Some supplements may increase the risk of bleeding or, if taken before surgery, may change the response to anesthesia. Supplements can also interact with some medications in ways that can cause problems. If used correctly, certain dietary supplements can help reduce the risk of certain diseases and reduce discomfort caused by certain conditions or medications. Most people can safely use dietary supplements as long as they don't overtake them.
However, dietary supplements aren't totally safe and taking them can pose risks, especially for people being treated for cancer. For one thing, dietary supplements can sometimes interact with each other, as well as with over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. In addition, unlike drugs, the U. S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not authorized to review the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. It is up to manufacturers to ensure that their products do not contain contaminants or impurities, are properly labeled and contain what they claim. In other words, the regulation of dietary supplements is much less stringent than that of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Other research published the same year, involving a group of self-confessed Americans about dietary habits, linked daily doses of more than 1000 milligrams (mg) of calcium with a higher risk of death from cancer (although the National Cancer Institute points out that other studies suggest otherwise).
In addition, the data showed that people who consumed adequate amounts of magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A and K had a lower risk of death, but only if they got those nutrients from food rather than supplements. Confused? National Institutes of Health (NIH) fact sheets provide detailed information on the benefits and risks of individual vitamins and minerals, as well as herbal supplements. And if you're managing an underlying health condition (especially if you're taking medications) or are pregnant or breastfeeding, play it safe and talk to your health care team before adding any new supplement to your regimen. While supplement trends come and go, here are seven supplements that have historically been popular, and in all cases, experts recommend taking them with care, if at all.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in the body, and having enough is critical to health and well-being, as it offers the promise of protecting bones and preventing bone diseases such as osteoporosis, according to the NIH.Vitamin D supplements are popular because it's difficult (if not impossible for some) to get enough from food. In addition, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our bodies produce vitamin D when bare skin is exposed to direct sunlight, but the increase in time spent indoors and the widespread use of sunscreen have minimized the amount of vitamin D that many of us get from exposure to the sun. However, vitamin D supplements are a sensitive topic. Sometimes guidelines and research may seem to contradict each other.
The truth is that enthusiasm for vitamin D supplements is outpacing the evidence. And high doses aren't a good option. In healthy people, vitamin D blood levels greater than 100 nanograms per milliliter can cause additional calcium absorption and cause muscle pain, mood disorders, abdominal pain and kidney stones, notes the Cleveland Clinic. It can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
That said, vitamin D supplements may benefit certain people, including those at risk of a deficiency such as people with darker skin, certain health conditions and older adults according to MedlinePlus. The most recent consensus statement from the American Geriatrics Society specifically suggests that people over 65 can help reduce the risk of fractures and falls if they supplement their diet with at least 1000 IU of vitamin D per day in addition to taking calcium supplements and eating foods rich in vitamin D. Keep in mind that vitamin D supplements and medications can interact with each other. Drugs that don't mix well with vitamin D include weight-loss drug orlistat (Xenical, Alli), several statins such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), thiazide diuretics (such as Hygroton, Lozol and Microzide) and corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone Rayos Sterapred) according to the NIH.
