Thousands of people end up in hospital each year after experiencing adverse reactions to dangerous supplements. “For many people, a healthy lifestyle means more than eating a good diet and getting enough exercise: vitamins, supplements and complementary nutritional products are also part of the plan.” says Susan Farrell, M.D.. “But while there’s a lot of hype about their potential benefits, there’s less awareness of their potential harms. In fact, using these products can land you in the emergency department.” Here are five supplements you should take carefully, if at all. Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Kava supplements can be extremely damaging to the liver and should be avoided. “Please note that kava has been banned in the UK and within Europe due to its liver toxicity.” says Robert D. Ashley, M.D.. “More than 100 cases of liver toxicity related to kava use have been identified, some leading to liver transplantation and some leading to death. There are many reasons for liver damage. On the one hand, kava depletes glutathione, a major antioxidant, within the liver. It also inhibits enzymes involved in the metabolism of many drugs. Many of the cases of liver toxicity were seen in people who had pre-existing liver disease or used alcohol in addition to kava.”
Colloidal silver is linked to serious health problems and should not be taken or applied casually. “There are currently no FDA-approved prescription or over-the-counter medications containing colloidal silver that are taken orally.” says Wong Siew Wei, MD, at The Cancer Center and Singapore Medical Group. “In 1999, the FDA warned that oral colloidal silver is not safe or effective for treating any disease or condition. The silver in colloidal silver products is deposited in organs such as the skin, liver, spleen, kidneys, muscles and the brain. This can lead to argyria, a condition characterized by irreversible bluish-looking skin that first appears on the gums.”
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“Yohimbe, often marketed as an aphrodisiac and male sexual performance enhancer, is found in more than 550 supplements in the United States.” says Harvard Health. “Less known is the fact that yohimbe can have harmful side effects, including high blood pressure, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and headaches. In high doses, purified yohimbe can cause heart failure or death.”
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Caffeine supplements can be very dangerous and in some cases fatal. “While consumers of commonly available caffeinated products such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks may be aware of the less serious effects of caffeine, such as jitters and jitters, they may not be aware that these highly concentrated, pure caffeine products are much more powerful and can cause serious health effects, including dangerously erratic or rapid heartbeat, seizures and death,” the FDA warns. “Vomiting, diarrhea, stupor and disorientation are also symptoms of caffeine toxicity. Pre-existing conditions can intensify the effects of caffeine and make these products even more dangerous for some people.”
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Despite claims to the contrary, there is insufficient evidence that taking marijuana supplements can help prevent COVID-19. “For those hoping for antiviral results from the small amounts of CBGA and CBDA found in marijuana, it helps to know that the heat of smoking, vaping, or cooking destroys both of these compounds.” explain Elizabeth Ko, MD and Eve Glazier, Doctor in medicine. “While CBGA and CBDA may one day play a role in preventing COVID-19, we are years away from a definitive answer.”
