Are There Any Risks In Taking Supplements?
Here are some cases why supplements may not be right for you
Vitamin supplements, for the most part, are extremely beneficial and are a great addition to your daily diet for those extra nutrients.
But, you should know that many sellers aren’t responsible for doing precautionary research for side-effects and risks. Not everyone is the same, which is why your friends at NutriChin did some research.
In this article, we’re going to show you the people who should perhaps stay away from supplements and what not to do when taking supplements.
Cancer Patients
There are several ways that supplements can cause problems for people during cancer treatment. For example, some dietary supplements can cause skin sensitivity and severe reactions when taken during radiation treatment. People who are getting radiation treatments should talk to their doctors before taking any supplement.
People getting chemotherapy may be at higher risk for drug interactions if they take dietary supplements. There is also concern that antioxidants might interfere with cancer cell-killing treatments. Cancer experts often recommend that patients avoid dietary supplements altogether until their cancer treatment is over. But if you decide to take supplements anyway, be sure to let your doctor know exactly what you are taking.
Don’t Take Large Doses
While most dietary supplements are safe as long as you follow the product instructions, large doses of certain nutrients can have adverse effects. You can even overdose on certain supplements, risking serious harm and death. Here are some examples thanks to verywellfit.com:
- Vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin).9
- Vitamin E can increase the action of blood thinners, leading to easy bruising and nosebleeds.
- St. John’s wort can accelerate the breakdown of many drugs, including antidepressants and birth control pills, thereby reducing their effectiveness.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), when used for a year or more at high doses, can cause severe nerve damage. Vitamin B6 can also reduce the effectiveness of the anti-seizure drug Dilantin (phenytoin) and levodopa (used to treat Parkinson’s disease).
- Vitamin A used with retinoid acne medications such as Accutane (isotretinoin) and Soriatane (acitretin) can causes vitamin A toxicity.9
- Iron and calcium supplements can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics, namely tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, by as much as 40%.
- Vitamin C can cause diarrhea when taken in doses higher than the gut can absorb (but some patients can tolerate 5,000mg to 25,000mg per day).
- Selenium, boron, and iron supplements can be toxic if taken in large amounts.
Taking too much of anything is good. Now, you know why. Tread carefully, and put only what’s right for you in your body.
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