Do you take nutritional supplements and herbal remedies? They may not be as good for you as we previously thought. According to US News and World Report, some of them are downright dangerous. For example:
- Comfrey tea is commonly used as a homeopathic remedy to reduce swelling for broken bones, acne, bronchitis, asthma and insect bites. However, studies show that ingesting comfrey can cause severe liver damage or even death.
- Then there’s the herbal stimulant bitter orange. It’s used as a weight loss treatment, but it also speeds up your heart rate and raises your blood pressure, and can cause fainting, migraine headaches or even a fatal stroke or heart attack.
- Glucosamine is a supplement widely used for chronic lower back pain, but a new study shows glucosamine doesn’t relieve back pain any better than a placebo sugar pill.
So, how do you separate the good from the bad when choosing vitamins and supplements? Dr. Adriane Berman, a professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine, has three rules of thumb:
- First: Get your nutrients from food instead of pills. People who eat a healthy diet have higher levels of vitamin E, beta carotene and calcium. Healthy foods are more beneficial than supplement pills. For example, studies found sweet potatoes and carrots contain different forms of vitamin A that work together to ward off illnesses, but vitamin A supplements are not as effective at preventing cancer or heart disease. In fact, they may even increase your risk.
- Also, Dr. Berman says if you’re thinking of taking vitamins or supplements, factor in the cost and the health risks. Vitamin D, calcium pills, multi-vitamins and fish oil pills may be cheap and have no major side effects, but some herbal weight-loss products are expensive and hazardous. For instance, Kava seriously impacts liver function.
- Finally, know this: To get the most benefit, some supplements must be taken with certain foods. For example, in order for your body to absorb vitamin D, it must be consumed with a fatty food, like nuts, cheese or a hard-boiled egg.
