron, magnesium, folic acid, and other nutrients.  Food-based supplements are also easier on the stomach and liver, and don’t cause side effects such as nausea and constipation.

Many of the dangers of supplements can be altogether avoided by simply eating whole, organic healthy foods to meet the majority of your nutritional needs.  Instead of eating a SAD (Standard American Diet) and using supplements to gain the missing nutrients in our average national diet, it makes a whole lot more sense to fill your diet with nutrient dense foods.  Examples would be veggies in every color, tons of fresh fruits like blueberries, nuts, seeds, a variety of whole grains, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy products.  When eating a whole foods diet, the need to supplement is avoided except during times when the body has extra needs, like pregnancy or for serious athletes.

I happen to believe that the dangers of dietary supplements have been exaggerated by the mainstream media of late, but there is still cause to be cautious with what supplements you choose to take.  Talk with your healthcare practitioner, and opt for more natural choices when it comes to supplementation.