The Benefits And Risks Of Nutritional Supplements Supplements

Nutrition supplements are designed to enhance the daily intake of nutrients including vitamins and minerals. Many are safe and offer substantial health benefits, however there are others that could pose risk to your health, particularly if used in excess. Nutrition supplements include amino acids and fat acids, enzymes, along with probiotics, biotechnology, enzymes, botanicals as well as animal extracts.

Benefits

A balanced diet should provide all nutrients that you require. Supplements can supplement your diet if you are lacking nutrients, or when certain ailments such as cancer or diabetes that are causing deficiencies.

Individual nutrients can be found as supplements, typically with higher amounts than the typical multivitamin. The nutrients are used to treat a particular deficit (e.g. iron deficiency) or to lower the likelihood of developing a medical condition like hypertension.

For example, large dosages of vitamin B3 (niacin) can boost "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, while Folic acid has been used to reduce the risk of a birth defect called spina Bifida. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C as well as vitamin E could reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs (allowing patients to take on larger doses of chemotherapy).

Supplements are not typically needed unless a specific deficit has been discovered. Supplements should be taken in moderation in order to avoid harmful effects and poisons.

There are risks

In the United States, nooLVL supplements aren't in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. Manufacturers are not required to prove they are either safe or effective. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not have to decide whether nutritional supplements are safe and effective before they are sold in the marketplace.

FDA maintains a list of potentially dangerous or tainted products that are advertised as nutritional supplements. The most hazardous products are often weight loss aids, natural supplements for sexual enhancement and specifically designed for bodybuilders.

Supplement makers must adhere to specific labeling guidelines. This covers what they are allowed and not permitted to say about the claimed benefits. However, they aren't able to stop companies from making claims, which are often false, that their product can "boost the immune system"7 or "treat arthritis" even if there is very little evidence-based evidence to support the claims. The general rule is that the FDA only acts on the most serious of violations.

Potential Issues

The majority of nutritional supplements are safe when you follow the instructions. However when you take large quantities of specific nutrients may cause negative reactions. Certain supplements may be dangerously over-dosed, posing danger of serious harm or death. Here are some of the possible side effects and concerns about dosage:

Vitamin K may reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin).

Vitamin E can be used to increase blood thinners' actions which can cause nosebleeds and easy bruising.

St. John's wort can help in the breakdown of many drugs, including antidepressants and birth control pills, consequently decreasing their effectiveness.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is, when used for a period of a year or more in large doses, may cause severe nerve damage to the nerve. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) may also decrease the effectiveness of anti-seizure medications Dilantin (phenytoin), and levodopa, which are used for treating Parkinson's.

Vitamin A used with retinoid acne medications like Accutane (isotretinoin) and Soriatane (acitretin) can causes vitamin A toxic.

Supplements with calcium and iron can decrease the effectiveness antibiotics by as much as 40%, specifically fluoroquinolones as well as Tetracyclines.

Vitamin C may cause diarrhea when taken in doses higher than the body can absorb. However, certain patients can tolerate between 5,000mg and 25,000mg daily.

Advise your healthcare provider about any supplements you are planning to take, as well as any medications you are currently taking, no matter if they be pharmaceutical, over-the-counter herbal, traditional or homeopathic.