The consumption of dietary supplements has been rising every year. Whereas many people believe that dietary supplements can improve their health or prevent certain diseases, some consumer groups or medical professionals have warned that dietary supplements can be dangerous. So, the question is: are dietary supplements really dangerous? Unfortunately, the question does not have a simple answer.
Dietary supplements, by its broad definition, include thousands of different products. In 2004, Consumer Reports listed 12 potentially dangerous dietary supplements. Many of them are herbal products. Some of these herbs have been used by herbalists for hundreds of years and are considered as safe. However, when the active substances in these herbs are extracted in pure or concentrated form and consumed over prolonged period, they can be dangerous to some people.
Many dietary supplements such as vitamins and minerals are safe and can supplement what is missing in our diet. However, even the benign supplement can become dangerous in overdose. In local news, a woman was reported to give her two teenage daughters mega dose of vitamin A for prolonged period, thinking that the supplement is good for the eyes. Both suffered from acute liver failure and one required a liver transplant to save her life. Vitamin A is not dangerous but mega dose of vitamin A is hepatotoxic. In this case, ignorance itself is dangerous!
The quality of dietary supplement is also an important factor. The presence of contaminations, such as heavy metal, drugs, and toxic substances can make a benign supplement dangerous. One example is the presence of microcystin toxin in blue green algae dietary supplements. Microcystins are natural toxins from certain strains of blue green algae that can cause liver damage and liver tumors. According to the research conducted by Health Canada, only one strain of blue green algae, Spirulina, is free from microcystins as Spirulina is harvested from controlled ponds. Most of the non-Spirulina blue green algae supplements are contaminated by microcystins, especially those harvested from natural lakes. Daily consumption of these dietary supplements would exceed the acceptable level of microcystin intake established by Health Canada and WHO.
Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is another key factor to safeguard the quality and safety of dietary supplements. Dietary supplement manufacturers in compliance of GMP standards have to test the identity of raw materials, implement a quality control unit, provide expiration date for the finished products, maintain good records of batch production and written procedures, and hire personnel who are trained to understand and follow GMP. This practice can reduce the chance of having batch to batch variation in strength, composition, purity and quality of finished products.
To sum up, although most dietary supplements are safe when consumed according to the label, consumers are advised to educate themselves before taking these supplements. What are the functions of these supplements? How long should I be taking them? Are they manufactured by reputable companies in compliance of good manufacturing practices? Never consume more than the recommended dose unless supervised by health care professionals. If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or suffering from pre-existing health conditions, you should also take extra precaution and consult with your doctors or nutritionists.
Herbal alternatives can either be internal or external formulations. The herbal alternatives you need to use to treat ailments generally depend on the type of ailment you got. Most people use combination of herbs to get the maximum benefits for the body. There are a number of herbal preparations which you can effectively use as herbal alternatives to prescription drugs. These herbal alternatives are derived from herbal practices handed down from generation to generation, even centuries old.
Scientists and researchers have made several studies to prove or disprove the effectiveness of these herbal alternatives. Some studies do confirm the herbal alternatives effectiveness, others require further researches.
Herbal dietary supplements
Herbal dietary supplements refer to herbals that are intended as enhancement to the diet. More often than not, dietary herbal supplements contain more than one dietary ingredient such as vitamins minerals, amino acids and other substances. These herbal dietary supplements are not intended to cure or treat various ailments but as preventive measures and additional method to acquire essential nutrients for the body. Although, these supplements do undeniably contain healing properties for several body conditions.
Herbal dietary supplements include:
* black cohosh is a supplement for women to treat symptoms of menopause
* calcium is good for the bones
* chromium is good for glucose and insulin
* Coenzyme Q10 is a preventive measure also treatment against cancer.
* Copper is a dietary herbal supplement that aids in the absorption of zinc in the body and maximizes its beneficial effect. It helps the body function normally, prevent heart disease, promotes healthy skin and hair color and other benefits.
* Ephedra is a diet supplement that helps prevent colds, treat asthma and other upper respiratory ailments.
* Folate is herbal diet supplements that contributes to the production of red blood cells, manufacture of DNA for cell replication and aids in metabolism of amino aids.
* Garlic is a herbal supplement that can help prevent certain types of cancer such as stomach and colon cancer.
* Iron is a diet herbal supplement that supplies energy to every cell in the body and a vital component of hemoglobin which supplies oxygen to muscles.
* Magnesium aids in preventing kidney, thyroid or heart disease.
* Omega-3 fatty acids is an essential polyunsaturated fats that is important in preventing degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
* S-adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) is a herbal supplement that is good for depression, osteoarthritis and liver disease.
* Selenium contains antioxidant that could counter various ailments including cancer.
* St. Jonhs wort is an effective herbal diet supplement for depression
* Tea is a herbal dietary supplement that contains antioxidants effective in preventing cancer, heart disease and reduce blood pressure among numerous other benefits.
* Valerian is a herbal supplement effective for insomnia
* Vitamin A and carotenoids are herbal supplements that promote good eyesight.
* Vitamin B6 and B12 belong to Vitamin B complexes which treat a host of ailments such as alcoholism, depression, diabetes, hair problems, lupus, multiple sclerosis and stress.
* Vitamin D is essential in preventing osteoporosis.
* Vitamin E is herbal dietary supplements that are potent antioxidants.
* Vitamin K compound helps blood clot or coagulation.
* Zinc is an essential trace element that is relied on by every cell in the body and hundreds of body processes
All of these herbal elements offer great beneficial value to supplement your diet and assist with weight loss and good general health.
Both Kwan H Lo & T J Madigan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kwan H Lo has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Audio Books and Insurance. Kwan H Lo is the owner of a review site providing information on high quality such as. Kwan H Lo's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.