| Add to | Concern/population endangered | Possible side effects |
| Caffeine-containing nutritional supplements | With high doses, especially for people with existing heart disease | High blood pressure and palpitations |
| Yohimbine | Personal people with existing heart disease, people who take antidepressants or during pregnancy/silence | Hypertension, irregular or quick heartbeat, heart attack, anxiety and gauge dampers’ interactions |
| Bitter orange | People with existing heart disease, during pregnancy or breastfeeding or taking certain medication/herbal additives | Hypertension, increased heart rate and reduced interactions between milk production medication medication |
| Licorice root | With high doses, especially in people with chronic diseases (e.g. cardiac, liver and kidney diseases), those who take corticosteroids | Hypertension, irregular heartbeat, liver and kidney problems and an increased risk of early delivery medication interactions |
| magnesium | With high doses, especially for certain types such as magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide | Flatulence, diarrhea or nausea |
| Vitamin C | With high doses | Flatulence, diarrhea or nausea |
| iron | With high doses | Flatulence, diarrhea or nausea |
| zinc | With high doses | Copper deficiency, frequent diseases or unusual infections |
| Echinacea | People with autoimmune diseases, allergies against the daisy family (e.g. | Deteriorated autoimmune diseases of drug interactions |
| Vitamin D | With high doses, especially in combination with calcium | Kidney stones and liver oxicity |
| calcium | With high doses, especially in combination with vitamin D. | Kidney stones |
| Creatine | With high doses in people with chronic kidney disease | Deteriorated kidney function |
| Vitamin A | With high doses, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding women or people with liver diseases | Liver damage, birth defects (during pregnancy) |
| Cava | With high doses or longer use, especially for people who take sedative (e.g. benzodiazepines or alcohol) or medication/herbal preparations | Liver damage, digestive disorders, headaches and dizziness |
| Green tea extract | With high doses | Liver damage |
| Vitamin B6 | With high doses | Daubiness and tingling in the extremities |
| Vitamin B3 | With high doses | Flushing, dizziness and mood reliability |
| St. John’s spice | Numerous interactions with medicines, people with liver or kidney diseases and in populations with limited safety data (ie pregnant/breastfeeding women and children) | Deteriorated kidney or liver function numerous medication interactions (e.g. birth control) |
| Ginkgo Biloba | Persons who occupy anticoagulant medication or with bleeding disorders and population groups with limited safety data (ie pregnant/breastfeeding women and children) | Increased bleeding risk Medicinal interactions (e.g. anticoagulants) |
| Fish oil | Persons who occupy anticoagulans or blood pressure -lowering medication with seafood allergies or with certain chronic diseases (e.g. type 2 or liver diabetes) | Allergic reaction, increased bleeding risk Medicinal interactions (e.g. anticoagulants) |
These are some of the known concerns and possible side effects with common nutritional supplements. This list is not comprehensive and individual answers can vary. Always talk to a medical specialist before taking an addition.
1. Heart problems
Many people turn to the nutritional supplements in the hope of increasing energy, improving sporting performance or supporting weight loss, but what is often overlooked are the potential effects on the heart. “Stimulant-like nutritional supplements such as high-dose caffeine, yohimbine, bitter orange or licorice root can trigger salpitations, an increased heart rate and spikes of blood pressure Pinkey Patel, Pharm.D, NASM-CPT.
Patel warns that when a dietary supplement beats her heart, causing a change in blood pressure or triggers other unusual side effects, breaking up use and consulting a medical specialist.
2. Digestion problems
Dealing with persistent indigestion? Certain high-dose vitamin and mineral preparations can be to blame. “Bloating, diarrhea or nausea are often with high doses of dietary supplements such as magnesium, vitamin C or iron. While slight symptoms may seem harmless, persistent digestive problems can influence nutrient absorption and hydration ” Fay Kazzi, Ph.D., MS, RDA registered nutritionist.
For example, certain magnesium types in nutritional supplements – such as magnesium citrate, hydroxide and oxide – have a laxative effect, which can lead to dehydration if they are ignored.
3 .. changed immune function
When it comes to taking nutritional supplements to support your immune system, more is not always better. “For example, very high zinc boxes can suppress the immune response and cause copper deficiency. In a similar way, Echinacea or other immune booster can overestimulate the immune system and aggravate the autoimmune conditions,” says Patel.
She warns that it may work against her if she suddenly feel depressed with frequent illnesses or unusual infections after the start of an addition.
