vitamin accessories are marketed as easy ways to provide your body with the nutrients it needs without the hassle of a complete diet – but did you know that there are some of the most unhealthy supplements you shouldn’t take? If you are on a daily vitamin supplement regimen, you can assume you are doing something healthy for your body. But in some cases, you do just the opposite. “Numerous investigations show that the alleged benefits have not been proven and, in the worst cases, vitamins and supplements can be harmful, ”he says dr. Mike Varshavski, DO. Do you want to make sure that you are not endangered by your “healthy” supplements? Here are the seven most unhealthy supplements you should not take. Read on to find out more – and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Reliable signs that you may have already had COVID.
1
You need to be careful before you take calcium
Calcium helps maintain strong bones and pump the heart. But for proper absorption, calcium must be accompanied by the right amount of vitamin D. And if not? Excess calcium can settle in your arteries instead of helping your bones.
A studies published in Journal of the American Heart Association analyzed 2,700 people who had been taking calcium supplements for 10 years and found that excess calcium caused accumulation in the aorta and other arteries. Calcium is essential, but it is healthier to get it directly from the diet.
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Coffee is a natural supplement used to treat anxiety and insomnia. “Coffee supplements may have a small effect on reducing anxiety, but they are associated with a risk of severe liver damage,” he says. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Although it can reduce anxiety, too much coffee can cause liver damage or failure.
The supplement can also cause “indigestion, headache, dizziness and other side effects,” the NCCIH states. If you decide to take coffee due to anxiety, be careful with your dosage and how long you take the supplement regularly to prevent permanent damage.
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“Soy products are used for menopausal symptoms, bone health, memory improvement, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels,” according to NCCIH. Menopausal or perimenopausal women can take soy isolate supplements to prevent symptoms such as hot flashes.
However, be careful about the long-term effects of these supplements. “Long-term use of soy isoflavone supplements may increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining, which can cause cancer),” the NCCIH states.
“It’s okay to eat whole soy foods – like soy milk, edamame and tofu – in moderation, several times a week,” he says. Katherine D. McManus, MS, RD, LDN from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. However, it warns you to avoid dietary supplements made from soy isolate or foods made from textured plant proteins or soy protein isolates because of their negative health effects.
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Red yeast rice claims to help lower LDL cholesterol levels (“bad” cholesterol) and prevent heart disease, much like statins. However, these supplements are associated with a number of possible side effects. “Like statins, red yeast rice can cause exactly the same side effects as statins, which includes muscle, liver and kidney problems,” he says. Dr. Marvin M. Lipman, MD, FACP, FACE from Scarsdale Medical Group.
A study published in Pharmacy and Therapy analyzed the benefits and risks of red yeast rice. They found that the supplement “is not recommended for patients with hypercholesterolemia” and “has not been shown to be a safe alternative to statins for patients with hyperlipidemia.” If you are worried about your cholesterol, eat healthy, exercise and consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
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Ginkgo is an herbal supplement used as a natural treatment for anxiety, dementia, glaucoma and macular degeneration. It is also associated with increased memory function. However, if you are taking other supplements or medications, the side effects of ginkgo can quickly outweigh the benefits.
“Ginkgo can lower blood pressure, so taking it with blood pressure medications can cause low blood pressure,” experts say. PennState Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The supplement may also “increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix) and aspirin.”
Ginkgo also raises and lowers blood sugar levels, so avoid it if you have diabetes. Before taking ginkgo, consult your doctor if you are taking any medication or other supplements.
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Beta carotene is a popular supplement because it acts as an “antioxidant and immune system booster,” he says. Kaiser Permanent. However, if you are a smoker or have an increased risk of lung cancer, we advise you to avoid synthetic beta carotene supplements at all costs.
“The use of beta-carotene has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in people who smoke or have been exposed to asbestos,” he warns. Mayo Clinic.
A study published in Nicotine and tobacco research analyzed male smokers taking beta carotene supplements. The study found that “the group receiving the supplements had a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer in all categories of tar content.”
If you use tobacco products or have a high risk of lung cancer, do not include beta carotene in your daily supplements.
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St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement that helps with sleep disorders and can curb mild anxiety or depression. However, if you are already taking medication for depression or anxiety, it is best to avoid it.
“St. John’s wort has been linked to very serious and potentially dangerous interactions with many common medications,” he says. Cleveland Clinic. “St. John’s wort can be impaired by how well other drugs work, including antidepressants, birth control pills, cyclosporine (an anti-rejection drug), digoxin (a heart medicine), anti-HIV drugs, anti-cancer drugs and blood thinners like Coumadin.”
If you mix St. John’s wort with antidepressants, there can be a dangerous increase in serotonin levels called serotonin syndrome. Talk to your doctor before taking St. John’s wort or any other supplement. And if you want to survive this pandemic as healthy as possible, don’t miss them 35 places where COVID is most likely to get sick.