New Study Shows Potential Health Risks With Common Dietary Supplements

New information based on a study by Consumer Reports has revealed that the very dietary supplements we so commonly buy are not as safe as we thought they were. These supplements are now shown to carry large risks such as the potential for heart palpitations, allergic reactions, and generalized pain.

The study by Consumer Reports said that supplements such as vitamins, probiotics, and weight-loss aids pose potential health risks due to the lax regulations imposed on the dietary industry.

One of the key issues is that dietary supplements do not require any form of FDA approval, which allows manufacturers and producers to bypass many regulatory standards that pharmaceutical companies must deal with. Having said that, companies, if they wanted to, could include unsafe chemicals into their products without much oversight.

Consumer Reports consulted with many different doctors across the country to find out which supplements/ingredients are the most dangerous and the results were surprising, to say the least.

One of the most prominent supplements that they found major issues with, in regards to potential side effects, was caffeine boosters. Often times people will use caffeine boosters in an attempt to lose weight or to gain energy before a workout. Because caffeine is present in everyday drinks, like soda or coffee,  people tend to believe that they are entirely harmless. However, side effects include heart palpitations and dizziness among other things.

Another common, yet harmful ingredient, is called Kava. Kava is often put into supplements that promote the reduction of cholesterol and/or anxiety.

Consumer Reports has said that these ingredients, such as caffeine and Kava, could potentially cause seizures, liver damage, or kidney damage. Deaths have even been reported in some of the extreme cases.

Considering that over 150 million Americans consume dietary supplements each year, it is obvious that there are serious implications due to this study.

Dr. Pieter Cohen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical school, recommends that people treat these supplements as if they were prescription medication. In other words, he recommends that people take the same precautions that they take when they take prescribed medication.

So, your best bet is to purchase from reputable companies that adhere to the highest of standards. Look at consumer reports and reviews about the products you are about to purchase and then make your best judgement. While you will inevitably encounter risks, there are ways to minimize them and shop responsibly.

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