When it comes to taking dietary or herbal supplements, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects before starting a new regimen. Manufacturers can add vitamins, minerals and other supplement ingredients to the foods you eat, especially breakfast cereals and beverages. As a result, you may be consuming more of these ingredients than you think, and more may not be better. Taking more than you need costs more and may also increase the risk of side effects.
For instance, too much vitamin A can cause headaches and liver damage, reduce bone strength, and cause birth defects. Excess iron causes nausea and vomiting and can damage the liver and other organs. Additionally, excessive amounts of minerals in the body can cause gastrointestinal problems. The body needs a certain amount of vitamins and minerals to function properly.
However, excessive doses of these vitamins can be toxic to the body and the gastrointestinal tract will respond negatively through symptoms of nausea, constipation and diarrhea. Selenium, folic acid, and probiotics have been found to be safe for use during chemotherapy treatment. However, these supplements still have potential side effects. It's important to research their effects and ingredients and consult with your doctor before adding them to your exercise routine.
Scientists at the centers carry out laboratory research on the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action of botanical dietary supplements that have a high potential to benefit human health. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates advertising, including infomercials, of dietary supplements. St. John's Wort is a common supplement taken to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, but it has the potential to cause a dangerous interaction with chemotherapy drugs.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) amended the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (Act FD&C) to create a new regulatory framework for dietary supplements. If you think you've had an adverse reaction to a dietary supplement, tell your healthcare provider. Caffeine is a stimulant that is often included in pre-workout supplements, as it has been shown to benefit sports performance for short-term high-intensity exercise and endurance-based activities. Be careful when giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their health care provider.
Supplements can be unsafe because the FDA doesn't test or approve all supplements before manufacturers sell them. This fact sheet from the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides information that should not replace medical advice. In addition, FDA regulations require that those who manufacture, package, or preserve dietary supplements follow current good manufacturing practices that help ensure the identity, purity, quality, concentration, and composition of dietary supplements. The fitness gurus and blogs that promote these products as crucial for peak performance, fat loss and explosive muscle growth may lead you to believe that you can't exercise effectively without them.
Herbalists in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America use soursop and soursop leaves to treat stomach ailments, fever, infections and other diseases but it has also been linked to unsubstantiated claims that it has anti-cancer properties.