4. Renal dysfunction
“The kidneys are responsible for the filters of excess nutrients. They can therefore be brought into stress with chronic overuse of certain nutritional supplements,” says Kazzi. For example, she explains that excess vitamin D or calcium can contribute to kidney stones. In addition, high creatine sockets in people with existing kidney diseases can make kidney function worse.
As a result, she emphasizes that symptoms such as unexplained back pain, swelling or changes in urination should be taken very seriously.
5. Liver damage
The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and processing of nutrients – including supplementary materials. However, if nutritional supplements are consumed in excess, this can cause additional damage. “Herbal blends such as cava, green tea extract (in concentrated pill) or high -dose vitamin A were associated with liver injuries,” says Patel.
It adds that if the liver is too overwhelmed, this can lead to signs of liver damage such as the yellowing of the skin, dark or brownish urine, nausea and unexplained fatigue. If you experience one of these symptoms or other inexplicable changes in your health, use the use and search for medical help.
6. Neurological changes
Although some nutritional supplements are marketed to promote the mind or to promote attention, some nutritional supplements can have unexpected side effects on the nervous system. For example, “excess vitamin B6 (pyridoxin) can cause nerve damage, which leads to deafness or tingling in the extremities. High doses of vitamin B3 (niacin) can trigger rinsing, dizziness and mood,” explains Patel.
She notes that the brain is very sensitive to changes in chemical balance. Therefore, dietary supplements that cause symptoms such as spiritual fog, irritability or neuropathy earn immediate attention.
7. Medicinal interactions
“One of the most overlooked risks of nutritional supplements is how to interact with medication. St. John’s spice, a popular mood, can reduce the effectiveness of birth control, antidepressants and even chemotherapy medication,” explains Kazzi.
She also announces that dietary supplements such as Ginkgo Biloba and Fischöl can dilute the blood and increase the risk of bleeding if they are combined with anticoagulants (blood thinners). For these reasons, you should always openly discuss all nutritional supplements that you currently take with your health service provider or to consider you to avoid interactions with drug nutrients.
Who is most at risk?
For certain groups of people, the risk of serious side effects is even higher. Both experts find that people with an increased risk:
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. “Even frequent herbs such as ginseng or excessive vitamin A can be unsure during pregnancy. The placenta and the baby metabolism are highly sensitive,” says Patel.
- Older adults. Patel notes that age is changing how body medication and nutritional supplements metabolize, which can increase the risk of liver and kidney problems and interactions with medicinal products.
- People with chronic diseases. People with chronic illnesses – such as kidney diseases, liver diseases or autoimmune diseases – should be particularly careful with nutritional supplements, since their body can process nutrients differently and be more susceptible to side effects, since this Kazzi.
- People who take several medication. “Polyphaharmacy (taking several medication) plus dietary supplements is a common recipe for undesirable interactions,” says Patel. Be sure to mention all the supplements that you take or consider at your health service provider.
- Children. With more nutritional supplements in “rubbery” form, Patel warns that this will cause concern about children that they are accidentally to sweets. She explains that smaller body is more susceptible to overdoses, which is why it is crucial to save dietary supplements safely outside the reach of children.
- Athletes who take not regulated nutritional supplements. Kazzi shares that athletes and fitness enthusiasts who experiment with high-dose or non-regulated performance supplements are at risk. In order to be safe, she advises the double test to ensure that the addition is tested independently.
How to surely add
Kazzi primarily explains that the supplementation should never replace a balanced diet, but should fill gaps that cannot cover the food alone. “I recommend starting with laboratory work to identify defects before adding a new addition – this will help you avoid unnecessary or excessive use,” she adds.
Both nutritionists also advise more evidence-based doses as marketing claims and are careful with everything that is referred to as the “mega dose”. To ensure security and purity, search for independent food supplements. “Reduce renowned seals such as USP, NSF or Consumerlab (but do not eliminate) risks for contamination or inaccurate labeling,” explains Patel.
The most important thing is that Kazzi shares that you should always keep your health service provider in the loop which dietary supplements you take – especially if you take prescription drugs, are pregnant or breastfeeding or have certain chronic diseases such as heart, liver or kidney disease.
Our expert
Dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular, more people, including them in their daily routines. While many can support health, some risks that should not be ignored – such as heart problems, digestion or neurological problems, changed immune function, liver toxicity, kidney dysfunction and drug interactions. The suitable doses, attention to your body and advice from a medical specialist before starting a new supplementary are simple steps that you can take to protect your health.
